FR2808930A1 - ELECTRICAL CONTACT FOR BULB CONNECTOR AND BULB CONNECTOR PROVIDED WITH SUCH CONTACTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is an electrical contact in particular for an electrical connector of a bulb without a base, comprising a body (60) with means (54) for connection with an electrical cable (52), walls (64, 66). sides of each of which a contact blade (68, 70) has been folded, a lower wall (62) extending over the entire length of said electrical contact, characterized in that the side walls (64, 66) and the wall ( 62) lower form a half-cage with an open U-profile. The invention also covers the connector adapted to receive such half-cage contacts.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONTACT FOR BULB CONNECTOR AND

  BULB CONNECTOR EQUIPPED WITH THESE CONTACTS

  The present invention relates to an electrical contact forming a half-cage for a bulb connector, in particular a bulb without a base such as that

  a vehicle side turn signal repeater.

  Cage contacts are known, in particular that described in French patent application FR-A-2 777 706, in the name of the same applicant,

  which concerns an electrical terminal of a monolithic female electrical contact.

  The contact comprises a body forming a cage with a lower wall, two upper half-walls and two side walls from which came bending and cutting, two contact blades. These two contact blades are one of the floor type without clearance and the other of the

elastic reminder.

  The contact blade of the floor type comprises a flat part and parallel to the side wall, possibly provided with ribs to improve the stiffness and increase the contact power on the male blade intended to come to bear on this flat part. The end of this blade is in abutment against the bottom of a flap of the same side wall, so as to limit almost

totally its deformation.

  The elastic return type blade comprises a folding allowing mounting in the form of an elastic arm and a boss near its front free end. This boss only makes it possible to decrease the contact surface and increase the contact pressure for the same return force. The folding allows the separation of this blade during the introduction of the male blade, while maintaining a pressure force and the boss can slightly deform to also allow the passage of the male blade

  while exerting a powerful elastic restoring effort.

  The length of the elastic return type blade is such that there is a clearance between its end and the bottom of a flap coming from folding from the corresponding side wall, so as to allow a certain deformation of

  this elastic return type blade.

  A contact for a bulb connector according to the present invention must meet several other constraints. Indeed, in addition to a certain electrical quality of the electrical contact as in the electrical cage contact of the prior art, there is also a need for reliability in the mechanical maintenance and retention of the bulb so, for example, not generate in the case of a turn signal repeater on a vehicle, an intervention presenting a total disproportion between the complexity of the access and the repair of the

defective bulb connector.

  The fact for a connector to receive a bulb requires two juxtaposed contacts, each to cooperate with the corresponding conductive zone of the bulb, hence an architecture adapted to prevent any incorrect introduction of the contact and to resist without twisting the

  insertion efforts in the bulb connector.

  The bulbs intended to be received in the connector according to the present invention are of known type and an embodiment of this bulb is shown in Figure 1 of the prior art, in a simplified manner so as to highlight only the detail of the part low connection, Such a bulb comprises an upper part forming the bulb 10 for proper lighting and a lower part 12 for connection. This lower part has a central part 14 from manufacturing with the envelope of the bulb which is extended laterally by two lateral wings 16 and 18,

  symmetrical, arranged in the same plane.

  Each of the faces of the plane receives a conductive element 20 and 22. These conductive elements are arranged on the wings in diagonal symmetry, which

  makes the lower part perfectly symmetrical.

  Each of these wings 16 and 18 also carries a groove 24 and 26, perpendicular to the direction 28 of insertion of the bulb, at least on the face

  opposite to that which receives the conductive part.

  Figure 2 of the prior art shows a contact of known type, adapted to receive this type of bulb, also shown in simplified form. This contact 30 comprises means 32 for connection with an electric cable as well as a lower face 34 and two lateral faces 36 and 38 forming a U. The lower face comprises a keying pin 40 for introduction and its free end carries a tab 42 d 'hanging from folding with the underside. This tab makes it possible to retain the cage in the bulb connector 44 which receives it, as in FIG. 3 of the prior art which shows a

  section once the bulb is inserted into said connector.

  The two lateral faces extend beyond the lower face to constitute themselves contact blades 46 and 48. The first blade 46 is of the floor type and the second 48 is of the spring return type with a boss. In this case, the boss has a role of retaining the bulb in the

  connector because it cooperates with the groove 24, 26 of the wings of the bulb.

  It is noted that, in such an arrangement, the blades are free and their ends are not at all protected during the introduction of the bulb.

  into the connector, which can cause damage to the blades themselves

  same and to the conductive elements of the bulb.

  In addition, the contact blades bear directly on the insulation of the connector when the bulb is inserted, as shown in FIG. 3. This arrangement leaves a certain play between the contact and the connector and therefore a play of the bulb in the connector when inserted. This result is not satisfactory and the mechanical maintenance of this bulb is

finds it weak.

  The mechanical resistance of the contact itself is limited, since it has no structural reinforcement capable of stiffening it. Its handling and

  its introduction into the connector remains delicate.

