EP0881713B1 - Lockable electric connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connector with locking, comprising a first part carrying at least one contact, for example a female contact and a second part carrying at least one contact, for example a male contact.

On connectors of this type, each connector part generally includes a housing in which the corresponding contact is maintained by an insulator, the case of the second part being able to fit onto the housing of the first part. The second case connector part can wear a movable locking ring the second part on the first part, at the end of nesting of housings of the two connector parts.

Known connectors of this type, commonly called push-pull connectors, are generally structural relatively complicated, being composed of multiple pieces of often complicated manufacturing and mounting. Therefore, these connectors are expensive and their reliability leaves something to be desired. Of more, the inactive and active positions of the locking ring do not are often not defined in a stable and precise manner.

The present invention relates to a connector of the type defined above which, while having good reliability, is of simple structure and of a reduced cost, being composed of a small number of simple parts to manufacture, in particular by plastic molding, without require resumption of machining, the different positions of the ring lock being clearly defined.

The electrical locking connector according to the invention comprises a first part carrying at least one contact and a second part carrying at least one contact. Each part includes a housing in which the corresponding contact is maintained by a insulator, the casing of the second part being able to fit on the casing of the first part and carrying a movable ring for locking the second part on the first part, at the end of nesting of housings of both parts. The connector includes means for the retention of the locking ring in the retracted position inactive on the housing of the second connector part, as long as the housings of the two connector parts are not fitted. It includes, in in addition, means for blocking the locking ring in retracted position inactive at the start of the nesting of the two parts. It also includes means for elimination of the retention effect of the locking ring during of nesting. It also includes means for the locking of the two boxes one on the other and for the release of the locking ring at the end of fitting of the two housings. he also includes means for locking the two housings in the snap-in position, by moving the ring locking in active forward position on the second box connector part.

Preferably, the connector also comprises means to keep the locking ring in the active position of locking of the two housings in the latching position.

On the connector according to the invention, all of the aforementioned means are judiciously arranged directly on the two housings and on the locking ring, as well as, if necessary, on a single piece additional, all these parts can be molded in material plastic, without requiring any resumption of machining.

Preferably, the means for retaining the locking ring in the inactive retracted position include at least one tab inside formed in overhang on the locking ring of so as to cooperate by elasticity with an outer groove of the housing of the second connector part.

According to a first embodiment, the means of suppression of the retention effect include at least one organ secured to the housing of the first connector part, outside of said housing, to repel said tab from the ring of locking outwards in order to release it from said groove.

According to a second embodiment, the means of removal of the retention effect include at least one pad radially movable in the housing of the second connector part, in line with said groove, between an interior position in which the stud is brought by elasticity and exceeds said housing inwards, and an external position in which the stud is brought by the housing of the first connector part, when the two fit together housings, to push outward said tab of the ring locking and release it from the outer groove of the housing of the second connector part.

According to the two embodiments, the locking means and snap-fastening can advantageously comprise at least one stud radially movable in the housing of the second connector part between an internal position into which the stud is brought by elasticity and exceeds said housing inward and a position outside in which the stud is brought by the housing of the first connector part, when the two boxes fit together, and in which it radially exceeds the housing of the second part of connector to the outside. These means also include a inner groove in the locking ring for receiving said stud when the latter is pushed outward by the housing of the first connector part, at the start of the nesting of the two housings. These means also include an external groove in the housing of the first connector part, to receive by elastic snap-on said stud at the end of nesting of the housings of the two connector parts.

According to the first embodiment, this blocking pad and snap is formed at the end of an elastic tab formed in overhang on the housing of the second connector part.

According to the second embodiment, the suppression pad of the retention effect and the locking and latching stud are all two formed on an elastic band attached in an outer groove of the housing of the second connector part.

la figure 1 est une vue en perspective des deux boítiers et de la bague de verrouillage d'un connecteur suivant un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;

les figures 2a à 6a sont des sections axiales du connecteur de la figure 1, montrant la cinématique d'accouplement de ce connecteur, et les figures 2b à 6b des sections axiales partielles prises dans un plan légèrement décalé angulairement, illustrant un autre détail, dans les mêmes positions des parties de connecteur que sur les figures 2a à 6a;

la figure 7 est une vue en perspective des deux boítiers, de la bague de verrouillage et d'un jonc à plots d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un connecteur conforme à l'invention;

les figures 8 à 11 sont des sections axiales du connecteur de la figure 7, montrant la cinématique d'accouplement de ce connecteur.

