EP4270671A1 - Assembly for electrical connection with three positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection assembly (1) comprising a first part (la) and a second part (1b), said first part (la) comprising at least a first electrical connection element (11a), and said second part (1b) comprising at least a second electrical connection element (11b) configured to connect to said first electrical connection element (11a) when said second part (1b) is brought in translation into contact with said first part (la) according to a predetermined direction (X), said second part (1b) further comprising a support (11c), and said at least one second electrical connection element (11b) being coupled to said support (11c) by a slide-type mechanical connection assembly (11e), said second part (1b) comprising means for forcing a translational movement of said second connection element 11b) towards said first connection element (11a), in said predetermined direction (X) up to a predetermined position of stop, in the absence of mechanical stress on the second connection element (11b) and each of the parts comprising at least one connector body (110a, 100b) and a connection element (11a, 11b) of a standardized type configured for the connection of telecommunications or telephone equipment but without intrinsic mechanical locking means.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a three-position electrical connection assembly. The invention relates in particular to an electrical coupling assembly allowing the switching of an electrical power circuit and an electrical control circuit according to three distinct connection configurations.

STATE OF PRIOR ART

Industrial equipment requires electrical energy distribution that is sometimes complex given the large number of equipment to be powered on the same site and therefore the number of electrical circuits present, and their great diversity. Industrial electrical distribution, such as low-voltage distribution, involves the use of electrical bays, also commonly called electrical cabinets or electrical panels, and in which electrical power circuits and electrical control circuits coexist. Power circuits are circuits in which strong electrical currents circulate, for example several amperes or several tens of amperes, or even several hundred amperes. The control circuits are for example circuits controlling actuators operating on power circuits, such as power switches designed to be able to open and close an electrical circuit with a high breaking capacity, although these circuits control are most often only crossed by relatively limited currents (a few milliamps or a few tens of milliamps, for example). The productivity constraints of industrial sites are sometimes such that preventive or curative maintenance operations must be carried out, when possible, without interrupting the electrical power supply to the equipment. It can therefore be useful to electrically isolate part of the circuits when other circuits remain under voltage and operate normally. To do this, equipment is provided to be easily disconnected. For example, industrial drawers are withdrawable, that is to say they are equipped with pin connection assemblies allowing disconnection of the circuits simply by opening or removing the drawer or by operating a handle causing a movement relative of connector elements, to open circuits or to close them. To do this, part of the removable electrical connection assemblies is located in the bottom of the electrical cabinet, and another part of these removable electrical connection assemblies is located in the industrial drawer. Thus, when the drawer is moved in translation, when it is opened or removed, the connection pins secured to the drawer are disconnected from the connection pins. connection integral with the cabinet, which makes it possible to open the electrical lines of the power circuits and the control circuits. However, there is a need to optimize preventive or curative maintenance operations, by making it possible to test equipment by activating control circuits, in the absence of electrical power to the power circuits. The connection elements conventionally used for withdrawable industrial drawers do not allow data transmission at high speeds, potentially useful for control circuits. The situation can be improved.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to propose a connection assembly making it possible to facilitate maintenance operations on industrial cabinets by isolating power circuits while keeping control circuits under voltage, with great ease, while allowing operation reliable and fast data transmission via control circuits.

For this purpose, an electrical connection assembly is proposed comprising a first part and a second part, the first part comprising at least one first electrical connection element, and the second part comprising at least one second electrical connection element configured to be connect to the first electrical connection element when the second part is brought in translation into contact with the first part in a predetermined direction, the second part further comprising a support, and the at least one second electrical connection element being coupled to the support by a slide-type mechanical connection assembly, said second part comprising means for forcing a translational movement of the second connection element towards the first connection element, in the predetermined direction, up to a predetermined stop position, in absence of mechanical stress on the second connection element, the electrical connection assembly being configured such that each of the first and second parts comprises a connector having mechanical and electrical characteristics identical to those of a connector of a natively standardized type and configured for the connection of telecommunications or telephone equipment, and is devoid of intrinsic mechanical locking means for mechanically locking in position with the other of said parts, the first part comprising a female connector and the second part comprising a connector male, or vice versa, and in that each of the first and second parts comprises self-centering means for coupling with the other among said first and second parts and the conductive elements of each of the first and second parts are surrounded by shielding.

Thus, it is advantageously possible to obtain at least three configurations of the connection assembly in terms of mechanical and electrical states, while guaranteeing a high data transmission rate via a connection of a control circuit.

According to one embodiment, the means of the slide-type mechanical connection assembly comprise a helical spring arranged to exert a force in the predetermined direction, an element secured to the second connection element and an end stop of the support located at the opposite end of the support relative to said element secured to the second connection element.

