FR3140408A1 - Locking system for screw fixing and connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking system for screw fixing of a connector with a counterpart connector, comprising a connector (200), at least one screw (100a, 100b) screwable in a screwing direction (s) to secure the connector (200) with a mating connector (300), and a locking device (1) arranged at the connector (200) so as to be movable in a locking direction (v) between a locked position, in which the attachment per screw is locked, and an unlocked position, the locking direction (v) corresponding to the screwing direction (s) according to which the screw (100a, 100b) is screwable. The invention further relates to a locking device (1) for the locking system, a connector assembly comprising the locking system, and a method for locking a screw fastener. Figure for abstract: Fig. 2B

Description

Locking system for screw fixing and connector assembly Field of the invention

The invention relates to a locking system for screw fixing a connector with a mating connector, as well as a locking device for the locking system and a connector assembly comprising the locking system. The invention also relates to a method of locking a screw fixing.

Technological background of the invention

It is known in the art to provide screw fixings to fix two connecting parts together. Typically, one connection part includes a nut, and the other connection part includes a bore. By screwing a screw through the bore in the nut, a screw fixation of the two parts is achieved. Devices for securing the screwing of the screw have been proposed, such as for example thread-locking adhesives, washers or ribbed or notched screw heads.

It is also known in the art to provide connector position assurance (CPA) devices aimed at ensuring the connection between two connectors, for example electrical or hydraulic connectors. These devices are typically arranged at the connectors so as to be movable, once the connectors are correctly matched, from an unlocked position to a connection locking position. In the locked position, the pairing of the connectors benefits from an additional degree of security. However, connector position assurance devices are typically not suitable for coupling of connectors comprising screw fixing.

Object of the invention

Taking into account the above, the present invention aims to provide a connector position assurance solution for screw fixing of a connector with a counterpart connector.

Brief description of the invention

In this regard, the invention relates to a locking system for screw fixing of a connector with a mating connector, comprising a connector, at least one screw screwable in a screwing direction to fix the connector with the mating connector, and a locking device. The locking device is arranged at the connector so as to be movable in a locking direction between a locked position, in which the screw fixing is locked, and an unlocked position, the locking direction corresponding to the screwing direction according to which the screw is screwable.

The locking system according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a connector position assurance (CPA) device to ensure assembly of a connector with a counterpart connector comprising screw fixing. By arranging the locking direction of the locking device such that it corresponds to the screwing direction of the screw, that is to say parallel to the screwing direction of the screw, the locking device can advantageously be brought in position when moving the locking device from the locked or unlocked position. In particular, by arranging the locking direction of the locking device such that it corresponds to the screwing direction of the screw, the locking device can advantageously be brought into interaction with the screw depending on the screwing state of the screw.

According to one aspect of the invention, the screw can be an electrically conductive screw, the connector being an electrical connector, in particular for bus bar, the connector being configured to be electrically matched with the counterpart connector in a pairing direction , and the screw fixing being an electrical screw connection, in particular an electrical connection intended for a voltage of at least 200V. A locking system according to this aspect of the invention can be specially adapted for locking electrical connections by high voltage screws, such as implemented for example at charging sockets or battery terminals of electric vehicles or hybrids. Such electrical connections are particularly exposed to hostile environments, for example including strong vibrations and high temperatures, and then benefit from an eminently higher degree of security.

According to one aspect of the invention, the matching direction can correspond to the screwing direction. By arranging the locking direction of the locking device and the screwing direction of the screw to match the matching direction of the connectors, that is, parallel, the assembly, screwing and locking of the connectors can be manually operated quickly and simply.

According to one aspect of the invention, the locking device may comprise a main body, the main body comprising at least one internal wall defining a cavity, the cavity comprising a receiving opening configured to receive a head of the screw, and the wall internal comprising at least one projection protruding into the cavity at a predetermined distance from the receiving opening, in particular the projection being configured as a stop for the head of the screw received.

The projection protruding into the cavity can enter into mechanical interaction with a screw received by the receiving opening. In particular, the screw can serve as a stop for the head of the screw both in the unlocked position of the locking device, for example before screwing the screw, and in the locked position of the locking device, for example after screwing of the screw. The predetermined distance from the receiving opening can correspond to a screwing distance of the screw and thus make it possible to verify complete screwing of the screw when moving the locking device from the locked position to the locked position.

According to one aspect of the invention, in the locked position of the locking device, the projection blocks movement of the screw in the direction opposite to the direction of screwing. Thus, in the locked position, the projection can prevent unintentional unscrewing of the screw.

According to one aspect of the invention, the screw can be received in the receiving opening of the cavity, and the received screw is held by a friction connection between the screw and the internal wall at the level of the head of the screw. This can make it possible to assemble the locking device with the screw(s) independently, before and apart from assembling the connector, making the assembly of the entire system, especially the arrangement of the locking device and the screw at the connector level faster and simpler.