Referring to the accompanying schematic drawings, two embodiments of a connector according to the invention will be described below in more detail; on the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the two housings and the locking ring of a connector according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2a to 6a are axial sections of the connector of FIG. 1, showing the coupling kinematics of this connector, and FIGS. 2b to 6b of the partial axial sections taken in a plane slightly angularly offset, illustrating another detail, in the same positions of the connector parts as in Figures 2a to 6a;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the two housings, the locking ring and a studded rod of a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention;

Figures 8 to 11 are axial sections of the connector of Figure 7, showing the coupling kinematics of this connector.

The connector as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 comprises, as shown above in Figures 2a to 6a, a first part of connector 1 or fixed part and a second part of connector 2 or mobile part, the two parts 1 and 2 being intended to be coupled.

The first connector part 1 comprises a housing 3 of essentially cylindrical shape in which (at least) a contact 4 female is held in place with insulation 5 shown as formed of two parts. Insofar as the making of contact 4 and of insulation 5 is not within the scope of the present invention, these elements are shown very schematically in Figures 2 to 6 and are not shown at all in Figure 1.

Correspondingly, the second connector part 2 comprises a housing 6 of essentially cylindrical shape in which (at least) a male contact 7 is maintained using an insulator 8 shown schematically as being formed of two parts.

Boxes 3 and 6 of the two connector parts 1 and 2 have anterior interlocking sections 9, 10, respectively, of generally cylindrical shape, the section socket 9 of the housing 3 being intended to fit into the interlocking section 10 of the housing 6 during the coupling of the connector.

The interlocking section 9 of the housing 3 externally carries three 11 axial keying pins, offset by 120 ° each compared to the others, each key 11 having an anterior flank and an oblique posterior side so that the key 11 as a whole has a trapezoidal shape. In addition, three groove segments 12 are provided in the outer surface of the interlocking section 9, each groove segment 12 being located angularly between two keys 11.

The interlocking section 10 of the housing 6 has internally three axial grooves 13 angularly distributed at 120 ° from each other others, these grooves 13 being intended to receive the keys 11 of the section 9 of the housing 3, for polarization purposes. Each groove 13 which begins at the anterior end of the interlocking section 10, opens into a T-shaped recess 14 which crosses the wall of section 10, so that the groove 13 is in alignment with the axial bar 14a of the T. As it appears above all in FIG. 1, the axial bar 14a of the recess 14 is widened, before lead to the outside surface of section 10, to constitute thus on each side a step 15 which is delimited, in the direction of the front end of section 10, at the place of the bar transverse 14b of the recess 14 in T, by a flange 16. As the shows FIG. 1, the rim 16 has a plane rear flank 17, perpendicular to the axis of section 10, and an anterior flank 18 round.

The interlocking section 10 also comprises, in angular positions intermediate between each two recesses 14, a tab 19 extending in overhang, in the thickness of the section 10, towards the anterior end of the latter, so as to be able to flex elastically, radially inwards and outwards. At its free end, the tab 19 has a head 20, the radial dimension of which is greater than the (radial) thickness of the section 10. The head 20 thus constitutes an internal stud 21 which makes inward projection on the inner surface of section 10 and a external stud 22 which projects from the external surface of the section 10. On its outer surface, the tab 19 has a ramp 23 which is ends with a shoulder 24 on the side facing the head 20.

Finally, as shown in Figure 1, the section socket 10 of the housing 6 is provided externally, in its zone posterior, of an annular portion 25 of increased outside diameter, interrupted in three places offset by 120 ° from each other others, by parts 26 each located at the rear of one of the recesses 14, and extending over a circumferential width goes in decreasing from the rear end of the axial bar 14a by the recess 14 in T towards the rear of the housing 6, to end, at the location of the shoulder 27 constituting the rear end of the section 10, by an isthmus 28 whose circumferential width corresponds to the circumferential width of the axial bar 14a of the recess 14 at the steps 15.

