EP3687003B1 - Connector for a printed circuit board equipped with a conductor cover for closing an electrical signal transmission line - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a connector, in particular angled, for a printed circuit board.

The invention applies for example to a coaxial connector made according to the FAKRA (Automotive Industry Standards Commission) standardization scheme.

Within the meaning of the invention, the term “coaxial connector according to the FAKRA standardization diagram” designates a coaxial connector comprising a body whose mechanical dimensions in an axial section of said body cooperating with the body of a complementary connector to establish a connection mechanism between the two bodies are defined in the DIN 72594-1 standard. Such connectors are generally used in the automotive field for data transmission cables.

The invention can also be applied to connectors for high-speed transmission circuits (LVDS).

More generally, the invention can be applied to any connection device for transmitting RF signals and data (Data) on a printed circuit.

Prior technique

We represented at figures 1 to 6 , a connector 10 already marketed, used to be mounted on a printed circuit board. The connector obtained can be of the SMD type (surface mounted component), of the “ pin in paste” type (i.e. using solder paste to solder components by supercooling) or even of the “ wave soldering ” type. » (wave soldering), according to for example the patent US9004944B2 on behalf of the plaintiff.

This connector 10 is angled and comprises a body 2 and a casing 3 comprising a housing 6 in which the body is housed.

The body 2 is made of metal, in particular brass or bronze, advantageously according to the so-called “cut-rolled” technology, essentially for cost reasons.

The body 2 receives an insulator 7 inside which several central contacts 8 are arranged. The central contacts 8 are angled here, that is to say they extend along a longitudinal axis comprising two portions 60 and 61 forming an angle between them, which in the example described is equal to 90°.

The housing 3 extends in this example along a straight longitudinal axis X. The housing 3 is for example made of plastic material, in particular of polyamide filled with glass fibers.

The casing 3 comprises a front portion 11 having reliefs allowing the connection to a casing of a complementary connector, a middle tubular portion 12 whose internal diameter allows the reception of the body 2, and a rear end portion 13 around which there is an armature 14.

Thanks to the presence of this armature 14, the absorption of mechanical forces with the printed circuit board is carried out by the housing 3 and the armature 14. Thus, the tensile forces on the housing are transmitted to the armature but not to the connector body.

As shown on the figure 2 and 3 , the rear portion 13 of the housing 3 may have a U-shape in cross section. This rear portion 13 of the case receives a part 5 of the body which also has a U-shape in cross section, this part 5 comprising returns 9 folded against a free edge of the rear portion 13 of the case, in order to hold the body 2 in place. position in housing 6.

The armature 14 is made of metal, in particular brass or bronze, in particular in a single piece, in particular thanks to the “cut-rolled” technology. In this way, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the parts despite the low thickness obtained because the recovery is done on the entire frame.

The armature 14 has in section perpendicular to the axis X of the housing 3 a U-shape, with preferably as shown in

This frame 14 comprises a back 16 and two wings 17 connected by the back 16.

The frame 14 also includes lugs 18 allowing the fixing of the connector 1 to a printed circuit board.

The armature 14 further comprises a portion 25 extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the casing 3 and closing the longitudinal end 26 of the casing 3 at its rear portion 13.

The wings 17 and the back 16 of the frame 14 can be received in the thickness of the rear portion 13 of the casing 3, that is to say in recesses made in the wings 17 and back 16 of frame 14. Frame 14 may be sandwiched between walls or ends 26 of housing 3, as shown in picture 3 .

In this type of connector, for reasons of electromagnetic shielding and integrity of the signal, it is necessary for the insulator 7 to be wrapped in a metal surface over the maximum length of the electrical transmission line.

Indeed, if the metal casing has holes or slots, there is a risk of electrical signal leaks, i.e. HF signal leaks, which deteriorate the quality of the electrical signal.

As illustrated in picture 3 , the body 2 envelops the insulator 7 over a large part of the transmission line: the double arrows illustrate in some way the confinement of the electrical signal produced.

This being the case, the production of the body 2 in cut-and-rolled form implies that it cannot completely wrap the insulation because, due to the shapes to be folded, it is necessary to create slots 200 to have a tool thickness for cut out the piece.

