WO1991013479A1

WO1991013479A1 - Electrical connector for data processing signal distribution bus

Info

Publication number: WO1991013479A1
Application number: PCT/FR1991/000143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal Platini; René CHAFFARD; Serge Thevenod
Original assignee: Societe De Fabrication Industrielle Et Mecanique - Sofim
Priority date: 1990-02-21
Filing date: 1991-02-21
Publication date: 1991-09-05
Also published as: EP0516738A1; FR2658666A1; FR2658666B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a data processing signal distribution bus, comprising a first subassembly (300) provided with a main input plug, a main output plug, a resilient member (360) made of electroconducting material intended to make an electrical connection between the cores of the main input and output plugs, and an output tap connected to the main input plug and an input tap connected to the main output plug, and a second subassembly (400) comprised of at least one casing (410, 430) designed to engage the first subassembly (300) and provided with an auxiliary input plug (470) for connection with the output tap, an auxiliary output plug (480) for connection with the input tap and appropriate means to deform the resilient member (360) to break the electrical connection between the core of the main input plug and the core of the main output plug.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR COMPUTER SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION BUS.

The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors for computer signal distribution buses. The main object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector device for an electrical signal distribution bus making it possible to add or remove one or more stations in a computer signal distribution network, without creating a collision and without weakening the signal. . The present invention is particularly applicable to so-called Thin Ethernet networks.

The above object is achieved according to the present invention by means of an electrical connector comprising:

- a first sub-assembly formed by a box of electrically insulating material equipped:

. a main signal input socket designed to be connected to a coaxial cable,

. a main signal output socket designed to be connected to a coaxial cable,. an elastic member made of electrically conductive material designed to establish at rest an electrical connection between the core of the main inlet socket and the core of the main outlet socket,

. a signal output bypass socket connected to the main input socket, and. a signal input bypass socket connected to the main output socket, and

- A second sub-assembly formed of at least one box of electrically insulating material designed to be selectively engaged on the box of the first sub-assembly and equipped:. an auxiliary input socket designed to be connected to a coaxial cable and come into electrical connection with the output bypass socket when the housing of the second sub-assembly is engaged on the housing of the first sub-assembly, . an auxiliary output socket designed to be connected to a coaxial cable and to come into connection with the input bypass socket when the housing of the second sub-assembly is engaged on the housing of the first sub-assembly, and. means capable of causing a deformation of said elastic member to interrupt the electrical connection between the core of the main input socket and the core of the main outlet socket when the housing of the second sub-assembly is engaged on the housing of the first subset. Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples and in which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic view in longitudinal axial section of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in the engagement position of the housing of the second sub-assembly on the housing of the first sub-assembly,

FIG. 2 represents a similar view in longitudinal axial section of the second sub-assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 represents a similar view in longitudinal axial section of the first sub-assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

- The figure shows a view in longitudinal axial section of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, respectively in upper half-view in position separated from the two subassemblies and in lower half-view in position engagement of the two subsets,

- Figure 5 shows a similar view of a secondary housing <_ .. second sub-assembly along a longitudinal axial sectional plane referenced. o. - V in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 represents an external right half-view and a left half-view in section of the same secondary housing according to the cutting plane referenced VI-VI in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 represents a right half-view in section and an external left half-view of the same secondary housing according to the section plane referenced VII-VII in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 represents a view in longitudinal axial section of the same secondary housing according to the cutting plane referenced VIII-VIII in FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 represents a view in longitudinal axial section of a main housing of the second sub-assembly according to a section plane referenced IX-IX in FIG. 10,

FIG. 10 represents a side view of the same main housing,

FIG. 11 represents an upper half-view in section and a lower external lateral half-view of the same main housing according to the cutting plane referenced XI-XI in FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 shows an external right half-view and a left half-view in section along the section plane referenced XII-XII in FIG. 1 of a housing of the first sub-assembly,

FIG. 13 represents a sectional view of the same housing according to the cutting plane referenced XIII-XIII in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 represents respectively a right external lateral half-view and a left half-view in section of the same housing, according to the section plane referenced XIV-XIV in FIG. 15,

- Figure 15 shows an external side view of the same housing, - Figure 16 shows a right external side half-view and a left half-view in section of a shielding element integrated in the second embodiment, according to a plane of section referenced XVI-XVI in Figure 19,

