EP1439613A1 - Female electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector has a standard case in which a front face (3) has an opening to receive a male connector. The openings are extended by a cavity (10) to receive a female connection. A casting mold (2) is defined at an external part of the case. The mold is connected to the male connector by a socket unit. The socket unit has a space with a retaining wall (15) fixed at a level of a case retaining wall (5).

Description

The invention relates to a female electrical connector, particularly intended for allow connection with a corresponding male connector.

It relates more specifically to such female electrical connectors of small dimensions, for example of the type used at the loops of seat belts, and intended to signal the effective fastening of the belt either by a light signal, either by an audible signal.

In relation to this particular application, the problems that face the designers, are particularly linked to the particularly reduced space requirement that must occupy the connector, and in addition, the connection lock mode female on the male connection, which must be able to be carried out without difficulty both for the locking only for unlocking.

EP-A-0 654 871 describes a female electrical connector of the type in question, basically made up of two facing metal blades, curved and in contact with one another in an elastic manner, said blades being connected at their base at the level of a crimping area of the electric conduction wire.

The conductive assembly thus formed is partially overmolded with material plastic, especially at its base and ends, while retaining the elasticity of deformation of said blades constituting the part electrically conductive. The particular functional form of said constituent metal blades of the electrically conductive part, is imparted by means of a mold during the overmolding operation.

If this type of connector is satisfactory in terms of its functionality, on the other hand, it requires the use of a mold for overmolding with a particular profile, affecting the production rates of the resulting connectors. In addition, his production process requires the implementation of different molds depending on the different types of connectors that the user is likely to want. There's no real standardization possible with this type of connector. So that, in addition to altered manufacturing yields, this connector has a relatively cost price Student.

The object of the present invention is first of all to allow a certain standardization of this type of connector by implementing in particular for one of its components a standard part, available on the market.

In addition, it aims to increase production yields and further decrease the cost of these connectors.

To do this, the invention relates to a female electrical connector, mounted at the end of one or more conduction wires, and intended to receive one or more connections males, and comprising a standard housing, the front face of which is intended to receive the where the male connections, and is pierced with clean holes to allow the introduction of said male connection (s), said orifices each extending by a cell suitable for receiving a female connection.

According to the invention, the female connector further comprises an overmolding, produced in rear part of the housing, and defining on two of its opposite faces a means of the connector with the male connector.

In other words, the invention proposes to start from standard connection boxes, partially molded to meet the requirements, particularly in terms of space, but also for their cooperation with an electrical connector male, also standard type.

According to the invention, the rear part of the housing has at least one orifice crossing intended to allow its filling with the overmolding material promoting the mechanical resistance of the assembly.

In addition, and advantageously, the standard housing is provided at one of its through light faces, emerging at the level of the reception cells of the female connections, and intended to serve as anchor points for said connections females when inserted into the alveoli adapted for this purpose.

According to an advanced version of the invention, the standard case is in fact constituted by a plurality of parallel elementary boxes, joined together by means of bridges scored. In doing so, the user can choose according to his needs the width of the housing depending on the connection required to the corresponding male connector.

La figure 1 est une représentation schématique en perspective du connecteur électrique femelle conforme à l'invention vue de trois quart avant.

La figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, vue de trois quart arrière.

La figure 3 est une vue schématique en éclaté du connecteur conforme à l'invention.

La figure 4 est une représentation schématique en section longitudinale du boítier réalisé au niveau de l'une des alvéoles destinées à recevoir la connexion électrique femelle proprement dite.

La figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale du boítier.

La figure 6 est une représentation schématique en perspective du surmoulage vue de trois quart avant.

La figure 7 est une vue analogue à la figure 6, vue de trois quart arrière.

La figure 8 est une représentation schématique en section longitudinale dudit surmoulage, réalisée au niveau de l'axe du plan de symétrie centrale du connecteur électrique

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the example of embodiment which follows, given by way of indication and without limitation in support of the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of the female electrical connector according to the invention seen from three front quarter.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, viewed from three rear quarters.

Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view of the connector according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of the housing produced at one of the cells intended to receive the actual female electrical connection.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the housing.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective representation of the overmolding seen from three front quarter.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, seen from three rear quarters.

Figure 8 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of said overmolding, made at the axis of the central plane of symmetry of the electrical connector

The female electrical connector according to the invention has been shown schematically in relation to Figures 1 and 2, in fully assembled form.

Basically, it consists first of all of a housing (1) of standard form by example, made of polyamide 6 - 6, loaded, in particular with glass beads, in order to give it greater rigidity and dimensional precision.

This housing (1) has a flat front face (3), which is provided with two openings of substantially square shape (6), intended to allow the insertion at this level of male electrical connections of the connector with which said female connector according the invention is intended to cooperate.

We have better detailed in connection with Figures 3 to 5 this housing (1).

It is provided, in the example described, with two cells (10) extending over its entire length, inside which the connections are intended to be inserted female electrical (19) and (20), described below in more detail.

These cells have a substantially square section, even if this section is not uniform all along the housing.

Said cells (10) further communicate with one of the faces of the housing by a through light (7), intended to cooperate with a lug (23) formed at the level of the connections (19) and (20), in order to ensure their blocking at this level, after their insertion.

The respective positioning of the lugs (23) and the through lights (7) is such that the end (22) of said female electrical connections (19) and (20) are substantially in the very close vicinity of the openings (6) described above.

According to the invention, the rear zone of the housing (1) is provided with a slight recess (9), at its two main faces.