Moreover, certain shapes cannot be made, because the material that one would like to add would create an overlapping of surfaces which would make the piece unrealizable.

So, as shown in figure 4 and 5A , the body 2 is open on its rear part.

A solution which comes naturally may consist of making a rear part of the body which is foldable or the addition of a metal cover to close the electrical transmission line at the rear. And the rear area could be filled with additional insulation between the folding part of the body and the elbow of the central contacts.

This solution would impose different dimensions between the transmission line parallel to the circuit and the transmission line perpendicular to the circuit at the rear of the connector, in particular between the body and the central contacts, and any additional insulation added.

This would have the harmful consequence of introducing a microwave impedance mismatch and greatly disturbing the quality of the signal.

On the other hand, the rear area also remains open. Indeed, on the one hand the slot 200 of the conductive body 2 which is provided to allow the cutting tool to pass is by definition devoid of material. On the other hand, the openings S1, S3, which are the insulating surfaces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, are all the more important in the versions of angled connectors whose front end of the box is positioned above from printed circuit, that is to say that the rear part perpendicular to the circuit is all the longer ( Figures 5A, 5B ).

The patent application US 2019/006795 A1 describes a connector according to the preamble of claim 1.

The patent application US 2016/315428 A1 discloses an angled-type connector comprising a housing, a conductive body, an insulator and angled contacts, as well as a cover which is inserted into the conductive body in particular via a tab to close the signal line around the insulation.

There is therefore a need to improve connectors, in particular angled connectors, intended for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising a metal body produced using a cut-and-roll technique, in particular in order to completely envelop the electrical insulator housing a or more central contacts and a need to thereby improve the electromagnetic shielding and to eliminate or at the very least minimize any impedance mismatch between the front and the rear of the connector.

The object of the invention is to at least partially solve these needs.

Disclosure of Invention

• un corps électriquement conducteur,
• au moins un contact logé au moins en partie dans le corps avec interposition d'un isolant électrique entre eux,
• un boîtier définissant un logement configuré pour recevoir tout ou partie du corps, le boitier comprenant au moins une cavité,
• un capot électriquement conducteur constitué d'au moins une pièce, inséré dans le corps électriquement conducteur, de sorte qu'au moins une de ses faces principales recouvre l'avant de l'isolant électrique, dans la partie arrière du logement de ce dernier à l'intérieur du corps électriquement conducteur qui est dénuée de paroi, le capot comprenant des portions en saillie au-dessus du corps et qui sont agencées dans la cavité du boitier, de sorte à former au moins deux points de blocage, dans les deux sens de la direction longitudinale (X), du capot conducteur dans le boitier.

To do this, the subject of the invention is a connector, as claimed in claim 1, intended for connection to a printed circuit board, the connector extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising:

• an electrically conductive body,
• at least one contact housed at least partly in the body with the interposition of an electrical insulator between them,
• a box defining a housing configured to receive all or part of the body, the box comprising at least one cavity,
• an electrically conductive cover consisting of at least one piece, inserted into the electrically conductive body, so that at least one of its main faces covers the front of the electrical insulator, in the rear part of the housing of the latter at the interior of the electrically conductive body which is devoid of a wall, the cover comprising portions projecting above the body and which are arranged in the cavity of the case, so as to form at least two locking points, in both directions of the longitudinal direction (X), of the driver's bonnet in the box.

The housing of the box comprises a front part through which the connection to a complementary connector is intended to be made, and a rear part opposite the front part,

Preferably, the conductive body is made with at least one slot at the front of the electrical insulator, said main face of the cover covering said slot.

According to an advantageous embodiment, another of the main faces of the cover covers the rear of the electrical insulation.

Preferably, according to this mode, the conductive body is made with at least one slot, at the rear of the electrical insulator, the other main face of the cover covering said slot.