According to one aspect of the invention, the connector may comprise a mounting portion, the locking device comprising a rim folded outwardly onto the main body along the locking direction, the rim being configured to engage the mounting portion and to arrange the locking device at the connector. In accordance with this aspect, the arrangement of the locking device at the connector is facilitated, in particular without cluttering the interior elements of the device, for example a cavity as described above.

According to one aspect of the invention, the mounting portion encases a receptacle for receiving the locking device, and the rim is configured to engage the mounting portion when the locking device is inserted into the receptacle. The arrangement of the locking device at the connector is thus more ergonomic.

According to one aspect of the invention, the locking device may comprise a seal housed in the pocket formed between the exterior of the main body and the folded edge. Thus the tightness of the movable arrangement of the locking device at the connector is guaranteed, which can reduce the risk of pollution, corrosion, and short-circuiting in the connector.

According to one aspect of the invention, the rim may comprise a hook, and the mounting part comprises two notches configured to accommodate the hook, one of the at least two notches corresponding to the locked position of the device, and the other of at least two notches corresponding to the unlocked position of the device. According to this aspect, a stable arrangement of the locking device at the connector is obtained in each of the two positions, the locked position and the unlocked position, thanks to a complementary shape of the hook and the notches. Even in the unlocked position, the locking device 1 is retained at the connector 200, and therefore the locking device 1 does not risk being lost.

According to one aspect of the invention, the notch corresponding to the locked position is deeper than the notch corresponding to the unlocked position. Thus, the locking stability of the screw fixation can be increased.

According to one aspect of the invention, the screw may comprise a cover at the level of the head of the screw, in particular an electrically insulating cover, the cover being configured to hold the screw in the cavity by a friction connection between the cover and the internal wall, in particular an electrically insulating friction connection. The cover can then improve the connection by friction of the screw with the device and in particular create electrical insulation with respect to a threaded part of the screw.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cover may comprise a sealing means to make the connection by friction between the cover and the internal wall watertight. This can improve the sealing of the locking system and thus reduce the risk of corrosion and short-circuiting.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity may comprise a second opening opposite the receiving opening, the cavity passing through the main body from the receiving opening to the second opening along the locking direction, in particular the cavity being configured to allow screwdriving tools to screw or unscrew the screw. The cavity passing through the main body allows visual access to the heads of the screw received in the cavity, which facilitates verification of the angular orientation and screwing level of the screw, as well as the installation of the cover. Furthermore, the through cavity can allow simple and rapid screwing of the screw(s) by passing a screwing tool transversely through the cavity to the head of the screw.

The invention also relates to a locking device for a system according to one of the above aspects, the locking device being arrangeable at a connector of the system so as to be movable in a locking direction between a locked position , in which the screw fixing is locked, and an unlocked position, and characterized in that the locking direction corresponds to the screwing direction according to which at least one screw of the screw fixing is screwable. This locking device makes it possible to obtain the advantages of systems as described above.

The invention further relates to an assembly of connectors, comprising a locking system according to one of the aspects described above, and a mating connector, the mating connector comprising at least one nut for the screw, the connector and the connector counterpart being matched so that, in the unlocked position of the locking device, the screw is screwable into, and/or unscrewable from the nut, so that in the locked position of the locking device, the locking device locking blocks unscrewing of the screw, and so that the device can only be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position when the screw is screwed in, in particular up to a stop of the connector.

This assembly implements the advantages of the system and the device of the aspects of the invention described in the preceding.

1. Fourniture du système de verrouillage selon l’un des aspects décrits ci-dessus, en arrangeant la vis dans le dispositif de verrouillage de manière à ce que la vis soit maintenue dans une cavité du dispositif de verrouillage,
2. Appariement du connecteur du système avec le connecteur homologue, de manière à placer la vis en interface avec un écrou du connecteur homologue,
3. Vissage de la vis dans l’écrou, en particulier jusqu’à une butée du connecteur.
4. Déplacement du dispositif de la position déverrouillée à la position verrouillée.

Another object of the invention relates to a method of locking a screw fixing of a connector with a mating connector, the mating connector comprising at least one nut for screw of the screw fixing, the method comprising the steps of

1. Providing the locking system according to one of the aspects described above, by arranging the screw in the locking device such that the screw is held in a cavity of the locking device,
2. Matching the system connector with the mating connector, so as to place the screw in interface with a nut of the mating connector,
3. Screw the screw into the nut, especially as far as the connector stops.
4. Moving the device from the unlocked position to the locked position.

This method makes it possible to implement a system and/or a locking device according to the invention to obtain a connector position assurance solution for screw fixing of a connector with a counterpart connector. In addition, this process makes it possible to eliminate a step of checking the tightening of screws from an assembly line. Indeed, thanks to the inventive process, it is enough to move the locking device to confirm complete screwing, that is to say up to a stop, of the screw(s), at the connector. Due to incomplete screw tightening, the locking device cannot be moved to the locked position, alerting an installer immediately to a screw tightening deficiency.

