EP3671963B1

EP3671963B1 - Connection assembly comprising a withdrawable connector and a fixing foot configured to cooperate with the withdrawable connector

Info

Publication number: EP3671963B1
Application number: EP18306746.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Romain Villard; Yannick VILLARDIER; Charlotte DELIGNY
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics France SAS
Current assignee: Tyco Electronics France SAS
Priority date: 2018-12-19
Filing date: 2018-12-19
Publication date: 2024-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-19
Also published as: CN111342299A; EP3671963A1; CN111342299B

Description

Background of the invention

The invention relates of a connection assembly comprising a withdrawable connector and a fixing foot configured to cooperate with the withdrawable connector.

Description of the prior art

In the field of connection assembly, it is known to use a system for fastening together two constituent elements of an electrical connection assembly.
Patent application US 6,626,709 has thus proposed an electrical assembly of the tenon and mortise type, which comprise male fastener which comprises one tenon having a longitudinal axis and provided with a free end called an engagement end, and a locking rib located at a distance from the tenon, away from the engagement end and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, that projects from a fastening face. The electrical assembly also comprises a female fastener complementary to the male fastener. US4425018 describes a connection assembly comprising a withdrawable connector and a fixing foot, wherein the withdrawable connector comprises: an insulating body having a connector cooperation area configured to cooperate, in a mounting position, with a fixing foot configured to be fixed to a support, said insulating body extending in a first extension direction from the connector cooperation area, a conductive bar disposed in the insulating body, a connection socket arranged to cooperate with an external socket, said connection socket being configured to electrically connect the external socket to the conductive bar when the external socket cooperates with the connection socket, and wherein the connection socket is arranged for the external socket to cooperate with said connection socket by a relative movement in an insertion direction transverse to the first extension direction, and the fixing foot comprises: a fixing portion configured to be fixed to a support; and a body having a foot cooperation area configured to cooperate with a withdrawable connector, said body extending in a second extension direction from the fixing portion.
Such configurations are not conducive to the insertion of an electrical connector in the electrical assembly.
The present invention aims to solve all or some of the disadvantages mentioned above.

