WO2015032934A1 - Connecteur ayant un dispositif pour assurer la position électrique - Google Patents

Connecteur ayant un dispositif pour assurer la position électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015032934A1
WO2015032934A1 PCT/EP2014/069034 EP2014069034W WO2015032934A1 WO 2015032934 A1 WO2015032934 A1 WO 2015032934A1 EP 2014069034 W EP2014069034 W EP 2014069034W WO 2015032934 A1 WO2015032934 A1 WO 2015032934A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrical
connector
cover casing
base
locking
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2014/069034
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bruno Dupont
Tehuai Chin
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics France Sas
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics France Sas filed Critical Tyco Electronics France Sas
Publication of WO2015032934A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015032934A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/62933—Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
    • H01R13/6295—Pivoting lever comprising means indicating incorrect coupling of mating connectors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/62933—Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
    • H01R13/62955—Pivoting lever comprising supplementary/additional locking means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of automotive connection, in particular to a connector which comprises a lever type cover casing which can be coupled to a corresponding base and in which an electrical device for ensuring the position of the connector can provide electrical information relating to the mechanical locking state of the connector.
  • CPA connector position assurance
  • Airbag processor systems for motor vehicles are typically systems which require information relating to the electrical state of the connection and to the mechanical state of the locking of the cover casing to the base thereof.
  • Airbags used in motor vehicles comprise a pyrotechnic charge which is actuated in the event of electrical contacting of two wires whose terminals are arranged in an electrical connector which connects the airbag(s) of a vehicle to an airbag processor.
  • the airbag processor When the airbag processor is mounted, there is a risk of generating an electrostatic discharge and therefore transmitting an electrical current which triggers a pyrotechnic discharge in error. It is therefore known to shunt the pairs of terminals of each airbag.
  • known electrical CPA devices of the prior art also use a shunt which is able to close the electrical detection circuit of the CPA in order to send electrical information corresponding to the mechanical closure of the connector.
  • An electrical connector comprising an electrical CPA device is known from the family of documents US 7 445 491 B2, EP 1 770 830 B1 or EP 1 990 870 B1 , which disclose an electrical connector casing which comprises a connector cover casing having a flexible lever with a cam system which allows the cover casing to be locked to a twin connector, that is, a twin base.
  • the cam lever comprises a pressing portion which acts on the shunt in order to keep the electrical detection circuit open as long as the connector is not correctly coupled, but also a pre-pressing system which maintains pressure on the shunt as soon as the coupling begins, even before the pressing portion presses the shunt.
  • a pre-pressing system which maintains pressure on the shunt as soon as the coupling begins, even before the pressing portion presses the shunt.
  • Such a system therefore requires, on the lever and on the cover casing, flexible elements which, using the cam system, are moved perpendicularly relative to the coupling direction of the connector.
  • this system acts on the shunt as soon as the cover casing moves into contact with the base, over the entire duration of the coupling sequence of the connector to the base, which constitutes a mechanical stress on the shunt during the entire coupling sequence, as long as the connector is not correctly locked.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a connector system having a simple locking lever, comprising an electrical CPA device for which it is possible to obtain electrical information which is directly connected to the locking state of the connector or, in other words, of the locking lever.
  • an electrical connector comprising a cover casing which can be coupled to a corresponding base, wherein: a locking lever is mounted in a movable manner on the cover casing and can be moved from an unlocked position to a locked position which produces, when the cover casing is coupled to the corresponding base, a locking of the cover casing to the base; and a locking lance which is integral with the cover casing is arranged in such a manner that, when the locking lever is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, the lever redirects the lance and, in the locked position, the lance prevents a movement of the lever to the unlocked position; the connector further comprising an electrical detection circuit which is open when the cover casing and the base are not coupled which, when it is closed, enables detection that the cover casing is correctly coupled to the base.
  • the locking lance is configured in order, when the cover casing is coupled to the base, to prevent the closure of the electrical detection circuit as long as the locking lever is not in the locked
  • the invention therefore has an advantage with respect to the prior art owing to the fact that the information transmitted by the detection circuit, that is, the electrical CPA, corresponds precisely to the locking state of the connector. That is to say, a connector according to the invention allows a system which reads electrical information originating from the electrical CPA circuit to have reliable knowledge that, when the CPA circuit is closed, this means not only that the electrical contact is established between the cover casing and the base, but also that the connector is indeed correctly locked from a mechanical point of view.
  • the invention therefore allows the prevention of problems encountered in connectors known from the prior art whose electrical CPA systems are closed before the effective mechanical locking of the connector.
