FR3071674A1 - MODULAR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM, CORRESPONDING MALE AND FEMALE MODULES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular electrical connection system, formed by interlocking male and female modules. The male module (101), respectively female (201), contains at least one electronic component (15, 25) and is covered with a sealed envelope of insulating material. The male module (101), respectively female (201), comprises at least one projection (10), respectively a recess (20), whose end has an outer conductive surface (12, 22) forming the wall of the envelope locally waterproof. Such a module also comprises, vis-à-vis the outer conductive surface, an inner conductive surface (13) movable between an insulation position, in which it is electrically insulated from the external conductive surface by a return device ( 141, 142, 241, 242), and a connection position, in which it is in contact with the external conductive surface under the action of a magnet (16, 26) secured to the inner conductive surface. The latter is electrically connected to the electronic component (s).

Description

Modular electrical connection system, corresponding male and female modules.

1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of the electrical connection of electrical or electronic components or devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a modular wireless electrical connection system for waterproof components. It finds in particular, but not exclusively, applications in the field of the realization of connected or communicating objects, intended for ΓΙοΤ ("Internet ofThings", in French, "internet of objects").

2. Prior art and its drawbacks

To date, there are a multitude of connected objects, which a user can acquire to simplify his daily life. Some of these connected objects are said to be “wearable” (in French, portable), such as connected bracelets, virtual reality headsets or smart clothing for example. Others relate to the field of health, among which one can quote for example sleep sensors, thermometers, toothbrushes. Still others are intended to equip the user's home, such as cameras, smoke detectors, thermostats, air purifiers ... There are also connected objects dedicated to the field of sport, or more generally at leisure.

For each identified need, the user must acquire a dedicated connected object, which is specifically developed by an industrialist to meet this need. This is costly, both for the user and for the manufacturer, in terms of development and design. However, many electronic components are common to all of these connected objects, and could be shared. The inventors of the present patent application thus had the idea of designing and producing such connected objects in the form of a modular system, which can be easily constructed by the user himself, according to his needs.

Thus, the problem that the present invention proposes to solve is that of the electrical connection of sealed modules, by simple mechanical nesting.

In one embodiment of the present invention, such a connection:

should not require any particular skill, and be transparent to the user;

be quick to perform, without complex handling;

be suitable for small objects;

do not reveal a connection cable;

be easily reversible (by simply disengaging the modules); do not require additional components (such as a protective cap for example).

In addition, such a modular system must be waterproof and dustproof, and tightness must be preserved as soon as the modules are disconnected: in other words, the modules constituting this modular system must be sealed separately, but also when assembled.

3. Statement of the invention

The invention meets this need by proposing a male module containing at least one electronic component and covered with a sealed envelope of insulating material. Such a male module comprises at least one projection, the end of which has an external conductive surface locally forming the wall of said sealed envelope. It also comprises, facing the external conductive surface, at least one internal conductive surface movable between a so-called isolation position, in which the internal conductive surface is kept at a distance and electrically isolated from the external conductive surface by at least a return device, and a so-called connection position, in which the internal conductive surface is in contact with the external conductive surface under the action of a magnetic field applied to a magnet secured to the internal conductive surface. In addition, the internal conductive surface is electrically connected to said at least one electronic component.

Thus, the invention is based on a completely new and inventive approach to the realization of electrical or electronic systems in modular form. Indeed, it notably offers a male module as described above, which is waterproof against water and dust, thanks to a sealed external envelope, made of electrically insulating material. Such a male module comprises one or more electronic components, for example a battery, a microprocessor, a temperature sensor, a smoke detector, etc. or an assembly of these components, for example on a printed circuit.

The electrical connection of this or these component (s) is effected by placing in contact an internal conductive surface, electrically connected to the component (s), with an external conductive surface of the module, under the action of a magnet. powerful which attracts conductive surfaces towards each other.

More specifically, such contacting of the external and internal conductive surfaces of the module is triggered when such a male module is fitted with a female module of corresponding shape, as described below.

