WO2013064573A1

WO2013064573A1 - Secondary locking mean for terminals in a housing

Info

Publication number: WO2013064573A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/071625
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrice Flores; Joseph Daher; Christophe PALACINO
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics France Sas
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2012-10-31
Publication date: 2013-05-10
Also published as: FR2982432B1; FR2982432A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for an electrical connector block (1), in which the electrical connector block (1) comprises at least one first receiving portion (3), which is suitable for receiving a pluggable connection terminal (5) in a coupled position (A) in a first insertion direction (11), and at least one second receiving portion (4), which is suitable for receiving a pluggable locking element (2). The assembly further comprises at least one pluggable locking element (2) which can be displaced between a locked position (V) and an unlocked position (NV) and which is suitable for being lodged at least in part in the second receiving portion (4) of the block (1) and suitable for engaging with the pluggable connection terminal (5) in the locked position (V), and is characterised in that the at least one pluggable locking element (2) and/or the block (1) are configured in such a way that the at least one pluggable locking element (2) can only be placed in the locked position (V) in the at least one second receiving portion (4) of the block (1) if the pluggable connection terminal (5) is in the coupled position (A) in the at least one first receiving portion (3) of the block (1).

Description

SECONDARY LOCKING MEAN FOR TERMINALS IN A HOUSING

The invention relates to an assembly for an electrical connector, in particular to an assembly comprising a connector block which is configured to receive a pluggable terminal, and to a locking mechanism, in particular comprising a secondary lock, for detecting the correct position of the terminal and/or holding the terminal when it is plugged into the block.

In some applications, in particular in automobiles, the different types of electrical connector assemblies, in particular those comprising pluggable terminals, require mechanisms for detecting the correct position of the terminal in the reinforced lock housing thereof, so as to prevent any disconnection between a terminal and a connector block, resulting for example from shocks or vibrations. This type of mechanism is known as a terminal position assurance or TPA device, and may comprise a secondary locking device. Connector assemblies which can receive a pluggable terminal and which comprise TPA mechanisms complemented by a secondary lock are known from the prior art and are described in particular in WO 2009/120283 A2, WO 2009/134319 A1 and EP 1 176 670 A1 . However, assemblies of this type have drawbacks in practice because locking may occur in an inopportune manner, for example when there is no terminal in the connector block. In a situation of this type, the wiring may not be provided, since the terminal therefore cannot be plugged into the block. It is therefore necessary to unlock the mechanism by hand before it is possible to recommence the operation of inserting the terminal into the block, and this is found to be impractical, expensive and tedious. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an effective mechanism for securing the position of the terminal, in particular the secondary locking terminal, taking into account the above drawbacks, in particular in which occurrences of inopportune or undesired locking are prevented. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by an assembly for an electrical connector block according to claim 1 , the assembly comprising an electrical connector block comprising at least one first receiving portion, which is suitable for receiving a pluggable connection terminal in a coupled position in a first insertion direction, and at least one second receiving portion, which is suitable for receiving a pluggable locking element, and at least one pluggable locking element which can be displaced between a locked position and an unlocked position and which is suitable for being lodged at least in part in the second receiving portion of the block and suitable for engaging with the pluggable connection terminal in the locked position, the assembly being characterised in that the at least one pluggable locking element and/or the block are configured in such a way that the at least one pluggable locking element can only be placed in the locked position in the at least one second receiving portion of the block if the pluggable connection terminal is in the coupled position in the at least one first receiving portion of the block.

In this way, the locked position of a locking element, for example a terminal position assurance device of the secondary lock terminal, which is intended to assure the position of a pluggable connection terminal, such as connection clips, in a connector block, for example a clip holder, depends integrally not only on the presence of the terminal in the block, but also on the correct position of the terminal in this block. Thus, if the terminal is absent or else incorrectly inserted, the terminal position assurance or TPA device cannot be placed in the locked position. However, if the terminal is in the coupled position, that is to say correctly lodged in the portion of the terminal which is suitable for receiving the pluggable terminal, the locking element can be displaced into the locked position and thus block the pluggable terminal in the coupled position thereof. In one illustrative advantageous embodiment, the locking element can be displaced in a second insertion direction which is different from, in particular perpendicular to, the first insertion direction.