Summary of the invention

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a connection assembly, comprising a withdrawable connector and a fixing foot, according to claim 1.
In the sense of the present invention, transverse means perpendicular or substantially perpendicular.
Substantially perpendicular means having an angle comprised between 80° and 100°.
According to an embodiment, the withdrawable connector comprises a connection terminal arranged to cooperate with an external conductor.
Said connection terminal being configured to electrically connect the external conductor to the conductive bar when the external conductor cooperates with the connection terminal.
Advantageously, the connection terminal is arranged for the external conductor to cooperate with said connection terminal by a relative movement in a direction opposed to the insertion direction.
Such a configuration, and more particularly the cooperation of the external socket with the connection socket by a relative movement in an insertion direction transverse to the first extension direction facilitates the insertion of said external socket.
In the sense of the present invention, an insulating body extending in a first extension direction does not necessary mean that the first extension direction defines the largest dimension of said insulating body.
In particular, the fact that the insulating body extends in the first extension direction means that the insulating body has a certain thickness in the first extension direction.
According to an embodiment, the connector cooperation area defines a bottom surface, said bottom surface being transverse to the first extension direction.
According to an embodiment, the withdrawable connector comprises a top surface opposed to the bottom surface, said top surface being transverse to the first extension direction.
According to an embodiment said insulating body extends in the first extension direction from the bottom surface towards the top surface.
Advantageously, the top surface is substantially parallel to the bottom surface.
According to an embodiment, the withdrawable connector comprises a front face defined by the connection socket and opposed to a back face, said front face and back face being transverse to the insertion direction.
According to an embodiment, the connector cooperation area is configured to cooperate with the fixing foot in the mounting position by a relative displacement of the withdrawable connector in a longitudinal extension direction, said longitudinal extension direction being transverse to both insertion direction and first extension direction.
According to an embodiment, the connection socket comprises two opposing fixing recesses, each one being configured to receive a fixing unit of the external socket.
Such a configuration allows securing the cooperation between the connection socket and the external socket.
According to an embodiment, the withdrawable connector comprises two lateral faces which are substantially parallel to each other, said lateral faces being transverse to the longitudinal extension direction.
Such a configuration allows to place the withdrawable connector next of between other connectors. Said other connectors having a face in contact with the lateral faces of the withdrawable connector.
According to the invention, the withdrawable connector comprises a retaining finger configured to interface with an external finger of the external socket in a retained position, said retaining finger extending substantially in the insertion direction.
Such a configuration allows securing the cooperation between the connection socket and the external socket.
According to an embodiment the connection terminal comprises a leaf spring configured to maintain the external conductor in an inserted position in which connection terminal cooperate with said external conductor.
Such a configuration allows securing the cooperation between the connection terminal and the external conductor.
According to an embodiment the withdrawable connector has a displacement portion arranged to cooperate with a displacement element. Said displacement element imposing a stress in a direction opposed to the insertion direction I or a direction oblique with respect to the direction opposed to the insertion direction I. Said constraint imposed by the displacement element moves the leaf spring to release the external conductor of the inserted position.
Such a configuration allows the external conductor to be released from the inserted position.
According to an embodiment, the withdrawable connector comprises a connection terminal arranged to cooperate with an external conductor by a relative movement opposite to the insertion direction.
Such a configuration, and more particularly the cooperation of the external conductor with the connection terminal by a relative movement in the insertion direction transverse to the first extension direction facilitates the insertion of said external conductor.
According to the present invention, the withdrawable connector comprises two connector cooperation areas located on two opposite faces to each other, each one of the connector cooperation areas being configured to cooperate with the fixing foot.
Such a configuration allows the withdrawable connector to cooperate efficiently with the fixing foot. Indeed, the fixing foot can cooperate with the withdrawable connector using any of the connector cooperation areas.
According to an embodiment, each one of the connector cooperation areas comprises a detent system including a first portion provided on the fixing foot and a second portion provided on the withdrawable connector, the detent system being configured to maintain the mounting position when a force below a certain threshold is applied to the withdrawable connector and the fixing foot according to the longitudinal extension direction.
Such a configuration allows to secure the fixing foot to the withdrawable connector and to provide a compact design.
According to the invention the fixing foot comprises:

a fixing portion configured to be fixed to a support; and
a body having a foot cooperation area configured to cooperate with a withdrawable connector, said body extending in a second extension direction from the fixing portion.

In the sense of the present invention, a body extending in a second extension direction does not necessary mean that the second extension direction defines the largest dimension of said body.
In particular, the fact that the body extends in the second extension direction means that the body has a certain thickness in the second extension direction.
Such a configuration allows the fixing foot to be fixed to a support.
According to an embodiment the fixing portion comprises at least two fixing members configured to cooperate with two screws configured to be inserted in the support.
Such a configuration allows the fixing foot to be well fixed to the support.
According to an embodiment, the fixing portion comprises at least two attachment members configured to cooperate with a Ω-shaped rail.
Such a configuration allows the fixing foot to be fixed on a Ω-shaped rail.
According to an embodiment, the Ω-shaped rail may be a DIN rail for example.
According to an embodiment the fixing portion comprises a fixing surface configured to cooperate with a support surface substantially plane.
For the purposes of the present invention, substantially plane means "plane" or "plane to within 5%".
Such a configuration allows the connection assembly to be fixed on a support surface substantially plane.
According to an embodiment the fixing portion comprises at least two permanent fasteners configured to cooperate by snap-fit with the support.
Such a configuration allows the fixing foot to be well fixed to the support.
Such a configuration allows the fixing foot to quickly fixed to the support.
According to the invention, the fixing foot comprises a recess extending along a recess direction transverse to the second extension direction.
Such a configuration allows facilitate the cooperation with the withdrawable connector.
Such a configuration allows the external finger to be released from the retained position.
Advantageously, the recess is comprised between the fixing potion and the foot cooperation area.
According to an embodiment, the foot cooperation area comprises a detent system including a first portion provided on the fixing foot and a second portion in the withdrawable connector, the detent system being configured to maintain the foot cooperation area and the withdrawable connector in a mounting position when a force below a certain threshold is applied to the withdrawable connector and the fixing foot according to a foot extension direction, said foot extension direction being transverse to both recess direction and second extension direction.
Such a configuration allows to secure the fixing foot to the withdrawable connector and to provide a compact design.
The present invention also relates to a connection assembly comprising a withdrawable connector, and a fixing foot configured to cooperate with the withdrawable connector in the mounting position.
According to an embodiment, the withdrawable connector and the retaining finger create an insertion space configured to guide the external finger into the retained position.
Such a configuration facilitates the retained position setting up.
Such a configuration allows the external finger to be released from the retained position.
The different aspects defined above that are not incompatible can be combined.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description which is set out below with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a withdrawable connector and a fixing foot according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a connection assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of a withdrawable connector and a fixing foot according to one embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a withdrawable connector, an external socket and a fixing foot according to one embodiment of the invention.