Thus, the invention essentially consists of a conductive cover which is mounted as an additional component in a connector in order to form with the conductive body, preferably produced by cut-and-roll, a complete metal envelope over the entire line of transmission of electrical signals transmitted through the connector. The driver's cover is dimensioned with portions, which once the cover is mounted, project into at least one cavity of the box and act as blocking points of the box in both directions of the longitudinal direction (X)

Thanks to the cover according to the invention, the openings of the body as well as preferably its slots, are enveloped, which prevents leakage of the HF signals and the section of insulation crossed by the signals in the metal envelope can be the most constant. possible over the entire length of the connector, which avoids the risk of microwave impedance mismatch.

Consequently, a connector is obtained in a simple and inexpensive manner, with a cover, preferably consisting of a single piece, which can transmit the RF signals in a reliable manner.

According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the cover consists of a single piece of generally rectangular shape, comprising two parallel main faces connected by two side faces. Advantageously, the part is shaped so that each side face connects the projecting portions by forming a U. Such a U-shape further reinforces the mechanical strength/retention of the case.

Advantageously again, the U-shapes of the conductive cover are arranged to be positioned outside the side parts of the conductive body. This allows to produce a multi-way assembly, a so-called “duplex” assembly with a single cover common to the connectors as detailed below.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the connector is bent with the contact(s) which extends along the longitudinal axis (X) and which comprises at least one inclined portion, being in particular perpendicular, with respect to a plane defined by a printed circuit board on which the connector is intended to be connected.

According to this mode, the insulation comprising an elbow, the main faces of the cover are advantageously perpendicular both to the plane and to the direction of connection with a complementary connector along the X axis, covering the electrical insulation on both sides. the other of his elbow.

Advantageously, in order to best guarantee electrical ground continuity, the cover is inserted into the body with physical contact between them.

Preferably, one and/or the other of the main faces of the cover has an outer shape adapted to match that of the body. Preferably again, one and/or the other of the main faces of the cover are in contact with a flat support against respectively the front face and the rear face of the electrical insulator, in order to guarantee the mechanical positioning of the insulator and to improve microwave matching.

According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the cover, preferably one and/or the other of its main faces, comprises at least one relief intended to harpoon the insulation, so as to block the latter.

According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the cover, preferably one and/or the other of its side faces connecting the main faces, comprising at least one retention relief cooperating with a complementary retention relief formed in the case, so as to retain the cover in the box. This retention can be done by harpooning or clipping and thus guarantee very good mechanical retention of the cover in the case.

According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the main rear face of the cover comprises at least one support tongue cooperating with a notch provided in the body, so as to prevent the bending of said rear face during a thrust of the insulation and/ or contacts towards the back of the connector.

Advantageously, the cover, preferably one and/or the other of its main faces, comprising at least one lug adapted to allow the fixing of the connector to a printed circuit board, preferably by insertion and/or welding.

Advantageously, the portions projecting above the body into the cavity of the box, form a mechanical stop during a tensile force exerted on the box.

The invention also relates to a multi-way connection assembly, comprising at least two connectors as described above, each comprising an electrically conductive body according to any one of the preceding claims arranged side by side, in a box and, a cover made in at least one piece, inserted into the electrically conductive bodies, so that at least two of its main faces at least partially cover the electrical insulators, in the parts of their housings inside the electrically conductive bodies which are devoid of walls.

According to an advantageous variant, the cover consists of a single piece of generally rectangular shape, the two parallel main faces of which are connected by two side faces. Advantageously, the part is shaped so that each side face connects the projecting portions by forming a U. Such a U-shape further reinforces the mechanical strength/retention of the case.

Advantageously again, the U-shapes of the conductive cover are arranged to be positioned outside the side parts of the conductive body.

1. (a) montage ou surmoulage d'au moins un contact dans l'isolant électrique,
2. (b) montage de l'isolant logeant le(s) contact(s) dans le corps électriquement conducteur,
3. (c)montage du sous-ensemble formé par le corps et l'isolant logeant le(s) contact(s) dans le boitier,
4. (d) montage par le dessous du capot conducteur, jusqu'à obtenir son insertion dans le corps conducteur avec logement des portions en saillie dans la cavité du boitier de sorte à former au moins deux points de blocage, dans les deux sens de la direction longitudinale, du capot conducteur dans le boitier.

