FR2503466A1 - CONNECTOR STRUCTURE WITH MULTIPLE CONTACTS FOR THE CONNECTION OF TRAILERS OR SIMILAR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

THE CONNECTOR FOR TRAILERS, CARAVANS AND THE LIKE INCLUDES A BODY 1 IN THE SHAPE OF A CAP CONTAINING A CONTACT HOLDER 3 REMOVABLE IN THE BODY 1 AND PRESENTING SEVERAL AXIAL HOLES TO RECEIVE CONTACT PINS. THE CONTACT HOLDER 3 IS ONE PIECE IN PLASTIC MATERIAL.

Description

1 2503466

  The invention relates to a connected element structure

  plug or socket with several contacts for the electrical connection

  stick between a motor vehicle and trailers such

  caravans or similar trailers. As is known, the means of electrical connection between motor vehicle and trailer comprise a socket applied to the motor vehicle and into which a plug connected to the trailer is inserted, this connection having several contacts which have a unified position and configuration

by international standards.

  Known sockets are generally constituted by an outer shell in the form of a cap which supports a contact-carrying element and is designed to be fixed, by

  example by means of screws at the rear of the vehicle

cule tractor.

  In particular, the contact carrier element, generally-

  ment made of plastic, must be able to be fixed securely in the body cap and at the same time, be able to be removed when necessary, for example to connect conductors which may have become detached. A drawback noted in sockets of known type lies in the fact that the connection of the contacts,

  male or female type, is particularly diffi-

  eyelash during construction and requires considerable manpower and in addition, in many cases, it leaves the contacts a possibility of movement, even minimal, which makes that in the worst case the link

  the cables themselves can be damaged.

  For example, the utility model DE 78 12 822 describes a socket with several contacts or "multipolar" of the type said above in which the contact-carrying element is made in two parts which can be adapted to one 'other by pressure and having several axial holes designed to receive the male or female elements of electrical connection. The coupling between the contact carrier element

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  and the boot-shaped cap is made by cooperation

  tion of respective recesses and protrusions and once the contact carrier has been engaged in the cap using special pressure tools, it can only be released by a new pressure using other tools.

  The realization in two parts of the carrier element

  contacts obviously constitutes a disadvantage of taking according to the cited document, since not only these

  two parts must be molded in two different phases

  but, moreover, they require an additional phase

  assembly, which increases the cost of the finished plug. In addition, in this known socket, it is not possible, as has been said, to easily release the contact-carrying element from the cap-shaped body and consequently, it is quite difficult to access the pins to eventually reattach the conductors. Finally, because of its particular internal configuration having protruding parts with recesses and ribs, the cap-shaped body cannot be constructed from metallic material, such as for example aluminum, which limits the field of application of taking unless added

game complexes.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a multi-contact electrical connector socket structure, comprising a boot-shaped body and a

  contact-carrying element designed to be housed in a removable manner

  ble in the boot-shaped body and having several axial holes designed to removably receive a

  corresponding number of contact elements, charac-

  terrified by the fact that the contact carrier element is

  formed by a single practically cylindrical element made of thermoplastic material and that several shaped elements

  of tooth form a body with the outer periphery of the element

  contact carrier and are designed to cooperate with multiple other tooth-shaped elements integrating with the interior of the body, forming a boot so as to

  practically ensuring a rotation cooperation of the

  Contact carrier in the boot-shaped body.

  Taking the invention is particularly appropriate.

  required to be mounted on a vehicle in order to receive an outlet fixed to a caravan or a trailer. Because of its construction, the contact carrier element can be easily and quickly mounted stably to the boot-shaped body in a cap and can, at the same time,

  be just as easily and quickly removed without using

use of specific tools.

  - In addition, electrical contacts, of the male or female type, can be easily and securely associated with the contact-carrying element thanks to a single operation, furthermore avoiding any possibility of translation or movement of the contacts so as to improve the electrical connection. An advantage of the invention resides in that all of the engagement elements between contact-carrying element and body in the form of a boot in a cap are integral with either said element or said cap and can be produced automatically during operations of stamping or

molding of these.