  • the invention relates to electrical connectors having a cover casing which uses a simple lever and neither a cam system, nor a flexible lever. It thus involves not only an improvement of the electrical CPA systems, but also a simplification for transmitting the movement and the state of the locking lever with respect to connectors having a cam system.
  • the detection circuit may comprise two contact terminals, which are in particular arranged on the corresponding base, and a contact connector which is in particular arranged in the cover casing and which is provided to bring the two contact terminals into electrical contact in order to close the electrical detection circuit.
  • the electrical CPA circuit may thus comprise two contact terminals, which are in particular arranged on the corresponding base, and a contact connector, which is in particular arranged on the cover casing and which is provided to bring the two contact terminals into electrical contact in order to close the electrical detection circuit.
  • the electrical CPA circuit will therefore be able to be closed only when the connector is completely coupled, that is to say, the action of the locking lever on the locking lance will be transmitted directly to the contact connector, which, depending on whether or not the lever is locked, will be moved away from the contact terminals of the CPA circuit, or into contact therewith.
  • a contact connector which can be used in a connector according to the invention may be, for example, a shunt which comprises two lugs or contact locations which move into contact with the terminals of the CPA circuit, or which can be moved in a resilient manner away therefrom.
  • the locking lance may advantageously comprise at one end a locking tongue which is orientated towards the outer side of the cover casing and which can be redirected by the lever during the movement from the unlocked position to the locked position and which, in the locked position, prevents the movement of the locking lever to the unlocked position.
  • the invention therefore advantageously enables the improvement of the cover casing systems which have a pivoting lever and a locking lance such as those known from the prior art.
  • the locking lance may comprise an element which is for preventing closure of the detection circuit and which is orientated towards the inner side of the cover casing and which substantially forms an elbow with the locking lance, in particular in extension of the locking tongue.
  • the invention therefore advantageously allows the locking lances known from the prior art to be modified in order to integrate therein a portion which allows the closure of the electrical CPA circuit to be adjusted directly in accordance with the movement of the locking lance by the locking lever. It is in particular known from the prior art that the movement, in particular the pivoting movement, of the locking lever redirects the locking lance towards the inner side of the cover casing in order to surmount the locking lance and reach a locking position of the connector.
  • the invention advantageously allows the known redirection of a locking lance towards the inner side of the cover casing to be used in order to thus transmit this still unlocked state of the connector directly to the electrical CPA circuit.
  • the element for preventing closure of the detection circuit may extend towards the inner side of the cover casing in a direction which is substantially parallel with the coupling direction of the electrical connector.
  • the transmission of the displacement movement of the locking lever and the locking lance may be carried out in a simplified manner with respect to the cam lever type connectors known from the prior art since it can be carried out in a direction parallel with the coupling direction of the connector whilst systems known from the prior art use a plurality of intermediate elements in order to transmit this information in a movement perpendicular to the coupling direction.
  • the element for preventing closure of the detection circuit may comprise a flexible portion and a thrust portion, which are configured so that, when the cover casing is coupled to the base and when the locking lance is redirected by the movement of the locking lever, the flexible portion is redirected so that the thrust portion prevents the closure of the electrical detection circuit as long as the locking lever is not in the locked position.
  • the thrust portion may be configured so as to face the contact connector so that, when the locking lance is redirected, the thrust portion prevents the closure of the electrical detection circuit by moving the contact connector in a resilient manner in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the coupling direction of the electrical connector and in a sense which moves the contact connector away from the contact terminals of the electrical detection circuit.
  • This variant has been found to be advantageous in combination with the use of conventional shunts which comprise lugs or contact locations which must be moved away from the path of the contact terminals of the electrical CPA, in particular when the locking lance is redirected by the movement of the locking lever.
  • the shunt is moved in a resilient manner away from two contact lugs of the detection circuit as soon as a coupling sequence of the connector begins.
  • the shunt is therefore subjected to a mechanical load for the entire coupling sequence of the connector to the mating connector.
  • the invention therefore has the advantage of preventing any mechanical stress on a shunt, with the exception of during the brief period of time when the locking lance is redirected by the locking lever.
  • the cover casing may comprise an opening on the element for preventing closure of the detection circuit.
  • openings on the inner elements of the cover casing enable moulding solutions which are simple and advantageous with respect to cover casings which do not have any openings.
  • the opening may be configured in such a manner that, when the cover casing is coupled to the base, a face of the thrust portion, which is in particular opposite the face which faces the contact connector, is in abutment with a wall of the base.