Description of the preferred embodiment

In the following detailed description of the figures defined above, the same elements or elements fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references so as to simplify the understanding of the invention.
Figure 1 and 4 describes a withdrawable connector 10 comprising an insulating body having a first connector cooperation area 32 and extending in a first extension direction E1 from said first connector cooperation area 32. In the sense of the present invention, an insulating body extending in a first extension direction E1 does not necessary mean that the first extension direction E1 defines the largest dimension of said insulating body. In particular, the fact that the insulating body extends in the first extension direction E1 means that the insulating body has a certain thickness in the first extension direction E1.
The first connector cooperation area 32 defines a bottom surface BS, said bottom surface BF being transverse to the first extension direction E1.
The withdrawable connector 10 comprises a top surface TS defined by a second connector cooperation area 32, said top surface TS being opposed to the bottom surface BS, and transverse to the first extension direction E1. In other words, the insulating body extends in the first extension direction E1 from the bottom surface BS towards the top surface TS. Advantageously, the top surface is substantially parallel to the bottom surface. In the sense of the present invention, substantially parallel means having an angle comprised between -10° and 10°.
The withdrawable connector 10 comprises a conductive bar 16 disposed in the insulating body and a connection socket 14. The connection socket 14 is arranged to cooperate with an external socket 15 by a relative movement in an insertion direction I transverse to the first extension direction E1. Said relative movement electrically connect said external socket 15 to the conductive bar 16 when the external socket 15 cooperates with the connection socket 14. In the sense of the present invention, transverse means perpendicular or substantially perpendicular. Substantially perpendicular means having an angle comprised between 80° and 100°. Such a configuration, and more particularly the cooperation of the external socket 15 with the connection socket 14 by a relative movement in an insertion direction I transverse to the first extension direction E1 facilitates the insertion of said external connection 15.
The connection socket 14 comprises two opposing fixing recesses, each one being configured to receive a fixing unit of the external socket 15. Such a configuration allows securing the cooperation between the connection socket 14 and the external socket 15.
The withdrawable connector 10 also comprises a connection terminal 12 arranged to cooperate with an external conductor by a relative movement in a direction opposed to the insertion direction I. Such a configuration, and more particularly the cooperation of the external conductor with the connection terminal 12 by a relative movement in the insertion direction I transverse to the first extension direction E1 facilitates the insertion of said external conductor. Said connection terminal 12 is configured to electrically connect the external conductor to the conductive bar 16 when the external conductor cooperates with the connection terminal 12.
The connection terminal 12 comprises a leaf spring 24 configured to maintain the external conductor in an inserted position in which connection terminal 12 cooperate with said external conductor. Such a configuration allows securing the cooperation between the connection terminal 12 and the external conductor.
The withdrawable connector 10 comprises a displacement portion arranged to cooperate with a displacement element. Said displacement element imposing a stress in a direction opposed to the insertion direction I or a direction oblique with respect to the direction opposed to the insertion direction I. Said stress imposed by the displacement element moves the leaf spring 24 to release the external conductor of the inserted position. Such a configuration allows the external conductor to be released from the inserted position.
The withdrawable connector 10 comprises a front face FS defined by the connection socket 14 and opposed to a back face BF, said front face FS and back face BF being transverse to the insertion direction I.
The withdrawable connector 10 comprises a retaining finger 22 configured to interface with an external finger 23 of the external socket 15 in a retained position, said retaining finger 22 extending substantially in the insertion direction I. Such a configuration allows securing the cooperation between the connection socket 14 and the external socket 15.
