EP3067991A1 - Female contact comprising a spring - Google Patents

Female contact comprising a spring Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3067991A1
EP3067991A1 EP16159357.9A EP16159357A EP3067991A1 EP 3067991 A1 EP3067991 A1 EP 3067991A1 EP 16159357 A EP16159357 A EP 16159357A EP 3067991 A1 EP3067991 A1 EP 3067991A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
female contact
female
base
spring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP16159357.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michel NESPOULOUS
Christophe BOUCHER
Pascal CUIROT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Socete Technique De Productions Industrielles
Original Assignee
Socete Technique De Productions Industrielles
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Socete Technique De Productions Industrielles filed Critical Socete Technique De Productions Industrielles
Publication of EP3067991A1 publication Critical patent/EP3067991A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/15—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure
    • H01R13/187—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure with spring member in the socket
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/03—Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/20—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2107/00—Four or more poles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a female contact for receiving a male contact. More particularly, the invention relates to a female contact comprising a spring for establishing an electrical contact between said female contact and a male contact.
  • the present invention also relates to a method of modifying an already existing female connector.
  • a female connector is a device comprising at least one female contact in which a male connector comprising at least one male contact is inserted in order to make an electrical contact. The electrical contact is established when the female contact is in contact with the male contact.
  • the figure 1 illustrates the points of electrical contact between a female contact and a male contact in a conventional connection. This electrical contact is made at the inner wall of the side wall of the female contact.
  • the female contacts integrated into electrical connections must respond to very precise dimensions since their dimensioning is a function in particular of the dimensions of the corresponding male contact.
  • very slight variations in sizing can occur during the manufacture of the female contacts. Therefore, it is very important that the contact between the female contact and a male contact can be established continuously even when the female contacts are not exactly the required dimensions.
  • female contact within the meaning of the invention means any device for establishing an electrical contact when a male contact is inserted therein.
  • the female contact is a contact used in a connector such as a base for electrical relay.
  • the female contact may be in the form of a socket with two lips or four lips.
  • not only the internal wall of the side wall of the female contact but also the spring ensure electrical contact with a male contact in the use position to maximize the contact points between the contact female and a male contact.
  • the spring is in contact with the base of the female contact.
  • the base of the female contact is in the form of a conical cavity.
  • the base of the female contact is plane and is chosen from the group consisting of a circular, oval, rectangular or square base.
  • the female contact comprises at least one side wall.
  • the number of side walls will depend in particular on the shape of the base.
  • a female contact comprising a circular base and a side wall or a female contact comprising a square base and four side walls.
  • the orthonormal reference (X, Y, Z) is used in which the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the side wall.
  • the side wall has at least one discontinuity (also called slot) along the direction X.
  • the side wall has two diametrically opposed slots which extend substantially from the base to the open end of the female contact thus creating two lips that can deform during a mechanical stress.
  • the two lips allow to tighten the open end of the female contact before insertion of the male contact.
  • the lips deform slightly but retain the tightening of the open end so as to promote contact with the male contact in the female contact in position d 'use.
  • the female contact has elastic properties in order to be able to deform.
  • At least a portion of the inner wall, the base and the spring are made of material electrical conductor so as to make electrical contact between the female contact and a male contact.
  • the female contact is made of a material both elastic and electrically conductive selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and their mixtures.
  • the spring of the invention can be in various forms provided to be deformed under the action of an external force thus allowing to adapt to male contacts of different lengths.
  • the helical spring is in the form of a succession of non-contiguous turns with a constant pitch, that is to say with a constant distance between two successive turns.
  • the coil spring has a pitch of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.4 and 0.8 mm.
  • the coil spring has turns having a constant diameter of turns between 0.2mm and 1mm, preferably between 0.3mm and 0.5mm.
  • the helical spring comprises a lower part of a diameter d.sub.i and an upper part of a diameter d.sub.P with d.sub.p > d.sub.P , the lower part of the helical spring being oriented towards the base of the contact. female and the upper part of the coil spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact.
  • the female contact is of tubular shape and has a base of internal diameter d b and the ratio between the diameter d of the spring PI and the internal diameter d b of the base (d PI / d b ) is substantially greater than 1.
  • substantially greater than 1 is meant a maximum variation of 10% around the value 1.
  • the spring is fixed integrally to the female contact regardless of the conditions of use.
  • d PI is between 1 and 3 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.7 mm.
  • d PS is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, preferably between 1.2 and 1.4 mm.
  • d b is between 1 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.9 mm.
  • the spring is made of a material having the following two cumulative characteristics: from a mechanical point of view, the spring must be elastic and from an electrical point of view, the spring must be conductive.
  • the spring is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and mixtures thereof.
  • the spring and the female contact are made with the same material (s).
  • the spring material can undergo various treatments such as heat treatments and / or surface treatments (eg gold deposit on the entire surface of the spring).
  • the amperage is of the order of 5 amps (5A).
  • the female contact can be in different connectors such as bases for electrical relays or any conventional connections comprising connectors.
  • Another object of the invention is a connector comprising at least one female contact as defined according to the invention.
  • the female connector comprises between 12 and 24 female contacts.
  • Another object of the invention is a kit comprising a connector comprising at least one female contact as defined according to the invention and a male connector.
  • Another object of the invention is a kit comprising a connector comprising at least one female contact, at least one spring as defined above and a male connector.
  • Another object of the invention is the use of the female contact, the female connector or the kits as defined in the present invention under conditions generating high mechanical and / or thermal stresses which can be encountered in means of transport such as plane or train ...
  • the method of the invention makes it possible to use female contacts which do not exactly have the precise dimensions and which are required to establish an electrical contact with a male contact and / or makes it possible to increase the lifetime of a contact.
  • female who would have been deformed over time.
  • the presence of the spring makes it possible to establish the electrical contact between the female contact and a male contact even if the male contact is not in direct contact with the side wall of the female contact.
  • the method of the invention also makes it possible to very quickly and very conveniently restore an electrical contact in a defective connector by avoiding removing the electrical cables from the entire electrical device in which the female contact is integrated.
  • the spring is inserted into the female contact until the spring is in contact with the base of the female contact.
  • the spring is inserted by force into the female contact to ensure its maintenance in the female contact regardless of the conditions of use.
  • the base of the female contact is in the form of a conical cavity.
  • the base of the female contact is flat and is selected from the group consisting of a circular, oval, rectangular or square base.
  • the female contact comprises at least one side wall.
  • the number of side walls will depend in particular on the shape of the base.
  • a female contact comprising a circular base and a side wall or a female contact comprising a square base and four side walls.
  • the orthonormal reference (X, Y, Z) is used in which the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the side wall.
  • the side wall has at least one discontinuity (also called slot) along the direction X.
  • the side wall has two diametrically opposed slots which extend substantially from the base to the open end of the female contact thus creating two lips that can be deformed during a mechanical stress.
  • the two lips allow to tighten the open end of the female contact before insertion of the male contact.
  • the lips deform slightly but retain the tightening of the open end so as to promote contact with the male contact in the female contact in position d 'use.
  • the female contact has elastic properties in order to be able to deform.
  • At least a portion of the inner wall, the base and the spring are made of electrically conductive material so as to establish an electrical contact between the female contact and a male contact.
  • the female contact is made of a material both elastic and electrically conductive selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and their mixtures.
  • the spring of the invention can be in various forms provided to be deformed under the action of an external force thus allowing to adapt to male contacts of different lengths.
  • the helical spring is in the form of a succession of non-contiguous turns with a constant pitch, that is to say with a constant distance between two successive turns.
  • the coil spring has a pitch of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.4 and 0.8 mm.
  • the coil spring has turns having a constant diameter of turns between 0.2mm and 1mm, preferably between 0.3mm and 0.5mm.
  • the helical spring comprises a lower part of a diameter d.sub.i and an upper part of a diameter d.sub.P with d.sub.p > d.sub.P , the lower part of the helical spring being oriented towards the base of the contact. female and the upper part of the coil spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact.
  • the female contact is of tubular shape and has a base of internal diameter d b and the ratio between the diameter d PI of the spring and the internal diameter d b of the base (d PI / d b ) is substantially greater than 1.
  • substantially greater than 1 is meant a maximum variation of 10% around the value 1.
  • the spring is fixed integrally to the female contact regardless of the conditions of use.
  • d PI is between 1 and 3 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.7 mm.
  • d PS is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, preferably between 1.2 and 1.4 mm.
  • d b is between 1 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.9 mm.
  • the spring is made of a material having the following two cumulative characteristics: from a mechanical point of view, the spring must be elastic and from an electrical point of view, the spring must be conductive.
  • the spring is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and mixtures thereof.
  • the spring and the female contact are made with the same material (s).
  • the spring material can be subjected to various treatments such as heat treatments or surface treatments (for example gold deposited over the entire surface of the spring).
  • the amperage is of the order of 5 amps (5A).
  • the figure 1 illustrates the points of electrical contact between a female contact 1 (here a bushing) and a male contact 2 in a base for conventional electrical relay.
  • the female contact 1 comprises a base 3, at least one side wall 4 being integral with the base 3 and comprising an inner wall 4a.
  • the side wall 4 has a free edge defining an open end 5 in which the male contact 2 is inserted into the position of use.
  • the electrical contact E (represented by round contact points on the figure 1 ) is made by contact between the inner surface 4a of the side wall 4 of the female contact 1 and the male contact 2 in an upper part of the female contact (that is to say close to the open end 5).
  • the female contact 11 of the present invention illustrated in FIG. figure 3 comprises a spring 16 disposed on its base 13.
  • the contact points E are located between the male contact 12 and the spring 16 and between the spring 16 and the base 13 of the female contact 11.
  • the figure 4a represents a side view of the female contact according to the invention.
  • the female contact 21 comprises a circular base 23 (represented on the figure 4b ) and a side wall 24 integral with the base 23.
  • the side wall comprises an inner wall 24a and a free edge defining an open end 25.
  • the side wall 24 comprises two diametrically opposed slots 27 which extend substantially from the base 23 to at the open end 25 of the female contact 21 along the X axis thus creating two lips 28.
  • the figure 4b is a top view of the figure 4a showing that the female contact is in a tubular form and comprises a circular base 23 integral with a side wall 24 comprising two diametrically opposed slots 27.
  • the figure 4c is a section along the AA axis of the figure 4a .
  • the base 23 of the female contact 21 has an inner diameter d b substantially less than the diameter of the lower part PI of the spring to be in contact with the base (not shown in figure 4c ).
  • the length l CF , of the female contact 21 will depend on the length of the male contact to be inserted into the female contact. According to one embodiment, the length l CF of the female contact 21 is between 3 and 10 mm, preferably between 5 and 8 mm.
  • the diameter d b is between 1 and 3.5 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.9 mm.
  • the figure 4d represents a side view of the female contact of Figures 4a and 4b after tightening the two lips 28. As illustrated on figure 4d , the width of the slot 27 is no longer constant as on the figure 4a but decreases from base 23 to open end 25 to become substantially zero.
  • the lips 28 are deformed slightly but retain a tightening of the open end 25 so as to promote contact with the male contact 29 in the female contact 21 in the use position.
  • the figure 5 represents a helical spring 26 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the coil spring 26 comprises a succession of five non-contiguous turns 31 having a constant pitch.
  • the turns 31 have a constant diameter of turns of between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.
  • the coil spring 26 comprises a lower part 32 with a diameter of P 1 and an upper part 33 with a diameter d PS with d P d> d PS , the lower part 32 of the coil spring 25 being oriented on the side of the base 23 of the female contact and the upper portion 33 of the coil spring 26 being oriented towards the open end 25 of the female contact.
  • the female contact of the present invention is quite suitable for being integrated in small electrical relay bases that require female contacts of very precise dimensions.
  • the method of the invention makes it possible to establish an electrical contact in connectors including contacts that do not have exactly the required dimensions.
  • the method of the invention makes it possible to extend the service life of the electrical installations in which faulty connectors are integrated by restoring the electrical contact and avoiding removing all the cables from said electrical installations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un contact femelle destiné à recevoir un contact mâle, ledit contact femelle comprenant une base et au moins une paroi latérale ayant un bord libre définissant une extrémité ouverte, ladite paroi latérale étant solidaire de la base et comprenant une paroi interne, caractérisé en ce que : - le contact femelle comprend un ressort helicoidal en matériau conducteur électrique disposé entre la base et l'extrémité ouverte, - une partie de la paroi interne et la base sont en matériau conducteur électrique, et - la paroi interne du contact femelle et/ou le ressort assure(nt) un contact électrique avec un contact mâle en position d'utilisation.The present invention relates to a female contact for receiving a male contact, said female contact comprising a base and at least one side wall having a free edge defining an open end, said side wall being integral with the base and comprising an inner wall, characterized in that : the female contact comprises a helicoidal spring made of electrically conductive material disposed between the base and the open end, a part of the inner wall and the base are made of electrically conductive material, and - The inner wall of the female contact and / or the spring ensures (s) an electrical contact with a male contact in the use position.