In this way, when the pluggable connection terminal is located in the block in the coupled position in the first insertion direction, the locking element moves to block the terminal in a different direction so as advantageously to prevent any movement of the terminal along the axis of the insertion direction thereof and thus any disconnection between the terminal and the block. Practical and optimised mounting can thus be obtained when the terminal position assurance device is mounted perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal.

In accordance with a further illustrative advantageous embodiment, the terminal may further comprise at least one first blocking element, and the at least one locking element may further comprise at least one assurance element which can be displaced between a blocked position and an unblocked position relative to the at least one first blocking element of the block, the assembly in this case further being characterised in that, in the uncoupled position of the pluggable connection terminal, a movement of the at least one locking element, in particular in the second insertion direction, can be restrained by a stop of the at least one assurance element against the at least one first blocking element, in such a way that the at least one locking element is forced into the unlocked position.

An assurance element which is configured as described above may advantageously prevent untimely locking of the terminal position assurance system. In this way, manual interactions with the system are minimised and are limited to useful actions such as the installation of a secondary locking TPA device, as well as the wiring of the pluggable connection terminals, the device thus only locking at the desired moment, that is to say only when the terminal is actually in the coupled position in the block or clip holder.

In an advantageous variant of the preceding advantageous embodiments, the block may further comprise at least one second blocking element, the assembly in this case being characterised in that a movement of the at least one locking element in a direction from the locked position towards the unlocked position, in particular in a direction counter to the second insertion direction, may be restrained by a stop of the at least one assurance element against the at least one second blocking element. Thus, any movement which causes the locking element of the at least one second receiving portion of the block to extend is prevented in an optimised manner. The assurance element may thus serve both to prevent the locking element from passing into the locked position when the terminal is not perfectly in the coupled position, abutting against a first blocking element of the block on the one hand, and to prevent the locking element from being dislodged from the block, abutting against a further block element on the other hand.

In accordance with one illustrative advantageous embodiment, which can be combined with at least the preceding embodiment and/or the variants thereof, in the coupled position of the pluggable connection terminal, the at least one assurance element can be pushed back by an outer face of the pluggable connection terminal, in such a way that the at least one assurance element can be in the unblocked position relative to the at least one first blocking element, and the at least one locking element can be displaced towards the locked position in the second insertion direction. In this way, it is assured that the locking element can only be placed in the locked position once contact has been made with the pluggable connection terminal. In particular, the coupled position of the terminal is the only one which is capable of unblocking the assurance element.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, which can also be combined with the preceding embodiments, the at least one assurance element may comprise an element in the form of a pillar which is parallel to the second insertion direction and at least one stop element which forms a protuberance of the element in the form of a pillar in a direction perpendicular thereto, the assembly in this case further being characterised in that the stop element may comprise at least one face which is rounded and/or bevelled at least in part.

In this way, an assurance element can be substantially in the form of a hook or in an L- shape, the protuberance forming the shortest dimension which will serve as a stop during the movements of the locking element in the second insertion direction or else in the opposite direction. With elements of this type, optimised results have been obtained in relation to the locking and assurance elements, in particular in the field of electrical connectors which are applicable to automobiles. In one variant, the at least one first blocking element may comprise at least one stop face against which the at least one stop element abuts in the blocked position, the assembly in this case further being characterised in that the at least one first blocking element is rounded and/or bevelled at least in part in the direction of the at least one stop face, in particular in a direction counter to the second insertion direction.

Using a blocking element comprising a part which is rounded and/or bevelled at least in part towards the stop face of the first blocking element has the advantage of eliminating the risks of the assurance element and/or the first blocking element breaking by facilitating the passage thereof when it is pushed back from the blocked position to the unblocked position by the terminal in the coupled position.

In an additional variant of the preceding illustrative embodiment, the at least one second blocking element may comprise at least one stop element, the assembly in this case further being characterised in that the at least one stop element of the at least one second blocking element comprises a first face which is rounded and/or bevelled at least in part, making it possible to insert the locking element into the at least one second receiving portion of the block in the second insertion direction, and a second face against which the stop element of the assurance abuts once it is lodged in the at least one second receiving portion of the block, restraining displacement of the locking element in a direction counter to the second insertion direction.