  • a variant of the invention therefore advantageously allows restriction of the possible movements of the thrust portion in the sense which enables the closure of the electrical detection circuit to be prevented.
  • the element for preventing closure of the detection circuit may allow closure of the electrical detection circuit.
  • the invention enables the detection circuit to be closed, thus indicating simultaneously the closed state of the electrical CPA circuit and the correct mechanical locking of the connector.
  • the electrical connector may further comprise at least one connection module, in particular two connection modules, which is/are mounted in a removable manner in the cover casing, forming a receptacle for accommodating a plurality of electrical terminals which are intended to be electrically connected to corresponding terminals of the base.
  • the invention can therefore be used in electrical connector systems with removable components.
  • at least one connection module can be configured in order to accommodate at least one pair of electrical terminals and at least one shunt, each shunt being associated with each pair of electrical terminals, respectively.
  • the invention can therefore also be used advantageously for electrical systems whose elements which are intended to be electrically connected to the base require protection against short-circuits.
  • the invention has thus been found to be advantageous for airbag systems which must be connected to an airbag processor of a motor vehicle, which are systems which require such protection during the sequence for coupling the connection elements in order not to trigger the explosion of pyrotechnic charges in error.
  • the at least one connector module may further be configured to accommodate the contact connector of the electrical detection circuit.
  • an electrical connector may comprise a base which corresponds to the cover casing and which is assembled therewith, wherein the base comprises at least one contact terminal of the electrical detection circuit, in particular the two contact terminals of the electrical detection circuit.
  • the at least one connection module which may be configured to accommodate pairs of terminals accommodates four pairs of electrical terminals, each pair being connected to an airbag system of a motor vehicle and being protected by a respective shunt, and wherein the base can connect the airbag systems to an airbag processor system.
  • the invention has been found to be particularly advantageous for such systems.
  • the mechanical locking and coupling state of the electrical connector and the electrical state of the electrical CPA circuit are directly connected. That is to say, during the coupling sequence of the electrical connector according to the invention there is no position for which the electrical CPA circuit is closed other than the final position of the locking lever in the locked state thereof.
  • the invention therefore has the advantage compared with systems known from the prior art that a change of the electrical state of the electrical CPA device is connected simultaneously to the locked state of the connector.
  • the electrical CPA of the connector according to the present invention is more simple and more robust than the devices known from the prior art since the opening movement of the CPA shunt is created directly on an element of a single component of the connector. The information relating to the state of the locking lance can therefore be transmitted directly to the opening functionality of the shunt.
  • the invention can therefore advantageously be used in any system which requires a lever-assisted locking connector for which reliable electrical information reflecting a locking state of the connector is necessary. Without being limited to this, the invention is advantageously used, for example, in the assembly sequence of an airbag processor system for a motor vehicle.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of an example of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of the connector illustrated in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is another schematic view of the connector illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an example of a base of an electrical connector, still in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
  • Figures 5A to 5C are schematic illustrations of a first step of an example of a coupling sequence of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention comprising the cover casing illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and the base illustrated in Figure 4, respectively;
  • Figures 6A to 6C are schematic illustrations of a second step of the coupling sequence, respectively;
  • Figures 7A to 7C are schematic illustrations of a third step of the coupling sequence, respectively;
  • Figures 8A to 8C are schematic illustrations of a fourth step of the coupling sequence, respectively;
  • Figure 8D is a schematic illustration of a detail of Figure 8B;
  • Figures 9A to 9C are schematic illustrations of a fifth step of the coupling sequence, respectively.
  • Figure 9D is a schematic illustration of a detail of Figure 9B;
  • Figures 10A to 10C are schematic illustrations of a sixth step of the coupling sequence, respectively.
  • Figure 10D is a schematic illustration of a detail of Figure 10B.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a connector 100 according to an aspect of the present invention, whilst Figures 2 and 3 are views of the outer side and inner side of the partially assembled connector 100, respectively.
  • the connector 100 comprises a cover casing 101 which is intended to be assembled with a corresponding base, for example, the base 200 illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the cover casing 101 may comprise a locking lever 102 which is simple and rigid, of the U-shaped type or horseshoe type which is neither a cam system, nor a flexible lever.
  • the lever 102 may be mounted in a movable manner on the cover casing 101 using the holes 105, 106 which engage with the shafts or pivots 103, 104 which are located at each side of the cover casing 101 , the lever 102 being able to be pivoted using the gripping portion 107 thereof from an unlocked position, illustrated in particular in Figures 5A to 5C, to a locked position, illustrated in particular in Figures 10A to 10C, which allows the cover casing 101 to be locked to the base 200, as will be described in the context of the coupling sequence illustrated in Figures 5A to 10D.