Description

La présente invention concerne un contact femelle destiné à recevoir un contact mâle. Plus particulièrement, l'invention concerne un contact femelle comprenant un ressort destiné à établir un contact électrique entre ledit contact femelle et un contact mâle.The present invention relates to a female contact for receiving a male contact. More particularly, the invention relates to a female contact comprising a spring for establishing an electrical contact between said female contact and a male contact.

La présente invention concerne également un procédé de modification d'un connecteur femelle déjà existant.The present invention also relates to a method of modifying an already existing female connector.

Un connecteur femelle est un dispositif comprenant au moins un contact femelle dans lequel un connecteur mâle comprenant au moins un contact mâle est inséré afin d'établir un contact électrique. Le contact électrique s'établit lorsque le contact femelle est en contact avec le contact mâle.A female connector is a device comprising at least one female contact in which a male connector comprising at least one male contact is inserted in order to make an electrical contact. The electrical contact is established when the female contact is in contact with the male contact.

Ainsi, il est essentiel que le contact entre le contact femelle et le contact mâle ne présente aucun défaut afin qu'un contact électrique puisse être établi de façon continue.Thus, it is essential that the contact between the female contact and the male contact has no defect so that an electrical contact can be established continuously.

Ce type de connexion existe dans de très nombreux dispositifs électriques parmi lesquels on peut citer par exemple les relais électriques et leurs embases.This type of connection exists in a large number of electrical devices among which we can cite for example the electrical relays and their bases.

Les relais électriques et leurs embases sont donc composés d'un connecteur femelle (appelé embase) comprenant au moins un contact femelle (appelé douille) dans lequel vient s'insérer un connecteur mâle (appelé relais) comprenant au moins un contact mâle.Electrical relays and their bases are therefore composed of a female connector (called base) comprising at least one female contact (called socket) into which is inserted a male connector (called relay) comprising at least one male contact.