In fact, in one embodiment, the present invention also relates to a female module containing at least one electronic component and covered with a sealed envelope made of insulating material. Such a female module comprises at least one recess, the end of which has an external conductive surface locally forming the wall of the sealed envelope. The female module also comprises, facing the external conductive surface, at least one internal conductive surface movable between a so-called isolation position, in which the internal conductive surface is kept at a distance and electrically isolated from the conductive surface external by at least one return device, and a so-called connection position, in which the internal conductive surface is in contact with the external conductive surface under the action of a magnetic field applied to a magnet secured to the internal conductive surface. In addition, the internal conductive surface is electrically connected to said at least one electronic component.

Thus, when the two male and female modules are nested, the electrical contact between the electronic components which they contain is ensured: indeed, each module contains a powerful magnet attracting the internal conductive surfaces of the male and female modules together, making them enter in contact with their respective external conductive surface, which are themselves in contact with each other, due to the mechanical nesting of the two modules, the projection of the male module penetrating into the recess of the female part, corresponding shape.

In addition, when the male and female modules are not fitted, the watertightness of each of the modules is preserved, thanks to the waterproof envelope which surrounds them.

Such male and female modules can be in the form of small plastic bricks, similar to those of the Lego® construction set (registered trademark).

According to one embodiment, the projection of the male module or the recess of the female module is of cylindrical shape.

Indeed, the male and female modules to be nested must have a particular shape at their connection points. The female module contains a hollow, or recess, and the male module a protuberance, or projection, of compatible shapes, so that the male part can be nested in the female part. A projection and recess in the form of cylinders allowing good sliding and good guiding of the two modules relative to one another during their nesting. Other shapes can of course also be envisaged, such as a parallelepiped shape for example.

According to one embodiment, the magnet is a neodymium magnet. Such an NdFeB magnet is a permanent magnet composed of an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron (Nd ₂ Fe _i4 B) and is sufficiently powerful to exert the magnetic force of attraction necessary for the displacement of the internal conductive surface up to when it comes into contact with the associated external conductive surface, opposing the force exerted by the return device (s).

As a variant, it is of course also possible to use other types of permanent magnets, or ferromagnetic materials: one could for example consider equipping the male modules with permanent magnets and the female modules with ferromagnetic materials on which the permanent magnets of the male modules would exert an attractive force during the mechanical nesting of the modules (or vice versa).

According to one embodiment, said at least one return device is a spring formed in, or covered with, a non-conductive material. Indeed, such a return device is disposed between the internal conductive surface and the external conductive surface of the module: it is important that these two surfaces remain electrically isolated from each other as long as they are not in direct contact . The springs may for example be made of a plastic material of the elastomer type, or of a fiber-resin composite material, or covered with an insulating resin patch at their end. They may, for example, be coil springs, or conical springs.

According to one embodiment, the internal conductive surface has a first face oriented towards the interior of the module, with a surface area substantially equal to that of the external conductive surface, and a second face oriented towards the external conductive surface, having at least one zone in excess thickness within which the magnet is placed, with an area smaller than that of the external conductive surface. In addition, the male or female module comprises two springs, arranged on either side of the extra thickness zone, and extending from the second face towards the external conductive surface.

The internal conductive element of the male or female module, formed of the two internal and external conductive surfaces facing each other, therefore has a particular shape:

the face of the movable internal conductive surface pointing towards the interior of the male or female module is the same size as the external conductive surface;

the face of the movable internal conductive surface pointing towards the external conductive surface is smaller, so that the springs can be placed around this part. This part is thick enough that the springs can be completely crushed;

a strong magnet is housed in the internal conductive element (in an integral manner: it cannot leave it), from the side pointing towards the external conductive surface.

According to one embodiment, said at least one electronic component belongs to the group comprising:

a microprocessor;

an integrated circuit;

a battery ;

a captor ;

an emitter :

a receiver.

According to one embodiment, such a male or female module comprises at least two projections or at least two recesses, for example three projections or three recesses.