  The boot body which can be provided with a dust cover associated with a spring can be made either of plastic material or of metal, such as for example a

aluminum alloy.

  The electrical connector socket of this

  invention can be easily realized in common materials

  commercially available and it does not require expensive or complex equipment for its realization and it is also very competitive from a point of view

purely economic.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the structure

  socket or electrical connector according to the invention

  will appear better in the detailed description below

  of an embodiment shown for information by the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the structure of

  taken according to the invention, the contact carrier element and the

  ment in boot-shaped cap being mounted.

  Fig. 2 a section along line II-II of the

fig. 1.

  Fig. 3 a view from above of the carrier element

  contacts of the socket structure according to the invention.

  Fig. 4 a view from below of the carrier element

  contacts of the socket structure according to the invention.

  Fig. 5 a cross section of the element

fig. 3 and 4.

  Fig. 6 a partially sectional view of the element

  contact carrier of fig. 3 to 5.

  Fig. 7 a view from the bottom of the cap we form

  boot structure according to the invention.

  Fig. 8 a section along line VIII-VIII of the

fig. 7.

  Fig. 9 a front view of the element or body in

  form of boot in cap of the grip structure of the

  vention, with a cover and fig. 10 a top view in the shape of a

boot of fig. 9.

  We will now refer to FIGS. 1 and 2; they show, from below and in section along line II-II, the

  Plug structure according to the invention, indicated by the ref-

General reference 1.

  It must be taken into account that the term "socket" is used here to designate a connector element not associated with the electric cable, therefore a connector element intended to be connected to a fixed structure, in the case

  present the rear part of a towing vehicle. Natural-

  ment, the concept of the invention can also be applied to a structure with which the electric cable is associated and

  in which the contact-carrying element and the pro-

  shell tection are made and mated according to

teachings of the invention.

  The gripping structure 1 comprises an outer shell

  boot or boot-shaped cap 2 formed for example

  a suitable thermoplastic such as poly-

  propylene or a metal such as aluminum. Inside the cap 2 is removably associated a contact-carrying element 3 of practically configuration

  cylindrical, obtained by molding a thermoplastic material

  as for example polypropylene.

  We will now refer to FIGS. 3 to 6; they re-

  present in more detail the contact-carrying element 3.

  As can be seen, the contact-carrying element 3 comprises

  takes several axial holes 4 extending axially along the cylindrical body of the element 3 and separated from each other by walls of thermoplastic material. In

  in particular, each axial hole 4 has an upper part

  collar collar 5 and is open laterally by a circumferential part 6 which ends, below

  the open collar part 5, by sharp edges.

  Advantageously, near the upper edge, inside each hole 4, are formed integrally two small retaining projections 7 having the function of

  retain the electrical contact elements in the holes 4.

  As we can see, there are seven holes 4

  in this embodiment, six holes being arranged in my-

  to form a hexagon and the seventh hole being placed in the center and located at a level above the plane of

  the upper mouth of the recesses 6.

  According to the invention, on the outer periphery of the body of the element 3 is provided a grooved profile with radial sides formed by several upper elements projecting in the form of a tooth 8 and a corresponding number of lower elements projecting in the form tooth 9, each element

  lower 9 being interposed between two upper elements 8.

  Of these tooth-shaped elements 8, one, indicated by 8 ', is of larger dimensions while another, indicated by 8 ", is provided with a stop appendage 10 integral with it and having a protuberance lOa designed to constitute, once the element 3 coupled in the cap 2, a gripping element making it possible to extract easily

  element 3 of the cap 2 when desired, for example-

  ple for attaching electrically conductive wires

loosely detached.

  Naturally, teeth 8 and 9 and appendix 10

  form a body, as we said, with body 3 and are formed

  més during the molding of it.