• les premières parties sont fixées sur un même premier support et les deuxièmes parties sont fixées sur un même deuxième support, et,
• des éléments de connexion des première et deuxième parties du premier connecteur, configurées pour opérer la fermeture et l'ouverture de la ligne électrique de puissance, présentent des positions fixes respectivement dans les première et deuxième parties lorsque lesdites première et deuxième parties sont mises en contact l'une et l'autre ou éloignées l'une de l'autre,
• et le deuxième connecteur est un ensemble de connexion à glissière tel que précédemment décrit.

The invention also relates to an electrical coupling assembly comprising a first connection assembly, called a power circuit connector, configured to open and close at least one electrical power line, and a second connection assembly, called a circuit connector. control, configured to open and close at least one electrical control line, the first and second connectors each comprising a first part and a second part configured to be connected or disconnected from the first part by a movement operated in the same direction, respectively by bringing together or moving away from the first parts and second parts, the coupling assembly being configured such that:

• the first parts are fixed on the same first support and the second parts are fixed on the same second support, and,
• connection elements of the first and second parts of the first connector, configured to operate the closing and opening of the electrical power line, have fixed positions respectively in the first and second parts when said first and second parts are brought into contact both or far from each other,
• and the second connector is a slide connection assembly as previously described.

• la première position de verrouillage implique un embrochage du premier ensemble de connexion électrique et du deuxième ensemble de connexion électrique,
• la deuxième position de verrouillage implique un embrochage du premier ensemble de connexion électrique et un débrochage du premier ensemble de connexion électrique, et,
• la troisième position de verrouillage implique un débrochage du premier ensemble de connexion électrique et du deuxième ensemble de connexion électrique.

Advantageously, the electrical coupling assembly comprises a mechanism for locking the relative position of the first parts relative to said second parts according to at least three distinct locking positions such as:

• the first locking position involves plugging in the first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly,
• the second locking position involves plugging in the first electrical connection assembly and unplugging the first electrical connection assembly, and,
• the third locking position involves unplugging the first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly.

The invention also relates to a movable electrical cabinet drawer or portions of an electrical cabinet drawer comprising at least one electrical coupling assembly as mentioned above and an electrical cabinet comprising such a movable electrical drawer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• [Fig. 1] est un schéma de principe illustrant un ensemble de connexion électrique débrochable selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 2] rassemble deux coupes transversales de l'ensemble de connexion électrique débrochable déjà représenté sur la Fig. 1 ;
• [Fig. 3] est un schéma de principe illustrant une première configuration mécanique et électrique de l'ensemble de connexion débrochable déjà représenté sur la Fig. 1 ;
• [Fig. 4] est un schéma de principe illustrant une deuxième configuration mécanique et électrique de l'ensemble de connexion débrochable déjà représenté sur la Fig. 1 ;
• [Fig. 5] est un schéma de principe illustrant une troisième configuration mécanique et électrique de l'ensemble de connexion débrochable déjà représenté sur la Fig. 1 ;
• [Fig. 6] est un schéma de principe illustrant une première configuration mécanique et électrique d'un ensemble de couplage électrique comprenant un premier ensemble de connexion, pour un circuit de puissance, et un deuxième ensemble de connexion, tel que déjà représenté sur les Fig.1 à Fig. 5 utilisé pour un circuit de commande ;
• [Fig. 7] est un schéma de principe illustrant une deuxième configuration mécanique et électrique de l'ensemble de couplage électrique déjà représenté sur la Fig. 6 ;
• [Fig. 8] est un schéma de principe illustrant une troisième configuration mécanique et électrique de l'ensemble de couplage électrique déjà représenté sur la Fig. 5 et la Fig. 6 ; et,
• [Fig. 9] est un schéma de principe illustrant un ensemble de couplage tel que déjà représenté sur les Fig. 6, Fig. 7 et Fig. 8, assemblé dans un tiroir débrochable d'une armoire électrique industrielle basse tension.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] is a block diagram illustrating a removable electrical connection assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] brings together two cross sections of the removable electrical connection assembly already shown on the Fig. 1 ;
• [ Fig. 3 ] is a schematic diagram illustrating a first mechanical and electrical configuration of the removable connection assembly already represented on the Fig. 1 ;
• [ Fig. 4 ] is a schematic diagram illustrating a second mechanical and electrical configuration of the removable connection assembly already represented on the Fig. 1 ;
• [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic diagram illustrating a third mechanical and electrical configuration of the removable connection assembly already represented on the Fig. 1 ;
• [ Fig. 6 ] is a block diagram illustrating a first mechanical and electrical configuration of an electrical coupling assembly comprising a first connection assembly, for a power circuit, and a second connection assembly, as already shown in the Fig.1 to Fig. 5 used for a control circuit;
• [ Fig. 7 ] is a block diagram illustrating a second mechanical and electrical configuration of the electrical coupling assembly already represented on the Fig. 6 ;
• [ Fig. 8 ] is a block diagram illustrating a third mechanical and electrical configuration of the electrical coupling assembly already represented on the Fig. 5 and the Fig. 6 ; And,
• [ Fig. 9 ] is a schematic diagram illustrating a coupling assembly as already represented on the Fig. 6,Fig. 7 And Fig. 8 , assembled in a removable drawer of a low-voltage industrial electrical cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