These recesses (9) are furthermore pierced with through orifices (8), two in the example. described. These recesses (9) and these through holes (8) are intended to promote the mechanical connection between the overmolding material constituting the overmolding (2) with the housing (1) and therefore to optimize the mechanical strength of the assembly.

In the example described, the openings (6) and therefore as a corollary the two connections females are separated from each other by a distance of 10.16 mm, i.e. a multiple of the standard pitch of 2.54 mm.

It is quite obvious that, conceptually, any type of step can be envisaged between these two connections, even these multiple female electrical connections.

In fact, and in an advanced version of the invention (not shown), this housing is made up of unitary elements corresponding to this 2.54 mm pitch, secured to each other to the others two by two by means of breakable bridges, easily detachable one of the other, by the user.

So, this little at will, select the desired width of the housing, and in this case, for example, select four unit elements, applying the example described previously, and fill only the extreme cells it contains to arrive at two female connections of 4 times the pitch of 2.54 mm, that is 10.16 mm.

We therefore conceive the very modularity of this case, adaptable to any type of standard male connector.

According to the invention, this housing (1) has an overmolding (2) in the posterior zone which goes be described, in particular in relation to FIGS. 3, 6 to 8.

First of all, it should be noted that the overmolding operation takes place after insertion of the female electrical connections (19) and (20) within the cells (10) of the housing.

These electrical connections (19) and (20) are crimped at the stripped end (17) and (18) of the cable (13) and (14) at a crimping area (21), of a type self known.

Once this crimping operation has been carried out, the female electrical connections (19) and (20) are inserted into the cells (10) by the collinear openings (11) of which is fitted with the rear face (4) of the housing, until it clicks into place the pins (23) at the level of the through lights (7).

This snap-fastening is achieved by the elastic effect of the metallic material constituting electrical connections (19) (20), in a manner known per se.

The overmolding operation can then be undertaken within a mold, and this, also in a known manner.

The overmolding material chosen in this case consists of polyamide 6,6 charged 30% glass fiber, also to give it more resistance mechanical.

During this overmolding operation, the following elements can be observed.

First of all, the overmolding material fills the through holes (8) of which is provided with the rear part of the housing (1).

We can observe in particular this filling in FIG. 6, in which the housing has been shown in broken lines.

As a corollary, this overmolding material fills the recesses (9) thus also contributing to better attachment of the overmolding on the housing (1).

In addition, the mold, for the overmolding operation, is arranged so that the overmolding defines a shoulder (15) facing a shoulder (5) formed at the level of the front part of the housing (1).

In doing so, it is defined on each of the main faces of the resulting connector, a space or groove (16), intended to cooperate with a complementary member of the male connector with which the female connector is intended to operate, this member complementary being typically made up of a locking lug.

In doing so, we have a female connector that meets the requirements in terms of dimensions and geometry for its cooperation with the male connector.

In addition, the modular nature of the connector is reinforced, first of all by the standardization of the connection box itself, and on the other hand, within the framework of the evolved form, by its breakable character.

What is more, we can easily adapt the entire complete connector, giving the form of the overmolding a form complementary to its place implementation, such as in particular a seat belt buckle, expected in particular that the functional part is not affected by overmolding.

Due to the particular structure of the connector according to the invention, it can be highlighted the following benefits:

First of all, the connections are standard and freely marketed on the market.

It should also be noted that these connections are positioned in the same sense, not requiring any particular turning operation, as we know it for other electrical connectors that can be automated.

Given this orientation in the same direction, they can therefore be crimped simultaneously using a double or multiple tool, as required.

It should also be pointed out that the reversal of connections is impossible after their latching within the housing, in particular by the presence of lights through (7).

The alignment of the connections is guaranteed.

In addition, a short circuit is not possible between the two connections (19) or (20), or even the multiple connections, due to the particular structure of the housing on the one hand, and on the other hand, by the posterior molding, insofar as the material of overmolding is housed between the wires (13) and (14) in the posterior zone of the housing, such which can also be observed, in particular in FIG. 6.

It should also be emphasized that it is possible to carry out visual indexing of the connector by choosing visible wires (13) and (14) of different colors, thus that can be observed in particular Figures 1 and 2 from the outside of the housing.

Finally, taking into account the overmolding carried out, the fmi product is in one piece, cannot be dismantled, and that all the components involved in its production are mechanically blocked.

Claims (6)

Female electrical connector, mounted at the end of one or more conduction wires (13, 14), and intended to receive one or more male connections, comprising a standard box (1), the front face (3) of which is intended to receive where the male connections, and is pierced with orifices (6) suitable for allowing the introduction of said male connection (s), said orifices each extending by a socket (10) suitable for receiving a female connection (19, 20), characterized in that it further comprises an overmolding (2), produced in the rear part of the housing, and defining on two of its opposite faces a means (16) for latching the connector with the male connector. Female electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (16) for latching the connector with the male connector consists of a space or groove, defined by a shoulder (5) formed at the level of the housing (1) and by a shoulder (15) produced by the overmolding (2). Female electrical connector according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the rear part of the housing (1) has at least one through hole (8), intended to allow its filling with the overmolding material promoting the mechanical resistance of all. Female electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the orifice (s) through (8) are formed at a recess (9), also located in the rear part of the housing (1). Female electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing (1) is provided at one of its faces with through lights (7), emerging at the level of the receiving cells (10 ) female connections (19, 20), and intended to serve as anchoring points for said female connections when they are inserted into the cells (10), said female connections being provided for this purpose with a lug (23) to elastic effect. Female electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (1) consists of a plurality of parallel elementary housings, secured to each other by means of breakable bridges.

Images