FIG. 17 represents another sectional view of the same shielding element according to a section plane referenced XVII-XVII in FIG. 16, FIG. 18 represents another partial view in section of the same shielding element according to the cutting plane referenced XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 16,

FIG. 19 represents a right external half-view and a left half-view in section of the same shielding element according to the section plane referenced XIX-XIX in FIG. 17,

- Figure 20 shows an external right half-view and a left half-view in section along the cutting plane referenced XX- XX in Figure 21 of an electrically insulating insert integrated in the second embodiment, - Figure 21 shows an external right half-view and a left half-view in section of the same insert according to the section plane referenced XXI-XXI in FIG. 20,

FIGS. 22 and 23 represent two other sectional views of the same insert according to the sectional planes referenced respectively XXII-XXII, and XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21,

FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 represent three views, respectively orthogonal to each other, of a wedging element integrated in the second embodiment,

FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 show three respectively orthogonal views between them of a cover integrated in the second embodiment,

FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 show three views respectively orthogonal to each other of a piston for controlling the elastic member integrated in the second embodiment, and

- Figure 33 shows a schematic view in longitudinal axial section similar to the section plane of Figure 4 explaining the operation of the connector device, more specifically Figure 33 shows a right half view of the connector in the deformed position of the member elastic, separated from an associated contact pin, while the left half-view of FIG. 33 represents said elastic connecting member in the rest position resting against the associated contact pin. We will first describe the first embodiment of the connector according to the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 3 attached.

Essentially, this connector comprises two assemblies referenced respectively 100 and 200.

The first sub-assembly 100 comprises a housing 1 10 having the general shape of a, made of electrically insulating material. The housing 110 can be formed from several associated elements 1100, 1110,

112. The box 110 houses and supports two sets of electrically conductive cores 170, 180.

Each set 170, 180 comprises two contact pins disposed respectively at 90 °, referenced 171, 172 for the first set, and 181, 182 for the second set.

The two pins 171, 172, 181, 182 of each set may have come in one piece or formed from two separate elements connected by any suitable conventional means, for example by welding.

Even more precisely, the axes of the four pins 171, 172, 181, 182 are coplanar. Pins 171, 181 are coaxial with each other. The pins 172, 182 are mutually parallel and substantially adjacent. One end of each of the pins 171, 181, 172, 182 is accessible outside the housing 1 10. At this accessible end each pin 171, 181, 172, 182 is provided with a blind bore and is axially split to form a female connection socket.

The housing 1 10 further houses an elastic member 160 of electrically conductive material.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, this elastic member 160 is formed of a metal blade carried by a central stud 1 12 from the housing 1 10. The elastic blade 160 can be fixed by any conventional means suitable on the stud 1 12. The elastic blade 160 is designed to connect the two pins 171, 181 at rest. For this, the blade 160 has symmetry with respect to the axis of the stud 1 12.

The housing 1 10 is further coated with an outer shield 190 of electrically conductive material.

The second sub-assembly 200 shown in Figure 2 comprises a housing 210 of electrically insulating material. In this case, the housing 210 is formed of a planar block. This housing 210 is provided with two through bores 212, 214 with parallel axes. The bores 212, 214 respectively receive coaxial sockets 270, 280. These two sockets 270, 280 each include an external shielding element and an electrically conductive central core separated by an insert of electrically insulating material. The sockets 270, 280 are designed to cooperate with the pins 172, 182 respectively carried by the first assembly 100.

The distance between the cores of the sockets 270 and 280 is therefore identical to the distance between the pins 172 and 182.

Furthermore, the housing 210 of the second subassembly 200 is provided with two rectilinear fingers 290, 292, mutually parallel and parallel to the axes of the sockets 270, 280. The fingers 290, 292 are provided between the sockets 270, 280. The fingers 290, 292 are designed to penetrate orifices

1 14, 116 complementary provided in the shield 190 and the housing 1 10 of the first sub-assembly 100 and thus come to urge the elastic member 160 to separate it from the pins 171 and 181.

Pin 171 in cooperation with shield 190 forms the main input socket. This can be crimped on a coaxial cable.

Pin 181 in combination with shield 190 forms the main output receptacle. This can be crimped on another coaxial cable.