There Fig. 1 illustrates an electrical connection assembly 1 provided and configured to make a connection between at least two conductors respectively connected to electrical connection elements 11a and 11b. The electrical connection assembly is usually called a “connector” or “connection” and comprises two parts 1a and 1b configured to be connected to each other. A first part 1a comprises the connector element 11a and a second part 1b comprises the connector element 11b. The connector elements 11a and 11b are each made of conductive material to make an electrical connection when they are placed and maintained in contact with each other. For example, element 11a is a female pin into which element 11b can be inserted, arranged in the form of a male pin, of complementary shape to the female pin which is element 11a. According to another example, the connection element 11a is a male pin intended to be connected to the connection element 11b which is in the form of a female pin. According to yet another example, the connection element 11a takes the form of a strip of conductive material (copper or gold, for example) arranged so that the connection element 11b, in the form of another strip of lesser width made of conductive material, can lean against it to establish contact. Each of the connection elements 11a and 11b is arranged so as to be able to connect an electrical conductor, for example a cable or a printed circuit track. The connection between an electrical conductor and a connection element 11a or 11b can be made by welding or by means of a screw connection system made of conductive material, or by another means, these examples not being limiting. In the present description, we will focus on the connector elements which are the subject of the invention without further describing the electrical circuits to be interconnected between them to the extent that their description is not useful for understanding the invention. The connection element 11a is arranged in a connector body 100a of the part 1a of the connection assembly 1 and the connection element 11b is arranged in a connector body 100b of the part 1b of the connection assembly 1. For example, the connection element 11a is inserted into the body 100a by molding and the connection element 11b is inserted into the body 100b also by molding. Obviously, the first part 100a can comprise a plurality of elements of connection 11a and the second part 100b may comprise a plurality of connection elements 11b so that each of the connection elements 11b is provided to be connected to a connection element 11a when the first part la of the connection assembly 1 is coupled to the second part 1b of the connection assembly 1, or vice versa.

The connector bodies 100a and 100b include means for holding in position when the parts 1a and 1b are mechanically and electrically connected together (coupled).

• une première configuration (ou position) dans laquelle les parties 1a et 1b de l'ensemble de connexion 1 sont distantes l'une de l'autre et dans laquelle il n'y a alors ni contact mécanique ni contact électrique entre les éléments de connexion 11a et 11b,
• une deuxième configuration (ou position) dans laquelle les parties 1a et 1b sont rapprochées l'une de l'autre et dans laquelle il y a contact mécanique entre les éléments de connexion 11a et 11b, et donc continuité électrique entre ces deux éléments de connexion, et,
• une troisième configuration (ou position) dans laquelle les parties 1a et 1b sont encore plus rapprochées l'une de l'autre, le ressort étant comprimé, et dans laquelle la continuité électrique est donc toujours présente entre les éléments de connexion 11a et 11b.

