EP0876941A1 - Semi-automatic connection together with mechanical coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

The system provides for fastening together one of two boards (3,4) of an electrical connector with a mechanical support (1). The first board (4) is arranged to be removable, whilst the other board (3) is fixed to the assembly (2) to which the mechanical support is coupled. It includes cams (16a,16b) situated on the ends of flexible supports (6a,6b), each being a v-shape built on to the support. These supports serve to guide the male and female parts of the connector together, whilst the cams provide a locking action. The cam surfaces face in opposite directions, and are received within an orifice formed within the mechanical support element (1). The cams are formed at the ends of the arms so that they are at a distance from the electrical connection interface of the boards.

Description

The present invention relates generally to steering wheels and tops of motor vehicle steering columns. More specifically, it focuses on the problem of docking frills on said column tops.

The new generation of steering wheel allows blind docking, the mechanical connection system between said flywheel and the top of steering column being for example of the clipping type. So the fitter can operate without tools, and especially at a high rate. However, docking a steering wheel at a column top requires two distinct types of connections: a mechanical connection, only concerned by the previous remark, and a connection electric, whose importance is growing over time.

The problem to which the invention relates is at the level of the electrical junction: it is not possible to provide a connector with a plug simply attached to the top of the column and a plug simply fixed to the steering wheel, providing that the docking mechanical will simultaneously operate the electrical junction. Indeed, the electrical connection must be preserved from all constraints mechanical likely to cause micro-cuts, in particular due to the existence of the airbag in the steering wheel.

However, the steering wheel necessarily undergoes mechanical stresses (axial play, runout creating radial stresses, ...), which therefore prevent the above solution from being applied. The problem is so the following: the connection to be provided must absorb the tolerances of positioning of the steering wheel and its runout. In addition, he should not remain no other mechanical stress, so as to be able to guarantee the electrical continuity.

The solution proposed by the invention provides that the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the part of the connector which is attached to it disappears when the electrical connection is made. Maintaining the record in the steering wheel is therefore produced by means of a floating mechanical system which, when mechanically releases said plug, also frees it from all constraints.

In general, the invention relates to a securing system one of the two plugs of an electrical connector to a mechanical member, said plug being designed to be detachably connected thereto, the other plug being attached to an assembly to which said member is coupled mechanically along an axis parallel to the axis of the electrical coupling, said system being characterized in that it comprises means for mounting / dismounting of said audit plug / of said mechanical member, said assembly / disassembly is carried out parallel to the coupling axes, the assembly is carried out by simple clipping, while disassembly is carried out by simple pull.

In reality, in the recommended solution, the card linked to said organ mechanical, for example a steering wheel, can be secured to it such that an axial force in one direction or the other allows its release or its fixation.

More specifically, the plug connected to said mechanical member comprises two flexible legs each having a projection acting as a cam, each of said cams being oriented 180 ° from the other, said legs hoses cooperating with at least one orifice made in said member mechanical, so that when the plug is clipped, said cams rest on a surface opposite the side of the mechanical member making facing the assembly comprising the fixed plug.

In this case, said legs are preferably identical, the cams being located at their far end from the connection interface.

More preferably still, said cams have a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the axis of the plug parallel to the coupling axes.

According to a possible configuration, they present, towards the outside, a V shape with flat base.

These flexible legs are however not sufficient to ensure correctly securing the plug to the mechanical member to which it is attached connected.

This further comprises at least one elastic return element acting parallel to the coupling axes, and bearing in at minus a place on the one hand on said plug, and on the other hand on the side of said mechanical member facing the assembly comprising the fixed plug, said elastic element exerting on each of them equal and opposite actions.

In fact, said joining is supplemented by these recall elements which exert on the mechanical organ an action antagonistic to that of the legs flexible. These two contrary actions ensure the fixation, and their properties elastic to ensure removability and repetition of movements in both ways.

According to a possible configuration, the plug connected to said mechanical member has a rectangular-shaped housing, the flexible legs being arranged at the level of the small faces while the large faces have support flanges for said elastic elements.

The mechanical member receiving the plug, preferably a handwheel direction, includes an orifice made in a wall substantially perpendicular to the coupling axis, provided with slots capable of receiving flexible legs, the surface of said slots oriented opposite to that looking at the plug being adapted to accommodate the cams of said flexible tabs.

The plug connected to the mechanical member is therefore clipped using the tabs side fitted with cams which, thanks to their flexibility, fit into a corresponding shape practiced in said mechanical member, the connection being held by the action of elastic elements on the other side of the wall in which the hole is made.