The rounded and/or bevelled part of the stop element of the second blocking element can therefore facilitate the insertion of the locking device during the mounting phase, for example in the case of a TPA device which is to be mounted on an electrical connector block. Once the device is lodged in the block, at least in part, the stop face of the stop element of the second blocking element can be selected with the appropriate form for preventing any retreat of the TPA device, in particular to prevent it from being dislodged.

In an advantageous variant of the preceding illustrative embodiments, the at least one assurance element of the locking element can be flexible at least in part.

The use of an assurance element having some degree of flexibility, for example a plastics material element or the like, has the advantage of making possible an increased tolerance to stresses, in particular shocks and/or vibrations, which can be exerted on the assembly, in particular on the locking element, for example in the case of a connector block which is used in automobiles. In the case of an element in the form of a hook or in an L-shape, comprising a stop element as described above, during the insertion of the pluggable terminal into the block in the coupled position, one face of the terminal starts to push the stop element of the assurance element in a direction which takes it further away from the first blocking element so as to be able to pass into the unblocked position. An assurance element which is flexible at least in part will thus have the advantage of being able to be moved away from the unblocked position by the pressure exerted by the face of the terminal, without too much force having to be applied during the insertion of the terminal into the block. In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, which can be combined with the preceding embodiments, the locking element may further comprise at least one terminal fixing element, which is configured, in the coupled position of the terminal and in the locked position of the locking element, to block a movement of the pluggable connection terminal in a direction counter to the first insertion direction. In this configuration, it is also possible to provide that the terminal position assurance device is not locked unintentionally. In particular, since the locked position of the locking element can only be achieved if the pluggable connection terminal is present in the coupled position, the terminal fixing element can therefore only advantageously block the terminal in the coupled position once this position has already been achieved.

In an advantageous combination of the preceding embodiments, the at least one terminal fixing element and the at least one assurance element of the locking element are at a distance from one another.

This makes it possible to optimise the geometry of the locking element to the geometry of the connector block and to that of the pluggable connection terminal.

Advantageously, in the locked position of the locking element, the at least one assurance element is adapted so as to be lodged at least in part under the pluggable connection terminal.

The assurance element, and in particular the locking element assembly, are thus prevented from retreating in a direction towards the unlocked position. Further, advantageously, in the case of an assurance element which is flexible in part, the stress which is exerted on the assurance element during the passage to the unblocked position can be released in a device in which, in the locked position, the assurance element would be hooked below the terminal, thus returning to the initial form thereof. The object of the present invention is also achieved by an assembly for an electrical connector comprising an assembly for an electrical connector block according to any one of the preceding embodiments or a combination thereof and at least one pluggable connection terminal in the coupled position. Once the terminal is in the coupled position, the locking mechanism passes into the locked position virtually automatically. By using a block assembly as described above, and if the terminal is present in the correct position, the locking can be provided in an optimised manner. Moreover, the object of the present invention is also achieved by an assembly for an electrical connector comprising an assembly for an electrical connector block and at least one pluggable connection terminal in a coupled position according to any one of the preceding embodiments or a combination thereof, the setup further comprising a block or a socket which is suitable for receiving the assembly for an electrical connector block and the at least one pluggable connection terminal in the coupled position, and for covering the locking element and/or the block at least in part, so as to prevent displacement of the pluggable locking element towards the unlocked position.

Depending on the embodiment, for example in applications in the field of automobiles, the connector block or connection clip holder may be lodged in a socket or a tab holder, part of which may cover the block and/or the locking device at least in part. The socket or the tab holder may thus advantageously make it possible for the system to remain in the locked position, blocking the locking element from retreating in a direction counter to the second insertion direction.

The advantageous embodiments and illustrative examples described above can be combined so as to provide other embodiments which also make it possible to achieve the object of the present invention.