La figure 1 illustre les points de contact électrique entre un contact femelle et un contact mâle dans une connexion classique. Ce contact électrique se fait au niveau de la paroi interne de la paroi latérale du contact femelle.The figure 1 illustrates the points of electrical contact between a female contact and a male contact in a conventional connection. This electrical contact is made at the inner wall of the side wall of the female contact.

Cependant, lorsque ces connexions sont utilisées dans des conditions sévères, c'est-à-dire par exemple soumises à de fortes vibrations, ou bien lorsqu'elles sont soumises à de nombreuses manipulations entrainant de multiples insertions-désinsertions du contact femelle avec le contact mâle, le contact femelle se déforme et le contact électrique n'est alors plus assuré de manière continue.However, when these connections are used under severe conditions, that is to say for example subject to strong vibrations, or when they are subjected to many manipulations resulting in multiple insertion-disinsertion of the female contact with the male contact, the female contact is deformed and the electrical contact is then no longer provided continuously.

Par ailleurs, les contacts femelles intégrés dans des connexions électriques doivent répondre à des dimensions très précises puisque leur dimensionnement est fonction notamment des dimensions du contact mâle correspondant. Cependant, de très légères variations de dimensionnement peuvent apparaitre lors de la fabrication des contacts femelles. C'est pourquoi, il est très important que le contact entre le contact femelle et un contact mâle puisse être établi de façon continue même lorsque les contacts femelles n'ont pas exactement les dimensions requises.Moreover, the female contacts integrated into electrical connections must respond to very precise dimensions since their dimensioning is a function in particular of the dimensions of the corresponding male contact. However, very slight variations in sizing can occur during the manufacture of the female contacts. Therefore, it is very important that the contact between the female contact and a male contact can be established continuously even when the female contacts are not exactly the required dimensions.

Par conséquent, il serait intéressant de disposer d'un contact femelle qui permettrait d'assurer un contact électrique continu quelque soient ses conditions d'utilisation (environnement, durée...) et même lorsque de légères variations de dimensionnement apparaissent lors de son procédé de fabrication ou lors de sa mise en oeuvre.Therefore, it would be interesting to have a female contact that would ensure a continuous electrical contact regardless of its conditions of use (environment, duration ...) and even when slight variations in sizing appear during its process of manufacture or during its implementation.

Les inventeurs ont démontré qu'un contact femelle comprenant un ressort permettait de répondre à ces exigences.The inventors have demonstrated that a female contact comprising a spring made it possible to meet these requirements.

Un premier objet de l'invention est donc un contact femelle destiné à recevoir un contact mâle, ledit contact femelle comprenant une base et au moins une paroi latérale ayant un bord libre définissant une extrémité ouverte, ladite paroi latérale étant solidaire de la base et comprenant une paroi interne, caractérisé en ce que :

  • le contact femelle comprend un ressort helicoidal en matériau conducteur électrique disposé entre la base et l'extrémité ouverte,
  • une partie de la paroi interne et la base sont en matériau conducteur électrique, et
  • la paroi interne du contact femelle et/ou le ressort assure(nt) un contact électrique avec un contact mâle en position d'utilisation, et
  • ledit ressort hélicoïdal comprend une partie inférieure d'un diamètre dPI et une partie supérieure d'un diamètre dPS avec dPI>dPS, la partie inférieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée du côté de la base du contact femelle et la partie supérieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée vers le bord libre du contact femelle.
A first object of the invention is therefore a female contact intended to receive a male contact, said female contact comprising a base and at least one side wall having a free edge defining an open end, said side wall being integral with the base and comprising an inner wall, characterized in that:
  • the female contact comprises a helicoidal spring made of electrically conductive material disposed between the base and the open end,
  • a part of the inner wall and the base are made of electrically conductive material, and
  • the inner wall of the female contact and / or the spring ensures (s) an electrical contact with a male contact in the position of use, and
  • said helical spring comprises a lower part of a diameter d PI and an upper part of a diameter d PS with d PI > d PS , the lower part of the coil spring being oriented towards the base of the female contact and the upper part helical spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact.

Par « contact femelle» au sens de l'invention, on entend tout dispositif permettant d'établir un contact électrique lorsqu'un contact mâle y est inséré.By "female contact" within the meaning of the invention means any device for establishing an electrical contact when a male contact is inserted therein.

Par la suite on utilisera indifféremment les termes de « contact femelle » ou de « douille ».Subsequently the terms "female contact" or "socket" will be used interchangeably.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le contact femelle est un contact utilisé dans un connecteur tel qu'une embase pour relai électrique. Le contact femelle peut se présenter sous la forme d'une douille à deux lèvres ou à quatre lèvres.According to one embodiment, the female contact is a contact used in a connector such as a base for electrical relay. The female contact may be in the form of a socket with two lips or four lips.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention, non seulement la paroi interne de la paroi latérale du contact femelle mais aussi le ressort assurent un contact électrique avec un contact mâle en position d'utilisation afin de maximiser les points de contact entre le contact femelle et un contact mâle.According to a particular embodiment of the invention, not only the internal wall of the side wall of the female contact but also the spring ensure electrical contact with a male contact in the use position to maximize the contact points between the contact female and a male contact.

Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le ressort est en contact avec la base du contact femelle.According to one embodiment of the invention, the spring is in contact with the base of the female contact.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la base du contact femelle se présente sous la forme d'une cavité conique.According to one embodiment, the base of the female contact is in the form of a conical cavity.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, la base du contact femelle est plane et est choisie dans le groupe consistant en une base circulaire, ovale, rectangulaire ou carrée.According to another embodiment of the invention, the base of the female contact is plane and is chosen from the group consisting of a circular, oval, rectangular or square base.

Selon l'invention, le contact femelle comprend au moins une paroi latérale. Le nombre de paroi latérale dépendra notamment de la forme de la base.According to the invention, the female contact comprises at least one side wall. The number of side walls will depend in particular on the shape of the base.

A titre d'exemple, on peut citer un contact femelle comprenant une base circulaire et une paroi latérale ou bien un contact femelle comprenant une base carrée et quatre parois latérales.By way of example, there may be mentioned a female contact comprising a circular base and a side wall or a female contact comprising a square base and four side walls.

Selon l'invention, le repère orthonormé (X, Y, Z) est utilisé dans lequel la direction X est la direction longitudinale de la paroi latérale.According to the invention, the orthonormal reference (X, Y, Z) is used in which the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the side wall.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la paroi latérale présente au moins une discontinuité (appelée également fente) le long de la direction X.According to one embodiment, the side wall has at least one discontinuity (also called slot) along the direction X.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, la paroi latérale présente deux fentes diamétralement opposées qui s'étendent sensiblement de la base jusqu'à l'extrémité ouverte du contact femelle créant ainsi deux lèvres pouvant se déformer lors d'une sollicitation mécanique. En effet, dans ce mode de réalisation, les deux lèvres permettent de resserrer l'extrémité ouverte du contact femelle avant l'insertion du contact mâle. Lorsque le contact mâle s'insère dans le contact femelle pour atteindre sa position d'utilisation, les lèvres se déforment légèrement mais conservent le resserrement de l'extrémité ouverte de façon à favoriser le contact avec le contact mâle dans le contact femelle en position d'utilisation.According to a particular embodiment, the side wall has two diametrically opposed slots which extend substantially from the base to the open end of the female contact thus creating two lips that can deform during a mechanical stress. Indeed, in this embodiment, the two lips allow to tighten the open end of the female contact before insertion of the male contact. When the male contact fits into the female contact to reach its position of use, the lips deform slightly but retain the tightening of the open end so as to promote contact with the male contact in the female contact in position d 'use.