Finally, the subject of the invention is a method for assembling a connector or a multi-way connection assembly as described above, the method being as claimed in claim 18, the method comprising the following steps:

1. (a) mounting or overmolding of at least one contact in the electrical insulator,
2. (b) mounting the insulator housing the contact(s) in the electrically conductive body,
3. (c) assembly of the sub-assembly formed by the body and the insulator housing the contact(s) in the box,
4. (d) assembly from below of the conductive cover, until it is inserted into the conductive body with housing of the projecting portions in the cavity of the box so as to form at least two locking points, in both directions of the direction longitudinally, from the driver's bonnet to the box.

• mise en butée du capot contre le corps, et/ou
• rétention du capot à l'intérieur du boitier.

Advantageously, step (d) is carried out with:

• abutment of the cowl against the body, and/or
• retention of the cover inside the case.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge better on reading the detailed description of examples of implementation of the invention given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the following figures.

Brief description of the drawings

• [ Fig 1 ] is a perspective view from the front of an angled connector for connection to a printed circuit board according to the state of the art;
• [ Fig 2 ] is a perspective view from the front of the elbow connector according to the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.3 ] is a longitudinal sectional view of the angled connector according to the figures 1 and 2 ;
• [ Fig 4 ] is a perspective view from below of a sub-assembly comprising the conductive body, the insulator and the central contacts of an angled connector according to the figures 1 to 3 ;
• [ Fig 5A ] is a front view of a sub-assembly comprising the conductive body, the insulator and the central contacts of an angled connector according to the figures 1 to 3 ;
• [ Fig. 5B ] is a perspective view of a subassembly comprising the conductive body, the insulator and the central contacts of an angled connector according to the figures 1 to 3 ;
• [ Fig 6 ] is a perspective view of an example of an angled connector with a one-piece conductive cover, for connection to a printed circuit board according to the invention;
• [ Fig 7 ] is a longitudinal sectional view of an angled connector according to the figure 6 ;
• [ Fig.8 ] is a perspective view from below of a sub-assembly comprising the conductive cover according to the invention, the conductive body, the insulator and the central contacts of an angled connector according to the figures 6 and 7 ;
• [ Fig.9 ] is a longitudinal sectional view of a subassembly according to the figure 8 ;
• [ Fig. 10 ] is a perspective view from below of a subassembly according to the figure 9 without the presence of the one-piece conductive cover, in accordance with the invention;
• [ Fig.11 ] is a perspective view from below of a conductive cover according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 12 ] is a perspective and cross-sectional view along AA of an angled connector according to the figures 6 and 7 ;
• [ Fig. 13 ] is a bottom view of an angled connector according to the figures 6 and 7 ;
• [ Fig. 14 ] is a longitudinal sectional view of an angled connector according to the figures 6 and 7 ;
• [ Fig. 15 ] is an exploded view of an angled connector according to the invention, with a one-piece conductive cover;
• [ Fig 15A ] is a perspective view illustrating an assembly step of an angled connector according to the invention, with a one-piece conductive cover;
• [ Fig. 15B ] is a perspective view illustrating an assembly step of an angled connector according to the invention, with a one-piece conductive cover;
• [ Fig. 15C ] is a perspective view illustrating an assembly step of an angled connector according to the invention, with a one-piece conductive cover;
• [ Fig. 15D ] is a perspective view illustrating an assembly step of an angled connector according to the invention, with a one-piece conductive cover;
• [ Fig 15E ] is a perspective view illustrating an assembly step of an angled connector according to the invention, with a one-piece conductive cover;
• [ Fig. 16 ] is a perspective view from the front of a multi-way connection assembly with two angled connectors according to the invention, arranged side by side;
• [ Fig. 17 ] is a perspective view from the front of a sub-assembly comprising the conductive cover according to the invention, the conductive body, the insulator and the central contacts of a connection assembly according to the figure 16 ;
• [ Fig. 18 ] is a perspective view from the rear of a subassembly comprising the conductive cover according to the invention, the conductive body, the insulator and the central contacts of a connection assembly according to the figure 16 ;
• [ Fig. 19 ] is a perspective view from below of a conductive cover according to the invention implemented in the connection assembly according to the figure 16 ;
• [ Fig. 20 ] is an exploded view of an example of a subassembly for an angled connector, comprising a two-piece conductive cover according to the invention, a conductive body and an insulator;
• [ Fig. 21 ] is a perspective view of the subset of the figure 20 in assembled configuration;
• [ Fig. 22 ] is another perspective view of the subset of the figure 20 in assembled configuration.

detailed description

The figures 1 to 5B relating to an angled connector according to the state of the art have been described in the preamble. They will therefore not be commented on below.