The invention will be described in greater detail in the following by way of examples which are based on advantageous embodiments in combination with illustrative drawings. It will be appreciated that the embodiments which are described in the following are merely illustrative examples of the invention. In particular, the embodiments which are described in the following are merely possible configurations, in which the individual characteristics as described above may however be provided mutually independently, or even be omitted. Description of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a terminal position assurance (TPA) device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of an assembly for a connector block, comprising a block and a TPA in the unlocked position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a further schematic three-dimensional view of the assembly of Fig. 2, from a different angle;

Fig. 4 is a further schematic three-dimensional view of the assembly of Fig. 2 and 3, in accordance with a cross-section showing the TPA assurance device in the blocked position;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section (E - E) of the connector block comprising the TPA in the unlocked position and a pluggable connection terminal in an uncoupled position in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a further cross-section (D - D) of the connector block comprising the TPA in the unlocked position and a pluggable connection terminal in an uncoupled position in accordance with one aspect of the invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic three-dimensional view clarifying the cross-section illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a schematic three-dimensional view showing a section of the previous device having the block comprising the TPA in the unlocked position with the assurance element in the unblocked position and the terminal in the locked position in accordance with a further aspect of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a further schematic three-dimensional view of the device of Fig. 8, from a different angle; Fig. 10 is a cross-section (C - C) of the connector block comprising the TPA in the unlocked position with the assurance element in the unblocked position and the pluggable connection terminal in the coupled position, in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

Fig. 1 1 is a further cross-section (F - F) of the connector block comprising the TPA in the unlocked position with the assurance element in the unblocked position and the terminal in the coupled position;

Fig. 12 is a schematic three-dimensional view clarifying the section illustrated in Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a schematic three-dimensional view showing a section of the block, illustrating the TPA in the locked position and the terminal in the coupled position, in accordance with one aspect of the invention. Fig. 1 shows an example of a locking element 2 in a three-dimensional view, in particular a connector position assurance device or TPA, with secondary locking, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. The locking element 2 is suitable for engaging and being lodged at least in part in a space 4 in an electrical connector block in an insertion direction I2 as shown throughout Fig. 2 to 13. Furthermore, the locking element 2 is configured so as to be displaced in the block 1 between an unlocked position NV, shown in Fig. 2 to 12, and a locked position V, shown in Fig. 13.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the locking element 2 comprises at least one holding or fixing element 1 1 which is configured so as to engage with a pluggable electrical connection terminal 5 in the coupled position A, as is shown in Fig. 12 and 13, in the connector block 1 so as to assure that said terminal 5 is held in the block 1 . The fixing element 1 1 comprises, among other things, an element 16 in an upside-down U-shape or V- shape, which can be seen on the assembly illustrated in Fig. 3 and will be described in greater detail in the following, and which engages with the block 1 on the one hand and with the pluggable terminal 5 on the other hand so as to hold said terminal in the coupled position A in the block 1 .

The locking element 2 further comprises a further fixing element 22 in the form of a pillar which is parallel to the direction I2, comprising at least two tabs or stops 23, 24 in the form of lugs which project from the second fixing element 22 and which are configured to restrain a displacement of the locking element 2, once it is lodged in the block 1 , in the insertion direction I2 or in the opposite direction.

The locking element further comprises an assurance element 6 which is flexible in part and which is configured to be displaced from a blocked position B into a cavity 8 of the block 1 as illustrated in Fig. 2 so as to prevent movement in the direction I2 or in the opposite direction, towards an unblocked position D so as to make possible a movement in the direction I2 of the space 4 in which the locking element 2 is lodged as illustrated in Fig. 9. The assurance element 6 is in the form of a lug or in an L-shape and comprises a first flexible element in the form of a pillar 12, for example made of plastics material or any other appropriate flexible material, substantially parallel to the insertion direction I2 of the locking element 2, and at least two protuberances 13, 15 which form a first stop 13 and a second stop 15. The first stop 13 is in the form of a lug projecting from the base of the pillar 12 perpendicular thereto, as shown in Fig. 1 , and further comprises a bevelled side face 14 and a lower surface 17 which is bevelled at least in part. The second stop 15 is in a substantially parallelepiped form and projects from the base of the pillar in a direction which is perpendicular both to the flexible pillar 12 and to the first stop 13 of the assurance element 6. The first and the second stop 13, 15 are linked by the bevelled side face 14. Fig. 2 to 4 illustrate different sectional three-dimensional views of an example electrical connector block 1 in accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which is suitable in particular for receiving the locking element 2 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 in a predefined space or a receiving portion 4. The block 1 or clip holder is shown with the pluggable electrical connection terminal 5 absent. In Fig. 2 to 4, sections have been produced so as to display the inside of the block, in particular the positioning of the locking element 2, which is shown in Fig. 2 to 4 in a state where it is engaged in the receiving portion 4 of the block 1 and in the unlocked position NV.