According to one embodiment, the parts 1a and 1b of the connection assembly 1 are provided to make a connection between the connection element 1a and the connection element 11b when they are coupled in a predetermined direction or a direction from a set of predetermined directions (i.e. respecting a satisfactory approach angle). In other words, the connection assembly 1 is a withdrawable assembly, that is to say that when the parts 1a and 1b are brought together then mechanically connected to each other, for example after fitting the one of the parts 1a and 1b in the other of the parts 1a and 1b, the connection elements 11a and 11b are in contact with each other and the conductors which are respectively connected to them are therefore electrically connected. When a mechanical and electrical connection is established between the connection elements 11a and 11b, it is said that the connection assembly 1 is “plugged in”. Conversely, in the absence of a mechanical or electrical connection between the connection elements 11a and 11b, it is said that the connection assembly 1 is “disconnected”. Thus, a rapprochement of part 1b of the connection assembly 1 towards part la of the connection assembly 1, or vice versa, followed by electrical and mechanical coupling constitutes a plugging in and a withdrawal operation (separation ) of part la of part 1b constitutes a disconnection. According to the example described, the connection assembly 1 is arranged so that the electrical and mechanical coupling (connection) between the parts 1a and 1b is carried out when the part 1b is approached to the part la, then inserted into the part la , in a direction X, or a direction substantially parallel to the direction allowing a certain opening angle upon insertion, that is to say an ability to fit into one another in a direction likely to vary somewhat for two respective successive insertions. Each of the connector bodies 100a and 100b can be mounted on a support (also called base or base) and it is then a rapprochement of the two supports in the direction plugging in the connection assembly 1). Conversely, and in the case where the first and second parts of the connector assembly are each assembled on its own support, the separation of the two supports in direction . Advantageously and cleverly, part 1b of the connection assembly 1 comprises a support 11c and a slide-type mechanical connection 11e is arranged between the support 11c and the connection element 11b (via the connector body 100b) and means are arranged to force a translational movement of the connector body 100b, in the direction X, towards the end of the support 11c or, in other words, towards the first part la of the connection assembly in the absence of force applied to the connection element 11b. Conversely, the aforementioned means authorize a translation of the connector body 100b relative to the support 11c, when a force is applied to the connection element 11b in the direction X. According to the example shown, the slide connection 11e is arranged between the connector body 100b of the part 1b and the support 11c, by cooperation of a rail in a groove (for example a “T” shaped rail guided in a groove of complementary shape) and the means for forcing a movement in translation of the connector body 100b are implemented by a helical spring 11e and two bearing surfaces 101b and 11d respectively arranged on one face of the connector body 100b and at one end of the base 11c against which the ends of the helical spring 11e bear. According to this example, the helical spring 11e is capable of exerting a force in the direction supports the connection element 11b is moved to a stop arranged in the support 11c (end of groove visible on the Fig. 2 ) in the absence of external contact force applied to the connection element 11b, and so that the body 100b can be moved along the support 11c when the part 1b is separated from the part la during a disconnection operation of the connection assembly 1 or even after the contact elements 11a and 11b have been coupled, during a plug-in operation of the connection assembly 1. Thus, the connection assembly 1 can have at least three different configurations , also called here “positions”, in terms of combinations of mechanical state and electrical state:

• a first configuration (or position) in which the parts 1a and 1b of the connection assembly 1 are spaced apart from each other and in which there is then neither mechanical contact nor electrical contact between the connection elements 11a and 11b,
• a second configuration (or position) in which the parts 1a and 1b are brought closer to each other and in which there is mechanical contact between the connection elements 11a and 11b, and therefore electrical continuity between these two connection elements, and,
• a third configuration (or position) in which the parts 1a and 1b are even closer to each other, the spring being compressed, and in which electrical continuity is therefore always present between the connection elements 11a and 11b.

• l'une, première, dans laquelle l'ensemble de connexion 1 est débroché et le deuxième ensemble de connexion est également débroché,
• une autre, deuxième, dans laquelle l'ensemble de connexion 1 est embroché et dans laquelle le deuxième ensemble de connexion est débroché,
• une autre encore, troisième, dans laquelle l'ensemble de connexion 1 est embroché et dans laquelle le deuxième ensemble de connexion est embroché.

The first configuration (or position) is a configuration in which the means 101b, 11e and 11d provided to be able to force the translational movement of the connector body 100b relative to the support 11c force this movement and in which the spring 11e is in its configuration relaxed, or its configuration in which it is the least compressed among its possible configurations. The second configuration is a configuration in which the connection element 11b is in contact with the connection element 11a and a force is exerted by the element 11a on the element 11b so as to compress the spring 11e, the support 11c of part 1b being at a first predetermined distance from part la of the connection assembly. Finally, the third configuration (or position) is a configuration in which the connection element 11b is always in contact with the connection element 11a and the support 11e of the part 1b is even closer to the part la, at a second predetermined distance, in which the spring 11e is more compressed than in the second configuration. Advantageously, it is therefore possible, thanks to this arrangement, to obtain two predetermined relative positions of part la and part 1b of the connection assembly 1 for which an electrical connection is established in addition to a relative position of the parts 1a and 1b for which an electrical connection is not established, which makes it possible to associate the two different relative positions for which there is electrical continuity in the connection assembly 1 with two positions of a second connection assembly for which there is and there is no electrical connection, respectively. This amounts to saying that the use of the connection assembly 1 in conjunction with a usual or “standard” removable connector (that is to say without slide connection as described above) allows three configurations to be obtained. or positions of the electrical coupling assembly:

• one, first, in which the connection assembly 1 is disconnected and the second connection assembly is also disconnected,
• another, second, in which the connection assembly 1 is plugged in and in which the second connection set is disconnected,
• yet another, third, in which the connection assembly 1 is plugged in and in which the second connection assembly is plugged in.

