EP2766959B1

EP2766959B1 - Connector system with coding modules

Info

Publication number: EP2766959B1
Application number: EP12784220.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claude Casses; Frédéric BELLIARD; Frédéric MENEZ
Original assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL
Current assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL
Priority date: 2011-10-13
Filing date: 2012-10-12
Publication date: 2017-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-12
Also published as: EP2766959A1; WO2013053915A1

Description

The present invention relates to a connector system. In particular, the present invention relates to coding modules for connector systems, for instance for junction boxes, electrical motors and other electrical devices which may be connected to several cables, each cable corresponding to a different function and/or different voltages, etc.
Therefore, it is necessary for the operator to be able to differentiate cables and connectors with respect to their respective functions and/or voltages. For this purpose, it is known to use a mechanical coding module, which prevents the connection of a connector with another connector which is not its counter connector.
The mechanical coding modules comprising protrusions at different locations of a connector face to be applied on the counter connector, which engage complementary shaped holes in the counter connector, are well known. Such a coding module comprising protrusions is described in EP-A1-0887892 . Particularly, in this document, protrusions are elongate in a plugging direction. Therefore, a first connector mechanically matches only with its counter connector.
Mechanical coding modules known from the prior art are directed to connector assemblies. Such connector assemblies are mounted on electrical devices. With the constant increase in requirements for miniaturization and standardisation, it becomes more frequent to use similar connector parts for different functions on the electrical device itself. Therefore, the risk of misconnections has increased.
A connector system according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 84/04201 .
There is further an increasing need to reduce cost of connector assemblies and to simplify the supply chain of connector parts.
For this purpose, there is provided a connector system according to claim 1. Such a connector system comprises an electrical device, with at least one respective base, at least one connector assembly having a first connector part and a second connector part, wherein the first connector part and the second connector part are adapted to connect with each other in a connection direction and wherein the first connector part is associated with the respective base on which it mates.
In addition, the connector system comprises a first coding module arranged between the respective base of the electrical device and the first connector part wherein the first coding module prevents the first connector part from mating with any other base than the respective base.
The first coding module comprises first coding elements, preferably identical first coding elements. The respective base and the first connector part comprise a plurality of first locations to receive the first coding elements. The first coding elements are provided on some of the first locations to form a first coding key. The first coding elements can be provided in various locations to define various first coding keys for a plurality of first connector parts.
With those features, it is provided a connector system, which simplifies the supply chain of connector parts. In addition, it prevents a first connector part from mating with any other base than its respective base. Indeed, same first connector parts can be used to form a plurality of connector assemblies. First connector parts are differentiated one from each other by the first coding elements, which are provided according different first coding keys on different first connector parts of the plurality of connector assemblies.
The above connector system allows to provide a connector assembly which will be assembled only to the respective base. The risk of assembly of a connector assembly to the wrong base is reduced. Further, the first coding keys may be made entirely by the connector supplier, reducing the number of actions to be performed by the manufacturer of the device. Therefore, the risk of mishandling by unqualified workers on the device manufacturer side is reduced, and the whole supply chain is improved.
In some embodiments, one might also use one or more of features defined in dependent claims. The connector system according to dependent claims has the advantage that coding elements and shaped locations to receive coding elements are simple to manufacture.
Of course, different features, alternatives and/or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various arrangement to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive of others.
The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description including embodiments for illustrative purposes with reference to the figures, presented as non-limitative examples, which can be used to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first connector part with first and second coding elements according to the present invention,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a housing of a device provided with connector assemblies according to the present invention,
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first connector part according to the present invention,
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second connector part according to the present invention,
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the first connector part according to the present invention,
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first coding element according to the present invention,
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second coding element according to the present invention,
Figure 8 is a sectional view of first connector parts with different second coding keys according to the present invention, and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of first connector parts with different first coding keys according to the present invention.