The block 1 further comprises at least a first receiving portion or first recess 3 which is elongate and is configured to receive a pluggable connection terminal 5, as shown for example in Fig. 5, in the insertion direction 11 . The block further comprises a second recess 3' parallel to the first recess 3. The cavity 4 of the block 1 in which the locking element 2 is lodged communicates at least with the first recess 3 via the space 8 which is configured to receive the assurance element 6 in the blocked position B, and comprises at least one first blocking element 9 and at least one second blocking element 10. These elements and the operation thereof will be described in greater detail in the following.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 to 4, the locking element 2 has already been inserted into the receiving portion 4 of the block 1 in the insertion direction I2. During the step of inserting the locking element 2 into the block 1 , the assurance element 6 has been diverted from the axis thereof, in particular from the initial axis of the pillar 12, by the blocking element 10 of the block 1 . During the insertion step, the lower face 17 of the first stop 13 of the assurance element 6 starts to slide on the upper face 20 of the blocking element 10, which can be seen in Fig. 9. Since the two faces 17, 20 are rounded and/or bevelled at least in part, it becomes easy for the assurance element 6 to pass or slide along the blocking element 10. The wall of the blocking element 10 thus exerts a pressure on the entirety of the assurance element 6, of which at least the pillar 12 is located diverted from the initial position thereof. This pressure is released and the assurance element 6, in particular the pillar 12, returns to the initial position thereof relative to the entirety of the locking element 2 once the first stop 13 has passed the blocking element 10. The first stop 13 thus starts to lodge itself in the space 8 below the blocking element 10 and the assurance element 6 returns to the blocked position B. The lower face 21 of the blocking element 10, in particular of the stop 19 of the second blocking element 10, thus acts as a blocking face 10, preventing the entirety of the locking element 2 from retreating in a direction counter to the insertion direction I2 while acting as a stop for the stop elements 13, 15 of the assurance element. In this blocked position B of the assurance element 6, the rounded and/or bevelled face 14 and/or the second stop 15 of the assurance element 6 abut against the first blocking element 9 of the first block 1 , in particular against the stop surface 18 of the first blocking element 9, restraining the movement of the whole in the direction of the insertion direction I2. The blocking element 9 thus restrains the locking element 2 in the block 1 at a partial insertion, and this thus prevents the locking element 2 from passing into a fully inserted position or locked position V.

In this way, in the blocked position B, the first stop 13 of the assurance element 6 passes from the space 8 into the first recess 3, and the rounded and/or bevelled face 14 and/or the second stop 15 of the assurance element 6 are lodged at least in part between the two blocking elements 9, 10 of the block 1 , in such a way that a movement parallel to the insertion direction I2 or in a direction counter to I2 is restrained at least in part. Thus, in the blocked position B, the locking element 2 is inserted in part into the block 1 , in particular into the receiving potion 4, and it therefore cannot substantially descend or retreat in a direction parallel to the direction I2, or is restricted at least in part in the displacement thereof in the direction I2. Thus, it is not possible for locking to occur at the wrong time, and the locking element 2 is thus constrained so as to remain in the unlocked position NV. Fig. 5 to 7 are cross-sections and schematic views showing these same sections, and show schematically the assembly of the preceding embodiments, this time with a pluggable connection terminal 5 which is inserted in part into the electrical connector block 1 . Fig. 5 is a plane view along a section E - E shown in Fig. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 is a cross-section along the section D - D shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows the section E - E which is illustrated in Fig. 5, but this time in a three-dimensional view. Fig. 5 to 7 in particular show the locking element 2 lodged in the block 1 , as in Fig. 2 to 4, but this time with the terminal 5 present inserted in part into the block 1 in the insertion direction 11 .