  • the lever 102 may have teeth 108, 109, 1 10, 1 1 1 which are arranged in this example below the pivoting holes 105, 106 of the lever 102 and which are configured to engage with corresponding racks 205, 206, 207, 208 of the base 200 which can be seen in particular in Figure 4.
  • Figures 1 to 3 also show that the cover casing 101 is of the type comprising a locking lance 1 13 which is flexible so as to be able to be redirected by the lever 102 during its movement from the unlocked position to the locked position, and which, in the locked position of the connector 100, enables the return of the lever 102 to be blocked by preventing a movement from the locked position to the unlocked position.
  • a locking lance 1 13 which is flexible so as to be able to be redirected by the lever 102 during its movement from the unlocked position to the locked position, and which, in the locked position of the connector 100, enables the return of the lever 102 to be blocked by preventing a movement from the locked position to the unlocked position.
  • the locking lance 1 13 therefore comprises a flexible rod portion 1 14 which is connected to the cover casing 101 and at the end of which there is located a locking tongue portion 1 15 which protrudes towards the outer side of the cover casing 101 , the lance 1 13 therefore being able to be redirected towards the inner side of the cover casing 101 in order to allow the passage of the locking lever 102, and returning to the initial position thereof when the lever 102 is in the locked position so as to prevent a return of the lever 102 to the unlocked position.
  • An unlocking of the connector 100 is possible only if a pushing force is applied to the locking tongue 1 15 of the lance 1 13 in order to release the lever 102.
  • the lever 102 may therefore further comprise in the region of the gripping handle 107 an angled surface 1 12 which is a thrust surface 1 12 which allows the locking lance 1 13 to be redirected, in particular allows the locking tongue 1 15 of the lance 1 13 to be surmounted during a movement of the lever 102 from the unlocked position thereof to the locked position of the connector 100 by applying a pushing force to the thrust surface 1 16 of the locking tongue 1 15.
  • a thrust surface 1 12 which allows the locking lance 1 13 to be redirected, in particular allows the locking tongue 1 15 of the lance 1 13 to be surmounted during a movement of the lever 102 from the unlocked position thereof to the locked position of the connector 100 by applying a pushing force to the thrust surface 1 16 of the locking tongue 1 15.
  • the rear of the cover casing 101 may be open so as to allow the introduction of electrical cables.
  • the casing 101 may also comprise a series of protruding walls 1 18, 1 19, 120, 121 , 122, 123, 124 which are orientated towards the outer side of the casing 101 and which are arranged so as to complement corresponding notches 209, 210, 21 1 , 212, 213, 214, 215 of the base 200 which are illustrated in Figure 4 and which slide therein when the cover casing 101 is assembled with the base 200.
  • the casing 101 may also allow the accommodation in a removable or permanent manner of at least one connection module 131 , 132 which forms a receptacle to accommodate the terminals of the electrical cables which must be connected to the base 200. It should be noted that the person skilled in the art will understand that the number of modules 131 , 132 and electrical terminals which can be received by the cover casing 101 does not limit the present invention and may vary in accordance with the connectivity requirements of the user.
  • a first module 131 comprises only cells 144 for receiving terminals 134 of electrical conductors 133.
  • the module 131 illustrated in Figure 1 is thus capable of receiving up to twenty terminals 134. It will be evident to the person skilled in the art that the arrangement and the quantity of cells 144 of the module 131 may vary in other embodiments in accordance with the connectivity requirements of the user.
  • Figure 1 shows that the module 131 may comprise lower notches or grooves 146 and upper notches or grooves 147 at different levels and at each side of the module 131 , which can receive in a sliding manner lower rails 150, 152 and upper rails 151 , 153 of a housing 154 of the casing 101 which is provided for this purpose and which is separated by a wall 155 of an adjacent housing 156 which allows another module 132 to be accommodated, as also shown in Figures 5C, 6C, 7C, 8C, 9C and 10C.
  • the first module 131 can thus be blocked in the housing 154 via the locking stud 140 thereof which, once the module 131 is accommodated in the housing 154, moves into abutment against the aperture 142 of the cover casing 101.
  • a second module 132 which is also illustrated in Figure 1 can be accommodated in the housing 156 using the lower grooves 148 and upper grooves 149 which, in a manner similar to the module 131 , allow it to slide on the lower rails 157, 159 and upper rails 158, 160 of the housing 156 of the casing 101.