If the housing 210 of the second sub-assembly is not engaged on the housing 110 of the first sub-assembly, the elastic blade 160 connects the two pins 171 and 18 1 as shown in FIG. 3 and the signal flows in the bus to through the first assembly via the elastic member 160.

Pin 172 in combination with shield 190 forms the output bypass receptacle.

Pin 182 in combination with shield 190 forms the input bypass socket.

The socket 270 forms the auxiliary input socket. This can be crimped on a coaxial cable at its end 271. The socket 280 forms the auxiliary outlet socket. This can be crimped onto another coaxial cable at its end 281.

If the housing 210 of the second sub-assembly is engaged on the housing 1 10 of the first sub-assembly, the fingers 290, 292 penetrate into the bores 1 14, 1 16 and urge the elastic blade 160 away from the pins 171, 181. Furthermore, the central cores of the sockets 270, 280 are engaged respectively in the slotted pins 172, 182.

Thus, the signal enters through pin 171 exits through the intermediary of the socket 270, returns through the socket 280 and exits through the pin 181. Preferably, the fingers 290, 292 are made of electrically insulating material.

We will now describe the second embodiment according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 to 33.

In this second embodiment, there are two subsets referenced 300 and 400.

Basically the first sub-assembly 300 comprises a housing 310 of electrically insulating material, a shielding element of electrically conductive material 390, an insert of electrically insulating material 320, two sets of contacts of electrically conductive material 370, 380 , an elastic member 360 of electrically conductive material, a wedging element 330 of electrically insulating material, a cover 340 and a piston 350 for controlling the elastic member 360. As for the second sub-assembly 400, it essentially comprises a main housing 410 in electrically insulating material, a secondary housing 430 in electrically insulating material, two prizes 470, 480 and a spring 450.

The two housings 410, 430 of the second sub-assembly '- are designed to be mechanically connected while remaining free of relative translation when they are separated from the first sub-assembly 3C ,. They are also designed to be locked on the first sub-set 300 when they are engaged thereon.

The main housing 410 of the second sub-assembly "is preferably formed in one piece by molding in material:. A st ique. The housing 410 has the general shape of a jacket of rectangular cross section delimited by four walls 411, 412, 413, 414 parallel two by two, and respectively orthogonal two by two.

The end 415 of the housing 410 furthest from the first sub-assembly 300 in use will be called "first end" below. The other end 420 of the housing 410 will be called "second end".

In the vicinity of the first end 415, the walls 41 1, 412, the least wide, are provided with through cutouts 416, 417 of rectangular outline. These cutouts 416, 417 are intended to receive by snap-fitting elastic teeth 440 provided on the secondary housing 430.

It will be noted that preferably the interior surface of the housing 410 is flared towards the first end 415 to facilitate the engagement of the secondary housing 430 in the main housing 410.

The same narrower walls 41 1, 412 are provided, in the vicinity of the second end 420 of the housing, with elastic locking tabs 418, 419.

More precisely, the tongues 418, 419 are preferably cut inside the outline of the walls 411, 412. They are connected to the walls 41 1, 412 substantially at mid-length thereof. In the vicinity of their free end, located on the second end side 420, the elastic tongues 418, 419 are provided with teeth 421, 422. These teeth are provided on the outer surface of the elastic tongues 418, 419 and directed towards the outside of the housing. At rest, the tongues 418, 419 are deformed towards the inside of the housing 410 so that the teeth 421, 422 do not protrude from the outside of the envelope of the housing 410. However, in the rest position, the tongues 418 , 419 protrude from the inside of the walls 41 1, 412. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, when the main housing

410 receives the secondary housing 430, the tongues 418, 419 are deformed towards the outside and the teeth 421, 422 then protrude widely on the outside of the housing 410 to allow the second sub-assembly 400 to be locked on the first sub- set 300 (by entering cuts 316). The two other wider walls 413, 414, of the main housing 410, are provided in the vicinity of the first end 415 with elastic tabs 423, 424. These tabs 423, 424 are cut in the contour of the walls 413, 414. They are provided with projecting teeth on the outer casing of the housing 410.