The technical characteristics described can be freely combined one by one or adapted to particular embodiments, as long as the spirit of the invention as described above is respected.

The objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention as set out above will be more exhaustively understood and appreciated by studying the following more detailed description concerning the invention, as well as the accompanying drawings.

There illustrates a locking system according to one embodiment of the invention, and a mating connector, in an unpaired state.

There illustrates the locking device of the locking system of the in perspective.

There illustrates the locking system of the in section.

There illustrates the locking system of the in a first locking state

There illustrates the locking system of the in a second locking state

There illustrates the locking system of the in a third locking state.

There illustrates the locking system of the in a fourth locking state.

In the following, reference signs to identical figures are used to designate elements of the same nature.

For reasons of readability of the figures, the elements illustrated are not necessarily represented to scale, neither relatively to each other, nor in their relative Cartesian dimensions.

Detailed description of the drawings

There illustrates a locking system 1000 according to one embodiment of the invention, as well as a matching connector 300. corresponds to a perspective view of the locking system 1000 and the mating connector 300 in a close but unpaired state.

The locking system 1000 comprises a locking device 1, a connector 200, as well as two screws for screw fixing of the connector 200 and the mating connector 300. The two screws are not visible on the but are represented and described below.

The connector 200 comprises an outer housing 201. The outer housing 201 comprises a matching part 203 configured to be matched with the counterpart connector 300 in a matching direction D_a parallel to the x direction of a Cartesian coordinate system. The outer casing 201 also includes a mounting part 205 configured for the arrangement of the locking device 1.

Two metal bus bars 207a, 207b covered with insulating material 208a, 208b are received in a superimposed arrangement in a rear part 209 of the outer housing 201. A cover 211 closes the rear part 209 of the connector 200 receiving the bus bars 207a, 207b.

The locking device 1 comprises a main body 3, in particular molded in one piece of plastic by injection. The main body 3 comprises an internal wall 5 defining a cavity 7. In addition, the main body comprises two edges 13a, 13b folded down externally to the cavity 7 on the main body 3.

The edges 13a, 13b are arranged on either side of the main body 3, on opposite sides of the main body 3 in a direction y orthogonal to the direction x. The rim 13a comprises two arms 15a, 15b extending from a screwing edge 17 of the main body 3 in the matching direction D_a and connected at their distal end by a transverse bar 19a. The rim 13b partially obstructed by the main body 3 on the is visible on the and has a structure equivalent to rim 13a.

The locking device 1 further comprises a seal 21 arranged circumferentially around the main body 3. The seal 21 is arranged on the main body 3 so as to be housed in the pockets 22a, 22b formed by the edges 13a, 13b folded down on the main body 3. In this embodiment, the seal 21 is a radial seal with multiple lips made of flexible material, for example silicone. In an alternative embodiment, the seal may be a compression seal made of flexible material, for example silicone.

The pockets 22a, 22b also receive the mounting part 205 of the connector 200 when the locking device 1 is arranged at the connector 200. The also shows that the mounting part 205 has a ramp element 225a which separates two notches 223a2. These elements of the assembly part will be described in more detail below.

In view of the , the device 1 is arranged at the connector 200 in an unlocked position. The locking device is configured to be moved in a locking direction D_v into a locked position. The locking direction D_v corresponds to, i.e. is parallel to, the pairing direction D_a.

The interior structure, technical operation, and arrangements of the locking device 1 at the connector 200 will be detailed in more detail below.

The mating connector 300 comprises two connection terminals 301a, 301b, each provided with a metal nut 303a, 303b. The connection terminals 301a, 301b are surrounded by a double-walled support structure 305 defining an interstitial space 307. The interstitial space 307 is configured to receive the mating part 203 of the connector 200 when mating with the connector 200.

In the embodiment described, the connector 200 is a mobile side electrical connector for two bus bars, and the counterpart connector 300 is a fixed, or immobile, connector of a charging socket of an electric motor vehicle. Thus, an electrical connection between the connector 200 and the counterpart connector 300 is suitable for voltages above 100V, in particular above 200V, for example up to 500V.

In an alternative to this embodiment, the mating connector 300 can be mobile and the connector 200 can be stationary. Alternatively, the connector 200 may be a connector for wire cables, for example provided with lug terminations. Alternatively, connector 300 may be a battery terminal connector.

In different embodiments of the invention, instead of using electrical connectors such as connectors 200 and 300 relating to an electric vehicle, other types of connectors such as hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical connectors may be used. The invention described in the generic part and in the following is applicable correspondingly to any type of connectors fixed together by screw fixing.