  • the second module 132 may also comprise a locking stud 141 , in this instance on the non-visible side of the module 132, which moves into abutment in the aperture 143 which can be seen in Figure 3 once the module 132 has been inserted into the housing 156.
  • the second module 132 may also comprise a type of cell 145 which is similar to the cells 144 of the module 131 , and which allow terminals 135 of electrical conductors 134 to be accommodated.
  • the module 132 comprises only eight cells 145 in a row, which allow eight terminals 135 to be accommodated, in particular four pairs of terminals 135.
  • these numbers are not limiting in terms of the present invention and may vary in other embodiment variants.
  • the connector 100 can be used to connect airbags of a motor vehicle (not illustrated), at the side of the cover casing 101 , to an airbag processor system (not illustrated) at the side of the base 200.
  • each pair of terminals 135 and associated cables 136 connects an airbag (not illustrated) to the airbag processor system (not illustrated) at the side of the base 200.
  • the module 132 also comprises cells 137 which allow a respective shunt 138 to be accommodated, therefore in this instance the four shunts 138 illustrated in Figure 1 , in order to electrically connect each terminal 135 of a pair of terminals 135 using the two respective contact locations 139 of each shunt 138 and thus to protect the airbag systems during the coupling sequence of the connector 100 whilst the electrical connection is not established between the airbag processor and the four airbags.
  • the connector 100 further comprises an electrical circuit for detecting correct coupling and locking, that is to say, an electrical CPA, which will be described below.
  • an electrical CPA electrical circuit for detecting correct coupling and locking
  • the electrical detection circuit When the electrical detection circuit is open, the information transmitted corresponds to an unlocked state of the connector 100. Conversely, when the electrical detection circuit is closed, the information transmitted corresponds to a locked and correctly coupled state from a mechanical and electrical viewpoint of the connector 100.
  • the locking lance 1 13 is therefore further configured so as to prevent the closure of the electrical detection circuit as long as, during a coupling sequence of the cover casing 101 to the base 200, the locking lever 102 has not reached the locked position illustrated in particular in Figures 10A to 10C, which is the position which ensures the correct coupling from a mechanical viewpoint of the connector 100, that is to say, the cover casing 101 is correctly assembled with the base 200, and the correct locking of the cover casing 101 to the base 200.
  • the electrical CPA circuit comprises two contact terminals 220 in the base 200, as illustrated in particular in Figure 4, and a shunt 162 which is also called a CPA shunt 162 below and which is illustrated inter alia in Figure 1 and which, when the contact locations 163 thereof connect the two terminals 220, allows the detection circuit to be closed, thus indicating the correct coupling and locking of the connector system 100 or, in other words, the correct mechanical and electrical locking of the cover casing 101 to the corresponding base 200 thereof.
  • the CPA shunt 162 does not connect the terminals 220, the electrical CPA circuit is open, indicating that the connector 100 is not correctly coupled and locked.
  • the CPA shunt 162 is accommodated at the side of the cover casing 101 , in particular in a housing
  • the locking lance 1 13 can be extended with a tongue 125 which is an element which allows the closure of the electrical CPA circuit to be prevented as long as the locking lever 102 does not lock the correctly mounted assembly of the cover casing 101 and the base 200, the element 125 extending in a direction which is substantially parallel with the coupling direction of the casing 101 with the base 200 which is indicated schematically by the arrow 300 in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C.
  • the element 125 substantially forms an elbow with the locking lance 1 13 and extends in particular the locking tongue portion 1 15 towards the inner side of the cover casing 101.
  • the element 125 comprises a flexible portion 126 which can be seen in the view of the inner side of the casing 101 illustrated in Figure 3, and terminates with a thrust portion 127 which, as will be seen below, can ensure the opening or even allow the closure of the electrical detection circuit when the cover casing 101 is coupled to the corresponding base 200 thereof.
  • the movement of the locking lance 1 13 by the locking lever 102 has the direct effect of resiliency moving the two contact locations 163 of the CPA shunt
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a base 200 corresponding to the cover casing 101 of the connector 100 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and already partially described above with reference to the same Figures.
  • the base 200 may comprise four main walls 201 , 202, 203, 204. Inside each longitudinal wall 201 , 203, it is possible to distinguish a respective pair of racks 205, 206 and 207, 208 which, with the teeth 108, 109 and the teeth 1 10, 1 1 1 of the locking lever 102, respectively, enable the base 200 to be locked to the cover casing 101 of the connector 100 when the lever 102 is in the locked position, as described above.