The fitting section 10 of the housing 6 of the connector part 2 externally receives a locking ring 29 which has internally three groove segments 30 distributed at 120 ° from each other others and three tongues 31 extending in a cantilever direction the anterior end of the ring 29, being inclined towards the inside of the ring. Each tongue 31 has a circumferential width slightly less than the circumferential width than the axial bar 14a of the recess 14 present at the steps 15 (and therefore slightly less than the circumferential width of the isthmus 28) and comprises, at middle of its width, an interior boss 32 which appears in particular in Figures 2b to 6b. At its posterior edge, each throat segment 30 includes an inner bead segment 33.

For the coupling kinematics of the connector as described previously, we will refer to Figures 2a, 2b to 6a, 6b, Figures 2a to 6a being axial sections in a plane passing at one of the bleachers 15 and by one of the edges 16 of the housing 6, therefore on one side of the axial bar 14a with a recess 14 and a key 11 and on one side of the median boss 32 of a tongue 31 of the locking ring 29, while Figures 2b to 6b are corresponding partial sections in a plane passing through the middle of the axial bar 14a of a recess 14 of the housing 6, therefore by the median boss 32 of a tongue 31 of the locking ring 29 and by one of the keys 11 of the housing 3.

The locking ring 29 is mounted on the nesting section 10 of the housing 6 so that an axial flat 34 projecting towards the inside of the ring 29 behind a tongue 31 is placed in an isthmus 28 and that the corresponding tongue 31 comes snap into the stands 15, behind the edge 16 of the recess 14 corresponding. This is clearly shown in Figure 2a.

To couple the connector part 1 with the connector part 2, the locking ring 29 is snapped into this position, we fit section 9 of the connector part 1 in the section 10 of the connector part 2, the keys 11 ensuring the coding in combination with grooves 13. As soon as the end front of section 9 reaches the heads 20 of the legs 19, the latter bend outwards, their external studs 22 penetrating into the groove segments 30 of the ring 29 (see Figures 3a and 3b). it causes the locking ring 29 to block on section 10 of the housing 6.

During the continuation of the nesting movement, each key 11, reaching the boss 32 of a tongue 31, pushes this last outward (Figure 4b), which removes the retention effect of the ring 9 by the tongues 31 and the flanges 16 (see FIG. 4a).

When sections 9 and 10 of the two boxes 3 and 6 are fitted to one inside the other, the interior studs 21 of the legs 19 are located throat segments 12 right and expand elastically in these last, which produces the snap of section 10 on section 9. In this position, as shown in Figure 5b, the tabs 31 of the locking ring 29 always remains pushed outwards under the action of the keys 11.

To lock the connector in this nesting position, pushes the locking ring 29 (to the left in FIGS. 5a and 5b) in the direction of the connector part 1, so that the segments of bead 33 of the ring 29 rise on the ramps 23 of the legs 19 until engaging behind the shoulders 24. At the same time, the bosses 32 of the tongues 31 of the ring 29 cross the keys 11, which allows the tabs 31 to relax elastically towards inside, the bosses 32 coming to be placed behind the keys 11 (see Figures 6a and 6b). The locking ring 29 is thus held in this axial position and locks the interlocking sections 9 and 10 of two housings 3 and 6 of the connector parts 1 and 2 in the position latching, that is to say coupling.

The connector as illustrated in figures 7 to 11, differs from connector according to Figures 1 to 6 mainly by dissociation different functions, so that each component part can be optimally designed to assume the functions that are assigned. In this case, it is mainly the blocking functions of the locking and latching ring of the two housings which are assumed by bodies that are part of, not part of, one of the connector parts but of an additional element reported on this housing.

The first connector part or female part 101 and the second connector part or male part 102 have, one a housing 103 in which at least one female contact 104 is mounted using an insulator 105 and the other a housing 106 in which at least one contact male 107 is mounted using an insulator 108. The housing 103 of the part of connector 101 has an anterior interlocking section 109 and the housing 106 of connector part 102 has a section anterior socket 110 intended to fit onto section 109.