These projecting teeth are designed to be engaged in corresponding cutouts 445 provided in the housing 430 to connect the housings 410, 430 while allowing relative translation between them. More precisely, each of the elastic tongues 423, 424 is delimited by a first face 425 which diverges progressively from the walls 413, 414 in approach to the second end 420, and a second face 426 which extends perpendicular to the walls 413, 414 and which is adjacent to the free end of the tongues 423, 424. The surface 425 allows engagement, by elastic deformation, in the cutouts 445 provided on the main housing 430, while the second face 426 serves as a retaining face between the housing 410, 430, when it comes to bear on an edge of the cutouts 445.

The main housing 410 is finally provided with a transverse beam 427 which connects the walls 413 and 414. The transverse beam 427 extends perpendicularly to the latter, substantially halfway up the housing 410.

The beam 427 carries a central cylindrical rod 428 directed towards the first end 415 of the jacket and which extends beyond the latter.

The secondary housing 430 comprises a body 431 of electrically insulating material, preferably produced by molding of plastic material. The body 431 has a generally rectangular cross section. It is provided with two through bores 432, 433 with parallel axes. The bores 432, 433 each house a socket 470, 480. These are similar to the sockets 270, 280 mentioned above with regard to Figures 1 to 3 and therefore comprise a sheath of electrically conductive material forming external shielding and a central core of electric material - conductive, separated by a circular internal body of electrically insulating material. The sockets 270, 280, 470, 480 are thus of the coaxial type.

One of the sides 471, 481 of the connectors 470, 480 is designed to be crimped on a coaxial cable, similarly to the sockets 270, 280.

The other side 472, 482 of the sockets 470, 480 is designed to cooperate with a homologous connector element carried by the housing 310 of the first sub-assembly 300.

The taps 470, 480 are substantially adjacent, parallel to each other, in the vicinity of a first end 434 of the body 431.

The body 431 is provided with locking tabs 439 on two of its longitudinal faces 435, 436. These are faces parallel to the axes of the through bores 432, 433, more precisely the narrower longitudinal outer surfaces of the body 431. These locking tabs 439 are connected to the body 431 near the first end 434. They diverge relative to the body 431 away from the first end 434, that is to say towards the second opposite end 444 of the body 431.

Each of the locking tabs 439 is provided on its outer surface with a toothing 440. The toothing 440 is provided substantially at mid-length of the tongues 439. The toothing 440 is delimited by a first face 441 which diverges progressively from the tongues 439 away from the first end 434, and by a second face, serving as a blocking, referenced 442, which extends perpendicular to the body of the tongues 439.

Said locking tabs 439 are protected by a skirt 443 which surrounds the body 431. It will however be noted that the skirt 443 is perforated opposite the free end of the tongues 439, as shown in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6, for allow a user to manually access the free end of the locking tabs 439.

The skirt 443 is connected to the body 431 in the vicinity of the second end 444, at the level of the widest faces 437, 438 of the body 431, that is to say the longitudinal faces of the body 431 parallel to the section plane of FIG. 5 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The peripheral chamber defined between the external skirt 443 and the body 431 is referenced 4430 The cross section of the body 431 at the first end 434 is complementary to the internal cross section of the jacket 410.

Furthermore, the external cross section of the shirt 410 is complementary to the internal cross section of the skirt 443. Thus the shirt 410 can be engaged in the chamber 4430 defined between the body 431 and the skirt 443, as shown in FIG. 4.

Opposite the faces 437, 438, the skirt 443 is provided at mid-width with through cutouts 445 (see FIG. 7) designed to receive the teeth 423, 424 previously described provided on the main housing 410. The housing 430 is additionally provided a central blind bore 446, located between bores 432, 433 and extending parallel thereto. The blind bore 446 opens onto the transverse face 449 delimiting the first end 434 of the body 430. The blind bore 446 is designed to receive the cylindrical centering rod 428. More precisely, the blind bore 446 of cross section complementary to the rod 428, for example cylindrical, opens into a chamber 448 of larger flare adjacent to the transverse face 449 of the body 431. The chamber 448 is designed to receive the beam 427 provided on the housing 410. Finally, it will be noted that the sockets 470, 480 are each protected by a veil 447 projecting from the transverse face 449 of the body 431 delimiting the first end 434. In the present case, the veils 447 are formed from three walls orthogonal to one another. This provision is of course not limiting. We will now describe the structure of the first sub-assembly 300 shown in FIGS. 12 and following.