  • Figure 4 also shows that the walls 201 , 202, 203, 204 also comprise the complementary notches or racks 209, 210, 21 1 , 212, 213, 214, 215 of the respective walls 1 18, 1 19, 120, 121 , 122, 123, 124 of the cover casing 101.
  • the number of racks 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209, 210, 21 1 , 212, 213, 214, 215 or walls 1 18, 1 19, 120, 121 , 122, 123, 124 and teeth 108, 109, 1 10, 1 1 1 1 is not limiting in terms of the invention and sets out only one option of this embodiment.
  • Figure 4 also illustrates that the base 200 may comprise a plurality of terminals or contact pins 216, 218 which are intended to be connected to electrical terminals which are accommodated in the cover casing 101 , in this instance in particular the terminals 133, 135 which are accommodated in the first and second modules 131 , 132.
  • the base 200 may therefore comprise a first series of terminals or contact pins 216 which are intended to be coupled to the terminals 133 of the first module 131 and separated from a second series of terminals or contact pins 218 by protection walls, in this instance the two walls 137 which can be seen in Figure 4 and which are themselves intended to connect the terminals 135 originating from the airbag systems to the airbag processor system.
  • the base 200 therefore comprises as many terminals 216 as the first module 131 can accommodate terminals 133, and it comprises as many pairs of terminals 218 as the second module 132 comprises pairs of terminals 135, that is to say, as many pairs 218 as there are airbags to be connected to the airbag processor.
  • Figure 4 also shows, close to the pairs of terminals 218 which are intended to connect the airbags, respective walls 219 whose length is less than that of the pins 218 in order to move away in a resilient manner the shunts 138 which protect the terminals 135 only after the electrical connection has been established between the terminals 135 and the terminals 218, as will be explained below in relation to Figures 8C, 9C and 10C.
  • the base may comprise a portion of the electrical detection circuit, in this instance the two terminals 220 mentioned in relation to the CPA shunt 162 illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the electrical detection circuit is open, indicating that the connector 100 is not correctly coupled.
  • the detection circuit is closed, indicating the correct coupling and locking of the connector 100. According to the present invention, and as illustrated by the following detailed sequence in relation to Figures 5A to 10D, this is possible only when the locking lever 102 correctly locks the cover casing 101 and the base 200.
  • the cover casing 101 comprises in the floor thereof holes 165, 166, 167, 168 which, when coupled to the base 200 illustrated in Figure 4, allow the contact pins 216, the contact pins 218, the walls 219 and finally the contact pins 220 of the electrical CPA function to be received, respectively.
  • Figures 5A to 10D show successive steps which may be involved in a coupling sequence of an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention.
  • the connector 100 comprising the cover casing 101 illustrated in Figure 1 , in a state assembled with the various elements described above and also illustrated in Figure 1 , is connected to a corresponding base, in this instance the base 200 illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the coupling is carried out in the direction indicated by the arrow 300 in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C.
  • the coupling direction is therefore the direction parallel with the arrow 300.
  • Figures 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A and 10A are general three-dimensional views of the cover casing 101 when it is coupled to the base 200, from an initial unlocked state, illustrated in Figure 5A, to a locked final state, illustrated in Figure 10A. It is possible to see from these Figures in particular the interaction of the lever 102 with the locking lance 1 13 during the coupling sequence. It should be noted that a coupling sequence of the connector 100, in particular the cover casing 101 , to a corresponding base 200 can be carried out in a continuous manner. However, for the purposes of understanding, this sequence will be broken down and explained in steps below. The person skilled in the art will therefore understand that it is possible to couple and lock the casing 101 to the base 200 by carrying out a single continuous movement of the locking lance 102.
  • Figures 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B and 10B are longitudinal sections in a direction parallel with the walls 201 and 203 of the base 200, when viewed from the side of the wall 201 , of Figures 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A and 10A, respectively.
  • the lever 102 In addition to the interaction of the lever 102 with the locking lance 1 13, it is particularly possible to see from these Figures the development of the electrical CPA as a result of this interaction.
  • FIGS. 10B illustrate the development of the interaction between the lever 102 and the tongue 125 for preventing closure of the CPA circuit and between the tongue 125 and the CPA shunt 162, or the development of the interaction between the CPA shunt 162 and the contact spindles 220 of the base 200, from the initial unlocked state of the connector 100 in which the CPA shunt 162 is not in contact with the contact terminals 220, illustrated in Figure 5B, as far as the final locked state in which the CPA shunt 162 is in electrical contact with the terminals 220, illustrated in Figure 10B, passing via a step in which the tongue 125 resiliency moves the CPA shunt 162 away from the spindles 220 illustrated in Figure 9B as a result of the movement brought about by the locking lever 102 which has to surmount the locking lance 1 13 in order to reach the position thereof for locking the cover casing 101 to the base 200.