The absence and even the partial or incorrect insertion of the pluggable terminal 5 into the first recess 3 of the block 1 are states which can be likened to the uncoupled position NA of the terminal 5. Only a perfectly inserted position of the terminal 5 in the block 1 is considered to constitute the coupled state A of the terminal 5.

In Fig. 5 to 7, as in Fig. 2 to 4, the assurance element 6 is constrained so as to remain in the blocked position B in the space 8 comprised between the two blocking elements 9, 10 of the block 1 , subsequent to the locking element 2 being mounted in the block 1 , thus forcing the locking element 2 to remain in the unlocked position NV. The sections of Fig. 5 to 7 show for example how the first stop element 13 of the assurance element 6 passes from the space 8 into the recess 3, thus blocking, in part, the passage of the terminal 5 during the insertion thereof in the direction 11 , and how the assurance element 6, in particular the bevelled face 14, is restricted to a movement in the insertion direction I2 by the presence of the first blocking element 9, in particular of the upper face 18 thereof.

The section of Fig. 5 shows that, when the locking element 2 is in the unlocked state NV with the assurance element 6 in the blocked position, the first stop 13, in particular the bevelled face 14, of the assurance element 6 blocks the path of the pluggable terminal 5 in the insertion direction 11 . So as to pass into the coupled position A of the terminal 5, it is therefore necessary for said terminal, in particular the wall 7, first to abut against the bevelled face 14 of the assurance element 6, then, continuing the insertion movement of the terminal in the direction 11 , for the wall 7 to push the assurance element 6, in particular the first stop 13, back outside the recess 3. The passage of the terminal 5 into the coupled position A and the resulting unblocking of the assurance 6, then the passage of the locking element 2 into the locked position V, will be described in greater detail in the following with reference to Fig. 8 to 13.

Fig. 8 and 9 are three-dimensional schematic views of the assembly of the preceding figures, illustrating the sequence of the insertion movement of the terminal 5 into the recess 3 of the block 1 in two different sections. The wall 7 of the terminal 5 can be seen pushing the assurance 6 back out of the recess 3 during the sequence of the insertion movement in the direction 11 . In particular, the wall 7 abuts against, then pushes back, the bevelled face 14 of the first stop 13 of the assurance element 6. The terminal 5 is thus still in the uncoupled position NA, since the insertion into the recess 3 is not yet finished. Once the end of the terminal 5, that is to say the wall 7, pushes back the surface 14 of the first stop 13 of the assurance element 6, the terminal 5 can continue in the insertion movement thereof, for 5 example by sliding along the recess 3, still in the direction 11 .

Fig. 9 shows in greater detail how the insertion movement of the terminal 5 pushes back and/or diverts and/or deforms the assurance element 6. In particular, it can be seen that the pillar 12 of the assurance element 6 is deformed in a direction away from the terminal 5, in

10 such a way that the first stop 13 is disengaged not only from the recess 3, but also from the space 8 in a direction away from the terminal 5. It can also be seen how the second stop 15 is disengaged from blocking, as a result of the first blocking element 9 in the blocked position B, thus making possible a further movement of the entirety of the locking element 2 in the insertion direction I2. However, it is noted that the entirety of the locking element 2 is still

15 restricted in a retreat movement in a direction counter to the direction 12, since the first stop is configured still to abut against the lower face 21 of the stop element 19 of the second blocking element 10. The assurance element 6 is now in an unblocked state D relative to the block 1 .

20 Nevertheless, in the configuration of Fig. 8 and 9, it is still impossible for the locking element 2 to pass into the locked position V because the terminal 5 is not yet fully in the coupled position A, the position which is shown in Fig. 10. The locking element 2 is thus still located in the unlocked position NV. In fact, since the terminal 5 is not yet at the end of the path thereof in the recess 3, it is not possible to lock the locking element 2, since the holding or

25 fixing element 1 1 cannot descend to block the terminal 5 in the recess 3. However, when the terminal 5 is at the end of the path thereof, that is to say in the coupled position A, the constriction 25 of the terminal 5 leaves sufficient space in the recess 3 to position the fixing element 1 1 of the locking element 2. The passage of the locking element 2 into the locked state V will be described in greater detail in the following, in particular with reference to Fig.