As illustrated in figures 2 and 3, the two connector cooperation areas 32 are configured to cooperate with a fixing foot 60, in a mounting position by a relative displacement of the withdrawable connector 10 in a longitudinal extension direction L. Said longitudinal extension direction L being transverse to both insertion direction I and first extension direction E1. Such a configuration allows the withdrawable connector 10 to cooperate efficiently with the fixing foot 60. Indeed, the fixing foot 60 can cooperate with the withdrawable connector 10 using any of the connector cooperation areas 32.
Each one of the connector cooperation areas 32 comprises a detent system including a first portion provided on the fixing foot 60 and a second portion provided on the withdrawable connector 10. The detent system being configured to maintain the mounting position when a force below a certain threshold is applied to the withdrawable connector 10 and the fixing foot 60 according to the longitudinal extension direction L. Such a configuration allows to secure the fixing foot 60 to the withdrawable connector 10 and to provide a compact design.
The withdrawable connector 10 comprises two lateral faces LF which are substantially parallel to each other, said lateral faces LF being transverse to the longitudinal extension direction L. Such a configuration allows to place the withdrawable connector 10 next or between other connectors. Said other connectors having a face in contact with the lateral faces LF of the withdrawable connector 10.
The invention also relates to a fixing foot 60 comprising a fixing portion 82 configured to be fixed to a support.
According to an embodiment the fixing portion 82 comprises at least two fixing members configured to cooperate with two screws configured to be inserted in the support. Such a configuration allows the fixing foot 60 to be well fixed to the support.
According to an embodiment the fixing portion 82 comprises at least two attachment members 70, 72 configured to cooperate with a Ω-shaped rail. Such a configuration allows the fixing foot 60 to be fixed on a Ω-shaped rail. According to an embodiment, the Ω-shaped rail may be a DIN rail for example.
According to an embodiment the fixing portion comprises a fixing surface configured to cooperate with a support surface substantially plane. For the purposes of the present invention, substantially plane means "plane" or "plane to within 5%". Such a configuration allows the connection assembly to be fixed on a support surface substantially plane.
According to an embodiment the fixing portion 82 comprises at least two permanent fasteners configured to cooperate by snap-fit with the support. Such a configuration allows the fixing foot 60 to be well fixed to the support. Such a configuration allows the fixing foot 60 to quickly fixed to the support.
The fixing foot 60 also comprises a body having a foot cooperation area 72 configured to cooperate with a connector cooperation area 32, said body extending in a second extension direction E2 from the fixing portion 82. In the sense of the present invention, a body extending in a second extension direction E2 does not necessary mean that the second extension direction E2 defines the largest dimension of said body. In particular, the fact that the body extends in the second extension direction E2 means that the body has a certain thickness in the second extension direction E2.
The fixing foot 60 comprises a recess 84 extending along a recess direction R transverse to the second extension direction E2. Said recess is comprised between the fixing potion 82 and the foot cooperation area 72. Such a configuration allows facilitate the cooperation between the fixing foot 60 and the withdrawable connector 10. More particularly, such a configuration allows the external finger to be released from the retained position.
According to a specific embodiment, the foot cooperation area 72 comprises a detent system including a first portion provided on the fixing foot 60 and a second portion in the withdrawable connector 10, the detent system being configured to maintain the foot cooperation area 72 and the withdrawable connector 10 in a mounting position when a force below a certain threshold is applied to the withdrawable connector 10 and the fixing foot 60 according to a foot extension direction F, said foot extension direction F being transverse to both recess direction R and second extension direction E2. Such a configuration allows to secure the fixing foot 60 to the withdrawable connector 10 and to provide a compact design.
The present invention also relates to a connection assembly comprising a withdrawable connector 10 and a fixing foot 60 configured to cooperate with the withdrawable connector 10 in the mounting position.
The fixing foot 10, the withdrawable connector 60 and the retaining finger 22 create an insertion space configured to guide the external finger into the retained position. Such a configuration facilitates the retained position setting up. Such a configuration allows the external finger to be released from the retained position.

