EP0619626B1 - Electrical connector with a number of connection modules - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connector provided with a plurality of connection modules.

For example, by French patents FR-A-2 115 556, FR-A-2 479 581, FR-A-2 489 609 and FR-A-2 501 428, electrical connectors are already known comprising a plurality of modules connection socket on a common support and crossed by connection members capable of establishing electrical connections between the front and rear faces of said modules, respectively opposite to and directed towards said support. These previous documents describe different means for fixing each of said connection modules in the corresponding housing of said common support, as well as different embodiments for said connection members (male plugs and female plugs), which are preferably removably mounted (clipping ) inside through housings, provided for this purpose in said modules.

Furthermore, in commerce, there are, for example under the references DMC-M and DMC-MD of the French company Compagnie DEUTSCH and under the references SIM-N and SIM-D of the French company AIR LB, electrical connectors comprising an adjacent module holder and wiring chamber made of an aluminum alloy, said module holder having a plurality of housings, generally four, into which connection modules can be inserted and held, for example by clipping, such as those described above. These modules form, for said connector, on the side opposite to said wiring chamber, a plug-in face making it possible to connect said connector to a complementary electrical connector, similar or different, but provided with a complementary plug-in face, and, from the side directed towards said wiring chamber, a connection face for the ends (generally provided with connection ends) of electrical conductors penetrating said wiring chamber through the wall thereof, said modules being provided for this purpose with connection members (such as those described above) passing through them to ensure the electrical connections between said plug-in face and said connection face.

In these known connectors, the four modules are aligned, so that the module holder and the wiring chamber have an elongated and flattened section. Furthermore, as is usual, in order to ensure the locking of the plugging in of said connector and of its complementary connector, said connector comprises a central through screw, the control head of which appears outside of said wiring chamber and which can be screwed into a complementary threaded sleeve.

In general, in these known connectors, the module holder and the wiring chamber are two different units, fixed to each other by said through locking screw and / or lateral pressure screws. In addition, the wiring chamber consists of a flat housing, closed by a cover plate which is fixed to it by screws. This results in a large number of screws (ten), so that the assembly of such a connector is long (7 to 15 minutes). In addition, these screws are small and therefore fragile and they risk damaging the internal conductors of said wiring chamber.

In particular when they are intended to form part of the electrical circuits of an aircraft, these known connectors are hardened, that is to say protected against electromagnetic interference, of nuclear or other nature, as well as against lightning and against contamination from a other on-board equipment. Thus, the disturbances and degradations which could be caused to the aircraft by the aforementioned causes are avoided, such disturbances and degradations possibly even leading to the destruction of said aircraft.

To harden such a connector, said module holder and said wiring chamber are sealed, using seals, in particular between the modules and their housings in the module holder and between said connection members and their housings in said connectors. modules, and there is continuity of mass between the different parts. The structure of said known connectors does not allow systematic sealing and mass continuity at each junction.

In addition, still with the aim of hardening the known connectors, there are provided chimneys for passage of the conductor bundles between said wiring chamber and the exterior and said conductor bundles are coated with a conductive braid. It is thus possible to seal between the exterior and the wiring chamber by providing joints in said chimneys and to ensure earth continuity between the conductors and the connector by connecting, for example using a metal collar, said braids of the bundles of conductors at the corresponding chimneys. Such chimneys are simple cylindrical sleeves, of circular or oval cross-section, of conductive material which protrude outside said wiring chamber and which are either attached by screwing or in one piece with said wiring chamber .

Whatever their method of attachment to said wiring chamber, it can be seen that these chimneys increase the inherent rigidity of the cable bundles, so that they increase the excessive bulk at the rear of said wiring chamber.

When they are fixed to the wiring chamber with screws, we see that the chimneys increase the assembly time of the connectors, already long as mentioned above. In addition, to properly secure the metal braid of a bundle of conductors on the corresponding chimney, it is preferable to dismantle said chimney. It is therefore then necessary to screw said chimney back onto the wiring chamber, which is a delicate and long operation, owing to the rigidity and the bulk of the bundles of conductors provided with conductive braid and collars making it possible to tighten said braid. on the chimney. It also often happens that during the reassembly of a chimney on the wiring chamber, the part of the conductive braid covering said chimney is damaged.