In fact, more precisely, the elastic return elements are fixed in a leaves with wings perpendicularly protruding from the large faces of the housing and which are, in operation, parallel to the wall presenting said orifice, and rest on the other hand on said wall in the vicinity of said orifice.

These elastic elements can for example be metal blades of shape respecting the aforementioned spatial configuration.

They can also be coil springs arranged, when the plug is clipped into the mechanical member, parallel to the connection axes.

Finally, said elements can be parts made of synthetic material of the foam type with elastic properties allowing them to exercise a recall action.

Depending on a possible configuration, these parts can be stamps in foam whose opposite face of said wings is self-adhesive.

In fact, to optimize the invention as presented above, we provided that the electrical connector, one of the plugs of which is fixed to a steering column type assembly with the other plug attached removably to a mechanical flywheel-type member, or fitted with a mechanical system performing relative axial displacement between said plugs.

Preferably, it is a locking connector, one of the plugs includes a locking member making it possible to join electrical when the start of the mechanical coupling of the connector is realized, and, by reverse displacement, to undo said electrical junction for bring it to its start mating position.

More preferably, said connector comprises a locking member taking the form of a transverse stirrup sliding laterally in one of the sheets.

It is obvious that the mechanical receiving organ of one of the cards can receive either the male plug or the female plug. Depending on the most common, it is the female electrical connector which is equipped with the removable fixing of the invention, which however does not include said stirrup transverse.

As mentioned above, this invention applies perfectly to a vehicle steering wheel to be coupled to a high column, the mechanical connection and the electrical connection being of axes parallel.

In the context of the invention, the completion of the electrical connection is done in a second step, for example by locking the two plugs when in the connected position.

The invention is not however limited to the joining system removable from a plug to a steering wheel, but it also relates to a steering wheel management equipped with a form according to the aforementioned terms.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a steering wheel motor vehicle steering and a steering column top on which is fixed a connector plug intended to cooperate with the plug corresponding to said flywheel, characterized in that, when docking mechanics of the flywheel on said top of column is achieved, the start of the mechanical connection of electrical connector plugs is also executed.

• accostage mécanique du volant sur ledit haut de colonne, réalisant simultanément le début du guidage mécanique de la connexion électrique ;
• désolidarisation mécanique du connecteur équipant le volant par achèvement de la connexion électrique.

In addition, the invention relates to a method of docking a motor vehicle steering wheel to a top of the steering column provided with a fixed connector plug intended to cooperate with the steering wheel plug, comprising the following steps:

• mechanical docking of the steering wheel on said top of the column, simultaneously carrying out the start of the mechanical guidance of the electrical connection;
• mechanical separation of the connector fitted to the steering wheel by completion of the electrical connection.

Preferably, said mechanical separation is carried out by the locking of a locking electrical connector.

• déconnexion de la jonction électrique, aboutissant à la connexion mécanique de l'une des fiches au volant ;
• désolidarisation mécanique du volant par rapport au haut de colonne de direction.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of separating a motor vehicle steering wheel from a top of the steering column provided with a fixed connector plug intended to cooperate with the steering wheel plug, comprising the following steps:

• disconnection of the electrical junction, resulting in the mechanical connection of one of the plugs to the steering wheel;
• mechanical separation of the steering wheel from the top of the steering column.

Here again, the electrical junction is disconnected by the locking member of a locking electrical connector.

The main advantage of the inventions covered by this document lies in the possibility that they offer of allowing the docking of a steering wheel of the as quickly as possible, without tools, so that the productivity of automobiles equipped with this type of steering wheel will be increased. This is done of course respecting the constraints related to the connection, which imposes the particular concept, an example of which will now be described.

• Les figures 1 à 3 représentent en section les étapes principales de l'accostage d'un volant muni d'une fiche de connecteur électrique à un haut de colonne de direction.
• Les figures 4a à 4c représentent schématiquement un tel accostage, le volant et le haut de colonne de direction étant représentés simplifiés, les fiches du connecteur électrique étant en outre vues sous un autre angle.
• La figure 5 est une vue perspective d'un haut de colonne de direction muni d'une fiche de connecteur électrique.
• La figure 6 est une vue perspective d'un volant muni d'une fiche de genre opposé.
• La figure 7 représente, en perspective, un connecteur complet adapté dans le cadre de l'invention.
• Les figures 8a à 10b représentent des variantes possibles de lames métalliques faisant office d'éléments élastiques de rappel.
• La figure 11 est une variante à ressorts à boudins, et
• Les figures 12 et 13 montrent d'autres possibilités utilisant des éléments de rappel en mousse élastique.