According to Figure 7, the nesting section 109 of the housing 103 has a single axial key 111 and three segments throat 112 offset by 120 ° with respect to each other.

The interlocking section 110 of the housing 106 has internally an axial groove 113 cooperating with the key 111 for the purpose of Keying. The interlocking section 110 is crossed radially by six through holes 114a, 114b quadrangular distributed at 60 ° from each other other and has, in the plane of said through holes, a groove exterior circular 114c. At the back of this gorge, we find, on the socket section 110, an annular part 125 of outside diameter increased interrupted in three places offset by 120 °, behind each hole 114a, by a part 126 which decreases in circumferential width towards the rear and ends at an end shoulder 127, with a isthmus 128.

An outer groove 115 is also provided in the section socket 110, between the groove 114c and the anterior end of this section 110.

A rod 116, that is to say a split ring, comprising two times three studs 117 and 118 offset 60 ° from each other, is reported in the throat 114c. The studs 117 which alternate with the studs 118 protrude towards the interior on the rod 116, while the studs 118 protrude on the rod 116 both inward and outward.

The locking ring 129 has an internal groove 130, three tabs 131 offset 120 ° from one another and extending in overhang towards the anterior end while being inclined towards inside, a bead 133 delimiting the groove 130 towards the rear, as well as a dish 134 projecting inwards at the rear of each tongue 131.

The rod 116 is mounted in the groove 114c so that a stud 117 protruding from the rod 116 only inwards is in each hole 114a situated in front of an interruption zone 126 of the part 125, and that a stud 118 is located in each hole 114b. Then the ring locking device 129 is mounted on the socket section 110 of the housing 106 already equipped with the rod 116 so that a tongue 131 come to the right of a stud 117 and snap, when the locking ring 129 is in the fully retracted position, the dishes 134 located in the isthmus 128, behind the anterior flank of the groove 114c, above a stud 117.

This ensures, as shown in Figure 8, the retention of the ring locking 129 in the inactive retracted position on the housing 106. The ring 116 being mounted under preload in the groove 114c, it tightens by elasticity and pushes the studs 117, 118 fully into the holes 114a, 114b.

When the two sections 109, 110 of the housings 103 and 106, the anterior end of section 109, reaching studs 117 and 118, pushes these outwards, which means that, like the shown in Figure 9, the studs 117 flex the tabs outward 131 of the ring 129, thus unhooking them from the groove 114c. Simultaneously, the studs 118 are pushed outwards into the groove 130 of the ring 129 and thus block the ring 129 on the housing 106.

When continuing the nesting movement, the studs 118 finally reach the throat segments 112 of the section socket 109 of the housing 103 and engage elastically towards the interior in these segments 112, with ratcheting effect of the two sections 109 and 110 on top of each other, as shown in Figure 10. At the same time, locking the locking ring 129 in position rear on the housing 106 is deleted.

It is then possible to push the locking ring 129 in direction of the housing 103 (to the left in the drawing), which means that the studs 118 are held pressed into the groove segments 112 by the ring 129 and that the tabs 131 engage elastically in the groove 115 of section 110 of the housing 106. The ring 129 is thus maintained in the locking position of the two housings 103, 106 one by relationship to the other and can only be reversed with an action intentional backwards (to the right in the drawing).

In the two embodiments shown and described, all of the parts of the connector of the present invention (the housings of the two connector parts, the locking ring and, if necessary, the rod) can be made by plastic molding, without requiring any further machining.

In the case where the connector must be a shielded connector, it is possible to metallize the plastic parts, without that this in no way alters their primary function.

In the advanced position (locking) of the locking ring 29, 129, it is possible to rotate the latter, for example by a ten degrees, which ensures that the locking is secure realized. It is only in the advanced position that such rotation is possible due to the circumferential width of the interruption zones 26, 126 of the part 25, 125 of the housing 6, 106, while it is prevented in position moved back from the ring, thanks to the plates 34, 134 which are then angularly immobilized in the isthmus 28, 128 of the zones 26, 126.