It should be noted that, on figures, structural and/or functional elements which are common to different embodiments may have the same reference sign. Thus, unless otherwise stated, these elements have structural, dimensional and material properties which are identical.
The present invention relates to a connector system comprising a device 1, in particular an electrical device 1, with at least one respective base and at least one connector assembly having a first connector part 2 and a second connector part 3.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first connector part 2 with a first coding module 10 and a second coding module 20 according to the present invention.
More particularly, the first connector part 2 comprises a housing, preferably having a general cylindrical shape. The housing of the first connector part 2 has a lateral surface 13. The lateral surface 13 is preferably flat. Advantageously, the lateral surface 13 is located on the housing along a plugging direction X, or connection direction X. Additionally, the first connector part 2 has a face 12 oriented in a transversal direction of the plugging direction X.
The housing of the first connector part 2 further comprises fixation means, such as a hole 14, suitable for assembling the housing onto a respective base of the device 1. The housing may be made with an insulator material, for example, a plastic material. The housing may define a path for a single power contact. In addition, the housing could also define a path for a two-way signal module, for instance those used to detect or command power flow through the power contact.
The first connector part 2 comprises at least one first location 11, preferably a plurality of first locations 11, suitable to receive at least one first coding element 7. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the plurality of first locations 11 on the first connector part 2 is a series of first coding openings 11 in which the first coding element 7, preferably several first coding elements 7, can be inserted therein. The first coding element 7 can be provided in different first locations 11 of the first connector part 2 to define several first coding keys for a plurality of first connectors parts 2.
The plurality of first locations 11 is provided on the face 12 of the first connector 2. Therefore, the face 12 is provided with at least one first coding opening 11, preferably a series of first coding openings 11, which forms the first location, preferably a plurality of first locations, designed to receive the first coding element 7. The face 12 defines a first coding surface.
The first coding element 7 and the face 12 defines a particular embodiment of the first coding module 10.
The lateral surface 13 is provided with at least one first coding groove 9, preferably a series of first coding grooves 9, which forms at least one second location 9, preferably a plurality of second locations 9, designed to receive at least one second coding element 8. The lateral surface 13 defines a second coding surface.
The second coding element 8 and the lateral surface 13 defines a particular embodiment of the second coding module 20. The second coding module 20 is arranged between the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 and prevents the first connector part 2 from mating with any other connector part than the second connector part 3 which is its counter connector.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the first coding element 7 is a coding pin 7, which is suitable to cooperate with the first coding opening 11, or hole 11, arranged in the face 12 and to be inserted therein. The cooperation between the first coding element 7, respectively first coding elements 7, and the first coding opening 11, respectively first coding openings 11, defines the first coding key.
Consequently, the respective base and the first connector part 2 mate together when the first coding key of the respective base is complementary to the coding key of the first connector part 2. In addition, such arrangement defines a locating system suitable to define a position of the first connector part 2 with respect to the respective base.
The second coding element 8 is a coding ridge 8, which is fitted in the second locations 9, particular in the first coding groove 9. The cooperation between the second coding element 8, respectively second coding elements 8, and the first coding groove 9, respectively first coding grooves 9, defines a second coding key.
According to the present invention, the first coding element 7 and/or the second coding element 8 can be selectively arranged to provide different coding key configurations for each connector assembly.
More precisely, the first connector part 2 is associated with the respective base on which it is mated. The first coding module 10 is provided between the respective base, or associated base, and the first connector part 2 to prevent the first connector part 2 from being mated with any other base than its respective base.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first coding element 7 according to the present invention. As a preferred embodiment, the first coding element 7 is a cylindrical shaped pin 7. The position of the first coding element 7 in the series of first coding locations 11 defines the configuration for mounting the first connector part 2 on its respective base.
Therefore, the respective base has a locating system suitable to define a position of the first connector part 2 with respect to the respective base. For this purpose, at least one hole is formed in the respective base at a corresponding location suitable to receive the coding element 7 only if the coding element 7 is placed in a corresponding location of the first connector part 2. The respective base may be provided with one unique hole suitable to receive one first coding element 7 and one unique first coding element 7 is inserted in one first coding location 11, or in one first coding location 11 of the series of first coding locations 11, provided on the first connector part 2.
The coding element 7 extends outward the face 12 of the first connector part 2 in the plugging direction X. The location of the coding element 7 forms the first coding key.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of several first connector parts 2 with different first coding keys according to the present invention and shows different possible first coding keys for the first coding module 10 on the first connector part 2.
In the shown embodiment, the first connector part 2 is provided with a series of first coding locations 11, which forms a suitable number of possible keys. The first connector part 2, provided with at least one coding element 7 in a specific first coding location 11 of the series of first coding locations 11, can mate with a respective base as soon as the respective base comprises a hole located at a corresponding location to the first coding location 11 on the first connector part 2 provided with the coding element 7. However, several coding elements 7 may also be used on the same first connector part 2, for example two coding elements 7. In such case, the first coding key is provided by a suitable number of first coding locations 11 at correct locations on the respective base.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the device 1 provided with connector assemblies according to the present invention and shows such housing of the device 1 with four first connector parts 2, the device 1 having four respective bases. Particularly, on Figure 2, one of the four first connector parts 2 is mated with a second connector part 3, which is its counter part or counter connector.
The face 12 of the first connector part 2 is applied on its respective base of the device 1. The device 1 may advantageously be an electrical device, like junction boxes or electrical motors.
First connector parts 2 are mounted onto respective bases by fixation means. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the first connector part 2 is fixed to the housing by screws 15 which pass through the hole 14 and a suitable threaded opening in the device 1.