According to one embodiment, such a male or female module comprises four projections or recesses, which are for example respectively associated with:

an emitter;

a receiver;

a positive electrical supply terminal (“+”);

earth or mass.

According to one embodiment, such a male module also includes:

at least one recess, the end of which has an external conductive surface locally forming a wall of the sealed envelope, called a female external conductive surface;

facing the female external conductive surface, at least one internal conductive surface, called the female internal conductive surface, movable between a so-called isolation position, in which the female internal conductive surface is kept at a distance and electrically insulated from the female external conductive surface by at least one return device, and a so-called connection position, in which the female internal conductive surface is in contact with the female external conductive surface under the action of a magnetic field applied to a fixed magnet to the female internal conductive surface, the female internal conductive surface being electrically connected to said at least one electronic component.

Thus, the same module can be simultaneously male and female module, and be in the form of a brick having one or more recesses (female part) and one or more projections (male part). This improves the connectivity and modularity of the system.

In one embodiment, the invention also relates to a modular system comprising at least one male module and at least one female module as described above, in which the male module and the female module are fitted, the projection of the male module penetrating into the recess of the female module, the external conductive surface of the male module being in contact with the external conductive surface of the female module, so as to ensure an electrical connection between the electronic component (s) of the male module and the or the electronic component (s) of the female module.

In one embodiment, such a modular system, comprising a plurality of nested male and female modules, forms a communicating object, or connected object. Other applications of such a modular system for assembling sealed electronic modules can of course also be envisaged.

4. List of figures

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of simple illustrative example, and not limiting, in relation to the figures, among which:

Figures IA, IB and IC show perspective views of a male module according to an embodiment of the invention, having respectively one, two or four projections;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show perspective views of a female module according to an embodiment of the invention, having respectively one, two or four recesses;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are external front views of the projections and recesses of the female (fig. 3A), male (fig. 3B) and female and male modules fitted together (fig. 3C);

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the male module of Figure IA and the female module of Figure 2A vis-à-vis, prior to their mechanical nesting;

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the male module of Figure IA and the female module of Figure 2A in the assembled position, after fitting;

Figure 6 shows a module according to an embodiment having a male part and a female part;

FIG. 7 proposes an example of a connected object, obtained by assembling several male and female modules, according to one embodiment.

5. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

The general principle of the invention is based on the design of waterproof electronic modules, capable of being electrically connected to each other by simple mechanical nesting, so as to form a modular electronic system, for example for producing a connected object. The waterproof electronic modules are in the form of elementary bricks which can have one or more male and / or female parts.

We now present, in relation to Figures IA, IB and IC, perspective views of a male module according to an embodiment of the invention, having respectively one (fig-IA), two (fig. IB) or four (fig. IC) protrusions.

The male module 101 in FIG. IA has a general shape of a rectangular brick 11, one of the faces of which has a projection 10, which has been shown in the form of a cylindrical barrel in FIG. The entire male module 101 is covered with a sealed envelope of insulating material, for example of thermoplastic polymer, which can be an ABS material (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Only the flat surface 12 of the upper end of the cylindrical barrel 10 is made of an electrically conductive material.

The assembly of the body of the cylindrical barrel 10 made of insulating material and the planar conductive surface 12 is carried out by means of a conventional method making it possible to seal the male module 101 against water and dust.

The male module 102 in FIG. 1B differs from the male module 101 in FIG. IA only in that it does not have one, but two, protrusions 10. Likewise, the male module 104 of FIG. IC has four projections 10. For the rest, the structural characteristics of the male modules 102 and 104 are identical to those of the male module 101.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show perspective views of a female module according to an embodiment of the invention, showing respectively one (fig. 2A), two (fig. 2B) or four (fig. 2C) indentations formed in a parallelepipedic brick 21. The external dimensions of the parallelepipedic bricks 21 of the female modules of FIGS. 2A to 2C are preferably identical, or at least compatible, with the external dimensions of the parallelepipedic bricks 11 of the male modules of FIGS. IC.