For the sake of clarity, the same structural element of a connector according to the state of the art and according to the invention is designated with the same numerical reference.

It is specified here throughout the present application, the terms "lower", "upper", "above", "below", "interior", "exterior", ""internal", "external" are to be understood by reference to a connector according to the invention in a substantially horizontal configuration.

Likewise, the terms “front” and “rear” are to be understood with reference to the connection face of the connector, located at the front thereof.

We have illustrated with figures 6 and 7 , an angled connector 1 according to the invention extending along a longitudinal axis (X), intended to provide a connection with a printed circuit board (PCB).

The angled connector 1 comprises an electrically conductive body 2, central contacts 8 housed at least partly in the body 2 with the interposition of an electrical insulator 7.

An electrically insulating box 3, defining a housing, houses all or part of the body 2.

The body 2 advantageously comprises support tongues 29 adapted to bear against the PCB.

According to the invention, there is provided an electrically conductive cover 10 consisting in the example described of a single piece, inserted into the electrically conductive body 2.

This conductive cover 10 is preferably produced by a cut-and-roll technique, like the conductive body 2.

As illustrated in figure 11 , the conductive cover 10 has a generally rectangular shape and thus comprises two blanks forming the parallel main faces 100, 101 interconnected by side faces 102, 103.

The dimensions of the various faces 100 to 103 as well as their contours are defined so that the main faces 100, 101 at least partially cover the electrical insulator 7, in the part of its housing inside the conductive body 10 which is devoid of walls. This makes it possible to obstruct the openings of the body 2 and therefore to eliminate the risks of HF signal leaks.

In addition, the electromagnetic interference screen (EMI acronym Anglo-Saxon for "Electromagnetic Interference"), formed by the conductive cover 10 is advantageously completed by the support of the tabs 29 of the body 2 on the PCB.

On the other hand, the conductive cover 10 is positioned as close as possible to the insulator 7 thanks to the slots 200 and 201 of the body. In other words, the main faces 100 and 101 of the conductive cover 10 fit perfectly into the slots 200, 201 while covering the front and rear faces of the electrical insulator 7.

This makes it possible to keep the section of insulation as constant as possible between the connection part with the printed circuit board, on the underside of the angled connector, and the connection part with a complementary connector and therefore to improve the homogeneity of signal propagation.

This is well illustrated in figure 9 , where we see that the transmission line of an HF signal inside the connector 1 according to the invention, symbolized by the path of the double-arrows is perfectly guided and contained between the conductive body 2 and the main faces 100, 101 of the driver's cover 10 with similar dimensions.

In other words, the conductive cover 10 forms with the conductive body 2 a metal casing over the entire HF signal transmission line inside the elbow connector 1. The impedance matching of the microwave line is thus improved.

Also, the spacing between the different faces 100 to 103 of the conductive cover 10 and the location of the slots 200, 201 of the conductive body 2 in which the main faces 100, 101 of the cover 10 are inserted makes it possible to keep a section of insulation as constant as possible between the connection part with the printed circuit board, on the underside of the angled connector, and the connection part with a complementary connector. Preferably, the main faces 100, 101 of the cover 10 are in contact with flat support against respectively the front and rear faces of the electrical insulator 7, in order to guarantee the mechanical positioning of the insulator and to improve the microwave adaptation. .

This is symbolized in figure 13 by the black dotted frame which delimits a section S4 of insulation 7 in which the HF signals are transmitted, which is constant from the connection part below the connector 1 to its front connection face.