Because it is not possible to connect conductors of the same bundle to all the modules, it is necessary to provide several bundles and therefore several chimneys. This means that, for a single connector, it is essential to carry out several long and delicate attachments of conductive braids on chimneys, and therefore to provide a significant assembly time.

Finally, these chimneys being constituted by a one-piece sleeve, it is practically impossible to automate the mounting of the end caps of the conductors in said modules.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks of known connectors and to describe a connector making it possible to meet the most stringent standards of international regulations, in particular in the aeronautical field, as regards protection against external electromagnetic disturbances, as well that of allow automated mounting of said connector on electrical conductors.

• en ce que ladite chambre de câblage est constituée de deux coques assemblables entre elles, ainsi que sur ledit porte-modules ;
• en ce que lesdites cheminées sont constituées de deux demi-cheminées assemblables longitudinalement ; et
• en ce que lesdites cheminées sont maintenues solidaires de ladite chambre de câblage par emprisonnement entre lesdites deux coques assemblées.

To this end, according to the invention, the electrical connector comprising a module holder and a separate but adjacent wiring chamber, said module holder having a plurality of connection modules, which form, on the side opposite to said wiring chamber, a plug-in face enabling said connector to be connected to a complementary electrical connector, similar or different, but provided with a complementary plug-in face and, on the side directed towards said wiring chamber, a connection face for the ends of conductors electrical penetrating into said wiring chamber by chimneys integral with the wall thereof, said modules being provided with connection members passing through them to ensure the electrical connections between said plug face and said connection face, is remarkable:

• in that said wiring chamber consists of two shells which can be assembled together, as well as on said module holder;
• in that said chimneys consist of two half-chimneys which can be assembled longitudinally; and
• in that said chimneys are held integral with said wiring chamber by imprisonment between said two assembled shells.

Thus, thanks to such a structure, it is possible to arrange said shells and said chimneys around the electrical conductors, after the connection of these on said module holder, and to easily carry out the operations of connecting the conductive braids on the chimneys (without having to put them on the conductors before connection to the module holder) and securing said chimneys, thus connected to said conductive braids, on said shells.

Preferably, each half-chimney is provided with a transverse base plate, said plates forming, after assembly of said half-chimneys, transverse base plates for said chimneys and slots are provided in the thickness of side walls of said shells , for example in the thickness of the rear walls, to serve as a housing for said transverse base plates.

Said half-chimneys can have sections of any suitable shape, for example semi-circular or U-shaped. In the latter case, the depths of the U of two cooperating half-chimneys can be identical or different, so that one can obtain any desired ovalization for the chimneys.

Advantageously, in order to increase the tightness of said chimneys, said half-chimneys are assembled along a longitudinal joint plane formed by cooperating longitudinal shoulders. Thus, said joint plane forms transverse baffles opposing the exchanges between the exterior and the interior of the chimneys.

It is also advantageous for the free edge of said side walls of said shells to have, at the base of said slots, notches of shape corresponding to the external shape of said chimneys, so that these notches closely match said chimneys.

Advantageously, the module holder comprises, on the side of said wiring chamber, a frame surrounding said connection face and used for securing said shells to said module holder. This frame may include a projecting peripheral rim, capable of cooperating with assembly slots provided in said shells. We obtain thus a mechanical interlocking of the shells on the module holder.

Also for purposes of good sealing of the wiring chamber, it is advantageous for said shells to be assembled along a joint plane formed by cooperating longitudinal shoulders, so as to form transverse baffles.

One can provide screws to at least fix said assembled shells one on the other.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 shows, in perspective, two known additional electrical connectors, not connected to each other.

Figure 2 illustrates, in top view, the known connection device consisting of the two known electrical connectors of Figure 1, connected to each other and mounted on a wall.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the rear face of said known connectors of FIG. 1.

Figures 4 and 6 illustrate, in perspective, two known embodiments for the chimneys of passage of electrical conductors.