Ainsi, selon un mode de réalisation particulier, le contact femelle présente des propriétés élastiques afin de pouvoir se déformer.Thus, according to a particular embodiment, the female contact has elastic properties in order to be able to deform.

Par ailleurs, selon l'invention, au moins une partie de la paroi interne, la base et le ressort sont en matériau conducteur électrique afin de pouvoir établir un contact électrique entre le contact femelle et un contact mâle.Furthermore, according to the invention, at least a portion of the inner wall, the base and the spring are made of material electrical conductor so as to make electrical contact between the female contact and a male contact.

C'est pourquoi, selon un mode de réalisation particulier, le contact femelle est réalisé avec un matériau à la fois élastique et conducteur électrique choisi dans le groupe consistant en les alliages cuivreux tels que le cuprobéryllium, le cupro-nickel, les laitons et leurs mélanges.Therefore, according to a particular embodiment, the female contact is made of a material both elastic and electrically conductive selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and their mixtures.

Le ressort de l'invention peut se présenter sous différentes formes à condition de se déformer sous l'action d'une force extérieure permettant ainsi de s'adapter à des contacts mâles de différentes longueurs.The spring of the invention can be in various forms provided to be deformed under the action of an external force thus allowing to adapt to male contacts of different lengths.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort hélicoïdal se présente sous la forme d'une succession de spires non jointives avec un pas constant, c'est-à-dire avec une distance constante entre deux spires successives.According to one embodiment, the helical spring is in the form of a succession of non-contiguous turns with a constant pitch, that is to say with a constant distance between two successive turns.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort hélicoïdal présente un pas compris entre 0,1mm et 2mm, de préférence entre 0,4 et 0,8mm.According to one embodiment, the coil spring has a pitch of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.4 and 0.8 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort hélicoïdal présente des spires ayant un diamètre constant dspires compris entre 0,2mm et 1mm, de préférence entre 0,3mm et 0,5mm.According to one embodiment, the coil spring has turns having a constant diameter of turns between 0.2mm and 1mm, preferably between 0.3mm and 0.5mm.

Selon l'invention, le ressort hélicoïdal comprend une partie inférieure d'un diamètre dPI et une partie supérieure d'un diamètre dPS avec dPI>dPS, la partie inférieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée du côté de la base du contact femelle et la partie supérieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée vers le bord libre du contact femelle.According to the invention, the helical spring comprises a lower part of a diameter d.sub.i and an upper part of a diameter d.sub.P with d.sub.p > d.sub.P , the lower part of the helical spring being oriented towards the base of the contact. female and the upper part of the coil spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation, le contact femelle est de forme tubulaire et présente une base de diamètre interne db et le ratio entre le diamètre dPI du ressort et le diamètre interne db de la base (dPI/db) est sensiblement supérieur à 1.According to another embodiment, the female contact is of tubular shape and has a base of internal diameter d b and the ratio between the diameter d of the spring PI and the internal diameter d b of the base (d PI / d b ) is substantially greater than 1.

Par « sensiblement supérieur à 1 », on entend une variation maximale de 10% autour de la valeur 1.By "substantially greater than 1" is meant a maximum variation of 10% around the value 1.

Ainsi, selon ce mode de réalisation, le ressort est fixé de manière solidaire au contact femelle quelles que soient les conditions d'utilisations.Thus, according to this embodiment, the spring is fixed integrally to the female contact regardless of the conditions of use.

Les dimensions données, ci-dessous, non limitatives, sont données en fonction d'un contact mâle de référence ayant une longueur de 15,7mm.The dimensions given below, which are non-limiting, are given as a function of a reference male contact having a length of 15.7 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, dPI est compris entre 1 et 3mm, de préférence entre 1,4 et 1,7mm.According to one embodiment, d PI is between 1 and 3 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.7 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, dPS est compris entre 0,5 et 2,5mm, de préférence entre 1,2 et 1,4mm.According to one embodiment, d PS is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, preferably between 1.2 and 1.4 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, db est compris entre 1mm et 3,5mm, de préférence entre 1,4 et 1,9mm.According to one embodiment, d b is between 1 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.9 mm.

L'homme du métier saura trouver un ratio entre la longueur du ressort lr et la longueur du contact femelle lCF adapté en fonction des dimensions du contact mâle devant s'insérer dans le contact femelle.The skilled person will find a ratio between the length of the spring l r and the length of the female contact l CF adapted according to the dimensions of the male contact to be inserted into the female contact.

Selon l'invention, le ressort est réalisé en un matériau présentant les deux caractéristiques cumulatives suivantes : d'un point de vue mécanique, le ressort doit être élastique et d'un point de vue électrique, le ressort doit être conducteur.According to the invention, the spring is made of a material having the following two cumulative characteristics: from a mechanical point of view, the spring must be elastic and from an electrical point of view, the spring must be conductive.

Ainsi, selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort est réalisé en un matériau choisi dans le groupe consistant en les alliages cuivreux tels que le cuprobéryllium, le cupro-nickel, les laitons et leurs mélanges.Thus, according to one embodiment, the spring is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and mixtures thereof.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort et le contact femelle sont réalisés avec le(s) même(s) matériau(x).According to one embodiment, the spring and the female contact are made with the same material (s).

Afin d'améliorer ses propriétés mécaniques et électriques, le matériau du ressort peut subir différents traitements comme des traitements thermiques et/ou des traitements de surface (par exemple dépôt d'or sur toute la surface du ressort).In order to improve its mechanical and electrical properties, the spring material can undergo various treatments such as heat treatments and / or surface treatments (eg gold deposit on the entire surface of the spring).

L'homme du métier saura choisir les matériaux adaptés en fonction de l'ampérage que doit traverser le contact femelle. A titre d'exemple, pour un ressort réalisé en cuprobéryllium présentant un diamètre dspires de 0,4mm, l'ampérage est de l'ordre de 5 ampères (5A).Those skilled in the art will be able to choose the appropriate materials according to the amperage that the female contact must cross. By way of example, for a spring made of cuproberyllium having a diameter of turns of 0.4 mm, the amperage is of the order of 5 amps (5A).

Selon l'invention, le contact femelle peut se trouver dans différents connecteurs tels que des embases pour relais électriques ou bien toutes connexions classiques comprenant des connecteurs.According to the invention, the female contact can be in different connectors such as bases for electrical relays or any conventional connections comprising connectors.

Ainsi, un autre objet de l'invention est un connecteur comprenant au moins un contact femelle tel que défini selon l'invention.Thus, another object of the invention is a connector comprising at least one female contact as defined according to the invention.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le connecteur femelle comprend entre 12 et 24 contacts femelles.According to one embodiment, the female connector comprises between 12 and 24 female contacts.

Un autre objet de l'invention est un kit comprenant un connecteur comprenant au moins un contact femelle tel que défini selon l'invention et un connecteur mâle.Another object of the invention is a kit comprising a connector comprising at least one female contact as defined according to the invention and a male connector.

Un autre objet de l'invention est un kit comprenant un connecteur comprenant au moins un contact femelle, au moins un ressort tels que définis précédemment et un connecteur mâle.Another object of the invention is a kit comprising a connector comprising at least one female contact, at least one spring as defined above and a male connector.

La présence du ressort dans le contact femelle de l'invention permet d'établir un contact fiable quelles que soient les conditions d'utilisation.The presence of the spring in the female contact of the invention makes it possible to establish a reliable contact whatever the conditions of use.