There illustrates a perspective view of the device 1 of the locking system 1000 described with reference to the , in which two screws 100a, 100b are arranged. The screws 100a, 100b are electrically conductive screws in order to be suitable for fixing the electrical connection between the connector 200 and the counterpart connector 300.

There shows that the main body 3 comprises a lower part 23 aimed in the pairing direction D_a and an upper part 25 aimed in the direction opposite to the pairing direction D_a. The lower part 23 includes two compartments 27a, 27b. In each of the compartments 27a, 27b, a screw 100a, 100b is respectively arranged. In particular, each of the screws 100a, 100b comprises a screw head 101a, 101b not visible on the , but visible on the , the screw heads 101a, 101b being received in the respective compartments 27a, 27b.

Furthermore, each screw 100a, 100b comprises a threaded part 103a, 103b, which extends from the screw heads 101a, 101b arranged in the device in the pairing direction D_a, beyond the main body 3. Thus, the direction screwing D_s of the screws is corresponding, or parallel, to the matching direction D_a.

There illustrates as already described with reference to the that the main body 3 has an internal wall 5 defining a cavity 7. Furthermore, the main body 3 presents at the upper part 23 the screwing edge 17, from which the arms 15a, 15b of the edges 13a, 13b extend folded down on the main body 3. The edges 13a, 13b are adapted for easy handling, in particular for easy elastic deflection at the level of the respective transverse bars 19a, 19b in the direction y orthogonal to the pairing direction D_a. To increase the ease of elastic deflection, the space between the arms 15a, 15b connected by the bar 19a can be enlarged to reduce the material resistance. Additionally, the crossbar 19a may be provided with one or more exterior protrusions to facilitate gripping the edges 13a, 13b.

The upper part 25 of the main body 3 further comprises a central partition 29, separating the cavity 7 into two cavity parts 7a, 7b at the level of the upper part 25. In particular, the central partition 29 is arranged at the level corresponding to the limit between the two compartments 27a, 27b of the lower part 23 of the main body 3. The locking device 1 being essentially hollow, the central partition 29 makes it possible in particular to increase the robustness and the resistance to deformation of said device 1.

It should be noted that the locking system 1000 and the locking device 1 corresponding to embodiments of the invention with two screws, in particular the screws 100a, 100b, here arranged in the respective compartments 25a, 25b to fix terminals bus bars 207a, 207b to the respective connection terminals 301a, 301b. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the locking system and/or the locking device may comprise only one, or a plurality, of screws, for example three or four.

The locking device 1 corresponds to one embodiment of one aspect of the invention.

There illustrates the locking system 1000 of the in an unlocked position of the locking device 1. The is a section view along a section centered on the locking device 1 in a plane parallel to the xy plane.

Thus, the illustrates the interior of the connector 200 and the locking device 1. Thus, it is illustrated that the cover 211 closing the rear part 209 of the housing 201 comprises a seal 213 specific to the geometry and the path of the bus bars 207a, 207b, to make the closure of the backlog part 209 receiving the bus bars 207a, 207b watertight. Correspondingly, the mating part 203 comprises a mating seal 215 with multiple lips to seal the mating with the mating connector 300.

Inside the outer housing 201 of the connector 200, a sock 217 molded from insulating material guides and stabilizes the bus bars 207a, 207b. Each bus bar 207a, 207b covered with insulating material 208a, 208b ends in a respective terminal 219a, 219b freed from insulating material. The path from bus bar 207a to terminal 219a is hidden on the and separated from the path of the bus bar 207b to the terminal 219b by a guide partition 218. The guide partition 218 is internally molded in the sock 217 and partitions the bus bars 207a, 207 in an electrically insulating manner.

Each terminal 219a, 219b is equipped, for example by welding or riveting, with a tip 221a, 221b. Each end piece 221a, 221b respectively comprises a bore 222a, 222b, through which the respective screw 100a, 100b, in particular the threaded part 103a, 103b of the screw 100a, 100b, is passed.

In this embodiment, the tips 221a, 221b are cylindrical electrically conductive tips, suitable for powering above 100V, in particular above 200V, for example up to 500V. For better resistance to effects linked to electrical heating, the end pieces 221a, 221b are preferably made of copper with a surface treatment, for example silver plating. In other embodiments, the end pieces can be made of other materials suitable for the application of the locking system, and can have another shape, for example hexagonal or parallelelipiped, in particular in accordance with the shape of the terminals. connection 301a, 301b of the mating connector 300. The mounting part 205 of the housing 201 extends in the direction opposite to the pairing direction D_a, and comprises, externally, two notched pairs, 223a1, 223a2, and 223b1, 223b2. The pair of notches 223b1, 223b2 are arranged on the mounting part 205 on the side of the connector 200 oriented towards the rear part 209 of the box 201. The pair of notches 223a1, 223a2 are arranged on the mounting part 205 symmetrically opposite the pair of notches 223b1, 223b2.