30 10 to 13.

Fig. 10 to 12 are cross-sections and schematic views which show these same sections and illustrate schematically the assembly of the preceding embodiments, this time with the terminal 5 in the coupled position A. That is to say, the terminal 5 is at the end of the path 35 thereof; more precisely, it has arrived at the end of the first receiving portion or first recess 3 of the block 1 and is therefore now effectively located in the coupled position A. Fig. 10 illustrates a plane view along a section C - C. Fig. 1 1 is a cross-section along the section F - F. Fig. 12 shows a section which is similar to the section C- C illustrated in Fig. 10, but this time in a three-dimensional view. The constriction 25 of the pluggable terminal 5 is therefore now in position, and leaves the field open for the fixing element 1 1 of the locking element 2.

Fig. 10 to 12, in particular Fig. 1 1 , show among other things that the locking element 2 is still in the unlocked position NV. The assurance element 6, of which the pillar 12 is deformed by the action of the wall 7 of the terminal 5, can be seen, and it is noted that the assurance element 6 is free to move in the insertion direction 12 of the locking element 2, which will therefore now be able to be placed in the locked position V. The presence of the terminal 5 in the coupled position A prevents the assurance element 6 from returning to the blocked position B, and thus constrains it to remain in the unblocked position D relative to the pillar 9 and the face 18 thereof. The locking element 2 can now be made to pass into the locked position V by continuing the insertion movement of the locking element into the second receiving portion 4 of the block 1 in the direction I2.

The locked position V is illustrated in Fig. 13, which is a schematic three-dimensional view of the preceding assembly, in which the terminal 5 is still in the coupled position A and the assurance element is thus forced into the unblocked position D as a result. The locking element 2 has now been pushed to the end of its path in the second insertion potion 4 of the block 1 in the direction I2, and thus at this moment locks the terminal 5 by means, among other things, of the fixing element 1 1 which is lodged behind the constriction 25 of the terminal 5, thus preventing the terminal 5 from projecting from the recess 3 in the direction counter to the direction 11 (see Fig. 12). In the locked position V, the foot of the assurance element 6, that is to say the stops 13, 15 and the surface 14, are located in a position below the terminal 5. In particular, in the locked position V of the locking element 2, the second stop 15 and/or the bevelled face 14 of the assurance element 6 are in the unblocked position D, that is to say the movement thereof in a direction parallel to the insertion direction I2 is no longer constrained by the blocking element 9.

It is in principle impossible or at least very difficult for the locking element 2 to retreat to an unlocked position NV, under the effect, among other things, of strong stresses such as shocks and/or vibrations, since a movement of the assurance element 6 in a direction counter to the insertion direction I2 is restricted at this moment because the first stop 13 is now below the terminal 5 and can therefore no longer retreat. The locking element 2 can thus remain in the locked position V and keep the pluggable connection terminal 5 in the coupled position A in the block 1 . However, in accordance with the invention, it is still possible also to use a socket or tab holder (not shown) in which the assembly comprising the block 1 , the terminal in the coupled position A, and the locking element 2 in the locked position V could lodge. The socket could cover the locking element 2 and/or the block 1 at least in part, preventing the locking element 2 from retreating.

Claims

1 . Assembly for an electrical connector block (1 ), comprising:

an electrical connector block (1 ) comprising at least one first receiving portion (3), which is suitable for receiving a pluggable connection terminal (5) in a coupled position (A) in a first insertion direction (11 ), and at least one second receiving portion (4), which is suitable for receiving a pluggable locking element (2); and

at least one pluggable locking element (2) which can be displaced between a locked position (V) and an unlocked position (NV) and which is suitable for being lodged at least in part in the second receiving portion (4) of the block (1 ) and suitable for engaging with the pluggable connection terminal (5) in the locked position (V);

characterised in that

the at least one pluggable locking element (2) and/or the block (1 ) are configured in such a way that the at least one pluggable locking element (2) can only be placed in the locked position (V) in the at least one second receiving portion (4) of the block (1 ) if the pluggable connection terminal (5) is in the coupled position (A) in the at least one first receiving portion (3) of the block (1 ).