Ainsi, un autre objet de l'invention est l'utilisation du contact femelle, du connecteur femelle ou des kits tels que définis dans la présente invention dans des conditions générant de fortes contraintes mécaniques et/ou thermiques qui peuvent être rencontrées dans des moyens de transports tels que l'avion ou le train...Thus, another object of the invention is the use of the female contact, the female connector or the kits as defined in the present invention under conditions generating high mechanical and / or thermal stresses which can be encountered in means of transport such as plane or train ...

Un autre objet de la présente invention est un procédé de modification d'un connecteur femelle destiné à recevoir un connecteur mâle comprenant les étapes consistant en:

  1. (i) Disposer d'un connecteur femelle comprenant au moins un contact femelle destiné à recevoir un connecteur mâle comprenant au moins un contact mâle, le dit contact femelle comprenant une base et au moins une paroi latérale ayant un bord libre définissant une extrémité ouverte, la paroi latérale comprenant une paroi interne et étant solidaire de la base;
  2. (ii) Insérer un ressort hélicoïdal en matériau conducteur électrique entre la base et l'extrémité ouverte du contact femelle;
  3. (iii) Eventuellement, insérer un contact mâle dans le contact femelle modifié à l'étape (ii) afin d'établir un contact électrique via la paroi interne du contact femelle et/ou via le ressort,
caractérisé en ce que ledit ressort hélicoïdal comprend une partie inférieure d'un diamètre dPI et une partie supérieure d'un diamètre dPS avec dPI>dPS, la partie inférieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée du côté de la base du contact femelle et la partie supérieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée vers le bord libre du contact femelle.Another object of the present invention is a method of modifying a female connector for receiving a male connector comprising the steps of:
  1. (i) having a female connector comprising at least one female contact for receiving a male connector comprising at least one male contact, said female contact comprising a base and at least one side wall having a free edge defining an open end, the side wall comprising an inner wall and being integral with the base;
  2. (ii) inserting a helical spring of electrically conductive material between the base and the open end of the female contact;
  3. (iii) optionally, inserting a male contact in the modified female contact in step (ii) in order to establish an electrical contact via the internal wall of the female contact and / or via the spring,
characterized in that said helical spring comprises a lower part of a diameter d PI and an upper part of a diameter d PS with d PI > d PS , the lower part of the coil spring being oriented towards the base of the female contact and the upper part of the coil spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact.

Ainsi, le procédé de l'invention permet d'utiliser des contacts femelles qui n'ont pas exactement les dimensions précises et requises pour établir un contact électrique avec un contact mâle et/ou permet d'augmenter la durée de vie d'un contact femelle qui aurait été déformé au cours du temps. En effet, la présence du ressort permet d'établir le contact électrique entre le contact femelle et un contact mâle même si le contact mâle n'est pas en contact direct avec la paroi latérale du contact femelle.Thus, the method of the invention makes it possible to use female contacts which do not exactly have the precise dimensions and which are required to establish an electrical contact with a male contact and / or makes it possible to increase the lifetime of a contact. female who would have been deformed over time. Indeed, the presence of the spring makes it possible to establish the electrical contact between the female contact and a male contact even if the male contact is not in direct contact with the side wall of the female contact.

Le procédé de l'invention permet également de rétablir de manière très rapide et très pratique un contact électrique dans un connecteur défectueux en évitant d'enlever les câbles électriques de l'ensemble du dispositif électrique dans lequel le contact femelle est intégré.The method of the invention also makes it possible to very quickly and very conveniently restore an electrical contact in a defective connector by avoiding removing the electrical cables from the entire electrical device in which the female contact is integrated.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort est inséré dans le contact femelle jusqu'à ce que le ressort soit en contact avec la base du contact femelle.According to one embodiment, the spring is inserted into the female contact until the spring is in contact with the base of the female contact.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation, le ressort est inséré par force dans le contact femelle afin d'assurer son maintien dans le contact femelle quelles que soient les conditions d'utilisation.According to another embodiment, the spring is inserted by force into the female contact to ensure its maintenance in the female contact regardless of the conditions of use.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la base du contact femelle se présente sous la forme d'une cavité conique.According to one embodiment, the base of the female contact is in the form of a conical cavity.

Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, la base du contact femelle est plane et est choisie dans le groupe consistant en une base circulaire, ovale, rectangulaire ou carrée.According to one embodiment of the invention, the base of the female contact is flat and is selected from the group consisting of a circular, oval, rectangular or square base.

Selon l'invention, le contact femelle comprend au moins une paroi latérale. Le nombre de paroi latérale dépendra notamment de la forme de la base.According to the invention, the female contact comprises at least one side wall. The number of side walls will depend in particular on the shape of the base.

A titre d'exemple, on peut citer un contact femelle comprenant une base circulaire et une paroi latérale ou bien un contact femelle comprenant une base carrée et quatre parois latérales.By way of example, there may be mentioned a female contact comprising a circular base and a side wall or a female contact comprising a square base and four side walls.

Selon l'invention, le repère orthonormé (X, Y, Z) est utilisé dans lequel la direction X est la direction longitudinale de la paroi latérale.According to the invention, the orthonormal reference (X, Y, Z) is used in which the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the side wall.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la paroi latérale présente au moins une discontinuité (appelée également fente) le long de la direction X.According to one embodiment, the side wall has at least one discontinuity (also called slot) along the direction X.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, la paroi latérale présente deux fentes diamétralement opposées qui s'étendent sensiblement de la base jusqu'à l'extrémité ouverte du contact femelle créant ainsi deux lèvres pouvant se déformées lors d'une sollicitation mécanique. En effet, dans ce mode de réalisation, les deux lèvres permettent de resserrer l'extrémité ouverte du contact femelle avant l'insertion du contact mâle. Lorsque le contact mâle s'insère dans le contact femelle pour atteindre sa position d'utilisation, les lèvres se déforment légèrement mais conservent le resserrement de l'extrémité ouverte de façon à favoriser le contact avec le contact mâle dans le contact femelle en position d'utilisation.According to a particular embodiment, the side wall has two diametrically opposed slots which extend substantially from the base to the open end of the female contact thus creating two lips that can be deformed during a mechanical stress. Indeed, in this embodiment, the two lips allow to tighten the open end of the female contact before insertion of the male contact. When the male contact fits into the female contact to reach its position of use, the lips deform slightly but retain the tightening of the open end so as to promote contact with the male contact in the female contact in position d 'use.

Ainsi, selon un mode de réalisation particulier, le contact femelle présente des propriétés élastiques afin de pouvoir se déformer.Thus, according to a particular embodiment, the female contact has elastic properties in order to be able to deform.

Par ailleurs, selon l'invention, au moins une partie de la paroi interne, la base et le ressort sont en matériau conducteur électrique afin de pouvoir établir un contact électrique entre le contact femelle et un contact mâle.Furthermore, according to the invention, at least a portion of the inner wall, the base and the spring are made of electrically conductive material so as to establish an electrical contact between the female contact and a male contact.

C'est pourquoi, selon un mode de réalisation particulier, le contact femelle est réalisé avec un matériau à la fois élastique et conducteur électrique choisi dans le groupe consistant en les alliages cuivreux tels que le cuprobéryllium, le cupro-nickel, les laitons et leurs mélanges.Therefore, according to a particular embodiment, the female contact is made of a material both elastic and electrically conductive selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and their mixtures.

Le ressort de l'invention peut se présenter sous différentes formes à condition de se déformer sous l'action d'une force extérieure permettant ainsi de s'adapter à des contacts mâles de différentes longueurs.The spring of the invention can be in various forms provided to be deformed under the action of an external force thus allowing to adapt to male contacts of different lengths.