The notches 223a1, 223a2, and 223b1, 223b2 are configured to receive and accommodate in complementary shape a hook 31a, 31b, described later, of the locking device 1. Each pair of notches 223a1, 223a2, and 223b1, 223b2 comprises a first notch 223a1, 223b1 corresponding to the unlocked position of the locking device 1, shown on the and 2A. Each pair of notches 223a1, 223a2, and 223b1, 223b2 comprises a second notch 223a2, 223b2 corresponding to the locked position of the device 1. In each pair of notches 223a1, 223a2, and 223b1, 223b2, the second notch 223a2, 223b2 is offset by a distance D1 relative to the first notch 223a1, 223a2 in a locking direction D_v. The distance D1 corresponds to a distance of 50% to 75% of the maximum extent of the mounting part 205 according to the locking direction D_v.

Furthermore, in each pair of notches 223a1, 223a2, and 223b1, 223b2, the second notch 223a2, 223b2 is deeper than the first notch 223a1, 223b1, in order to increase the stability of the locked position and reduce the risks of involuntary movement of the device 1. In addition, this increases the retention force of the screws 100a, 100b, as explained below.

Between the first notch 223a1, 223b1 and the second notch 223a2, 223b2 of each pair of notches 223a1, 223a2, and 223b1, 223b2, the mounting part 205 comprises a respective ramp element 225a, 225b. The ramp member 225a, 225b is arranged along the distance D1 along the locking direction D_v so as to expand the circumference of the mounting part in the locking direction D_v. The ramp element 225a, 225b makes it possible to increase the resistance to movement of the device 1 in the locking direction D_v in general.

It will be understood with regard to Figures 3A to 3D, and the in particular, that the ramp element, above all and in addition, makes it possible to avoid stationary housing of the device 1 in an intermediate position between the locked position and the unlocked position, that is to say to avoid housing of the hook 31a, 31b at an intermediate location between the first 223a1, 223b1 and the second notch 223a2, 223b2. Thanks to the ramp element 225a, 225b, the locking device 1 is returned to the unlocked position if the hook 31a, 31b has not passed beyond the ramp element 225a, 225b.

The mounting part 205 defines a receptacle 227 for receiving the main body 3 of the locking device 1 in the locking direction D_v. Thus, the receptacle 227 has a shape in the y-z plane corresponding to the shape of the main body 3, widened slightly to facilitate a first insertion step, in particular widened between 1% and 10%. Furthermore, in order to guide the main body 3 in a second insertion step, a circumferential protrusion 229 of a length D2 in the receptacle 227 tightens the shape of the receptacle 227 in the y-z plane to that of the main body 3. The length D2 corresponds to a distance between 1% and 10% of the maximum extent of the receptacle in the direction y orthogonal to the locking direction D_v.

The interior circumferential protrusion 229 thus creates a space in the receptacle 227 to receive the seal 21 of the locking device 1 when said device 1 is moved to the locked position. Thus, in the locked position of the locking device 1, the seal 21 is tightly housed in the receptacle 227, between the mounting part 225 and the main body 3.

There further illustrates the interior of the locking device 1, in particular the cavity 7 defined by the interior wall 5. The cavity 7 is divided, at the level of the upper part 25 of the body 3, into two parts 7a, 7b by the partition 29. At the lower part 23 of the main body 3, said body 3 is separated into two compartments 27a, 27b separated by an intercompartmental space 33. Each compartment 27a, 27b comprises a receiving opening 9a, 9b, aimed at the cavity 7 in the pairing direction D_a. A second opening 10 opens the cavity 7, on the opposite side of the openings 9a, 9b aimed in the pairing direction D_a. Thus, the cavity 7 passes through the main body 3 from one end to the other along the locking direction D_v, from the second opening 10 to the receiving openings 9a, 9b. Thus, a tool, for example a suitable screwing tool, can pass through the main body 3 to access the screws 100a, 100b.

As indicated in the above, the edges 13a, 13b respectively comprise a hook 31a, 31b. The hooks 31a, 31b are arranged at the level of the crossbar 19a, 19b of the edges 13a, 13b and extend, in a direction y orthogonal to the locking direction D_v, towards the inside, that is to say towards the main body 3.

An interior edge 33 projects into the cavity 7 from the internal wall 5, at the level of the limit between the lower part 23 and the upper part 25 of the body. The inner edge 33 is arranged circumferentially in a y-z plane orthogonal to the direction x parallel to the pairing direction D_a.

In each compartment 27a, 27b, a projection 11a, 11b projects into the cavity 7 from the internal wall 5. The projections 11a, 11b project into the cavity 7 at a distance D3 from the respective reception openings 9a, 9b of the compartments 27a, 27b according to the screwing direction D_s. The distance D3 corresponds to a distance of 10% to 40%, in particular 20% to 30%, of the maximum extent of the locking device 1 according to the locking direction D_v.