This first sub-assembly 300 can be the subject of numerous embodiments. The embodiment shown in Figures 12 and following is given only by way of non-limiting example. To facilitate the description which follows, it will be made with reference to a main longitudinal plane which coincides with the cutting plane of FIGS. 4 and 14 and with reference to an auxiliary longitudinal plane orthogonal to the main longitudinal plane and referenced AA on the Figure 4 .. The housing 310 of the first sub-assembly comprises a base body 311 of generally rectangular section.

This basic body 311 defines a chamber 312 which houses the shielding element 390, the insert of electrically insulating material 320, the two sets of contacts 370, 380, the elastic member 360, the wedging element 330, the cover 340 and the control piston 350.

The chamber 312 is closed at the front (that is to say on the engagement side of the second sub-assembly 400) by a wall 317. This wall 317 is provided with two through cylindrical openings 318 which allow cooperation between the bypass sockets provided on the first sub-assembly 300 and the auxiliary sockets provided on the second sub-assembly 400.

The base body 31 1 is surrounded by a skirt 315. The latter is connected to the base body 31 1 on the rear of the latter. The skirt 31 5 thus defines around the base body 31 1, a peripheral chamber 3 1 50 open towards the front of the base body 311.

Two walls 313, 314 of the base body 31 1 are provided with through cutouts 316 intended to receive the teeth - 2 1, 422 mentioned above.

The walls of the base body 311 orthogonal to ta <es 313, 314 which delimit the chamber 312 are provided with through transverse cutouts 31 10 via which the chamber 3 1 2 - mmunic with the peripheral chamber 3150.

The housing 310 also has different labeling dates intended to support the various elements housed in the chamber 312 and bearing the general reference 319.

According to the second embodiment in accordance with .a. resente invention, shown in Figures 4 and following, the sockets; .r .- c ipales input and output extend perpendicular to the plane. - __. Main channel. Specifically the main input socket and the y ^> main output are directed in respectively opposite directions, either on both sides of the housing 310. The auxiliary input and output sockets extend parallel to each other, either parallel¬ and symmetrically to the main longitudinal plane, respectively on either side of the aforementioned auxiliary longitudinal plane.

The shielding element made of electrically conductive material 390 is shown in FIGS. 16 to 19. This shielding element 390 is designed to be housed and supported in the chamber 312 of the housing 310. It is further designed to serve as a shielding for the main input socket, main output socket, output bypass socket and input bypass socket.

For the most part, the shielding element 390, made of electrically conductive material, comprises a body 391 in the form of an open channel, the chamber of which is referenced 392 in the appended figures and four cylindrical sleeves 393, 394, 395, 396. The internal chambers of the sleeves 393, 394, 395, 396 communicate with the chamber 392.

The sleeves 393 and 394 project from opposite lateral faces 397, 398 of the body 391. They are intended to form the shielding elements of the main input socket and the main output socket respectively.

The sleeves 395 and 396 extend parallel to each other on the base wall 399 of the body 391. The sleeves 395 and 396 form the shielding elements of the input bypass plug and the output bypass plug. The internal chambers thus defined in the shielding element 390 are designed to receive the insert of electrically insulating material 320 shown in FIGS. 20 to 23 which itself receives two sets of contact pins 370, 380 which may be similar to those previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or any equivalent means.

The main function of the insert of electrically insulating material 320 is to support the sets of contacts 370, 380 while insulating them from the shield 390. The insert of electrically insulating material 320 can be the subject of a large number of embodiment. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 23 appended, the insert 320 essentially comprises a cylindrical base body 321 and two barrels 322, 323.

The body 321 is intended to take place in the chamber 392. The two barrels 322, 323 are intended to take place in the sleeves 395, 396. The body 321 defines a channel 324 which opens opposite to the barrels 322, 323. The barrels 322, 323 themselves have central bores such as the bore 325 referenced in FIG. 21, which open into the channel 324. Furthermore, the base body 321 is provided in its side walls 326, 327 delimiting the channel 324, of two cutouts 328,

329 placed respectively opposite the sleeves 393, 394 and intended to receive electrically conductive pins serving respectively as a core for the main input socket and the main output socket.