  The half-cage contact according to the present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and makes it possible not only to have polarizing means, but also an electrical contact of improved type while ensuring mechanical maintenance eliminating the play in the contacts, which leads to a suitable locking of the bulb in the connector according to the present invention which is also claimed. In addition, this half-cage contact facilitates the insertion of the bulb without risk of damaging the electrical contact elements and thus improves the resistance to vibration and reduces contact losses.

generated by these phenomena.

  To this end, the electrical contact according to the invention comprises in a known manner a body with means of connection with an electrical cable, side walls of each of which has come from folding a contact blade, a bottom wall extending over the entire length of said electrical contact, and is characterized in that the side walls and the bottom wall

  form an open U-profile half-cage.

  According to a preferred arrangement, this contact also includes stiffening flanges that have come from folding with the side walls and possibly

a partial upper wall.

  One of the blades is of the boss locking type and the other is of the

floor type.

  In addition, each of the side walls comprises a flap at its end, forming protection for the free ends of the electrical contact blades. The invention also covers the connector adapted to receive at least one

  electrical contact according to the invention.

  The present invention, as regards both the half-cage contact and the associated connector, is now described according to a particular, nonlimiting embodiment, with reference to the drawings which represent a particular, nonlimiting embodiment, compared with a contact of the prior art, the different figures corresponding to: - Figure 1, a perspective view of a bulb known as without base, of known type, - Figure 2, a perspective view of a contact of the prior art , - Figure 3, a view of a connector according to the prior art provided with contacts of the prior art and equipped with a bulb without base, - Figure 4A, a perspective view from above of the half-cage contact according to the present invention, - Figure 4B, a perspective view from below of the half-cage contact of Figure 4A,

  - Figure 5, an exploded perspective view showing two half contacts

  cage according to the present invention, an associated connector according to the present invention and a bulb without base of known type, ready to be inserted into said connector, - Figures 6A and 6B, sectional views along the axes 6A-6A and 6B-6B and in perspective of an associated connector according to the present invention, - Figure 7A, a top view of a half-cage contact according to the present invention, and - Figure 7B, a view of the half-cage contact of Figure 7A after

insertion of a bulb without base.

  In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the contact 50 half is shown in detail.

  cage according to the present invention which is crimped on an electric cable 52 by means 54 of connection. In addition, sealing means 56 are retained by these same connecting means 54 so as to immobilize the seal 58 which

  constitutes the essential of these sealing means.

  The half-cage contact proper comprises a body 60 forming a half-connection with a bottom wall 62 and two side walls 64 and 66 from which the folding and cutting came, two contact blades 68 and 70. These two contact blades 68 and 70 are one of the boss locking type with elastic return and the other of the floor type, respectively,

  with the possibility of travel for each.

  The body 60 thus has a general U-shape, partially open

superior.

  A partial upper wall 72 is maintained near the connection means 54, that is to say at the rear relative to the direction of insertion of the bulb as will be explained later, in order to further stiffen the body of the half cage. This partial upper wall is made up of tabs 74 which are cut and folded directly from the walls 64 and

  66 lateral to which they are attached.

  The side walls are folded at their ends and constitute flaps 76 and 78 for protecting the free ends of the contact blades 68 and 70, while leaving a possibility of movement. These side walls are also each provided with a window 80 and 82. In addition the upper edge of each side wall is folded over a very small width thus forming a wing 77 and 79 longitudinal, so as to further improve the stiffness of these side walls while also ensuring minimal blade protection

contact from above.

  The blade 68 of the boss type with elastic return comprises, as is more visible in FIGS. 7A and 7B, on the one hand a boss 84 pronounced in shape conjugate with that of the groove 24 of the corresponding wing 16 or 18 of the bulb, this boss being located near the free end, and on the other hand, a flat support area 86 which follows the boss 84,

  in the direction of introduction 28 of the bulb. This blade 68 is to travel.

  The floor type blade 70 is also free end for

  allow some deformation during the introduction of the bulb 10.

  However, this blade 70 includes a floor area 88 allowing contact over a large area and mechanical support. To ensure

  resumption of efforts, this zone 88 floor is arranged substantially opposite

  screw of the flat surface 86 of the blade 68 with boss.

  The lower wall 62 extends almost to the right of the flaps

  76 and 78, over the entire length of the body 60 of the half-cage contact 50.

  This lower wall 62 also carries a deformation from stamping which constitutes a lug 90 of polarization and stop ensuring

the keying.

  The associated connector 92, capable of receiving a pair of half-cage contacts according to the invention and described above, is shown in Figures and 6A / 6B. This connector comprises two housings 94 and 96 of profile conjugate with that of the contacts, in which came molding of the fingers 98 and locking adapted to cooperate with the windows 80 and 82 of the half-cage contacts so as to immobilize the said contacts when 'they are completely inserted in these housings. A central zone 102 forms a cradle to receive the central part

14 of the bulb without base.