  Fig. 5 shows a pin element 11 inserted into a corresponding hole 4 and which has a lower rod part and an upper head part 12 of enlarged diameter, this pin element being obviously formed from an electrically conductive material such that 'a copper alloy; in the enlarged diameter part 12 is engaged

  a screw 13 for tightening the corresponding conductive wire.

  As required, in the finished outlet will be pre-

  seen several male or female elements 11, one for each hole 4, the pin element intended to be arranged in the central hole 4 being longer than the others so

that his head with screw protrudes.

  Some holes 4 may also receive elements

  contact contacts as shown in Ila in fig. 2.

  It should also be noted that each hole 4 has a lower part of enlarged diameter for the housing of the female contact mentioned or to allow a pin 11 to enter a corresponding female contact into which it is introduced from below as shown in the drawing. Teeth sets 8, 9 are spaced apart

  axially and in this embodiment, they are in the name-

  bre of five, one less than holes 4 on the peri

  device history. In this way, as we will see

  clearly below, the contact carrier element must be

  Be inserted into the boot-shaped cap 2 in a predetermined position. To perform the coupling with rotational movement around an axis, it is planned to form a solid number in the boot-shaped cap 2, a corresponding number of teeth 14 of thickness equal to the spacing between the teeth 8 and 9 of the contact carrier 3 and which give rise to a series of recesses 14 ′ through which the teeth 9 of the contact carrier 3 pass while the

  teeth 8 thereof, being of larger diameter,

  follows the circumferential edge 15 which is at the bottom of the teeth 14. One of the recesses 14 "is widened while the adjacent tooth 14 is extended by the rib 15a to impose

  mounting the two parts 3 and 2 in a pre-

  determined (see fig. 7 and 8). The boot-shaped cap

  2 presents the rib 15a for the installation of the element

  pin connector which can be inserted at the

  socket structure 1 assembled. Finally, figs. 9 and 10 re-

  have the grip structure seen from the outside, a cover-shaped element 19 being provided and designed to be applied in an oscillating manner to the cap in the shape of

  boot 2 for protection of electrical contacts.

  To mount the socket structure according to the invention,

we proceed as follows.

  All the electrical contact elements, pins or female elements, are simultaneously inserted by pressure, by means of a suitable instrument not shown, through the portion of smaller diameter 5 of the holes 4, taking advantage of the elasticity of the thermoplastic material. and access

conical 5a.

  More precisely, after having partially introduced the electrical contact elements from the top of the element 3, their upper parts 12 or heads of enlarged diameter are pushed inside, causing the upper parts of the holes 4 to "expand". in this way, the heads 12 of the contact elements are forced into the holes and the upper edge of these tites bears against the step or collar 5 so that the contact element cannot move in the opposite direction. . In addition, the projections 7 exert on each contact element a bias directed eccentrically towards the solid part or wall of each hole 4, so that each contact element is firmly retained in the corresponding hole 4. In addition, thanks to the presence of the abovementioned sharp edges at the location of the upper edges of the holes 4, there is no possibility of axial outlet of each

contact element.

  In particular, the contact elements are inserted simultaneously in the holes 4, the screws 13 already being screwed there and being housed in the openings 6, so that the connection with the conductors can be carried out in an extremely simple manner. For mounting the element

  contact carrier 3 inside the cap 2, intro

  duoir this element 3 by the lower part of the cap and then it will be rotated one step so as to bring the free end of the appendix 10 against a projection or a corresponding stop member 17 formed inside of

  the cap 2 (fig. 7). In this way, each upper tooth

  8 of element 3 is arranged at the top between two contiguous teeth 14 of cap 2 while each tooth

  lower 9 has a corresponding tooth 14 below it

layer of cap 2.

  So the blocking of element 3 in cap 2

  is produced and element 3, apart from being unable to

  see axially thanks to the engagement of the corresponding teeth

  dantes, cannot even turn thanks to the presence of appendix 10 which is applied against the internal projection

17 formed in the cap.