The projections 11a, 11b act as stops for the screws 100a, 100b received in the compartments 27a, 27b through the openings 9a, 9b, in particular for the heads 101a, 101b of the screws 100a, 100b. Thus, the projections 11a, 11b block movement of the screw in the direction opposite to the screwing direction D_s and to the locking direction D_v beyond the projections 11a, 11b.

Each screw 100a, 100b includes a cover 105a, 105b. The covers 105a, 105b include an interior part overmolded on the screw head 107a, 107b, and an exterior laminated part 109a, 109b enveloping the overmolded interior part 107a, 107b. The overmolded interior part 107a, 107b establishes electrical insulation of the screws 100a, 100b, which are metallic and electrically conductive. The overmolded interior part 107a, 107b molds the shape of the head 101a, 101b, so as to produce shaped elements capable of allowing screwing tools passed into the respective cavity 7a, 7b to screw in the screws 100a, 100b.

The screws 100a, 100b are held in the compartments 27a, 27b thanks to the laminated exterior parts 109a, 109b which establish a tight friction connection between the heads 101a, 101b of the screws 100a, 100b and the parts of the internal wall 5 defining the parts cavity 7a, 7b defined by the compartments 27a, 27b. Thus, the locking device 1 and the screws 100a, 100b can be assembled independently and upstream of the assembly of the connector 200. In particular, the locking device 1 assembled with the screws 100a, 100b can be arranged at the connector 200 subsequent to a first matching step between the connector 200 and counterpart connector 300.

A locking method according to one embodiment of the invention will subsequently be described with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. Figures 3A to 3D illustrate the locking system 1000 assembled with the mating connector, in four different locking states of the screw fixing. The assembly of the system 1000 and the counterpart connector 300, illustrated in Figures 3A to 3D and described below, corresponds to an assembly of connectors according to one aspect of the invention.

In a first step A of the locking process, prior to the state of the , the locking system 1000 is provided and arranged as illustrated in the . The screws 100a, 100b are introduced and received in the openings 9a, 9b of the cavity 7 and are held in the compartments 27a, 27b of the main body 3. In particular, the screws 100a, 100b are held by friction in the locking device 1 thanks to the laminated exterior parts 109a, 109b of the covers 105a, 105b of the screws 100a, 100b.

In a second step B of the locking process, the connector 200 of the locking system 1000 is paired with the counterpart connector 300 so as to place the screws 100a, 100b in interface with the nuts 303a, 303b of the counterpart connector 300. In particular, the matching part 203 of the housing 201 of the connector 200 engages with the support structure 305 of the mating connector 300 to pair the connectors 200, 300. For example, in this embodiment, the matching part 203 of the housing 201 also includes a double wall and an interstitial space 231 of the double wall. Thus the matching seal 215 is sealed when the connectors 200, 300 are matched.

There illustrates the locking system 1000 following step B of the locking process. The locking system 1000 is then in a first locking state with the mating connector 300. In this state, the connector 200 and the connector 300 are matched, but the screws 100a, 100b are not screwed, i.e. i.e. screw fixing of the pairing of connectors 200, 300 is not implemented.

Thus, electrical contact between the end pieces 223a, 233b and the terminals 301a, 301b, as well as between the threaded parts 103a, 103b of the screws 100a, 100b, and the nuts 303a, 303b, is not secure. The mechanical contact between the electrical contact surfaces 224a, 224b and 302a, 302b respectively of the end pieces 223a, 233b and the terminals 301a, 301b is not subject to sufficient mechanical force. The electrical contact resistance is then high.

In this state illustrated on , the locking device 1 is in the unlocked position and the hooks 31a, 31b of the edges 13a, 13b are housed in the first notches 223a1, 223b1. The locking device 1 cannot be moved in the locking direction D_v, because a movement of the locking device 1 is transmitted to the screws 100a, 100b through the projections 11a, 11b. The unscrewed screws 100a, 100b are blocked at the level of the nuts 303a, 303b, to the extent that the nuts cannot accommodate a purely translational movement.

In a third step C of the locking process, the screws 100a, 100b are screwed into the respective nuts 303a, 303b of the mating connector 300. To this end, a screwing tool can be passed into the cavity 7 through the main body 3 , and the screws 100a, 100b can be screwed in a screwing direction D_s corresponding to, that is to say parallel to, the locking direction D_v

There illustrates the locking system 1000 in a second locking state, during the third step of the locking method, in which a screw 100b is screwed, and another screw 100a is not yet screwed. The threaded part 103b of the screw 100b is screwed into the nut 303b up to a stop 233b of the head 101b of the screw 100b at the level of the end piece 221b. The other screw 100a is not yet screwed, and therefore blocks at the level of the projection 11a the movement of the locking device 1 in the locking direction D_v, as already in the . The locking device 1 is then still in the unlocked position.