The first connector part 2 may be a male contact part and the second connector part 3 may be a female part. Obviously, in an alternate embodiment, the first connector part 2 may be a female part and the second connector part 3 may be a male part.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first connector part 2 according to the present invention and shows the first connector part 3 with several second locations 9, designed as first coding grooves 9. In the embodiment shown, the first connector part 3 comprises four first coding grooves 9.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second connector part 3 according to the present invention suitable to be mated with the first connector part 2, as depicted on Figure 3. The second connector part 3 comprises also several second locations 90, designed as second coding grooves 90, which correspond to second locations 9, i.e. first coding grooves 9, provided on the first connector part 2.
First coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2 and second coding groove 90 of the second connector part 3 have a particular shape suitable to be fitted with the second coding elements 8. First Coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2 and second coding groove 90 of the second connector part 3 define second locations 9, 90 for the second coding module 20.
Preferably, the first connector part 2 and the second connector parts 3 comprise several first coding grooves 9 and several second coding grooves 90. As a consequence, the second coding element 8, for example the coding ridge 8, is fitted in the first coding grooves 9 and the second coding grooves 90 to define the second coding key.
The second coding element 8 can be provided in different second locations 9, 90 to define various second coding keys for a plurality of first connector parts 2 and a plurality of second connector part 3.
Advantageously, coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2 and coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3 are identical to each other and are facing each other.
Particularly, the first connector part 2 may be a header and the second connector part 3 may be plug.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second coding element 8 according to the present invention. More specifically, on Figure 7, the second coding element 8 is a coding ridge 8.
According to a particular embodiment, the coding ridge 8 is a rod with a polygonal section comprising a general rectangular part 81 and a trapezoidal part 82. The trapezoidal part 82 is adapted to be fitted in first coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2 and second coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3. Preferably, coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2, respectively and coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3, have a dovetail shape.
When coding ridges 8 are fitted in first coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2, respectively second coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3, the portion of coding ridges 8 having the rectangular part 81 is extending outward of first coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2, respectively second coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the first connector part 2 according to the present invention. Particularly, Figure 4 shows the first connector part 2, in which two coding ridges 8 are fitted in two of its four first coding grooves 9, the portion of coding ridges 8 having a rectangular part section 81 extending outward of first coding grooves 9.
The first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 comprise each two coding ridges 8 mated in two different coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2 . The mating of the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 is possible, since coding ridges 8 are not fitted in same coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2 and coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3. Indeed, coding ridges 8 of the second connector part 3 are fitted in two coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3, which do not face coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2 in which coding ridges 8 are fitted.
First coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2, second coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3 and coding ridges 8 provide the second coding module 20. The location of first coding grooves 9 of the first connector part 2, second coding grooves 90 of the second connector part 3 and coding ridges 8 provide the second coding key.
Consequently, the first connector part 2 and the second connector parts 3 mate with each other, when the second coding key makes it possible to assemble the first connector part 2 onto the second connector part 3.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 are each provided with two coding ridges 8 to form a first coding key. The first coding key makes it possible to mate the first connector part 2 and the second connector parts 3 mate with each other as soon as coding ridges 8 of the second connector part 3 are fitted in second coding grooves 90, respectively first coding grooves 9, which do not face the grooves of the first connector part 2, respectively the second connector part 3, in which coding ridges 8 are fitted.
Indeed, since coding ridges 8 having a rectangular part section 81 extend outward of the first coding grooves 9, respectively second coding grooves 90, the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 can not mate with each other, since a mechanical stop surface provided by the portion of coding ridges 8 having a rectangular part section 81 extending outward of the first coding grooves 9, respectively second coding grooves 90, when coding ridges 8 of the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 are fitted in first coding grooves 9 and second coding grooves 90, which are facing each other.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of first connector parts 2 with different second coding keys according to the present invention and shows different possible second coding keys on the first connector part 2. In the shown embodiment, two coding ridges 8 are provided on four different first grooves 9, therefore six possible second coding keys exist.
For example, the number of first coding keys provided between the respective base and the first connecting part 2 is the same as the number of second coding keys, between respectively between the first connecting part 2 and the second connecting part 3,.
In an embodiment of the invention, n locations may be provided on the connector part, where n is a natural number, n >1, and k coding elements may be provided, where k is a natural number and k≤n. The number of possible coding keys will be therefore $(\begin{matrix} n \\ k \end{matrix}),$
i.e. $\frac{n!}{k! (n - k)!} .$
In some other embodiment of the invention, the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 may be provided with two coding surfaces. The two coding surfaces increase the number of possible coding keys.
The two coding surfaces are provided on the housing of the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3, preferably on opposite surfaces of the housing along the plugging direction X.
Advantages of such features are to use the same coding elements for defining various coding keys, on a first hand, for the connector parts and counter connectors, and; on the other hand, for the connectors and its respective bases.
Obviously, the present invention is not limited to embodiments which are here above described and provided only as examples. It also includes different modifications, and alternatives that may be considered by the person skill in the art as part of the present invention, including all combinations of different embodiments here above described, taken alone or in combination. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Connector system comprising:
- an electrical device (1) with at least one respective base,