Thus, the female module 201 in FIG. 2A has a general shape of a rectangular brick 21, one of the faces of which has a recess 20, which has been shown in the form of a cylindrical barrel in FIG. 2A. The entire female module 201 is covered with a sealed envelope of insulating material, for example of thermoplastic polymer, which may be an ABS material (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Only the flat surface 22 of the lower end of the cylindrical barrel 20 is made of an electrically conductive material. The assembly of the body of the cylindrical barrel 20 made of insulating material and the planar conductive surface 22 is carried out by means of a conventional method making it possible to seal the female module 201 against water and dust.

The female module 202 of FIG. 2B differs from the female module 201 of FIG. 2A only in that it does not have one, but two, recesses or recesses 20. Likewise, the female module 204 of FIG. 2C presents he has four recesses 20. For the rest, the structural characteristics of the female modules 202 and 204 are identical to those of the female module 201.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C, which show an external front view of the projections 10 and recesses 20 of the male and female modules of FIGS. 1 and 2, the modules to be nested must have a particular shape at their connection points. At these connection points, one plays the role of male module, and the other of female module. The female module contains a hollow 20, and the male module a protuberance 10, of compatible and corresponding shapes, so that the male part 10 can be nested in the female part 20. For example, a protrusion 10 in the form of a cylinder, and a hole 20 in the form of a cylinder. FIG. 3B illustrates the projection 10 of the male module 101 of FIG. IA, in the form of a cylindrical barrel; FIG. 3A illustrates the recess 20 of the female module 201 of FIG. 2A, in the form of a cylindrical barrel, the dimensions of which are slightly greater than those of the cylindrical barrel 10 of the male module 101, so that, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the projection 10 of the male module 101 can penetrate into the recess 20 of the female module 201, for assembly and electrical connection of the two modules 101 and 201.

As a variant, the protrusions 10 and recesses 20 may have other shapes, provided that they are complementary, and allow easy mechanical nesting of the male and female modules, such as for example a shape of a parallelepiped or of a straight block.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the male module 101 of Figure IA and the female module 201 of Figure 2A vis-à-vis, prior to their mechanical nesting.

A cylindrical recess 20 is formed in the parallelepipedic brick 21 constituting the external structure of the female module 201 (upper part of FIG. 4). The flat surface 22, which constitutes the bottom of the recess 20, is a conductive surface, made of conductive material, for example copper. Inside the brick 21, an internal conductive element 23 is arranged opposite the external conductive surface 22. This internal conductive element 23 is movable in translation between an isolation position, illustrated in FIG. 4, and a connection position, illustrated in FIG. 5.

In the insulation position, the internal conductive element 23 is kept at a distance from the external conductive surface 22 by two helical springs 24i and 24 ₂ , made of insulating material, for example plastic, or covered with a resin, so as to electrically isolate the internal conductive element 23 and the external conductive surface 22.

The internal conductive element 23 comprises a first face 23i and a second face 23 ₂ . The first face 23i is oriented towards the inside of the brick 21, which is electrically connected, for example by cable 27, to an electronic component CE 25. Such an electronic component can for example be a WiFi® or Bluetooth® communication module . More generally, the cable 27 connects the internal conductive element 23 to the heart of the electronic system embedded in the female module 201. Thus, in the isolation position, the external conductive surface 22 is not connected to the heart of the electronic system embedded in the female module 201.

The parallelism between the first face 23i of the internal conductive element 23 and the external conductive surface 22 is provided by a guide 28, the walls 28i and 28 _{2 of which} guide the internal conductive element 23 in translation during its movement from its isolation position to its connection position, and vice versa.

The first face 23i of the internal conductive element 23, which points towards the inside of the brick 21, has a surface area substantially equal to that of the external conductive surface 22. On the other hand, the second face 23 ₂ of the conductive element internal 23 is not flat: it includes a thicker zone, for example in the form of a crown, within which is housed a strong magnet 26, for example a neodymium magnet. This magnet 26 is permanently attached to the internal conductive element 23, on the side pointing towards the external conductive surface 22. The surface of the thicker zone in the form of a crown is the only portion of the second face 23 ₂ which enters contact with the external conductive surface 22 when the internal conductive element 23 is in the connection position. Its area is less than that of the external conductive surface 22, so as to be able to arrange the two springs 24i and 24 ₂ around this thicker area. The extra thickness of this zone is sufficient so that the springs 24i and 24 ₂ can be completely crushed in the connection position illustrated in FIG. 5.