Thanks to the intercompartmental space 33 between the compartments 27a, 27b, a degree of elasticity of the compartments 27a, 27b at least in the y-z plane orthogonal to the screwing direction D_s parallel to the x direction is obtained. This makes it easier to manually center the screws 100a, 100b on the nuts 303a, 303b with screwing tools.

There illustrates the locking system 1000 in a third locking state. The third locking state is a fictitious state described for purposes of illustration of the invention. In this example, the screw 100b is correctly screwed up to the stop 233b, as already described in relation to the . The other screw 100a is partially screwed. That is to say, the threaded part 103a engages with the nut 303a, but the screw 100a is not screwed in the screwing direction D_s until the head 101a engages the stop 233a of the tip 221a.

The locking device 1 is moved in the locking direction D_v parallel to the screwing direction D_s. The eighth notes 31a, 31b are dislodged from the first notches 223a1, 223b1 and moved along the ramp elements 225a, 225b. The screw 100a being only partially screwed, the screw head 101a blocks at the level of the projection 11a the progression in the locking direction D_v of the locking device 1. Thus, the hooks 31a, 31b cannot be accommodated in the notches 223a2, 223b2. The locking device 1 is then returned to the unlocked position by elastic force from the action of the ramp elements 225a, 225b on the edges 13a, 13b.

Thus, the locking device 1 can only be moved to the locked position when the screws 100a, 100b are completely screwed in, so that any blockage at the projections 11a, 11b is removed. A locking device 1 in the locked position therefore ensures the position, that is to say the complete screwing up to a determined stop, of the screws 100a, 100b.

Following step C of the locking process, the screws 100a, 100b are screwed into the respective nuts 303a, 303b of the mating connector 300.

In a fourth step D of the locking method, the locking device 1 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.

There illustrates the locking system 1000 in a fourth locking state, following step D of the locking method. The screws 100a, 100b are screwed in until the designated stops 233a, 233b. The locking device 1 is then no longer blocked in the locking direction D_v by the action of the projections 11a, 11b on the heads 101a, 101b of screws 100a, 100b.

In the locked position shown in , the projections 11a, 11b block unscrewing of the screws 100a, 100b, particularly in the direction opposite to the screwing direction D_s. Thanks to the complementary shape of the hooks 31a, 31b in the deepened notches 223a2, 223b2, the locked position is robust and resistant to accidental shocks or high amplitude vibrations. To unpair the locking system 1000 from the mating connector 300, the locking device 1 must first be brought back into the unlocked position, for example by manual bending of the edges 13a, 13b. Only then can the screws 100a, 100b be unscrewed.

The embodiments of the invention described in this section in relation to Figures 1 to 3D make it possible to achieve the advantages of the invention described in the generic part. In particular, the locking system 1000, the device 1, the assembly of the connectors 200 and 300, and the locking method described, each provide, according to different aspects of the invention, a connector position assurance solution for screw fixing of a connector with a counterpart connector.

Numerical references

1 locking device
3 main body
5 inner wall
7 cavity
9a, 9b reception opening
10 second opening
11a, 11b projection
13a, 13b rim
15a, 15b arm of rim 13a
17 screw edge
19 crossbar of the device
21 seal
22a, 22b pocket formed by a folded edge on the main body
23 lower body
25 upper body
27a, 27b lower compartment
29 partition
31a, 31b hook
33 intercompartmental space
35 inner edge
100a, 100b screw locking system
101a, 101b screw head
103a, 103b threaded part of screw
105a, 105b hood
107a, 107b overmolded interior part
109a, 109b laminated exterior part
200 connector
201 exterior box
203 matching part of the case
205 housing mounting part
207a, 207 bus bar
208a, 208b insulating material
209 rear part of the case
211 cover
213 dedicated seal
215 matching gasket
217 connector sock
218 guide partition
219a, 219b bus terminal bar
221a, 221b bus bar end
222a, 222b bore in a tip
223a1, 223b1 first notch
223a2, 223b2 second notch
224a, 224b tip contact surface
225a, 225b ramp element
227 receptacle
229 circumferential protrusion
231 interstitial space of the double-wall of the matching part
233a, 233b end screwing stop
300 mating connector
301a, 301b connection terminal
302a, 302b terminal contact surface
303a, 303b nut
305 support structure
307 interstitial space of the support structure
1000 locking system
D1 length of protrusion in receptacle
D2 offset distance between first and second notch
D3 predetermined distance from the projection of the receiving opening
x, y, z Cartesian directions
D_a pairing direction
In direction of screwing
D_v direction lock

Claims (11)