Figures 5 and 7 illustrate, respectively, also in perspective, the ground connection between said chimneys of Figures 4 and 6 and the metal braids surrounding the electrical conductors connected to said known connectors.

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a connector according to the present invention.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate embodiments of chimneys, in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 12 and 13 are exploded views, in perspective, of the main elements of two embodiments of the connector according to the present invention.

The known DCE electrical connection device, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises two complementary electrical connectors CE1 and CE2. Each electrical connector CE1 or CE2 comprises a module holder PM1 or PM2, respectively, and a wiring chamber CC1 or CC2, respectively, made of an electrically conductive material (aluminum alloy for example).

The wiring chambers CC1 and CC2 each form a unit, which is attached to the corresponding electrical connector CE1 or CE2 by interlocking and which is fixed there by lateral screws 1. Each wiring chamber CC1 or CC2 is formed by a housing 2 and a cover plate 3, fixed to said housing by a plurality of screws 4.

Each PM1 or PM2 module holder has a plurality of housings into which connection modules MC1.1 to MC1.4 and MC2.1 to MC2.4 are inserted and maintained, respectively. The fixing of said modules in the corresponding housings is obtained in any known manner, but not shown, for example by clipping. The connection modules MC1.1 to MC1.4 of the electrical connector CE1 form, on the side opposite to the wiring chamber CC1, a plugging face FE1 complementary to the plugging face FE2 formed, on the side opposite to the wiring chamber. CC2 wiring, through MC2.1 to MC2.4 connection modules of the CE2 electrical connector.

On the side of the wiring chambers CC1 and CC2, said connection modules MC1.1 to MC1.4 and MC2.1 to MC2.4 form connection faces (not visible in FIGS. 1 and 2) for the ends of electrical conductors 5.

In the electrical connectors CE1 and CE2, the connection modules MC1.1 to MC1.4 and MC2.1 to MC2.4 are arranged in line, so that each of said electrical connectors has a flattened shape, elongated in the direction of the alignment of said connection modules.

The electrical conductors 5 penetrate into the wiring chambers CC1 and CC2, via the corresponding elongated rear face 6 thereof, opposite the plug-in face FE1 or FE2, through conductive chimneys 7, fixed on said elongated faces 6 .

Each connection module MC1.1 to MC1.4 and MC2.1 to MC2.4 is provided with connection members 8, for example pins of the male and female type passing through them, intended to ensure electrical continuity between the faces of connection (not visible because arranged on the side of the wiring chambers and to which the ends of the conductors 5 are connected) and the corresponding plug faces FE1 and FE2, as well as between said plug faces FE1 and FE2, when said electrical connectors CE1 and CE2 are coupled (see Figure 2).

To lock said electrical connectors CE1 and CE2 in the coupled position, a through screw 9 is provided, trapped in the electrical connector CE2 and provided with an operating head 10, capable of cooperating with a threaded socket 11, integral with the electrical connector CE1.

The PM1 module holder of the latter may include a flange 12, making it possible to fix it to a wall 13 using screws 14, at the periphery of an opening 15 in which said electrical connector CE1 is engaged.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and more distinctly in FIGS. 4 to 7, the chimneys 7 of the known electrical connectors CE1 and CE2 are constituted by sleeves 16 or 17, of cylindrical or oval section, secured to transverse base plates 18 , which can be fixed to the rear faces 6 of the electrical connectors CE1 and CE2, using screws 19. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, two cylindrical sleeves 16, each of which can be crossed by a bundle of conductors 5 (for example a cable), are integral with a common base plate 18. Of course, each cylindrical sleeve 16 can be provided with its own base plate. Each cylindrical sleeve 16 passes through the plate 18 and has an extension 16 'capable of penetrating inside passages 20, provided in said rear faces 6, for the passage of conductors 5 (see FIG. 7). Threaded holes 21 and 22 are respectively provided in the bases 18 and in the rear faces 6 for said fixing screws 19.

In the embodiment, also known, of FIG. 6, the two cylindrical sleeves 16 of FIG. 4 are replaced by a single sleeve 17, of oval section, for the passage of two bundles of conductors 5, said sleeve 17 being extended , on the opposite side of the plate 18, by two extensions 16 ', like those described above.