In the two embodiments shown and described, a seal 35, 135 arranged inside the interlocking section 10, 110 of the housing 6, 106 of the second connector part 2, 102 and compressed by the front end of the interlocking section 9, 109 of the housing 3, 103 of the first connector part 1, 101 ensures, at the end of nesting of the two connector parts (locking), both the sealing of the connector and, by its elastic return effect, the clearance compensation and the absence of any possibility of vibrations.

Finally, the two connector parts 1 and 2, instead of comprising the first at least one female contact and the second at least one contact male, could also include the first at least one contact male and the second at least one female contact, or both contacts of both types. In all cases, the locking ring is mounted on the housing of a connector part which is mobile, the other part can be fixed.

Claims (11)

1. Electrical connector with interlock, comprising a first part carrying at least one contact and a second part carrying at least one contact, each part comprising a housing, in which the corresponding contact is held by an insulator, the housing of the second part being capable of fitting onto the housing of the first part and carrying a movable ring for locking the second part on the first part, for the purpose of fitting together the housings of the two parts, characterized in that it comprises means (16, 31; 114c, 131) for retaining the locking ring (29,129) in the inactive retracted position on the housing (6, 106) of the second connector part (2, 102), as long as the housings of the two connector parts are not fitted together, means (20, 30; 118, 130) for blocking the locking ring in the inactive retracted position at the commencement of the fitting together of the housings of the two parts, means (11, 32; 117) for eliminating the effect of retaining the locking ring during fitting together, means (12, 21; 112, 118) for snap-fastening the two housings one on the other and for unblocking the locking ring at the end of the fitting together of the two housings, and means for locking the two housings in the snap-fastened position by displacing the locking ring (29, 129) into the active advanced position on the housing of the second connector part.
2. Connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, furthermore, means (23, 33; 115, 131) for holding the locking ring (29, 129) in the active position locking the two housings in the snap-fastened position.
3. Connector according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two housings, the locking ring and all the means of retaining, blocking, eliminating the retaining effect, snap-fastening, unblocking and locking are moulded from plastic, without any re-machining.
4. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining means comprise at least one inner tab (31, 131) protruding on the locking ring (29, 129) and co-operating by elasticity with an outer groove (14a, 15; 114c) of the housing of the second connector part.
5. Connector according to Claim 4, characterized in that the means for eliminating the retaining effect comprise at least one member (key 11) integral with the housing of the first connector part, for pushing the said tab (31) outwards and releasing it from the groove (14a, 15).
6. Connector according to Claim 4, characterized in that the means for eliminating the retaining effect comprise at least one stud (117) movable radially on the housing of the second connector part, level with the said groove (114c), between an inner position, in which it is brought by elasticity and projects radially inwards beyond the housing of this connector part, and an outer position, in which it is brought by the housing of the first connector part and in which it pushes the said tab (131) on the locking ring outwards.
7. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking and snap-fastening means comprise at least one stud (20, 118) movable radially on the housing of the second connector part between a position, in which the stud projects radially outwards by an elasticity effect, and a position, in which it projects radially inwards counter to the elasticity effect, an inner groove (30, 130) in the locking ring, for receiving the said stud when the latter is pushed outwards by the housing of the first connector part, at the commencement of the fitting together of the housings, and an outer groove (12, 112) in the housing of the first connector part, for receiving the said stud by snap-fastening at the end of fitting together.
8. Connector according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said stud (20) is formed at the free end of an elastic lug (19) protruding on the housing of the second connector part.
9. Connector according to Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the stud for eliminating the retaining effect (117) and the blocking and snap-fastening stud (118) are formed on an elastic collar (116) attached in an outer groove (114c) of the housing of the second connector part.
10. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking ring (29, 129) and the housing (6, 106) of the second connector part comprise means for holding the locking ring in the locking position.
11. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (26, 126; 28, 128; 34, 134) allowing angular movability of the locking ring (29, 129) in the advanced locking position of the latter and preventing this angular movability in the retracted position of the ring.

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