  The two housings are separated by a central wall 104 which isolates the two housings from each other and which receives the means 56

sealing.

  The connector 92 also carries retaining lugs 106 for subsequent mounting in a support, not shown, depending on the destination of

this connector.

  With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the mode of insertion of the bulb 10 and the advantages which are deduced from the arrangement are better understood.

  of the half-cage contact according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 7A, the blades 68 and 70 are in the standby position with their free ends retained under the corresponding flaps 76 and 78 with

possibility of travel.

  During the introduction of the half-cage contacts according to the invention, the body can be introduced easily thanks to its great stiffness notably generated by the fact that a partial upper wall 72 is provided and by the presence of walls full side panels forming a rigid, monolithic half-cage, reinforced by the longitudinal edges. The contacts are suitably introduced into the connector by means of the polarization and stop lug 90 which prevents insertion in an incorrect position and which allows, by abutment, engagement of the fingers 98 and 100.

  locking of the connector in the windows 80 and 82 of the side walls.

  The blades 68 and 70 are arranged in the body 60 and can work independently inside this cage without being subjected to constraints other than those of the insertion of the bulb. The blades are protected from the walls of the connector in particular since they do not come into contact with these walls, only the external surfaces of the body coming into contact with the internal walls of the housings 94 and 96 of the connector. On the other hand, we note that the walls are perfectly maintained in these housings 94 and 96, eliminating any play, regardless of the position

  blades and the presence or absence of a bulb.

  In FIG. 7B, a bulb is inserted into the half-cage contact.

  In this position, the body 60 is not directly affected by

  the introduction of the bulb 10, but the blades are stressed.

  During the introduction, the lower connection part 12 cannot be accidentally degraded by the blades, because the ends of these are protected by the flaps 76 and 78, on the contrary these flaps ensure the

  initial guidance and promotes introduction.

  As the lower connection part 12 is inserted, the blades are spaced apart due to their elasticity. The ends are translated

  thanks to the travel provided and come into abutment at the bottom of flaps 76 and 78.

  One of the conductive elements, in this case the element 20 comes into contact with the floor 88 of the corresponding blade 70. During the introduction, the

  friction due to translation ensures good quality of electrical contact.

  When the bulb is fully inserted, the locking blade 68

  boss moves away until this boss is in line with groove 24.

  Consequently, under the elastic return force, the blade 68 is pressed against the opposite face of the wing concerned. The boss 84 is housed in said groove and the

  support zone 86 is pressed against the wing, ensuring locking.

  Thus the bulb is mechanically held over a long length

  on each side of each face of the concerned wing of the bulb.

  The bulb is held in the connector by its two wings and on its two faces, which leads to a stabilized retention of the bulb inserted in the connector by the only half-cage contacts, themselves intimately housed in said connector. . The game is thus limited in the most

great measure.

Claims (14)

  1. Electrical contact, in particular for an electrical connector of a bulb without a base, comprising a body (60) with means (54) for connection with an electrical cable (52), side walls (64,66) each of which has come from folding a contact blade (68, 70), a lower wall (62) extending over the entire length of said electrical contact, characterized in   that the side walls (64,66) and the bottom wall (62) form a half open UJ profile cage.   2. Electrical contact according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises flanges (77,79) stiffeners coming from folding with the walls (64,66) lateral.   3. Electrical contact according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a partial upper wall (72) disposed near the connecting means (54).   4. Electrical contact according to claim 3, characterized in that this partial upper wall (72) is composed of tabs (74) which are cut and folded directly from the side walls (64, 66) to which they are attached.   5. Electrical contact according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that one (68) of the blades is of the boss locking (84).   6. Electrical contact according to claim 5, characterized in that the   blade (68), of the boss locking type, has a travel.   7. Electrical contact according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the blade (68) of the boss locking type comprises, in addition to the boss, a support area (86).   8. Electrical contact according to any one of claims   previous, characterized in that one (70) of the blades is of the floor type. 9. Electrical contact according to claim 8, characterized in that the   floor type blade (70) has travel.   10. Electrical contact according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that each of the side walls (64,66) comprises a flap (76,78) at its end, forming protection of the ends   free of electrical contact blades.   11. Electrical contact according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that it comprises means (80,82,90) for mounting in a connector, these means comprising at least one window (80,82) adapted to receive a finger (100) for locking the connector receiving said contact.   12. Electrical contact according to claim 1 1, characterized in that these mounting means comprise a lug (90) for polarization and stop ensuring the polarization.   13. Connector adapted to receive an electrical contact (50) according to   any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it   comprises two housings (94,96) of profile conjugate with that of the contact, and each provided with a locking finger (98,100), adapted to cooperate with the windows (80,82) so as to immobilize said contacts when are   completely inserted in these housings.   14. Connector according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises two housings separated by a middle wall (104) which isolates the two housings from one another and ensures the reception of contact and means   (56) unitary sealing by contact.