• puissance et commande « embrochées »,
• puissance « débrochée » et commande « embrochée », et,
• puissance « débrochée » et commande « débrochée »,

ce qui permet avantageusement de conserver actif un circuit de commande à des fins de maintenance lorsqu'un circuit de puissance, contrôlé par le biais de ce circuit de commande est déconnecté (isolé) de sa source d'alimentation électrique.Advantageously, a first connection assembly 2, standard, removable and without slide, can be used in equipment to be able to operate the connection and disconnection of two parts of the same line of an electrical power circuit and the assembly of connection 1 can be used in the same equipment to be able to operate the connection and disconnection of two parts of the same line of an electrical control circuit, when the two connection sets 1 and 2 are arranged to operate simultaneously during the same maneuver on both circuits (power and control). Such a configuration amounts to saying that the first parts of the connection assembly 2 and of the connection assembly 1 are integral with each other and that the second parts of the connection assemblies 1 and 2 are at least partially integral with each other. Such an arrangement using a slide connector such as connection assembly 1 for a control circuit in combination with a standard (or conventional) removable connector for a power circuit then cleverly allows three configurations or positions to be obtained:

• “connected” power and control,
• “disconnected” power and “connected” control, and,
• “disconnected” power and “disconnected” control,

which advantageously allows a control circuit to be kept active for maintenance purposes when a power circuit, controlled by means of this control circuit, is disconnected (isolated) from its electrical power source.

Advantageously, the connection elements 11a and 11b as well as the connector bodies 100a and 100b are configured according to mechanical and electrical characteristics defined for connectors intended for the connection between them of telecommunications or telephone equipment or accessories. Advantageously, the connection elements 11a and 11b, just like the connector bodies 100a and 100b, however, do not have a mechanical locking system intrinsic to themselves, such as a locking clip for example, which makes it possible to operate a decoupling simply by the effect of a sufficient retreat of one of the parts 1a and 1b relative to the other of these parts.

Preferably, the connection elements 11a and 11b as well as the connector bodies 100a and 100b, configured according to mechanical and electrical characteristics natively intended for the connection of telecommunications or telephone equipment, are defined from connection elements d 'a type usually called “RJ” (from the English “Registered Jack”) but are devoid of mechanical locking means intrinsic to themselves. In other words, this means that the connector bodies 100a and 100b and the connection elements 11a and 11b are respectively identical to connector bodies and connection elements identical to those of connectors usually called RJ, but are devoid of of a locking system intrinsic to themselves.

According to one embodiment, the elements 100a and 100b on the one hand, as well as the elements 11a and 11b on the other hand, are connection elements having complementary shapes in pairs and allowing coupling by insertion of the assembly 100a and 11a with the assembly 100b and 11b, and are chosen from connection elements having mechanical and electrical characteristics compatible with a type of connector: RJ9, RJ11C, RJ11W, RJ12C, RJ12W, RJ13C, RJ13W, RJ14C, RJ14W, RJ15C, RJ18C, RJ18W, RJ21X, RJ22, RJ25C, RJ25W, RJ26X, RJ27X, RJ31X, RJ38X, RJ41S, RJ45S, RJ48C, RJ48S, RJ48X, RJ49C, RJ50, RJ2MB or RJ71C.

Preferably, the first part and second part 1a and 1b comprise connectors of the 8 position - 8 contact type conventionally called "RJ45" devoid of intrinsic mechanical locking means or of the 10 position - 10 contact type, conventionally called "RJ50" devoid of means intrinsic locking devices, the first part comprising a female connector and the second part comprising a male connector, or vice versa.

Advantageously, it is thus possible to guarantee data transmission at a transmission rate of up to 100 Mbits/s for the control of a control circuit connected to a control unit via the connection assembly 1.

This makes it possible, for example, to guarantee the communication speed of a control bus used in industrial withdrawable drawer type equipment, for the control or supervision of actuators or any other element, particularly when the control purpose serves as support. to communications operated using a Modbus or TCP/IP type protocol.

According to one embodiment, the conductive elements of each of the first and second parts are surrounded by shielding.

Advantageously, the shielding is arranged around the conductors of each of the parts over the entire length of the part concerned. In other words, the connection elements 11a and 11b as illustrated for example on the Fig. 1 are surrounded by a “tunnel” made of a metallic shielding material, open at its ends to allow the coupling of elements 11a and 11b on the one hand and to allow the connection of these elements to other cables or conductive elements (copper tracks, for example).

According to one embodiment, each of the first and second parts 1a and 1b comprises self-centering means for coupling with the other among the first and second parts 1a and 1b. In other words, each of the connector elements, for example RJ45 or RJ50, male or female, is arranged so as to carry out a calibrated positioning in relation to the other connector, of complementary shape, when bringing together and coupling the two connectors.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement of each of the male and female connectors (i.e. each of the parts 1a and 1b) can comprise for this purpose a combination of one or more rails inserted in one or more grooves of complementary shapes of the other connector (part 1a or 1b), or chamfers or any shape or arrangement likely to provide self-centering making it possible to obtain a controlled functional clearance between the two connectors of complementary shapes.