Selon un mode de réalisation combiné au précédent, le ressort hélicoïdal se présente sous la forme d'une succession de spires non jointives avec un pas constant, c'est-à-dire avec une distance constante entre deux spires successives.According to an embodiment combined with the previous embodiment, the helical spring is in the form of a succession of non-contiguous turns with a constant pitch, that is to say with a constant distance between two successive turns.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort hélicoïdal présente un pas compris entre 0,1mm et 2mm, de préférence entre 0,4 et 0,8mm.According to one embodiment, the coil spring has a pitch of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.4 and 0.8 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort hélicoïdal présente des spires ayant un diamètre constant dspires compris entre 0,2mm et 1mm, de préférence entre 0,3mm et 0,5mm.According to one embodiment, the coil spring has turns having a constant diameter of turns between 0.2mm and 1mm, preferably between 0.3mm and 0.5mm.

Selon l'invention, le ressort hélicoïdal comprend une partie inférieure d'un diamètre dPI et une partie supérieure d'un diamètre dPS avec dPI>dPS, la partie inférieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée du côté de la base du contact femelle et la partie supérieure du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée vers le bord libre du contact femelle.According to the invention, the helical spring comprises a lower part of a diameter d.sub.i and an upper part of a diameter d.sub.P with d.sub.p > d.sub.P , the lower part of the helical spring being oriented towards the base of the contact. female and the upper part of the coil spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation, le contact femelle est de forme tubulaire et présente une base de diamètre interne db et le ratio entre le diamètre dPI du ressort et le diamètre interne db de la base (dPI/db) est sensiblement supérieur à 1.According to another embodiment, the female contact is of tubular shape and has a base of internal diameter d b and the ratio between the diameter d PI of the spring and the internal diameter d b of the base (d PI / d b ) is substantially greater than 1.

Par « sensiblement supérieur à 1 », on entend une variation maximale de 10% autour de la valeur 1.By "substantially greater than 1" is meant a maximum variation of 10% around the value 1.

Ainsi, selon ce mode de réalisation, le ressort est fixé de manière solidaire au contact femelle quelles que soient les conditions d'utilisations.Thus, according to this embodiment, the spring is fixed integrally to the female contact regardless of the conditions of use.

Les dimensions données, ci-dessous, non limitatives, sont données en fonction d'un contact mâle de référence ayant une longueur de 15,7mm.The dimensions given below, which are non-limiting, are given as a function of a reference male contact having a length of 15.7 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, dPI est compris entre 1 et 3mm, de préférence entre 1,4 et 1,7mm.According to one embodiment, d PI is between 1 and 3 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.7 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, dPS est compris entre 0,5 et 2,5mm, de préférence entre 1,2 et 1,4mm.According to one embodiment, d PS is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, preferably between 1.2 and 1.4 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, db est compris entre 1mm et 3,5mm, de préférence entre 1,4 et 1,9mm.According to one embodiment, d b is between 1 mm and 3.5 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.9 mm.

L'homme du métier saura trouver un ratio entre la longueur du ressort lr et la longueur du contact femelle lCF adapté en fonction des dimensions du contact mâle devant s'insérer dans le contact femelle.The skilled person will find a ratio between the length of the spring l r and the length of the female contact l CF adapted according to the dimensions of the male contact to be inserted into the female contact.

Selon l'invention, le ressort est réalisé en un matériau présentant les deux caractéristiques cumulatives suivantes : d'un point de vue mécanique, le ressort doit être élastique et d'un point de vue électrique, le ressort doit être conducteur.According to the invention, the spring is made of a material having the following two cumulative characteristics: from a mechanical point of view, the spring must be elastic and from an electrical point of view, the spring must be conductive.

Ainsi, selon un mode de réalisation, le ressort est réalisé en un matériau choisi dans le groupe consistant en les alliages cuivreux tels que le cuprobéryllium, le cupro-nickel, les laitons et leurs mélanges.Thus, according to one embodiment, the spring is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel, brasses and mixtures thereof.

De manière avantageuse, le ressort et le contact femelle sont réalisés avec le(s) même(s) matériau(x).Advantageously, the spring and the female contact are made with the same material (s).

Afin d'améliorer ses propriétés mécaniques et électriques, le matériau du ressort peut subir différents traitements comme des traitements thermiques ou des traitements de surface (par exemple dépôt d'or sur toute la surface du ressort).In order to improve its mechanical and electrical properties, the spring material can be subjected to various treatments such as heat treatments or surface treatments (for example gold deposited over the entire surface of the spring).

L'homme du métier saura choisir les matériaux adaptés en fonction de l'ampérage que doit traverser le contact femelle. A titre d'exemple, pour un ressort réalisé en cuprobéryllium présentant un diamètre dspires de 0,4mm, l'ampérage est de l'ordre de 5 ampères (5A).Those skilled in the art will be able to choose the appropriate materials according to the amperage that the female contact must cross. By way of example, for a spring made of cuproberyllium having a diameter of turns of 0.4 mm, the amperage is of the order of 5 amps (5A).

L'invention va être décrite plus en détails dans ce qui suit à l'aide des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • La figure 1 représente partiellement en coupe un contact mâle inséré dans une douille d'embase pour relai électrique de l'art antérieur.
  • La figure 2 représente l'ensemble du contact mâle inséré dans la douille de l'embase pour relai électrique de la figure 1 ayant subi des déformations suite à une utilisation dans des conditions sévères.
  • La figure 3 représente une coupe longitudinale d'un contact mâle inséré dans une douille d'embase pour relai électrique selon la présente invention.
  • Les figures 4a-4d représentent schématiquement une douille selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
  • La figure 5 représente schématiquement un ressort compris dans une douille selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
The invention will be described in more detail in the following with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:
  • The figure 1 partially shows in section a male contact inserted in a socket socket for electrical relay of the prior art.
  • The figure 2 represents the whole of the male contact inserted into the socket of the electrical relay base of the figure 1 having suffered deformations following use in severe conditions.
  • The figure 3 represents a longitudinal section of a male contact inserted in a socket socket for electrical relay according to the present invention.
  • The Figures 4a-4d schematically represent a socket according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • The figure 5 schematically represents a spring included in a socket according to one embodiment of the invention.

La figure 1 illustre les points de contact électrique entre un contact femelle 1 (ici une douille) et un contact mâle 2 dans une embase pour relai électrique classique.The figure 1 illustrates the points of electrical contact between a female contact 1 (here a bushing) and a male contact 2 in a base for conventional electrical relay.

Le contact femelle 1 comprend une base 3, au moins une paroi latérale 4 étant solidaire de la base 3 et comprenant une paroi interne 4a. La paroi latérale 4 a un bord libre définissant une extrémité ouverte 5 dans laquelle le contact mâle 2 vient s'insérer en position d'utilisation.The female contact 1 comprises a base 3, at least one side wall 4 being integral with the base 3 and comprising an inner wall 4a. The side wall 4 has a free edge defining an open end 5 in which the male contact 2 is inserted into the position of use.

Le contact électrique E (représenté par des points de contact ronds sur la figure 1) se fait par contact entre la surface interne 4a de la paroi latérale 4 du contact femelle 1 et le contact mâle 2 dans une partie supérieure du contact femelle (c'est-à-dire proche de l'extrémité ouverte 5).The electrical contact E (represented by round contact points on the figure 1 ) is made by contact between the inner surface 4a of the side wall 4 of the female contact 1 and the male contact 2 in an upper part of the female contact (that is to say close to the open end 5).