Found in Figure 33 the elastic member 360 of electrically conductive material. As previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the elastic member 360 is preferably formed of a metal blade. This is carried by a stud 331 provided on the wedging element 330. The elastic blade 360 can be fixed by any suitable conventional means on the stud 331. According to the embodiment shown in the appended figures, the blade 360 is immobilized on the stud 331 by means of a finger 332 provided on the insert 320, in the channel 324, at mid-length thereof, and intended to penetrate into a complementary bore 333 provided in the stud 331 as shown in the _. Figure 33. For the rest, the wedging element 330 shown in Figures 24 to 26 is designed to support the electrically conductive pins placed in the insert 320. This wedging element 320 is likely to be the subject of many modes of achievement. For this reason, its particular structure shown in Figures 24 to 26 will not be described in detail below.

Of course, preferably, the wedging element 330 is made of electrically insulating material. More specifically, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and following, each of the two sets of electrical contact forming the cores of the sockets provided in the first sub-assembly 300 comprises three electrically conductive contact pins respectively orthogonal two by two .

A first contact pin of the first set is intended to be placed in the cutout 328 of the insert 320 and in the sheath 393 of the shield 390 to serve as the core for the main input socket. A second spindle of the first set is intended to be engaged in the bore 325 of the insert and in the sleeve 395 to serve as a core for the outlet bypass socket. A third spindle of the first set is intended to be engaged in the channel 324 to come into contact with one end of the elastic member 360 as shown on the left in FIG. 33.

A first pin of the second set is intended to be engaged in the cutout 329 of the insert 320 and in the sheath 394 of the shield 390 to serve as the core for the main outlet socket. A second pin of the second set is intended to be engaged in the bore of the barrel 323 and in the sheath 396 of the shield 390 to serve as the core for the input bypass socket. Finally, the third spindle of the second set is intended to be engaged in the channel 324 to come into contact with the second end of the elastic member 360 as shown in Figure 33. In this figure, we see under the references 373 and 383 said third pins of the two sets of contact.

The cover 340 shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 is intended to immobilize the wedging element 330 on the insert 320 on the rear of the housing as shown in FIG. 4.

The first sub-assembly 300 finally comprises a piston 350 shown in FIGS. 30 to 32. This piston 350 is designed to control the elastic member 360. It is guided in translation by the shielding element 390 along a longitudinal axis which coincides with the intersection of the main longitudinal plane and the auxiliary longitudinal plane previously defined.

The piston 350 comprises a body 351 provided on one face with two parallel fingers 352, 353. The body 351 is placed between the wall 317 of the housing 310 and the shielding element 390. It is designed to protrude from the outside of the base body 31 1 of the housing 310 in the chamber 3150, ie between the base body 311 and the skirt 315. For this, the basic body 351 has, in plan view, as shown in FIG. 30, the general shape of an X, the four ends of which are engaged and guided in translation in the corresponding windows 3 110 provided in the housing 310, to be accessible from the front of the housing in the chamber 3150, between the body 31 1 and the skirt 315. Thus, the body 351 can be urged by the second sub-assembly 400 when the latter is engaged in the chamber 3150 between the base body 31 1 and the skirt 315.

The two fingers 352, 353 are engaged in corresponding bores 354, 355 formed in the shielding element 390 and in the electrically insulating insert 320 so that the end of the fingers 352, 353 can come to stress the elastic member 360 as shown in FIG. 33. A spring not shown in the figures to simplify the illustration biases the piston 350 away from the elastic member 360.

The operation of the device shown in Figures 4 to 33 is as follows.

The first sub-assembly 300 is designed to be mounted in series on a coaxial cable, by conventional crimping, at the level of the main input socket and the main output socket (shielding 393, 394) and thus constitutes a bus of transmission of computer signals. If therefore the housing of the second sub-assembly 400 is not engaged on the first sub-assembly 300, the elastic blade 360 rereads the two sets of contacts 370, 380, as shown on the left of FIG. 33 and the signals circulate in the bus through the first assembly 300 via the elastic member 360. The jacket 41 1 forming the main housing of the second subassembly 400 is engaged in the peripheral chamber 4430 delimited between the skirt 443 and the body 431 Beforehand a spring 4480 is engaged on the rod 428 between the bottom of the chamber 448 and the beam 427.