The terms “controlled functional play” designate here a mechanical play between the two parts 1a and 1b (the two connectors) after coupling, in any direction, the maximum amplitude of which is between 0.5 tenths of a millimeter and 5 tenths of millimeter, preferably between 1 tenth of a millimeter and 2 tenths of a millimeter.

Advantageously, this makes it possible to carry out a large number of connection and disconnection cycles of the coupling assembly 1 without damage.

There Fig. 2 comprises two sections of part 1b of the connection assembly 1 according to the section planes AA and BB defined and visible on the Fig. 1 . The left part of the Fig. 2 is section AA which illustrates the arrangement of the slide connection 11e between the support 11c of part 1b of the connection assembly 1 and the connector body 100b which supports the connection element 11b. Thus, the arrangement of the slide connection 11e between the connector body 100b and the support 11c involves a slide connection between the connection element 11b and the support 11c. It is possible to observe that the base of the connector body 100b has a section in the shape of an inverted "T" 11g (or rail) housed in a groove 11f of complementary shape to that of the rail 11g, arranged in the support 11c, of so as to constitute the mechanical assembly of the 11th slide type. The section of the connector body 100b in this section plane AA also shows a section of the connection element 11b molded in the connector body 100b. The right part of the Fig. 2 is the section BB which illustrates a stop 11f' which is none other than the bottom of the groove 11f, and which therefore limits the movement of the base of the connector body 100b in the groove 11f when the spring 11e is relaxed between the surfaces 101b and 11d, which consequently limits the movement of the connection element 11b towards the connection element 11a of part la.

The cooperation of the means of forcing the movement of the body 100b towards the stop, and of the stop, cleverly and advantageously allows electrical contact to be maintained between the connection elements 11b and 11a initially, when the part 1b of the assembly connection is moved away from part la (during a disconnection operation), then, when the base of the connector body 100b comes into contact with the stop 11f' at the end of groove 11f, the distance from part 1b by with respect to part la causes the opening of the electrical line by separation of the connection elements 11a and 11b.

THE Fig. 3,Fig. 4 and Fig.5 illustrate three successive different positions of the connection assembly 1, during an operation of disconnecting the connection assembly.

There Fig. 3 illustrates the connection assembly 1 in plug-in configuration, that is to say when part 1a and part 1b of the connection assembly 1 are mechanically and electrically coupled. The connection elements 11a and 11b are in contact with each other and therefore close the electrical line which comprises the two electrical conductors respectively connected to the contact elements 11a and 11b. In this configuration, the base of the connector body 100b does not abut against the stop 11f' and the spring 11e exerts pressure on the connection element 11b against the connection element 11a. This configuration therefore corresponds to the third configuration of the connection assembly 1 previously described, according to which the two parts 1a and 1b of the connector are very close to each other and in which electrical continuity is therefore present between the elements connection 11a and 11b.

There Fig. 4 illustrates the connection assembly 1 during a disconnection operation, that is to say when part 1a and part 1b of the connection assembly 1 are still electrically coupled. The connection elements 11a and 11b are in contact with each other and therefore close the electrical line which comprises the two electrical conductors respectively connected to the contact elements 11a and 11b, although part 1b of the assembly connection 1 is away from part 1b. Indeed, the helical spring arranged between the bearing surfaces 101b and 11d makes it possible to push the connector body 100b towards the stop 11f' so as to maintain the connection elements 11a and 11b in contact with each other, but the base of the body is not yet against the stop 11f' of the support 11c.

This configuration therefore corresponds to the second configuration (or position) previously described of the connection assembly 1 in which the parts 1a and 1b are brought closer or further away from each other and in which there is mechanical contact between the elements. connection 11a and 11b, and therefore electrical continuity between these two connection elements.

There Fig. 5 illustrates the connection assembly 1, still during the unplugging operation already represented in relation to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 , but when part 1b of the connection assembly 1 is even further away (recessed) from part la, so that the contact element 11a no longer exerts pressure on the contact element 1b (and vice versa). At this stage, the base of the connector body 100b is in contact with the stop 11f' at the end of the groove 11f of the part 1b located on the side of the part la. The additional withdrawal (or distance) of part 1b relative to part 1a of the connection assembly causes an opening of the electrical line by mechanical separation of the contact elements 11a and 11b. This configuration therefore corresponds to the first configuration (or position) previously described of the connection assembly 1 in which the parts 1a and 1b of the connection assembly 1 are sufficiently distant from each other so that it n There is then neither mechanical contact nor electrical contact between the connection elements 11a and 11b.