  To complete, it should finally be noted that in the pa-

  King of the cap 2 are also formed of the zones of

  yellowing 18 provided for to be removed by rupture in the event that the electrical conductors are to be removed

of the shell wall.

  From the above, it can be seen that the invention fully achieves the proposed aims. In particular, it

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  realizes an extremely simplified mounting structure or electrical connector element, in which

  the contact carrier element is firmly retained in the case

  monkfish, being unable to perform axial movements through the use of teeth 8, 9, 14 or rotational movements, through the support of appendix 10 against the projection 17. In addition, the contact elements of each hole 4 are also firmly retained, being unable to make axial movements either upwards, thanks to the collars 5, or downwards, thanks to the support of the heads of the screws 13 in the recesses 6 and cannot even execute small axial displacements thanks to the projections 7. At the same time,

  if desired, item 3 can be easily removed.

  In addition, the socket structure of the invention can pre-

  feel an outer shell either plastic or metal and in addition, it is a cost price

very limited.

  In practice, the materials used as well as the dimensions and shapes may be any according to the

requirements.

  In addition, contact between the conductors and the pins 11, lla can be ensured, instead of a hole and a pressure screw as indicated, by known types

  blades and fasteners, the blades being welded to the ends

  mites of the corresponding pin or female contact

  corresponding, on the side of larger diameter already described.

  In this case, the recess 6 which allows a certain elasticity to the collar part 5 can be reduced to contain the mentioned contact blade which thus blocks the

spindle in rotation.

  It is obvious that many concrete variants can be devised, especially relating to the dimensions, the number of teeth and recesses for coupling.

  etc., without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

  1 - Electrical connector with multiple contacts,   comprising a boot-shaped body and a carrier   contacts designed to be removably housed in the boot-shaped body and having several axial holes designed to removably receive a corresponding number of contact elements, structure characterized in that the contact-carrying element is constituted by a single practically cylindrical element made of thermoplastic material and which several tooth-shaped elements are integral with the external periphery of the element   contact holders and are designed to cooperate with multi-   ples other tooth-shaped elements integral with the inside of the boot-shaped body, the tooth-shaped elements allowing the axial insertion of the contact-carrying element in the boot-shaped body, so as to ensure practically a rotation cooperation of   the contact-carrying element in the boot-shaped body.   2 - Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that each hole of the contact-carrying element has an upper mouth with thickened wall and a   opening with enlarged diameter, and an opening   lateral structure by which a clamping screw forming part of a contact element projects, being formed   adjacent to the upper mouth.   3 - Structure according to claims 1 and 2, charac-   terrified by the fact that each axial hole of the contact-carrying element has, just inside the mouth,   a step capable of preventing the axial translation of the   contact element upwards, this step extending round   up to near the lateral opening.   4 - Structure according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that each axial hole of the contact-carrying element has, at the location of each end of the step, a corresponding projection designed to push each contact element il eccentrically inward so as to pocket the axial sliding of the 'element contact when it is screwless.   - Structure according to one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that the tooth-shaped elements comprise a set of upper elements and a set of   ble of lower elements, arranged in circum-   respective standards, each element of each of these assemblies being interposed between two successive elements on the other set.   6 - Structure according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized by the fact that one of the upper teeth   has larger dimensions than the other upper teeth.   7 - Structure according to one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized by the fact that all the elements in the form of   tooth protrude radially from the practical body   of the contact carrier element, with different diameters.   8 - Structure according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that, integrally with a tooth-shaped upper element, there is provided a curved elastic stop appendage designed to be applied by its free end against a stop projection formed inside the cap in the form of boot so as to practically pocket rotation in one direction and by the other end in direction reverse.   9 - Structure according to one of claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that integral with the elastic stop appendage is provided, near the end   free of it, a plug pin designed to facilitate   ter the extraction of the contact carrier element.