As has been described above and is shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, in order to ensure ground continuity, the electrical conductors 5 are surrounded by conductive braids 23, held in electrical contact with said chimneys 7 by hose clamps 24, said conductive braids 23 and said clamps 24 before, for reasons of convenience, be secured to said chimneys 7 before final mounting thereof on said wiring chambers CC1 and CC2.

From the above description, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 (which has omitted voluntarily, since they are well known in the art, the various seals), it can be seen that it is practically impossible to automate the mounting of the electrical connectors. CE1 and CE2 on the ends of the conductors, due to the design of the wiring chambers CC1 and CC2 (high number of screws 4 to fix the cover plates 3 on the housings 2), the design of the chimneys 7 (which must be threaded on the conductors 5) and the method of fixing said chimneys 7 on the connectors CE1 and CE2 by screwing.

• deux coques C1 et C2 destinées à former une chambre de câblage CC (comparable aux chambres de câblage CC1 et CC2) et assemblables entre elles le long d'un plan de joint PJ, ainsi que sur le porte-modules PM (comparable aux porte-modules PM1 et PM2), du côté opposé à la face d'enfichage FE de celui-ci ;
• des cheminées CH destinées à remplacer les cheminées 7 et maintenues solidaires de la chambre de câblage CC par emprisonnement entre les coques C1 et C2.

To remedy this drawback, the electrical connector CE according to the invention (intended to replace one or the other of said known connectors CE1 and CE2 described above) essentially comprises (see FIG. 8):

• two shells C1 and C2 intended to form a CC wiring chamber (comparable to CC1 and CC2 wiring chambers) and can be assembled together along a joint plane PJ, as well as on the PM module holder (comparable to the modules PM1 and PM2), on the side opposite to the plug-in face FE of the latter;
• CH chimneys intended to replace the chimneys 7 and kept integral with the wiring chamber CC by imprisonment between the shells C1 and C2.

According to an important feature of the present invention, the conductive chimneys CH consist of two half-chimneys 30 which can be assembled longitudinally.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9 and 10, each half-chimney 30 consists of a gutter part 31, associated with a base part 32. The two gutter parts 31 of the half-chimneys 30 may have a semicircular section or (as shown) a U-shaped section. In the latter case, the U's can be identical or different, as regards their depth. The base parts 32 are in the form of rectangular plates surrounding the convex part of said gutters 31. The two half-chimneys 30 can be assembled longitudinally along a joint plane 33, which, preferably as shown, is not flat , but has cooperating shoulders 34 and 35 capable of forming transverse baffles. Thus, a better sealing of the chimneys is obtained.

In Figure 9, the CH chimney is shown in exploded perspective view, while in Figure 10, the CH chimney is shown in end view, assembled.

In this assembled position, the two plates 32 form a base plate 36.

Numerous alternative embodiments can be provided for the conductive chimneys CH. For example, in FIG. 11, there is shown in perspective an example of a system with two circular gutters 40, each gutter being formed, as before, of two half-gutters assembled longitudinally along joint planes 41. In this case, the base plate 36 is formed of four base parts 37 assembled.

In the exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention, illustrated by FIG. 12, the PM module holder comprises a frame 50 around its connection face FB, in which the connection modules MC appear (similar to modules MC1.1 to MC1.4 or MC2.1 to MC2.4). On the side directed towards the PM module holder, each of the shells C1 and C2 has a bearing surface 51 intended to come to bear against the frame 50.

On the side opposite to the PM module holder, each of the shells C1 and C2 has a thick rear side wall 52, the two rear walls 52 being intended to form, for the connector CE, a rear wall 53 comparable to the rear wall 6 described here. above above FIGS. 2 and 3. In the thickness of the rear side walls 52, slots 54 are formed, intended to serve as housing for base plates 36 of chimney CH. The free edges 55 of the rear walls 52 are notched (at 56) perpendicular to the slots 54, in order to be adapted in shape to the gutters 31.

The friction between the base plates 36 and the walls of the slots 54 is capable of ensuring electrical contact between the chimneys CH and the shells C1 and C2.