Figure 4 also illustrates the male module 101 of Figure IA, in its lower part. A cylindrical projection, or protrusion 10 is formed on the parallelepipedic brick 11 constituting the external structure of the male module 101. The planar surface 12, which constitutes the upper end of the projection 10, is also a conductive surface, made of conductive material , for example copper. Inside the brick 11, and more particularly of the projection 10, an internal conductive element 13 is arranged opposite the external conductive surface 12. This internal conductive element 13 is movable in translation between a position d isolation, illustrated in FIG. 4, and a connection position, illustrated in FIG. 5.

In the insulation position, the internal conductive element 13 is kept away from the external conductive surface 12 by two (or more) helical springs 14χ and 14 ₂ , made of insulating material, for example plastic, or covered with a resin, so as to electrically insulate the internal conductive element 13 and the external conductive surface 12.

The internal conductive element 13 comprises a first face 13χ and a second face 13 ₂ . The first face 13χ is oriented towards the inside of the brick 11, which is electrically connected, for example by cable 17 (or any other conventional electrical connection system not shown), to an electronic component CE 15. Such an electronic component can for example be a microprocessor or a sensor, temperature or smoke. More generally, the cable 17 connects the internal conductive element 13 to the heart of the electronic system embedded in the male module 101. Thus, in the isolation position, the external conductive surface 12 is not connected to the heart of the electronic system embedded in the male module 101.

The parallelism between the first face 13χ of the internal conductive element 13 and the external conductive surface 12 is provided by the internal walls 18 of the projection 10, which guide the internal conductive element 13 in translation during its displacement from its isolation position to its connection position, and vice versa.

The first face 13χ of the internal conductive element 13, which points towards the inside of the brick 11, has a surface area substantially equal to that of the external conductive surface 12. On the other hand, the second face 13 ₂ of the conductive element internal 13 is not planar: it comprises a thicker zone, for example in the form of a crown, within which is housed a powerful magnet 16, for example a neodymium magnet. This magnet 16 is permanently attached to the internal conductive element 13, on the side pointing towards the external conductive surface 12. The surface of the thicker zone in the form of a crown is the only portion of the second face 13 ₂ which enters contact with the external conductive surface 12 when the internal conductive element 13 is in the connection position. Its area is less than that of the external conductive surface 12, so as to be able to arrange the two springs 14 autour and 14 ₂ around this thicker area. The extra thickness of this zone is sufficient so that the springs 14χ and 14 ₂ can be completely crushed in the connection position illustrated in FIG. 5.

The arrows in FIG. 4 illustrate the movement of approach of the male module 101 and the female module 201, in order to achieve their nesting, or their mechanical nesting, illustrated in FIG. 5.

To do this, the projection 10 enters the recess 20, of complementary shape and dimension. The strong magnets 16 and 26 are then close to each other, and therefore attract each other. It will be noted that the magnets 16 and 26 can be two permanent magnets of the neodymium magnet type, or a permanent magnet and a ferromagnetic material.

The attraction exerted by the magnets 16 and 26, which are secured to the internal conductive elements 13 and 23, causes the latter to move in translation, from their isolation position illustrated in FIG. 4 to their connection position illustrated in FIG. 5 The springs 14χ, 14 ₂ , 24i and 24 ₂ are then crushed. In the female module 201, the second face 23 ₂ of the internal conductive element 23 comes into contact with the external conductive surface 22, which then becomes electrically connected to the heart of the electronic system embedded in the female module 201, and in particular to the electronic component CE 25. Similarly, in the male module 101, the second face 13 ₂ of the internal conductive element 13 comes into contact with the external conductive surface 12, which then becomes electrically connected to the heart of the electronic system embedded in the male module 101 , and in particular to the electronic component CE 15.