Preferably, as clearly illustrated in figure 8 , the cover 10 is in physical contact with the body 2 to have ground continuity.

The conductive cover 10 can advantageously comprise one or more retention reliefs 104, for example one per side face 102, 103, which allows the retention of the cover 10 in the box 3 ( figure 8 ). Thus, in the event of a tearing force from the casing 3 along a direction orthogonal to the direction X, the latter is strongly retained by retention reliefs. More particularly when the connector is fixed to the PCB by means of the fixing lugs 18, the retention reliefs 104 which are held by snap-fastening inside complementary reliefs in the box 3 make it possible to mechanically retain the latter in the event of force. pulling out of the PCB, i.e. a tensile force to move the connector away from the PCB.

In addition, the conductive cover 10 can advantageously comprise one or more blocking reliefs 105, for example one on the main front face 100, in order to block the latter on the cover 10 ( figure 7 , 8 ).

Furthermore, provision can advantageously be made to provide the rear main face 101 of the cover 10 with a tongue 106 which is inserted inside a slot 202 provided for this purpose at the rear of the body 2 ( figure 12 ). Thus inserted, this tongue 106 makes it possible to prevent the bending of the rear main face 101, when a user pushes the insulator 7 and the central contacts 8 backwards. In other words, this tongue 106 allows an additional take-up of forces.

Finally, the conductive cover 10 can be provided with lugs 18 for fixing to a printed circuit board (PCB). As illustrated, fixing lugs 18 can be provided which can be inserted directly into the PCB before being soldered thereto,

In the examples illustrated, the long fixing lugs 18 are preferably made at the lower end of the main front face 100 of the cover 10, while the short lugs 19, for the electrical ground connection, are made at the lower end of the front face. main rear 101 of cover 10.

The conductive body 2 can also be provided with fixing lugs 18, which participate with the fixing lugs 18 of the cover 10, in the complete fixing of the angled connector 1 on a PCB.

Advantageously, the cover 10 can be dimensioned so that once mounted, and preferably retained in the box 3, it has portions 1000, 1001 which protrude above the body 2 while being arranged in a cavity 30 of the box 3 ( figures 8, 9 , 14 , 18 to 22 ). This arrangement projecting along a height e of these portions 1000, 1001 makes it possible to guarantee mechanical strength of the case 3 on the body 2. Thus, when a tensile force of the case 3, as symbolized by the double arrow T in figure 13 and 14 , that is to say in a direction parallel to the plane of a PCB on which the connector is fixed, the cover 10 acts as a mechanical stop of the box 3. In other words, these portions 1000, 1001 form at least two points remote locking points, preferably four locking points of the conductive cover 10 in the box 3.

As is visible on all figures 6 to 14 , the conductive body 2 and the box 3 are sized to create a volume of material at the rear of the electrical insulator 3 which makes it possible to position the center of gravity of the connector correctly, so that it has better stability when it is is leaning against a PCB printed circuit. In addition, the body 2 elongated at the rear of the insulator 7 enables it to be provided with rear tabs 18 for fixing to the PCB by soldering which are remote from the tabs 18 at the front, which also contributes to better fixing.

We now describe with reference to figures 15A to 15E , the various assembly steps of an angled connector 1 according to the invention. In these various figures, the mounting direction of one component in the other is indicated by an arrow.

Beforehand, all the components essential to the assembly are available, namely the conductive body 2, the box 3, the electrical insulator 7, the central contacts 8 as well as the conductive cover 10 according to the invention ( figure 15A ).

Step a/: The central contacts 8 are mounted by insertion into the insulator 7 ( figure 15A ). It is possible to consider instead an overmolding of the central contacts 8 by an electrical insulating material forming, in the end, the insulator 7 around the central contacts 8.

Step b/: The first sub-assembly thus formed of the insulator 7 housing the central contacts 8 in the conductive body 2 ( figure 15B ).

Step c/ : The second sub-assembly thus formed of the insulator 7 is mounted with the conductive body 2 and the central contacts 8 in the box 3 ( Fig. 15C ).