Cependant, comme expliqué précédemment et comme illustré de manière exagérée avec la figure 2, lorsque les embases pour relais sont utilisées dans des conditions sévères, ou bien lorsqu'elles sont soumises à de nombreuses manipulations, la partie supérieure du contact femelle 1 se déforme et le contact électrique n'est plus assuré de manière continue.However, as explained previously and as illustrated exaggerated with the figure 2 when the relay bases are used under severe conditions, or when they are subjected to many manipulations, the upper part of the female contact 1 deforms and the electrical contact is no longer provided continuously.

A la différence des contacts femelles de l'art antérieur, le contact femelle 11 de la présente invention illustré sur la figure 3 comprend un ressort 16 disposé sur sa base 13. Ainsi, même lorsque le contact électrique ne peut plus se faire par contact entre la surface interne 14a de la paroi latérale 14 et le contact mâle 12, celui-ci est assuré par la présence du ressort 16. En effet, comme illustré sur la figure 3, les points de contact E se trouvent à la fois entre le contact mâle 12 et le ressort 16 et entre le ressort 16 et la base 13 du contact femelle 11.Unlike the female contacts of the prior art, the female contact 11 of the present invention illustrated in FIG. figure 3 comprises a spring 16 disposed on its base 13. Thus, even when the electrical contact can no longer be made by contact between the inner surface 14a of the side wall 14 and the male contact 12, it is ensured by the presence of the spring 16. Indeed, as shown in FIG. figure 3 the contact points E are located between the male contact 12 and the spring 16 and between the spring 16 and the base 13 of the female contact 11.

La structure du contact femelle est davantage décrite ci-dessous à travers les figures 4a à 4c.The structure of the female contact is further described below through Figures 4a to 4c .

La figure 4a représente une vue latérale du contact femelle selon l'invention. Le contact femelle 21 comprend une base circulaire 23 (représentée sur la figure 4b) et une paroi latérale 24 solidaire de la base 23. La paroi latérale comprend une paroi interne 24a et un bord libre définissant une extrémité ouverte 25. La paroi latérale 24 comprend deux fentes 27 diamétralement opposées qui s'étendent sensiblement de la base 23 jusqu'à l'extrémité ouverte 25 du contact femelle 21 le long de l'axe X créant ainsi deux lèvres 28.The figure 4a represents a side view of the female contact according to the invention. The female contact 21 comprises a circular base 23 (represented on the figure 4b ) and a side wall 24 integral with the base 23. The side wall comprises an inner wall 24a and a free edge defining an open end 25. The side wall 24 comprises two diametrically opposed slots 27 which extend substantially from the base 23 to at the open end 25 of the female contact 21 along the X axis thus creating two lips 28.

La figure 4b est une vue de dessus de la figure 4a montrant que le contact femelle se trouve sous une forme tubulaire et comprend une base 23 circulaire solidaire d'une paroi latérale 24 comprenant deux fentes 27 diamétralement opposées.The figure 4b is a top view of the figure 4a showing that the female contact is in a tubular form and comprises a circular base 23 integral with a side wall 24 comprising two diametrically opposed slots 27.

La figure 4c est une coupe selon l'axe A-A de la figure 4a. Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, la base 23 du contact femelle 21 présente un diamètre interne db sensiblement inférieur au diamètre de la partie inférieure dPI du ressort destiné à être en contact avec la base (non représenté sur la figure 4c). La longueur lCF, du contact femelle 21 dépendra de la longueur du contact mâle devant s'insérer dans le contact femelle. Selon un mode de réalisation, la longueur lCF, du contact femelle 21 est comprise entre 3 et 10mm, de préférence entre 5 et 8mm.The figure 4c is a section along the AA axis of the figure 4a . According to a particular embodiment, the base 23 of the female contact 21 has an inner diameter d b substantially less than the diameter of the lower part PI of the spring to be in contact with the base (not shown in figure 4c ). The length l CF , of the female contact 21 will depend on the length of the male contact to be inserted into the female contact. According to one embodiment, the length l CF of the female contact 21 is between 3 and 10 mm, preferably between 5 and 8 mm.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le diamètre db est compris entre 1 et 3,5mm, de préférence entre 1,4 et 1,9mm.According to one embodiment, the diameter d b is between 1 and 3.5 mm, preferably between 1.4 and 1.9 mm.

La figure 4d représente une vue latérale du contact femelle des figures 4a et 4b après serrage des deux lèvres 28. Comme illustré sur la figure 4d, la largeur de la fente 27 n'est plus constante comme sur la figure 4a mais diminue de la base 23 jusqu'à l'extrémité ouverte 25 jusqu'à devenir pratiquement nulle.The figure 4d represents a side view of the female contact of Figures 4a and 4b after tightening the two lips 28. As illustrated on figure 4d , the width of the slot 27 is no longer constant as on the figure 4a but decreases from base 23 to open end 25 to become substantially zero.

Ainsi, lorsque le contact mâle 29 (représenté seulement en partie sur la figure 4d) s'insère dans le contact femelle 21, les lèvres 28 se déforment légèrement mais conservent un resserrement de l'extrémité ouverte 25 de façon à favoriser le contact avec le contact mâle 29 dans le contact femelle 21 en position d'utilisation.Thus, when the male contact 29 (represented only partly on the figure 4d ) is inserted into the female contact 21, the lips 28 are deformed slightly but retain a tightening of the open end 25 so as to promote contact with the male contact 29 in the female contact 21 in the use position.

La figure 5 représente un ressort hélicoïdal 26 selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention. Le ressort hélicoïdal 26 comprend une succession de cinq spires 31 non jointives présentant un pas constant.The figure 5 represents a helical spring 26 according to one embodiment of the invention. The coil spring 26 comprises a succession of five non-contiguous turns 31 having a constant pitch.

Les spires 31 présentent un diamètre constant dspires compris entre 0,2mm et 1mm, de préférence entre 0,3mm et 0,5mm.The turns 31 have a constant diameter of turns of between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

Le ressort hélicoïdal 26 comprend une partie inférieure 32 d'un diamètre dPI et une partie supérieure 33 d'un diamètre dPS avec dPI>dPS, la partie inférieure 32 du ressort hélicoïdal 25 étant orientée du côté de la base 23 du contact femelle et la partie supérieure 33 du ressort hélicoïdal 26 étant orientée vers l'extrémité ouverte 25 du contact femelle.The coil spring 26 comprises a lower part 32 with a diameter of P 1 and an upper part 33 with a diameter d PS with d P d> d PS , the lower part 32 of the coil spring 25 being oriented on the side of the base 23 of the female contact and the upper portion 33 of the coil spring 26 being oriented towards the open end 25 of the female contact.

Ainsi, le contact femelle de la présente invention est tout à fait adapté à être intégré dans des embases pour relais électriques de petite taille qui nécessitent des contacts femelles de dimensions très précises.Thus, the female contact of the present invention is quite suitable for being integrated in small electrical relay bases that require female contacts of very precise dimensions.

Par ailleurs, le procédé de l'invention permet d'établir un contact électrique dans des connecteurs comprenant des contacts qui n'ont pas exactement les dimensions requises.Moreover, the method of the invention makes it possible to establish an electrical contact in connectors including contacts that do not have exactly the required dimensions.

Enfin, le procédé de l'invention permet de prolonger la durée de vie des installations électriques dans lesquelles des connecteurs défectueux sont intégrés en rétablissant le contact électrique et en évitant d'enlever l'ensemble des câbles desdites installations électriques.Finally, the method of the invention makes it possible to extend the service life of the electrical installations in which faulty connectors are integrated by restoring the electrical contact and avoiding removing all the cables from said electrical installations.