Furthermore, insofar as the projection 10 and the recess 20 have complementary dimensions, the nesting of the male module 101 and the female module 201 causes the external conductive surfaces 12 and 22 to come into contact.

The electrical connection is thus established between the heart of the electronic system on board the male module 101, and in particular the electronic component CE 15, and the heart of the electronic system on board in the female module 201, and in particular the electronic component CE 25.

Conversely, when the male module 101 and the female module 201 are disengaged, the electrical connection between the cores of the systems is quickly cut, thanks to the action of the springs, and the tightness of each of the two modules is maintained.

Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, it is possible to create modules including one or more electronic components, waterproof and dustproof, and which can be assembled in a modular fashion in a larger system, illustrated by example in FIG. 7. To do this, it is advantageous that each of the modules has a male part and a female part, as illustrated in FIG. 6, to offer more possibilities of assembling the modules together.

Thus, in the example of FIG. 6, a module 301 is in the form of a parallelepipedic brick 31 covered with a sealed envelope of insulating material. This brick 31 has a recess 20 and a projection 10, arranged for example on two opposite faces of the brick 31. As described above in relation to Figures 4 and 5, the ends of the projection 10 and the recess 20 have a conductive surface external plane 12, 22. The internal mechanics is similar to that described above in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, so that an internal conductive element 13, 23, movable in translation between a connection position and an isolation position , is arranged opposite the external conductive surface 12, 22, to insulate or connect each of these surfaces with the heart of the electronic system embedded in the module 301 (not illustrated for the sake of simplification) .

Such a structure of the modules, similar to that of Lego® building bricks, makes it possible to produce systems such as that of FIG. 7. The direct electrical connectivity between these modules, thanks to this principle of mechanical nesting, makes it possible in particular to s free from the establishment of wireless communication between bricks: this thus advantageously eliminates the associated electrical consumption.

In the example of FIG. 7, the modular system 700 is composed by assembling four modules referenced 301i to 301 ₄ . Each of these modules 301i to 301 ₄ is identical: it has four projections 10, and four recesses (not visible in the perspective view of Figure 7). The protrusions of the module 301 ₂ overlap in the recesses of the module 301i. The protrusions of module 301 ₃ overlap in the recesses of module 301 ₂ . The protrusions of module 301 ₄ overlap in the recesses of module 301 ₃ . The electrical connection between the electronic system cores of the four modules 301i to 301 ₄ is then ensured.

Such a modular system 700 forms, for example, a connected object, the initial and main functionality of which, for example, is provided by the modules referenced 301i and 301 ₂ can be enhanced by fitting new modules referenced 301 ₃ and 301 ₄ .

One could for example provide that:

the module referenced 301 _{4 has} a battery on board;

the module referenced 301 _{3 has} a humidity sensor;

the module referenced 301 _{2 has} a processor of the CPU type (in English “Central Processing Unit”, or central processing unit);

the module referenced 301i has a communication module for sending messages, for example of the SMS type, to communicate the humidity level measured by the sensor to a user.

In this example, the brick 301 ₄ of the battery provides electrical power to the modules 301i to 301 ₃ . To do this, two male studs and two female studs from each of the four modules are dedicated to this supply. Each module uses two female studs to supply current, and supplies electricity to the other modules by its two corresponding male studs.

Similarly, two male and two female pads of each of the modules are connected in series and dedicated to the transmission of data between bricks: the data measured by the sensor module 301 ₃ are transmitted to the processor module 301 ₂ which, after processing, the transmits for sending to the communication module 301i.

Such a modular system has many advantages, among which we can cite: a guarantee of the watertightness of each of the modules, whether taken independently or nested one inside the other;

low energy consumption to ensure communication between electronic components, thanks to a direct electrical connection;

ease of connection and disconnection of the modules, their only mechanical nesting sufficient to ensure their electrical connection;

a small footprint required for the electrical connection system (no need for external cables for connection between modules, no need for a protective cap, protection being provided by the waterproof casing of the modules, etc.);

a small footprint of the modular system, the modules can be made in the form of small bricks, the dimensions of which are of the order of a centimeter.