Step d/ : Assembly is then carried out from below of the conductive cover 10, so that its main faces 100, 101 are inserted into the corresponding slots 200, 201 of the conductive cover 2 ( figure 15D ).

In other words, the main faces 100, 101 are slid into the slots 200, 201 from the underside of the body 2 and this preferably until they abut against the body 2.

This step d/ is preferably carried out until the cover 10 abuts against the body 2.

Preferably also, the assembly of the cover 10 is carried out with blocking of each protruding relief 105 in the corresponding groove 70 of the insulator 7 and until the retention by harpooning or clipping of the cover 10 in the box 3 by means of each projecting relief 104 which is harpooned or clipped inside the complementary relief provided for this purpose inside the case 3.

This step d/ is carried out with housing of the portions 1000, 1001 in the cavity 30 of the box 3 so that the cover 10 forms a mechanical stop to the box 30 with the portions 1000, 1001 which act as locking points in both directions. in the longitudinal direction (X), of the driver's cover 10 in the box 3.

Step e/ : Once the assembly of the conductive cover 10, and preferably its retention in the box 3 has been carried out, the angled connector according to the invention is ready to be used ( Figure 15E ).

We will now describe with reference to figures 16 to 19 a connection assembly 4 comprising two angled connectors 1.1, 1.2 according to the invention, arranged side by side, generally called duplex.

In this illustrated example, the assembly 4 comprises a single housing 3 made in one piece, forming a housing common to the two connectors 1.1, 1.2 and in which two through-housings are formed, each of these through-housings receiving one of the two connectors 1.1, 1.2.

Also, the connection assembly 4 comprises a single conductive cover 10 with fixing lugs 18, made in one piece, which is common to the two connectors 1.1, 1.2.

Each of the connectors 1.1, 1.2 comprises a conductive body 2.1, 2.2 with fixing lugs 18.1, 18.2, an insulator 7.1, 7.2 and central contacts 8.1, 8.2 which are specific to it and similar to those already described with reference to the figures 6 to 15E .

Also, the common cover 10 comprises insulation blocking reliefs 105.1, 105.2 as well as support tabs 106.1, 106.2 which are separate for each connector 1.1, 1.2 and similar to those already described with reference to the figures 6 to 15E .

On the other hand, the common cover 10 comprises locking portions 1000, 1001 in the box 3 as well as retention reliefs 104 in the box 3 which are common to the two connectors 1.1, 1.2 and similar to those already described with reference to the figures 6 to 15E .

In all of figures 6 to 15E , the conductive cover 10 according to the invention is made in one piece.

The figures 20 to 22 show another embodiment in which the conductive cover 10 is made in two separate parts 100, 101. As shown in these figures, these two parts 100, 101 can take exactly the same shapes as the two main front and rear faces 100, 101 of the cover 10 when it is made with a single piece, that is to say with side faces 102, 103 which join the two main faces.

Thus, in the embodiment of figures 20 to 22 , the two flat parts 100, 101 can each be inserted respectively into the slot 200, 201 of a conductive body 2.

Other variants and advantages of the invention can be achieved without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, if all the examples illustrated, the connectors equipped with a conductive cover according to the invention are angled connectors, the invention also applies to all straight connectors that can be equipped with a conductive cover. .

Similarly, the conductive cover 10 can be made in one or more parts according to different shapes. Thus, in addition to a one-piece embodiment with main front and rear faces 100, 101 ( figures 6 to 15E ), and an embodiment with two flat parts 100, 101 ( figure 20 , 22 ), it is also possible to envisage making the conductive cover 10 according to the invention, in two parts in the general shape of an L, in side view, for example an L-shaped part which would be constituted by the main face 100 and the lateral face 102 , while the other L-shaped part would consist of the main face 101 and the side face 103.