This spring 4480 biases the housing 410 and 430 away. The housing 430 remains however linked to the housing 410, while allowing relative translation between them, as soon as the teeth 423 are engaged in the cutouts 445.

The second sub-assembly 400 then occupies in the rest position, the position shown in the upper half-view of FIG. 4. In this position, the housing 410 protrudes widely from the front of the housing 430. The sockets 470, 480 are thus protected. The tongues 418, 419 extend towards the inside of the shirt 410. The teeth 421, 422 therefore do not protrude from the outside of the shirt 410. An auxiliary terminal can be connected to the second sub-assembly 400 by crimping corresponding cables on the ends 471, 481 of the auxiliary sockets 470, 480.

To connect the terminal to the bus, it suffices to engage the first end 415 of the jacket 410 in the chamber 3 1 50 of the first sub-assembly and to push the housing 430 of the second sub-assembly as it approaches the first sub -set 300.

During the relative movement between the housings 4 1 0, 430, the body 431 moves the tongues 418, 419 outward. Thus, the teeth 421, 422 penetrate into the cutouts 316 to lock the second sub-assembly on the first. The teeth 440 provided on the housing - '- 30 lock in the cutouts 416, 417. Simultaneously the auxiliary sockets 470, 480 engage on the outlet and input bypass sockets respectively provided on the first sub-assembly and the piston 350 is moved by the jacket 310 so that the fingers 3 s2, 353 deform the elastic member 360 as shown on the right in FIG. 33.

Thus, the direct link between the main input socket and the main output socket is interrupted.

Signals passing through the bus enter through. has main input socket, exit via socket α. \ ι lιaιre of entry envisaged on the second sub-assembly, pass by the -'- rminal connected in derivation, return by the auxiliary socket of s rt .e provided on the second sub-assembly and leave by the principal socket ^• > ^• -.ortie. The second sub-assembly 400 is removed to return to the original configuration by simply pressing on both sides of the housing 430 on the tabs 439. The teeth 440 are thus unlocked. The spring 4480 biases the housing 430 away from the first sub-assembly, and the teeth 421 return to the rest position as shown in the upper half-view of FIG. 4 to unlock the second sub-assembly relative to the first. The spring interposed between the piston 350 and the shielding element 390 then brings the latter back to the rest position as shown on the left in FIG. 33. The elastic member 360 also returns to its rest position and reconnects the two contact sets integrated in the first set 300.

The system shown in Figures 4 and following is designed according to IEEE 802.310 base 2 for RG58U and RG58CU cable.

It will be noted that the device shown in the appended figures allows rapid wiring thanks to the crimping of the cables.

The assembly is easy due to its reduced size and its universal adaptation. The system finally makes it possible to connect a large number of stations on a line.

Of course the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which have just been described but extends to all variants in accordance with its spirit.

Thus for example, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and following, the main input and output sockets extend perpendicular to the main longitudinal plane; more precisely the main input socket and the main output socket are directed in respectively opposite directions.

One can also provide that the main input and output sockets extend perpendicular to the main longitudinal plane in the same direction. Provision may also be made for the main input and output sockets to extend parallel to the main longitudinal plane, opposite to the bypass sockets, for example respectively coaxially with the input bypass socket. Furthermore, the connection between the coaxial cables and the electrical connector according to the present invention is not limited to crimping. It can be produced for example by welding, by self-stripping contact or by any equivalent means.

It will be noted that the elastic member 160 is practically coaxial with respect to the shield 190. It is the same for the elastic member 360 with respect to the shield 390-340. This characteristic is important for maintaining the characteristic impedance of the lines.

Claims

1. Pure electrical connector for the distribution of computer signals, characterized in that it comprises: - a first sub-assembly (100; 300) formed by a housing (1 10; 310) made of electrically insulating material equipped:

. a main signal input socket (171, 190; 370, 393) designed to be connected to a coaxial cable,

. a main signal output socket (181, 190; 380, 394) designed to be connected to a coaxial cable,

. an elastic member (160; 360) of electrically conductive material designed to establish at rest an electrical connection between the core of the main input socket (171; 373) and the core of the main outlet socket (181 ; 383),. a signal output bypass socket (172, 190; 370, 395) connected to the main input socket, and