2. Assembly according to claim 1 , characterised in that the locking element (2) can be displaced in a second insertion direction (I2) which is different from, in particular perpendicular to, the first insertion direction (11 ).

3. Assembly according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the block (1 ) further comprises at least one first blocking element (9), and the at least one locking element (2) further comprises at least one assurance element (6) which can be displaced between a blocked position (B) and an unblocked position (D) relative to the at least one first blocking element (9) of the block (1 ),

characterised in that

in the uncoupled position (NA) of the pluggable connection terminal (5), a movement of the at least one locking element (2), in particular in the second insertion direction (I2), is restrained by a stop of the at least one assurance element (6) against the at least one first blocking element (9), in such a way that the at least one locking element (2) is forced into the unlocked position (NV).

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the block (1 ) further comprises at least one second blocking element (10)

characterised in that

a movement of the at least one locking element (2) in a direction from the locked position (V) towards the unlocked position (NV), in particular in a direction counter to the second insertion direction (I2), is restrained by a stop of the at least one assurance element (6) against the at least one second blocking element (10).

5. Assembly according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that, in the coupled position (A) of the pluggable connection terminal (5), the at least one assurance element (6) is pushed back by an outer face (7) of the pluggable connection terminal (5), in such a way that the at least one assurance element (6) is in the unblocked position (D) relative to the at least one first blocking element (9), and the at least one locking element (2) can be displaced towards the locked position (V) in the second insertion direction (12).

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one assurance element (6) comprises an element in the form of a pillar (12) which is parallel to the second insertion direction (I2) and at least one first stop element (13) and one second stop element (13) which form protuberances of the pillar (12) in directions perpendicular thereto, characterised in that

at least one of the at least one first and second stop elements (13, 15) comprises at least one face (14, 17) which is rounded and/or bevelled at least in part.

7. Assembly according to claim 6, wherein the at least one first blocking element (9) comprises at least one stop face (18) against which at least one of the at least one first and second stop elements (13, 15) abuts in the blocked position (B),

characterised in that

the at least one first blocking element (9) is rounded and/or bevelled at least in part in the direction of the at least one stop face (18), in particular in a direction counter to the second insertion direction (I2).

8. Assembly according to either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the at least one second blocking element (10) comprises at least one stop element (19),

characterised in that the at least one stop element (19) of the at least one second blocking element (10) comprises a first face (20) which is rounded and/or bevelled at least in part, making it possible to insert the locking element (2) into the at least one second receiving portion of the block (1 ) in the second insertion direction (I2), and a second face (21 ) against which at least one of the at least one first and second stop elements (13, 15) of the assurance element (6) abuts once it is lodged in the at least one second receiving portion (4) of the block (1 ), restraining displacement of the locking element (2) in a direction counter to the second insertion direction (I2).

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the at least one assurance element (6) of the locking element (2) is flexible at least in part.

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the locking element (2) further comprises at least one terminal fixing element (1 1 ), which is configured, in the coupled position (A) of the terminal and in the locked position (V) of the locking element (2), to block a movement of the pluggable connection terminal (5) in a direction counter to the first insertion direction (11 ).

1 1 . Assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the at least one terminal fixing element (1 1 ) and the at least one assurance element (6) of the locking element (2) are at a distance from one another.

12. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 1 1 , characterised in that, in the locked position (V) of the locking element (2), the at least one assurance element (6) is adapted so as to be lodged at least in part under the pluggable connection terminal (5).

13. Assembly for an electrical connector comprising an assembly for an electrical connector block (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and at least one pluggable connection terminal (5) in the coupled position (A).

14. Assembly for an electrical connector according to claim 13, further comprising a block or a socket which is suitable for receiving the assembly for an electrical connector block (1 ) and the at least one pluggable connection terminal (5) in the coupled position (A), and for covering the locking element (2) and/or the block (1 ) at least in part, so as to prevent displacement of the pluggable locking element (2) towards the unlocked position (NV).