Claims (18)

1. Connector (1), designed for a connection to a printed circuit board, the connector (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising:

   - an electrically conducting body (2),

   - at least one contact (8) accommodated, at least in part, within the body (2) with interposition of an electrical insulator (7) between them,

   - a housing (3) defining an accommodation (6) configured for receiving all or part of the body (2), the housing comprising at least one cavity (30),

   - an electrically conducting cover (10) composed of at least one piece, inserted in the electrically conducting body (2), in such a manner that at least one of its main faces (100) covers the front of the electrical insulator (7), in the rear part of accommodation of the latter inside of the electrically conducting body which is lacking a wall, characterized in that the cover comprises portions (1000, 1001) protruding above the body (2) and which are arranged in the cavity (30) of the housing (3), so as to form at least two blocking points, in both directions of the longitudinal direction (X), for blocking the conducting cover (10) in the housing (3).
2. Connector (1) according to Claim 1, the conducting body being formed with at least one slot (200) in the front of the electrical insulator (7), said main face (100) of the cover covering said slot (200).
3. Connector (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, another of the main faces (101) of the cover (10) covering the rear of the electrical insulator.
4. Connector (1) according to Claim 3, the conducting body being formed with at least one slot (201), at the rear of the electrical insulator (7), the other main face (101) of the cover covering said slot (201).
5. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, one and/or the other of the main faces (100, 101) of the cover (10) having an exterior shape designed to fit that of the body (2).
6. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the cover (10) being composed of a single piece of generally rectangular shape comprising two parallel main faces (100, 101) connected via two lateral faces (102, 103).
7. Connector (1) according to Claim 6, the cover (10) being formed according to a cut-and-roll technique.
8. Connector (1) according to Claim 6 or 7, the part being shaped such that each lateral face (102, 103) connects the protruding portions (1000, 1001), forming a U-shape.
9. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the connector being L-shaped with the contact(s) (8) which extend(s) along the longitudinal axis (X) and which comprise(s) at least one inclined portion (61), being notably perpendicular, with respect to a plane (P) defined by a printed circuit board to which the connector is designed to be connected.
10. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the insulator comprising an elbow, the main faces (100, 101) of the cover (10) being perpendicular both to the plane and to the direction of connection with a complementary connector along the axis X, while covering the electrical insulator (7) on either side of its elbow.
11. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the cover (10) being inserted in the body (2) with physical contact between them.
12. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the cover (10), preferably one and/or the other of its main faces (100, 101), comprising at least one blocking profile (105) designed to capture the insulator (7), so as to block the latter.
13. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the cover (10), preferably one and/or the other of its lateral faces (102, 103) connecting the main faces (100, 101), comprising at least one retaining profile (104) cooperating with a complementary retaining profile formed in the housing, so as to retain the cover (10) in the housing (3).
14. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the rear main face (101) of the cover (10) comprising at least one support tab cooperating with a notch formed in the body, so as to prevent the flexing of said rear face when the insulator and/or the contacts are pushed towards the rear of the connector.
15. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the cover (10), preferably one and/or the other of its main faces (100, 101), comprising at least one leg (18) designed to allow the fixing of the connector onto a printed circuit board.
16. Assembly of multiway connections (4), comprising at least two connectors (1.1; 1.2) each comprising an electrically conducting body according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged side-by-side in a housing (3), and a cover (10) formed as at least one piece, inserted into the electrically conducting bodies, such that at least two of its main faces (100, 101) cover, at least partially, the electrical insulators (7), in the parts of their accommodations inside of the electrically conducting bodies which are lacking a wall.
17. Assembly according to Claim 16, the cover (10) being composed of a single piece of generally rectangular shape whose two parallel main faces (100, 101) are connected via two lateral faces (102, 103).
18. Method of assembly of a connector according to one of Claims 1 to 15 or of an assembly of multiway connections according to either of Claims 16 and 17, comprising the following steps:

    (a) installation or potting of at least one contact (8) in the electrical insulator (7),

    (b) installation of the insulator (7) accommodating the contact(s) (8) in the electrically conducting body (2),

    (c) installation of the sub-assembly formed by the body (2) and the insulator (7) accommodating the contact(s) (8) in the housing (3),

    (d) installation from below of the conducting cover (10), until its insertion into the conducting body (2) is obtained, with accommodation of the protruding portions (1000, 1001) in the cavity (30) of the housing (3) so as to form at least two blocking points, in both directions of the longitudinal direction (X), for blocking the conducting cover (10) in the housing (3).

Images