  • Figures 5C, 6C, 7C, 8C, 9C and 10C are other sectioned views of the Figures 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A and 10A, respectively, but this time cross-sections in a direction parallel with the walls 202 and 203 of the base 200, viewed from the side of the wall 202, that is to say, in a "front" view of the cover casing 101.
  • Figures 8D, 9D and 10D are enlarged views of Figures 8B, 9B and 10B, respectively, detailing the portion relating to the electrical CPA circuit and illustrating in particular the interaction between the thrust portion 127 of the tongue 125 and the CPA shunt 162, and between the CPA shunt 162 and the contact pins 220 of the electrical detection circuit, in these three final steps of the coupling action.
  • the cover casing 101 can enter into physical, but not yet electrical, contact with the base 200, the lever 102 first being in a position which does not lock the system, as illustrated in particular in Figures 5A and 5B.
  • each shunt 138 connects, that is to say, short-circuits and therefore protects, the pair of terminals 135 which is associated therewith in the second module 132.
  • the walls 219 have not yet been introduced into the casing 101 via the holes 167.
  • the contact locations 163 of the CPA shunt 162 are not in contact with the contact terminals 220 of the electrical CPA circuit which have not yet been passed through the holes 168 of the casing 101.
  • the electrical detection circuit is therefore open, thus indicating correctly that the connector 100 is neither coupled, nor mechanically locked.
  • the lever 102 of the cover casing 101 is in the unlocked position thereof, in this instance substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 300 so that the teeth 108, 109, 1 10, 1 1 1 are not accommodated in the associated racks 205, 206, 207, 208 of the base 200.
  • Figure 5B but also Figures 1 and 2, further show(s) that the thrust portion 127 of the tongue for preventing closure of the detection circuit 125 may comprise a thrust surface 128 which faces the CPA shunt 162, and a fin 129 which protrudes in the direction of the outer side of the casing 101 and which is arranged on the face opposite the thrust surface 128 of the thrust portion 127 and which can be seen through an opening 130 of the cover casing 101.
  • the tongue 125 is in the initial rest position thereof, as is the remainder of the locking lance 1 13.
  • the lever 102 can be actuated, that is to say, pivoted about pivot shafts 103, 104 in the direction indicated by the arrow 301 illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, in such a manner that the first teeth 109, 1 1 1 of the lever 102 engage with the first racks 206, 208 of the base 200, thus pushing the cover casing 101 and the base 200 slightly towards each other.
  • the lever 102 is therefore inclined, but not yet in contact with the locking lance 1 13, in particular not yet in contact with the locking tongue 1 15. Therefore, the connector 100 is not yet mechanically locked, and the locking lance 1 13, in particular the tongue 125 for preventing closure of the CPA circuit, can therefore remain in the rest position thereof.
  • the contact locations 163 of the CPA shunt 162 are still not in contact with the contact terminals 220 of the electrical CPA circuit since, even if they have passed through the holes 168, the CPA shunt 162 is accommodated further forward in the path of the terminals 220.
  • the electrical detection circuit is therefore still open, thus still indicating correctly that the connector 100 is not mechanically locked.
  • the path of the lever 102 in the closure direction 301 thereof may be continued.
  • the lever 102 is therefore further pivoted about the pivot shafts 103, 104 in the direction indicated by the arrow 301 illustrated previously in Figures 5A and 5B, so that the first teeth 109, 1 1 1 at each side of the lever 102 are accommodated in the first racks 206, 208 of the base 200 and the second teeth 108, 1 10 below the first teeth 109, 1 1 1 now engage with the second racks 207, 209 of the base 200, thus pushing the cover casing 101 and the base 200 further one into the other.
  • the lever 102 is therefore further inclined from the initial position thereof in the direction of the arrow 301 , but is still not yet in contact with the locking lance 1 13, in particular not yet in contact with the thrust surface 1 16 of the locking tongue 1 15.
  • the connector 100 is therefore not yet mechanically locked, and the locking lance 1 13, in particular the tongue 125 for preventing closure of the CPA circuit is therefore still in the initial rest position thereof.
  • the contact locations 163 of the CPA shunt 162 are still not in contact with the contact terminals 220 of the electrical CPA circuit, which have still not reached the region of the CPA shunt 162.