There Fig. 6 illustrates an electrical coupling assembly 3 comprising two electrical connection assemblies. A first connection assembly 2 is a conventional withdrawable connection assembly, that is to say a connection assembly comprising a first part 2a, which comprises at least one connection element 21a and a second part 2b, which comprises at least a connection element 21b configured to establish electrical contact when part 2b is plugged into part 2a. The connection assembly 2 is considered classic or “standard” insofar as it does not include a mechanical assembly ensuring a slide-type connection between a connection element and a part of the connection assembly supporting this connection element. connection. Thus, the plugging in of the connection assembly 2 boils down to bringing together and bringing into contact the connection elements 21a and 21b and the connection assembly 2 mechanically has only two positions or mechanical and electrical configurations which are " skewered” and “unplugged”. The coupling assembly 3 further comprises the connection assembly 1 and is configured so that the first part la of the connection assembly 1 is integral with the first part 2a of the connection assembly 2. Likewise way, the second part 2b of the connection assembly 2 is integral with the second part 1b of the connection assembly 1. The first parts 1a and 2a are connected together by a first support 3a and the second parts 1b and 2b are connected together by a second support 3b, so that during plugging in and unplugging operations, the first parts are moved in the same direction (here, the direction X) and maintain the same relative distance between them and the second parts are moved in the same direction (always the direction mechanical slide connection type and the helical spring 11a arranged between two bearing surfaces 101 and 11d. Parts 1a and 2a can be assembled on the support 3a by mechanical assembly of the screw-nut type, by gluing, by welding or even can be molded in the same element, for example. It is the same for parts 2a and 2b whose position is fixed. They can be attached to the support 3b by mechanical assembly or constitute only one part.

There Fig. 6 represents the coupling assembly 3 in the plugged-in position, that is to say when electrical continuity is ensured by the connection assembly 2 and by the connection assembly 1 at the same time. Cleverly, when a disconnection is carried out, the combination of a connection assembly having fixed positions of the connection elements relative to the supports of the parts to which they are respectively connected, such as the connection assembly 2, with another assembly connection presenting a fixed connection element and a movable connection element, respectively in relation to the supports of the parts to which they are respectively connected, makes it possible to obtain three configurations in terms of mechanical and electrical state, also called here " positions”.

There Fig. 7 illustrates the electrical coupling assembly 3 being disconnected at a time when the distance between the parts 2a and 2b is such that the connection elements 21a and 21b are separated from each other. According to this configuration, the clever use of the two connection assemblies 2 and 1 makes it possible to obtain disconnection of the connection assembly 2 while the connection assembly 1 is still plugged in, thanks to the mechanical assembly of the connection type slide combined with the means for forcing a translational movement of the connection element 11b towards the connection element 11a up to the stop 11f', in the absence of mechanical constraint on the connection element 11b. Obviously, the forces linked to gravitation or even atmospheric pressure are considered negligible in this description and are not taken into consideration.

There Fig. 8 illustrates the electrical coupling assembly 3 being disconnected at a time when the distance between parts 2a and 2b is further increased (greater than that visible on the Fig. 7 ), and the connector body of part 1b having arrived at a stop under the effect of spring 11e, the continuation of the distance, and therefore the increase in the distance between parts 1a and 1b of the connection assembly 1, leads to the configuration in which the connection assembly 1 and the connection assembly 2 are simultaneously disconnected.

The coupling assembly 3 is particularly advantageous when the connection assembly 2 is configured to open and close at least one line of an electrical power circuit and the connection assembly 1 is configured to open and close at least one line of an electrical control circuit. Indeed, the at least three available positions of the coupling assembly 3 make it possible to obtain disconnection of a power circuit when the control circuit is still plugged in, which significantly facilitates maintenance operations during which the control circuits Power actuator controls can still be activated and deactivated for the purposes of carrying out diagnostics.

Advantageously, the electrical coupling assembly 3 can be assembled in an electrical cabinet, for example in a removable electrical drawer comprising power circuits and control circuits. More precisely, one half of the coupling assembly is assembled on a withdrawable electrical drawer and the other half of the coupling assembly is assembled on a fixed part of the electrical cabinet including the drawer, such as a "bottom drawer” or a “backplane” of the electrical cabinet. Thus, the support 3a carrying the first parts 1a and 2a of the connection assemblies 1 and 2 can be assembled on a movable drawer and the support 3b carrying the second parts 1b and 2 b of the connection assemblies 1 and 2 can be assembled on a fixed bottom of electrical cabinet including the electrical drawer.

There Fig. 9 illustrates such an assembly according to which the support 3a is fixed on the base 41 of a movable electrical drawer of an electrical cabinet and the support 3b is fixed on a fixed bottom 42 of the electrical cabinet. Such a configuration is commonly described as an assembly of a coupling system on or in a withdrawable electrical drawer. According to this configuration, a movement (an opening) of the electrical drawer moving away from the base from its closed position makes it possible to obtain an intermediate disconnection position without which the power circuit is disconnected and the control circuit remains connected.