It is easily understood that, thanks to the constitution of the connector according to the invention, the shells C1 and C2 can be assembled together, as well as to the PM module holder, by trapping the chimneys CH between them. For example, threaded holes 57 and 58 are provided in the PM module holder and the shell C2 for a few screws (not shown) passing through holes 59 and 60 of the shell C1 and intended to fix the various elements PM, C1, C2 and CH.

The rear walls 52 of the shells C1 and C2 can be arranged to provide a passage 61, for the transverse assembly screw 9,10.

In the variant embodiment of FIG. 13, the elements of the connector of FIG. 12 are essentially found. However, in this case, the frame 50 has a flange protruding device 62, so that the bearing surfaces 51 are replaced by slots 63, formed in the shells C1 and C2. In addition, it is intended that instead of being planar, as in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the joint plane PJ comprises cooperating interlocking shoulders 64 to 67, respectively provided on said shells C1 and C2 .

In the connector of Figure 13, the screw corresponding to the holes 57 and 59, and therefore these holes themselves, can be removed.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the various known seals have not been shown, making it possible to seal the connector.

It is easily understood that, thanks to the structure of the connector according to the present invention, it is possible to automate the mounting of the latter on the ends of conductors 5. In fact, the connector being disassembled, it is easy to connect said ends of conductors on the connection members 8 of the PM module holder, on the side of the connection face FB, then enclose said conductors in the wiring chamber CC and ensure the ground connection between the conductive braids 23 and CH chimneys, reporting CH chimneys and shells C1 and C2 around said conductors.

Although, in the embodiments of the connector according to the invention, described with reference to FIGS. 8, 12 and 13, it has been assumed that the MC modules are aligned, it goes without saying that the present invention applies to any different arrangement of said modules. For example, these can be arranged in rows and columns to give said connector an at least approximately square section.

Claims (10)

1. Electrical connector (CE) including a module carrier (PM) and a wiring chamber (CC) which are separate but adjacent, said module carrier having a plurality of connection modules (MC) which form, on the side opposite said wiring chamber, a plug-in face (FE) enabling said connector to be connected to a complementary electrical connector, which is similar or different, but which is provided with a complementary plug-in face and, on the side facing said wiring chamber, a connection face (FB) for the ends of electrical conductors (5) penetrating into said wiring chamber via ducts (CH) solidly fastened to the wall thereof, said modules being provided with connection members (8) passing through them in order to provide the electrical connections between said plug-in face and said connection face, characterized:

   - in that said wiring chamber (CC) consists of two shells (C1, C2) which can be joined together, as well as to said module carrier (PM);

   - in that said ducts (CH) consist of two half-ducts (30, 40) which can be joined longitudinally; and

   - in that said ducts (CH) are held solidly fastened to said wiring chamber by being trapped between said two joined shells (C1, C2).
2. Electrical connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that each half-duct (30, 40) is provided with a transverse base platelet (32, 37), in that said platelets form, after joining said half-ducts, transverse base plates (36) for said ducts and in that slots are provided in the thickness of side walls (52) of said shells in order to serve as a housing for said transverse base plates (36).
3. Electrical connector according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each half-duct (40) has a semicircular section.
4. Electrical connector according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each half-duct (30) has a U-shaped section.
5. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said half-ducts are joined along a longitudinal junction plane (33, 41) formed by interacting longitudinal shoulders (34, 35).
6. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the free edge (55) of said side walls (52) of said shells includes, plumb with said slots (54), cut-outs (56) of shape corresponding to the external shape of said ducts (CH).
7. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said module carrier (PM) includes, on the side of said wiring chamber (CC), a frame (50) surrounding said connection face (FB) and serving for the solid fastening of said shells to said module carrier.
8. Electrical connector according to Claim 7, characterized in that said frame (50) includes a projecting peripheral rim (62), capable of interacting with assembly slots (63) provided in said shells (C1, C2).
9. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said shells (C1, C2) are joined along a junction plane (PJ) formed by interacting longitudinal shoulders (64 to 67).
10. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least its joined shells are fixed to each other by screws.

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