. a signal input bypass socket (182, 190; 380, 396) connected to the main output socket, and

- a second sub-assembly (200; 400) formed of at least one housing (210; 410, 430) of electrically insulating material designed to be selectively engaged on the housing of the first sub-assembly (100; 300) and equipped: . an auxiliary input socket (270; 470) designed to be connected to a coaxial cable and come into electrical connection with the output bypass socket (172, 190; 370, 395) when the housing of the second sub-assembly (200, 400) is engaged on the housing of the first sub-assembly (100, 300),

. an auxiliary output socket (280; 480) designed to be connected to a coaxial cable and to come into connection with the input bypass socket (182, 190; 380, 396) when the housing of the second sub-assembly ( 200. 400) is engaged on the housing of the first sub-assembly (100; 300), and . means (290, 292, 430) capable of causing a deformation of said elastic member (160; 360) to interrupt the electrical connection between the core of the main input socket (171; 373) and the core of the socket main output (181, 383) when the housing of the second sub-assembly (200; 400) is engaged on the housing of the first sub-assembly (100, 300).

2. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the axes of the main input socket (171, 190; 370, 393) of the main output socket (181, 190; 380, 394), of the output bypass plug (172, 190; 370, 395) and input bypass plug (182, 190; 380, 396) are coplanar.

3. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the axes of the main input socket (171, 190; 370, 393) and of the main output socket (181, 190; 380, 394) are located in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the outlet bypass plug (172, 190; 370, 395) and the input bypass plug (182, 190; 380, 396).

4. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first sub-assembly (100) comprises a housing (1 10) of electrically insulating material which houses two sets of contact pins of electrically conductive material (171, 172, 181, 182), the housing (1 10) being coated with a shield (190) of electrically conductive material;

5. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elastic member (160, 360) is formed of a metal blade.

6. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means designed to deform the elastic member (160) are formed by two fingers (290, 292) projecting from the housing (210) of the second subset.

7. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first sub-assembly (300) houses a piston (350) guided in translation designed to urge the elastic member (360) to deformation when the housing of the second sub-assembly (400) is engaged on the housing of the first sub-assembly (300).

8. Electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the piston (350) is returned by a spring.

9. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first sub-assembly (300) comprises a housing (310) of electrically insulating material which houses a shielding element (390) of electrically conductive material which itself receives two sets of contacts (370, 380) of electrically conductive material forming the cores of the main input socket, the main output socket, the output bypass socket and the d bypass socket entry and an insert of electrically insulating material (320) interposed between the shielding element (390) and the sets of contacts (370, 380), an elastic member (360), a piston (350) for controlling the elastic member (360) and a wedging element (330) made of electrically insulating material.

10. Electrical connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing (310) of the first sub-assembly (300) is provided with an external skirt (315) which defines a peripheral chamber (31 50) around the housing ( 310) and that the piston (350) projects into the peripheral chamber (3150) to be contacted by the housing (430) of the second sub-assembly (400). H. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to

10, characterized in that the second sub-assembly (400) comprises two housings (410, 430) capable of relative displacement, one of which carries the auxiliary input socket (470) and the auxiliary output socket Sϋ) .

12. Electrical connector according to claim 1 1. characterized in that a spring (4480) is interposed between the two housings (410,

430).

13. Electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 1 to 12, characterized in that the displacement between the two housings (410, 430) is limited by elastic teeth (423) provided on the n of the housings ( 410) and engaged in the complementary cutouts (^ provided on the other housing (430).

14. Electrical connector according to one of claims l i a

13, characterized in that one of the housings (430) is provided with two elastic locking tabs (439) with teeth (440) while the other housing (410) is provided with complementary cutouts (416, 417) designed to prohibit relative movement between the two housings (410, 430) when the second sub-assembly (400) is engaged on the first (300).

15. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 1 to

14, characterized in that one of the housings (410) is provided with locking tabs (418, 419) with teeth (421, 422) while the housing (310) of the first sub-assembly (300) is provided complementary cutouts (316) designed to lock the housing of the second sub-assembly (400) on the housing (310) of the first sub-assembly (300).

16. Electric connector according to claim 15, caractéri¬ se in that the locking tabs (418) are moved in engagement with the complementary cutouts (316) by the other housing (430) of the second sub-assembly (400) .