Advantageously, the three configurations can each be associated with a mechanical locking position via the use of mechanical elements conventionally used to ensure such a function (for example a ball system mounted on a spring and housed in position cavities predetermined). According to one embodiment, the locking elements in predetermined positions operate on the electrical drawer and electrical cabinet connection. According to a variant, the locking elements in predetermined positions are included in the coupling assembly 3a and operate on the mechanical connection between the first part la and the second part 1b of the connection assembly 1 or between the first part 2a and the second part 2b of the connection assembly 2.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples described but relates more generally to any removable electrical connection assembly in two parts in which one of the parts has a sliding connection between an electrical connection element and a support of this part , arranged so that, when the two parts of the connection assembly are distant from each other, there are at least three configurations in terms of mechanical and electrical states such that: the electrical connection is ensured when the two parts are positioned at a first distance from each other; the electrical connection is still ensured when the two parts are positioned at a second distance from each other, which second distance is greater than the first distance; and, the electrical connection is interrupted when the two parts are positioned at a third distance, which third distance is greater than said first distance. In particular, the means for forcing a movement of the elements made mobile via a mechanical assembly of the slide connection type may be different from those described above. The helical spring can for example be replaced by another type of spring and the slide connection can be arranged differently, to produce the same result.

Claims (6)

Electrical connection assembly (1) comprising a first part (la) and a second part (1b), said first part (1a) comprising at least one first electrical connection element (11a), and said second part (1b) comprising at least one at least a second electrical connection element (11b) configured to connect to said first electrical connection element (11a) when said second part (1b) is brought into translation into contact with said first part (la) in a predetermined direction (X) , said second part (1b) further comprising a support (11c), and said at least one second electrical connection element (11b) being coupled to said support (11c) by a slide-type mechanical connection assembly (11e), said second part (1b) comprising means for forcing a translational movement of said second connection element 11b) towards said first connection element (11a), in said predetermined direction (X) up to a predetermined stop position, in absence of mechanical stress on the second connection element (11b), said electrical connection assembly (1) being characterized in that : each of said first (1a) and second (1b) parts comprises a connector having identical mechanical and electrical characteristics to those of a connector of a natively standardized type and configured for the connection of telecommunications or telephone equipment, and is devoid of intrinsic mechanical locking means allowing mechanical locking to be carried out in position with the other of said parts , the first part comprising a female connector and the second part comprising a male connector, or vice versa, and in that each of the first (1a) and second (1b) parts comprises self-centering means when coupling with the other among said first (1a) and second (1b) parts and the conductive elements (11a, 11b) of each of the first and second parts are surrounded by a shield. Electrical connection assembly according to claim 1, in which said means of the slide-type mechanical connection assembly comprise a helical spring arranged to exert a force in said predetermined direction, an element integral with said second connection element and an end stop of said support located at the opposite end of said support relative to said element secured to said second connection element. Electrical connection assembly according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which each of the two parts comprises an 8-position - 8-contact type connector having mechanical and electrical characteristics of a connector conventionally called "RJ45" or a connector of the 10 position - 10 contact type having mechanical and electrical characteristics of a connector conventionally called "RJ50", the first part being a female connector and the second part being a male connector, or vice versa. Electrical coupling assembly (3) comprising a first connection assembly (2), said power circuit connector (2) configured to open and close at least one electrical power line, and a second connection assembly (1), said control circuit connector (1) configured to open and close at least one electrical control line, said first (2) and second (1) connectors each comprising a first part (2a, 1a) and a second part (2b, 1b ) configured to be connected or disconnected from said first part (2a, 1a) by a movement operated in the same direction (X), respectively by a movement towards or away from said first part (2a, 1a) and second part (2b, 1b ), the coupling assembly (3) being characterized in that : - said first parts (2a, 1a) are fixed on the same first support (3a) and said second parts (2b, 1b) are fixed on the same second support (3b), and, - connection elements of said first (2a) and second part (2b) of the first connector (2), configured to operate the closing and opening of said electrical power line, have fixed positions respectively in said first (2a) and second parts (2b) when said first and second parts are brought into contact with each other or moved away from each other, - and said second connector (1) is a slide connector according to one of claims 1 to 3. Electrical coupling assembly according to the preceding claim, comprising a mechanism for locking the relative position of said first parts relative to said second parts according to at least three distinct locking positions such as: - the first locking position involves plugging in the first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly, - the second locking position involves plugging in the first electrical connection assembly and unplugging the first electrical connection assembly, and, - the third locking position involves unplugging the first electrical connection assembly and the second electrical connection assembly. Electrical cabinet drawer (4) comprising at least one electrical coupling assembly (3) according to one of claims 4 and 5.

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