Locking system for screw fixing of a connector with a mating connector, comprising

a connector (200),

at least one screw (100a, 100b) screwable in a screwing direction (s) to fix the connector (200) with a counterpart connector (300), and

a locking device (1) arranged at the connector (200) so as to be movable in a locking direction (v) between a locked position, in which the screw fixing is locked, and an unlocked position, the direction of locking (v) corresponding to the screwing direction (s) according to which the screw (100a, 100b) can be screwed.
System according to claim 1,

the screw (100a, 100b) being an electrically conductive screw,

the connector (200) being an electrical connector, in particular for bus bar, the connector (200) being configured to be electrically matched with the counterpart connector (300) in a pairing direction (a),

and the screw fixing being an electrical screw connection, in particular an electrical connection intended for a voltage of at least 200V.
System according to claim 1 or 2, the locking device (1) comprising a main body (3),

the main body (3) of the locking device (1) comprising at least one internal wall (5) defining a cavity (7),

the cavity (7) comprising a receiving opening (9a, 9b) configured to receive a head (101a, 101b) of the screw (100a, 100b), and

the internal wall (5) comprising at least one projection (11a, 11b) projecting into the cavity (7) at a predetermined distance (D3) from the receiving opening (9a, 9b), in particular the projection (11a, 11b) being configured as a stop for the head (101a, 101b) of the screw (100a, 100b) received.
System according to claim 3, in which the screw (100a, 100b) is received in the receiving opening (9a, 9b) of the cavity (7), and in which the received screw (100a, 100b) is held by a friction connection between the screw (100a, 110b) and the internal wall (5) at the level of the head (101a, 101b) of the screw (100a, 100b).
System according to claim 3 or 4,

the connector (200) comprising a mounting part (205), and

the locking device (1) comprising a rim (13a, 13b) folded outwardly onto the main body (3) along the locking direction (v), the rim (13a, 13b) being configured to engage the part assembly (205) and arrange the locking device (1) at the connector (200),

in particular the locking device (1) further comprising a seal (21) housed in the pocket (22a, 22b) formed between the exterior of the main body (3) and the folded edge (13a, 13b).
System according to claim 5,

the rim (13a, 13b) comprising a hook (31a, 31b), and

the mounting part (205) comprising two notches (223a1, 223a2, 223b1, 223b2) configured to accommodate the hook (31a, 31b),

one (223a1, 223b1) of the at least two notches (223a1, 223a2, 223b1, 223b2) corresponding to the locked position of the locking device (1), and the other (223a2, 223b2) of the at least two notches ( 223a1, 223a2, 223b1, 223b2) corresponding to the unlocked position of the locking device (1).
System according to one of claims 3 to 6, the screw (100a, 100b) comprising a cover (105a, 105b) at the level of the head (101a, 101b) of the screw (100a, 100b), in particular a cover ( 105a, 105b) electrically insulating,

the cover (105a, 105b) being configured to hold the screw (100a, 100b) in the cavity (7) by a friction connection between the cover (105a, 105b) and the internal wall (5).
System according to one of claims 4 to 7, the cavity (7) comprising a second opening (10) opposite the receiving opening (9a, 9b), the cavity (7) passing through the main body (3) of the the receiving opening (9a, 9b) at the second opening (21) along the locking direction (v), in particular the cavity (7) being configured to allow screwing tools to screw or unscrew the screw (100a , 100b).
Locking device for a system according to one of claims 1 to 8, the locking device (1) being adjustable at a connector (100) of the system (1000) so as to be movable in a locking direction ( v) between a locked position, in which the screw fixing is locked, and an unlocked position, and characterized in that the locking direction (v) corresponds to the screwing direction (s) according to which at least one screw (100a , 100b) of the screw fixing is screwable.
Assembly of connectors, comprising a locking system (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a matching connector (300),

the mating connector (300) comprising at least one nut (303a, 303b) for the screw (100a, 100b), the connector (200) and the mating connector (300) being matched so that,

in the unlocked position of the locking device (1), the screw (100a, 100b) can be screwed into, and/or unscrewed from, the nut (303a, 303b),

in the locked position of the locking device (1), the locking device (1) blocks unscrewing of the screw (100a, 100b), and

so that the device (1) can only be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position when the screw (100a, 100b) is screwed, in particular up to a stop (233a, 233b) of the connector (200 ).
Method of locking a screw fixing of a connector (200) with a mating connector (300), the mating connector (300) comprising at least one nut (303a, 303b) for screws (100a, 100b) of the fixing by screw, the process comprising the steps of

a) Provision of the locking system (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 8, by arranging the screw (100a, 100b) in the locking device (1) so that the screw (100a, 100b) is held in a cavity (7) of the locking device (1),

b) Matching the connector (200) of the locking system (1000) with the mating connector (300), so as to place the screw (100a, 100b) in interface with a nut (303a, 303b) of the mating connector (300) ,

c) Screwing the screw (100a, 100b) into the nut (303a, 303b), in particular up to a stop (233a, 233b) of the connector (200).

d) Moving the locking device (1) from the unlocked position to the locked position.