Claims (10)

Contact femelle (11,21) destiné à recevoir un contact mâle (12,29), ledit contact femelle (11,21) comprenant une base (13,23) et au moins une paroi latérale (14,24) ayant un bord libre définissant une extrémité ouverte (15,25), ladite paroi latérale (14,24) étant solidaire de la base (13,23) et comprenant une paroi interne (14a,24a), caractérisé en ce que : - le contact femelle (11,21) comprend un ressort hélicoïdal (16,26) en matériau conducteur électrique disposé entre la base (13,23) et l'extrémité ouverte (15,25), - une partie de la paroi interne (14a,24a) et la base (13,23) sont en matériau conducteur électrique, et - la paroi interne (14a,24a) du contact femelle (11,21) et/ou le ressort (16,26) assure(nt) un contact électrique avec un contact mâle (12,29) en position d'utilisation, caractérisé en ce que ledit ressort hélicoïdal (16,26) comprend une partie inférieure (32) d'un diamètre dPI et une partie supérieure (33) d'un diamètre dPS avec dPI>dPS, la partie inférieure (32) du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée du côté de la base (13,23) du contact femelle et la partie supérieure (33) du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée vers le bord libre du contact femelle.Female contact (11,21) for receiving a male contact (12,29), said female contact (11,21) comprising a base (13,23) and at least one side wall (14,24) having a free edge defining an open end (15,25), said side wall (14,24) being integral with the base (13,23) and including an inner wall (14a, 24a), characterized in that : - the female contact (11,21) comprises a helical spring (16,26) of electrically conductive material disposed between the base (13,23) and the open end (15,25), a part of the inner wall (14a, 24a) and the base (13, 23) are made of electrically conductive material, and the internal wall (14a, 24a) of the female contact (11,21) and / or the spring (16,26) provide (s) an electrical contact with a male contact (12,29) in the position of use, characterized in that said coil spring (16,26) comprises a lower portion (32) of a diameter d PI and an upper portion (33) of a diameter d PS with d PI > d PS , the lower portion (32 ) of the coil spring being oriented on the side of the base (13,23) of the female contact and the upper part (33) of the coil spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact. Contact femelle (11,21) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le ressort (16,26) est en contact avec la base (13,23) du contact femelle.Female contact (11,21) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring (16,26) is in contact with the base (13,23) of the female contact. Contact femelle (11,21) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que : - le contact femelle est de forme tubulaire et présente une base de diamètre interne db ; et - le ratio entre le diamètre dPI et le diamètre interne db est sensiblement supérieur à 1. Female contact (11,21) according to claim 1, characterized in that : the female contact is of tubular shape and has a base of internal diameter d b ; and the ratio between the diameter of PI and the internal diameter d b is substantially greater than 1. Contact femelle (11,21) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le ressort (16,26) est fait d'un matériau choisi dans le groupe consistant en les alliages cuivreux tels que le cuprobéryllium, le cupro-nickel, les laitons et leurs mélanges.Female contact (11,21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (16,26) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cuprous alloys such as cuproberyllium, cupro-nickel , brasses and their mixtures. Contact femelle (11,21) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la paroi latérale présente deux fentes diamétralement opposées qui s'étendent sensiblement de la base jusqu'à l'extrémité ouverte du contact femelle.Female contact (11,21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall has two diametrically opposed slots which extend substantially from the base to the open end of the female contact. Connecteur femelle comprenant au moins un contact femelle (11,21) tel que défini selon l'une des revendications précédentes.Female connector comprising at least one female contact (11,21) as defined in one of the preceding claims. Kit comprenant le connecteur femelle tel que défini dans la revendication 6 et un connecteur mâle.Kit comprising the female connector as defined in claim 6 and a male connector. Procédé de modification d'un connecteur femelle destiné à recevoir un connecteur mâle comprenant les étapes consistant en : (i) Disposer d'un connecteur femelle comprenant au moins un contact femelle (11,21) destiné à recevoir un connecteur mâle comprenant au moins un contact mâle (12,29), le dit contact femelle (11,21) comprenant une base (13,23) et au moins une paroi latérale (14,24) ayant un bord libre définissant une extrémité ouverte (15,25), ladite paroi latérale (14,24) étant solidaire de la base (13,23) et comprenant une paroi interne (14a,24a); (ii) Insérer un ressort hélicoïdal (16,26) en matériau conducteur électrique entre la base (13,23) et l'extrémité ouverte (15, 25) du contact femelle ; (iii) Eventuellement, insérer un contact mâle dans le contact femelle modifié à l'étape (ii) afin d'établir un contact électrique via la paroi interne (14a,24a) du contact femelle et/ou via le ressort ; caractérisé en ce que ledit ressort hélicoïdal (16,26) comprend une partie inférieure (32) d'un diamètre dPI et une partie supérieure (33) d'un diamètre dPS avec dPI>dPS, la partie inférieure (32) du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée du côté de la base (13,23) du contact femelle et la partie supérieure (33) du ressort hélicoïdal étant orientée vers le bord libre du contact femelle.A method of modifying a female connector for receiving a male connector comprising the steps of: (i) Have a female connector with at least one female contact (11,21) for receiving a male connector a male contact (12,29), said female contact (11,21) comprising a base (13,23) and at least one side wall (14,24) having a free edge defining an open end (15,25) said side wall (14,24) being integral with the base (13,23) and having an inner wall (14a, 24a); (ii) Inserting a helical spring (16,26) of electrically conductive material between the base (13,23) and the open end (15,25) of the female contact; (iii) Optionally, inserting a male contact in the modified female contact in step (ii) to make electrical contact via the inner wall (14a, 24a) of the female contact and / or via the spring; characterized in that said coil spring (16,26) comprises a lower portion (32) of a diameter d PI and an upper portion (33) of a diameter d PS with d PI > d PS , the lower portion (32 ) of the coil spring being oriented on the side of the base (13,23) of the female contact and the upper part (33) of the coil spring being oriented towards the free edge of the female contact. Procédé selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que le ressort est inséré jusqu'à ce que le ressort (16,26) soit en contact avec la base (13,23) du contact femelle.Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the spring is inserted until the spring (16,26) is in contact with the base (13,23) of the female contact. Utilisation du contact femelle (11,21) tel que défini dans l'une des revendications 1 à 5, du connecteur femelle défini dans la revendication 6, du kit défini dans la revendication 7 dans des conditions générant de fortes contraintes mécaniques et/ou thermiques qui peuvent être rencontrées dans des moyens de transports tels que l'avion ou le train.Use of the female contact (11,21) as defined in one of claims 1 to 5, of the female connector defined in claim 6, of the kit defined in claim 7 under conditions generating high mechanical stresses and / or thermal that can be encountered in transport means such as the plane or the train.
EP16159357.9A 2015-03-13 2016-03-09 Female contact comprising a spring Withdrawn EP3067991A1 (en)

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FR1552068A FR3033672B1 (en) 2015-03-13 2015-03-13 FEMALE CONTACT COMPRISING A SPRING

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CN110581394B (en) * 2018-06-08 2021-01-26 睿能创意公司 Electric connector plug

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US4632496A (en) * 1983-09-26 1986-12-30 Williams Robert A Connector socket
FR2596587A1 (en) * 1986-03-26 1987-10-02 Allied Corp Socket contact for an electrical connector
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FR3033672A1 (en) 2016-09-16
US9583844B2 (en) 2017-02-28
US20160268707A1 (en) 2016-09-15

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