This more detailed description will be made with reference to the appended figures, for which:

• Figures 1 to 3 show in section the main stages of docking a steering wheel fitted with an electrical connector plug to a top of the steering column.
• Figures 4a to 4c schematically show such docking, the steering wheel and the top of the steering column being shown simplified, the plugs of the electrical connector being further seen from another angle.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a top of the steering column provided with an electrical connector plug.
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a steering wheel with a plug of the opposite kind.
• FIG. 7 represents, in perspective, a complete connector adapted within the framework of the invention.
• FIGS. 8a to 10b represent possible variants of metal blades acting as elastic return elements.
• FIG. 11 is a variant with coil springs, and
• Figures 12 and 13 show other possibilities using elastic foam return elements.

In Figures 1 to 3, the steering wheel (1) is shown in three different positions relatively to the top of the steering column (2), which will not be distinguished, in the following, the different constituent elements, because they are not part of the invention. Reference (2) should therefore be understood as encompassing usually the entire top of the column.

The two plugs, male (3) and female (4), of the electrical connector are shown in the right part, in cross section, as well as the others elements appearing in these figures. The male connector (3) or male plug (3) has connection sockets (5) intended to be inserted in corresponding holes of the female connector (4) or female plug (4), secured to said steering wheel (1).

Said electrical connector also comprises a mechanical coupling, to which we will return in detail below, and for which the connector male (3) plays the role of female receiver, and the female connector (4) plays the role of male element, in a configuration parallel to that of the connection mechanical steering wheel on the top of the steering column. There are however no major ambiguity, and the roles could be substituted without there being problems, the important thing being to define the elements involved in the connections: in the following, the electrical elements will be designated by their kind.

• de pattes flexibles (6) ; et
• d'éléments élastiques de rappel (7a, 7b)

   qui agissent de part et d'autre d'une paroi (8) du volant (1) dans laquelle est pratiqué un orifice (10) permettant notamment le passage desdites pattes (6), ainsi que de la filerie (9).The female element (4) is more complex than its male counterpart (3), and includes a removable fastening system on the steering wheel (1) provided with:

• flexible legs (6); and
• elastic return elements (7a, 7b)

which act on either side of a wall (8) of the steering wheel (1) in which is formed an orifice (10) allowing in particular the passage of said tabs (6), as well as the wiring (9).

The female plug (4) takes the form of a box with a substantially section rectangular, the large faces of which have lateral wings (11a, 11b) substantially parallel to the wall (8), and on which the elements are fixed elastic (7a, 7b), which rest moreover on said wall (8), as will see it in more detail below.

Finally, the large faces of the parallelepiped connector housing female (4) have studs (12) participating in the mechanical connection between the two plugs, to their relative displacement and to its locking, as we will also see in more detail below.

In Figure 1, the steering wheel (1) and the female plug (4) attached to it are still at a distance from the top of the steering column (2) and the male plug (3) y fixed.

In FIG. 2, the mechanical docking of the steering wheel (1) is carried out, and a priming of mechanical connection is initiated for the plugs (3, 4) of the connector.

In this position, the female plug (4) is always secured to the steering wheel (1) although the male and female connectors (3, 4) have started bonding mechanical.

In Figure 3, the mechanical connection of said plugs (3, 4) is completed, it is say that the electrical connection is completely completed. The female plug (4) is released from the steering wheel (1), in a way that we will see later, and it is not therefore no longer subject to the mechanical stresses applied to the steering wheel.

FIGS. 4a to 4c give additional light on these phases, because they are oriented longitudinally with respect to the housing female connector parallelepiped (4). While in the figures previous, the action of the elastic elements (7a, 7b), not shown on these figures, was obvious, this one highlights the action of the legs flexible (6a, 6b).

In FIG. 4a, the cams equipping the end of the legs (6a, 6b) rest on a surface of the wall (8), in the vicinity of the orifice (10). When the mechanical connection is initiated (Figure 4b), the elastic elements are constrained in pressure, and said cams lift and move away from said wall (8). This is also apparent in Figure 2, where we see the elements (7a, 7b) tablets, and the top of the raised case. This constraint is functionally important, as it assists in the axial guidance of the female plug (4) in the male plug (3).

In FIG. 4c, said cams have enabled the release of said plug (4), and are therefore found under the wall (8). The electrical junction is completely realized, the whole being even locked.

Indeed, as it appears in Figure 5, the male plug is that of a locking electrical connector known per se, said locking being produced by a transverse bracket (13) sliding in the housing (3), operating as follows: the stirrup (13) is provided, on its large faces longitudinal, partially oblique grooves (14a, 14b) forming a cam path intended to cooperate with the studs (12a, 12b) of the female plug (4), studs which appear in particular in FIG. 6.