Claims

A connection assembly comprising a withdrawable connector (10) and a fixing foot (60) configured to cooperate with the withdrawable connector (10) in two mounting positions,
the withdrawable connector (10) comprising:
an insulating body having two connector cooperation areas (32), each being configured to cooperate, in a corresponding mounting position, with the fixing foot (60) configured to be fixed to a support, the two connector cooperation areas (32) being located on two opposite faces of the insulating body, said insulating body extending in a first extension direction (E1) from the connector cooperation area (32);

a conductive bar (16) disposed in the insulating body,

a connection socket (14) arranged to cooperate with an external socket (15);

said connection socket being configured to electrically connect the external socket (15) to the conductive bar (16) when the external socket (15) cooperates with the connection socket (14); and

wherein the connection socket (14) is arranged for the external socket (15) to cooperate with said connection socket (14) by a relative movement in an insertion direction (I) transverse to the first extension direction (E1);

wherein the withdrawable connector (10) comprises a retaining finger (22) configured to interface with an external finger (23) of the external socket (15) in a retained position, said retaining finger (22) extending substantially in the insertion direction (I),

the fixing foot (60) comprising :
a fixing portion (82) configured to be fixed to the support; and

a body having a foot cooperation area (72) configured to cooperate with the withdrawable connector (10), said body extending in a second extension direction (E2) from the fixing portion (82),

wherein the fixing foot (60) comprises a recess (84) extending along a recess direction (R) transverse to the second extension direction (E2).
The connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector cooperation area (32) defines a bottom surface (BS), said bottom surface (BF) being transverse to the first extension direction (E1).
The connection assembly of claim 2, wherein the withdrawable connector (10) comprises a top surface (TS) opposed to the bottom surface (BS), said top surface (TS) being transverse to the first extension direction (E1).
The connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the withdrawable connector (10) comprises a front face (FS) defined by the connection socket (14) and opposed to a back face (BF), said front face (FS) and back face (BF) being transverse to the insertion direction (I).
The connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connector cooperation areas (32) are configured to cooperate with the fixing foot (60) in a mounting position by a relative displacement of the withdrawable connector in a longitudinal extension direction (L), said longitudinal extension direction (L) being transverse to both insertion direction (I) and first extension direction (E1).
The connection assembly of claim 5, wherein the withdrawable connector (10) comprises two lateral faces (LF) which are substantially parallel to each other, said lateral faces (LF) being transverse to the longitudinal extension direction (L).
The connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the withdrawable connector (10) comprises a connection terminal (12) arranged to cooperate with an external conductor by a relative movement opposite to the insertion direction (I).
The connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each one of the connector cooperation areas (32) comprises a detent system including a first portion provided on the fixing foot (60) and a second portion provided on the withdrawable connector (10), the detent system being configured to maintain the mounting position when a force below a certain threshold is applied to the withdrawable connector (10) and the fixing foot (60) according to the longitudinal extension direction (L).
The connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the foot cooperation area (72) comprises a detent system including a first portion provided on the fixing foot (60) and a second portion in the withdrawable connector (10), the detent system being configured to maintain the foot cooperation area (72) and the withdrawable connector (10) in a mounting position when a force below a certain threshold is applied to the withdrawable connector (10) and the fixing foot (60) according to a foot extension direction (F), said foot extension direction (F) being transverse to both recess direction (R) and second extension direction (E2).
The connection assembly of claim 9, wherein the fixing foot (60), the withdrawable connector (10) and the retaining finger (22) create an insertion space configured to guide the external finger into the retained position.