- at least one connector assembly having a first connector part (2) and a second connector part (3),
wherein the first connector part (2) and the second connector part (3) are adapted to connect with each other in a connection direction and,
wherein the first connector part (2) is associated with the respective base on which it mates, wherein the connector system comprises a first coding module, characterized in that the first coding module (10) is arranged between the respective base of the electrical device (1) and the first connector part (2), wherein the respective base and the first connector part (2) comprise a plurality of first locations (11) suitable to receive the first coding element (7), wherein the first coding module (10) is configured to prevent the first connector part (2) from mating with any other base than the respective base, wherein the first coding module (10) comprises a plurality of first coding elements (7) provided in some of the first locations (11) of the respective base and of the first connector part (2) to form a first coding key.
Connector system according to claim 1, wherein the first coding element (7) of the first coding module (10) is a coding pin (7).
Connector system according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the respective base has a locating system suitable to define a position of the first connector part (2) with respect to the respective base.
Connector system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector system comprises a second coding module (20) arranged between the first connector part (2) and the second connector part (3), wherein the second coding module (20) comprises at least one second coding element (8), wherein the first connector part (2) and second connector part (3) comprise a plurality of second locations (9, 90) suitable to receive the second coding element (8), wherein the second coding module (20) is configured to prevent the first connector part (2) from mating with any other connector part than the second connector part (3) which is its counter connector.
Connector system according to claim 4, wherein the second coding module (20) comprises a plurality of second coding elements (8) provided in some of the second locations (9, 90) of the first connector part (2) and second connector part (3) to form a second coding key.
Connector system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein second locations (9, 90) are at last one first coding groove (9) arranged on the first connector part (2) and at last one second coding groove (90) arranged on the second connector part (3).
Connector system according to claim 6, wherein the first coding groove (9) and the second coding groove (90) are respectively located on a side wall of the first connector part (2) and of the second connector part (3), in a longitudinal direction corresponding to a connection direction (X) of the first connector part (2) and the second connector part (3).
Connector system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first coding groove (9) and the second coding groove (90) have a dovetail shape.
Connector system according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the coding element (8) of the second coding module (20) is a coding ridge (8).
Connector system of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical device (1) is a junction box or an electrical motor and/or the first connector part (2) is a header and/or the second connector part (3) is a plug.