In the unlocked rest position, the stirrup (13) is deployed outwards as in FIG. 5, and the paths (14a, 14b), comprising a portion close to the mouth substantially parallel to the connection axis and placed opposite notches (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), are able to receive the studs (12a, 12b) of the female plug (4).

Given the oblique shape of the next portion of the grooves (14a, 14b), said pads however come into abutment at the end of the portion axial. At this stage, the coupling is initiated, the elastic elements are in pressure (Figures 2 and 4b), and the flywheel (1) is coupled to the top of the direction (2).

When the caliper is pressed to slide it into the plug male (3), the walls of the grooves (14a, 14b) visible, as well as those which are on the opposite facade, exert on the studs (12) an action which leads it to move in the grooves (14) to their end, located at the bottom, this is to say opposite the mouth of the plug (3), so that the female plug (4) is pulled towards the bottom of the plug (3) and disconnects from the steering wheel.

The electrical connection is then completely completed, as well as the mechanical coupling, which is also locked.

Figure 7 shows a locking electrical connector with its bracket (13), in the initial pre-guiding position, i.e. when the plug female (4) is partially inserted into the male plug (3). This figure shows moreover the cams (16a, 16b) located at the end of each flexible tab (6a, 6b), V-shaped with a flat base. On the other hand, the elastic elements (7a, 7b) are not shown, only the horizontal wing (11) support being figured. These elements are the subject of the following figures.

In these, an extremely schematic cross-section shows the female connector (4), as well as the wall (8) and the orifice (10) of the steering wheel (1). So, in FIG. 8a, the cross section of the elastic element is in deformed S, the upper part (17), playing mainly the role of spring, having the form a leaf spring.

Figure 8b shows that the lower part (18) follows the shape of the wing (11) and has only at its two ends an upper part (17, 17 '). On the whole of the female plug (4), there is therefore the equivalent of four leaf springs.

Figures 9a and 9b show a variant in which the attachment to wings (11) is made at the longitudinal ends, and are connected by a loop upper (19) exerting a more linear action on the wall (8). It's about still with a metal blade, as well as the variant of FIGS. 10a and 10b, comprising on each side a double blade (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) crosswise.

In this case, the action is again more punctual, performed every four corners of the plug housing (4), according to a modus operandi similar to the variant Figures 8a and 8b.

Figure 11 shows a configuration with coil springs (21a, 21b), two or three per large face of the female plug (4).

FIG. 12 represents an elastic element (7a, 7b) made of material synthetic, extremely resilient foam type. In section, this element (22a, 22b) is similar to that shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the difference, besides the material, residing in the continuity of the upper part.

Finally, in FIG. 13, the elastic element (7a, 7b), also made of material synthesis, includes a hollow upper cushion (23a, 23b) exerting a return action simultaneously on the wings (11a, 11b) and on the wall (8), said actions being equal and opposite. The upper cushion could be replaced by a full pad, the opposite face of the wings (11a, 11b) is self-adhesive, with no bottom part.

The overall operation is as follows:

When the steering wheel (1) docking on the top of the column (2) is mechanically produced, we are in the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 4b, and close to that illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 13: the return elements are constrained, and the mechanical guiding of a connector plug relative to the other is started.

The operator then proceeds to lock by pushing in the stirrup (13), which has for the purpose of pulling the female connector (4), and detaching it from the steering wheel (1). It is therefore no longer subject to any mechanical stress, the wiring (9) being long enough to absorb any stresses exerted there.

Conversely, the removal of the steering wheel is preceded by reverse manipulation on the bracket (13), which has the effect of pushing the female connector (4) towards the flywheel, enough for axial clipping to take place: the flywheel (1) and the female plug (4) are again secured, the end of said plug being however always inserted in that of the male plug (3), but not locked. Then simply remove the steering wheel (1) from the top of the column to disengage said ends.

Either way, these operations are extremely simple and quick to achieve.