Claims (12)

1. Male module (101, 102, 104) containing at least one electronic component (15) and covered with a sealed envelope of insulating material, said male module comprising at least one projection (10) whose end has a conductive surface external (12) locally forming the wall of said sealed envelope, said male module also comprising, facing said external conductive surface, at least one internal conductive surface (13) movable between a so-called isolation position, in which said at least one internal conductive surface is kept at a distance and electrically isolated from said external conductive surface by at least one return device (14i, 14 ₂ ), and a so-called connection position, in which said at least one internal conductive surface is in contact with said external conductive surface under the action of a magnetic field applied to a magnet (16) secured to said at least one internal conductive surface, said on internal conductive face being electrically connected to said at least one electronic component. 2. female module (201, 202, 204) containing at least one electronic component (25) and covered with a sealed envelope of insulating material, said female module comprising at least one recess (20) the end of which has a conductive surface external (22) locally forming the wall of said sealed envelope, said female module also comprising, facing said external conductive surface, at least one internal conductive surface (23) movable between a so-called isolation position, in which said at least one internal conductive surface is kept at a distance and electrically isolated from said external conductive surface by at least one return device (24 _{1 (} 24 ₂ ), and a so-called connection position, in which said at least one internal conductive surface is in contact with said external conductive surface under the action of a magnetic field applied to a magnet (26) secured to said at least one internal conductive surface, said internal conductive surface being electrically connected to said at least one electronic component. 3. Male or female module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said projection (10) or said recess (20) is of cylindrical shape. 4. Male or female module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said magnet (16; 26) is a neodymium magnet. 5. Male or female module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one return device (14 _{1 (} 14 ₂ ; 24 _{1 (} 24 ₂ )) is a spring formed in, or covered, of a non-conductive material. 6. Male or female module according to claim 5, characterized in that said internal conductive surface (13; 23) has a first face (13i; 23J oriented towards the inside of said module, with an area substantially equal to that of said conductive surface external, and a second face (13 ₂ ; 23 ₂ ) oriented towards said external conductive surface, having at least one area in excess thickness within which said magnet (16; 26) is placed, with an area smaller than that of said conductive surface external, and in that it comprises two springs (14χ, 14 ₂ ; 24 _{1 (} 24 ₂ ), arranged on either side of said zone in excess thickness, and extending from said second face towards said conductive surface external. 7. Male or female module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one electronic component (15; 25) belongs to the group comprising: a microprocessor; an integrated circuit; a battery ; a captor; an emitter : a receiver. 8. Male or female module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said module comprises at least two projections (10) or at least two recesses (20). 9. Male or female module according to claim 8, characterized in that said module comprises four projections (10) or recesses (20). 10. Male module according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 9, characterized in that it also comprises: at least one recess (20) the end of which has an external conductive surface (22) locally forming the wall of said sealed envelope, called the female external conductive surface; facing said female external conductive surface (22), at least one internal conductive surface (23), called female internal conductive surface, movable between a so-called isolation position, in which said at least one internal conductive surface female is kept at a distance and electrically isolated from said female external conductive surface by at least one return device (24i, 24 ₂ ), and a so-called connection position, in which said at least one female internal conductive surface is in contact with said female external conductive surface under the action of a magnetic field applied to a magnet (26) secured to said at least one female internal conductive surface, said female internal conductive surface being electrically connected to said at least one electronic component. 5 11. Modular system (700) comprising at least one male module according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 10 and at least one female module according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein said at least one male module and said at least one female module are nested, said projection of said male module penetrating said recess of said female module, said external conductive surface of said male module being in contact with said external conductive surface of said female module, so as to ensure an electrical connection between said at least one electrical component of said male module and said at least one electrical component of said female module. 12. Modular system (700) according to claim 11, comprising a plurality of male and female modules nested, so as to form a communicating object.