Claims (23)

Securing system for one of the two plugs (3, 4) of a electrical connector to a mechanical member (1), said plug (4) being provided to be removably connected to it, the other plug (3) being fixed to a assembly (2) to which said member (1) is mechanically coupled along an axis parallel to the axis of the electrical coupling, characterized in what it includes means for mounting / dismounting said plug (4) audit / of said mechanical member (1), said assembly / disassembly being carried out parallel to the coupling axes, the assembly being carried out by simple clipping, while disassembly is done by simple pull. Securing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug (4) connected to said mechanical member (1) has two tabs flexible (6a, 6b) each having a protrusion (16a, 16b) making cam office, each of said cams (16a, 16b) being oriented 180 ° from the other, said flexible tabs (6a, 6b) cooperating with at least one orifice (10) practiced in said mechanical member (1), so that when the plug (4) is clipped, said cams (16a, 16b) rest on a surface opposite the side of the mechanical member (1) facing the assembly (2) comprising the fixed plug (3). Securing system according to claim 2, characterized in that said legs (6a, 6b) are identical, the cams (16a, 16b) being located at their far end from the connection interface. Securing system according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said cams (16a, 16b) have a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the axis of the plug (4) parallel to the axes coupling. Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said cams (16a, 16b) have, towards the outside, a V shape with a flat base. Securing system according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the plug (4) connected to said mechanical member (1) comprises at least one elastic element (7a, 7b) of reminder acting parallel to the coupling axes, and taking support at least one place on the one hand on said plug (4), and on the other hand on the side of said mechanical member (1) facing the assembly comprising the plug (3) fixed, said elastic element (7a, 7b) exerting on each of them actions equal and opposite. Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plug (4) connected to said mechanical member (1) comprises a box with a parallelepiped shape, the elastic tabs (6a, 6b) being arranged at the level of the small faces while the large faces have flanges (11a, 11b) for supporting said elastic elements (7a, 7b). Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said mechanical member (1) comprises an orifice (10) made in a wall (8) substantially perpendicular to the axis coupling, with slots capable of receiving flexible legs (6a, 6b), the surface of said slots oriented opposite to that looking the plug being adapted to accommodate the cams (16a, 16b) of said tabs flexible (6a, 6b). Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastic return elements (7a, 7b) are fixed on the one hand to wings (11a, 11b) projecting perpendicularly from large faces of the housing and which are, in operation, parallel to the wall (8) having said orifice (10), and rest on the other hand on said wall (8) at vicinity of said orifice (10). Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said elastic elements (7a, 7b) are blades metallic (17, 18, 19, 20). Securing system according to claim 9, characterized in that said elastic elements are coil springs (21). Securing system according to claim 9, characterized in that said elastic elements are pieces of synthetic material (22, 23) of the foam type having elastic properties allowing them to exercise a recall action. Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said elastic elements are pads of foam whose opposite face of said wings is self-adhesive. Securing system according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that said plug (4) belongs to a locking connector, one of the plugs (3) of which includes a lock (13) allowing the electrical connection to be made when the start of the mechanical coupling of the connector is made, and, by displacement reverse, to undo said electrical junction to bring it to its position of start of mating. Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said connector (3, 4) comprises a member for lock taking the form of a sliding transverse stirrup (13) laterally in one of the plugs (3) of said electrical connector. Securing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is applied to the female plug (4), which does not include the transverse locking yoke (13). Securing system according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that said mechanical member is a steering wheel (1) of a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising the fixed plug (3) of the electrical connector being a column top (2) vehicle steering, these two elements being intended to be united. Motor vehicle steering wheel fitted with a plug (4) electrical connector provided with a fastening system according to one any of the preceding claims. Assembly comprising a steering wheel (1) fitted with a electrical connector plug according to one of claims 14 to 16, and a top of the steering column (2) to which a plug (3) of connector intended to cooperate with the plug (4) of said flywheel (1), characterized in that, when the mechanical coupling of the flywheel (1) on said top of column (2) is produced, the start of the mechanical coupling of the plugs (3, 4) of the electrical connector is also realized. Method for docking a motor vehicle steering wheel (1) according to claim 18 to a top of a steering column (2) provided with a fixed plug (3) of connector intended to cooperate with the plug (4) of the steering wheel, characterized in that it comprises the following stages: mechanical docking of the steering wheel (1) on said top of column (2), simultaneously carrying out the start of mechanical guidance of the electrical connection; mechanical separation of the connector (4) fitted to the steering wheel (1) by completion of the electrical connection. Method for docking a vehicle steering wheel (1) automobile according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said mechanical separation is achieved by the locking member (13) of a locking electrical connector. A method of separating a steering wheel (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 18 from a top of the steering column (2) provided with a fixed plug (3) of connector intended to cooperate with the plug (4) of the steering wheel, characterized in that it comprises the following stages: disconnection of the electrical junction, resulting in the mechanical connection of one of the plugs (4) to the steering wheel (1); mechanical separation of the steering wheel (1) from the top of the steering column (2). Method for separating a steering wheel according to the previous claim, characterized in that the disconnection of the electrical connection is made by the locking member (13) of a locking electrical connector.

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