  • the electrical detection circuit is therefore still open, thus still indicating correctly that the connector 100 is not mechanically locked.
  • the path of the lever 102 in the closure direction 301 thereof is continued.
  • the lever 102 is therefore further pivoted about the pivot shafts 103, 104 in the direction indicated by the arrow 301 illustrated above in Figures 5A and 5B so that the cover casing 101 and the base 200 are pushed further one into the other.
  • a fourth step of a coupling sequence as now illustrated in particular in Figures 8A and 8B, the lever 102 is therefore further inclined from the initial position thereof in the direction of the arrow 301 , and the oblique surface or thrust surface 1 12 of the lever 102 moves into contact with the thrust surface 1 16 of the locking tongue 1 15.
  • the connector 100 is therefore still not mechanically locked, and the locking lance 1 13, in particular the tongue 125 for preventing closure of the CPA circuit is therefore still in the initial rest position thereof, but the mechanical locking portion of the sequence itself is on the point of beginning.
  • Figures 8B and 8D further illustrate that, in this step, the fin 129 of the thrust portion 127 has slid further along the wall 202 and is in abutment therewith.
  • the tongue 125 is still in the initial rest position thereof, as is the remainder of the locking lance 1 13.
  • the electrical contact between the elements of the cover casing 101 and the base 200 is still established since, as can be seen in particular from Figure 8C, the terminals 216, 218 of the base 200 are now connected in the electrical terminals 133, 135 of the first and second modules 131 , 132 to a greater extent than in the previous steps.
  • the airbag protection circuit is now open since, as illustrated in Figure 8C, in this step the walls 219 of the base 200 have now moved forward sufficiently in the cover casing 101 to resiliency redirect the contact locations 139 of the shunts 138 away from the pairs of terminals 135.
  • the airbag systems are therefore now connected to the airbag processor system.
  • a fifth step of a coupling sequence as now illustrated in particular in Figures 9A and 9B, therefore, the lever 102 is further inclined from the initial position thereof in the direction of the arrow 301 , and the oblique surface or thrust surface 1 12 of the lever 102, after having passed the thrust surface 1 16, redirects the locking lance 1 13 towards the inner side of the cover casing 101 by pressing on the locking tongue 1 15.
  • the connector 100 is therefore not yet mechanically locked, but the locking is on the point of being carried out.
  • the locking lance 1 13 is therefore redirected towards the inner side of the cover casing 101 , which results in the deformation of the flexible portion 126 of the tongue 125 thereof for preventing closure of the detection circuit.
  • the airbag protection circuit is now completely open since, as illustrated in Figure 9C, in this step the walls 219 of the base 200 have moved further forward in the cover casing 101 in order to be able to resiliency redirect the contact locations 139 of the shunts 138 completely away from the pairs of terminals 135.
  • the flexible portion 126 Since the movements of the thrust portion 127 are now limited by the abutment of the fin 129 against the wall 202, the flexible portion 126 is subjected to a resilient deformation as a result of the redirection of the locking lance 1 13, in particular the locking tongue 1 15, by the locking lever 102, which brings about a pushing action of the tab 128 of the thrust portion 126 which resiliency moves the contact locations 163 of the CPA shunt 162 away from the path of the two contact terminals 220 of the electrical detection circuit so that the circuit still cannot be closed in this step of the coupling sequence.
  • the resilient movement of the contact locations 163 of the CPA shunt 162 can be carried out in a direction substantially perpendicular to the coupling direction 300.
  • the electrical detection circuit is therefore still open, thus still indicating correctly that the connector 100 is not mechanically locked.
  • the path of the lever 102 in the closure direction 301 thereof is continued until final locking of the connector 100, illustrated in Figures 10A to 10D.
  • the lever 102 has therefore now passed the locking tongue 1 15 and is located in the final locking position.
  • the connector 100 is therefore now locked mechanically.
  • the teeth 108, 109, 1 10, 1 1 1 of the locking lever 102 are accommodated completely in the associated racks 205, 206, 207, 208 of the base 200, and a return of the lever 102 to the unlocked position is prevented by the locking tongue 1 15.
  • an attempt to move the lever 102 in the opposite direction to the locking direction will cause it to move into abutment against the abutment surface 1 17 of the locking tongue 1 15, which therefore prevents an inadvertent return to the unlocked state.
  • the airbag protection circuit is completely open since, as illustrated in Figure 10C, in this step the walls 219 of the base 200 still resiliency redirect the contact locations 139 of the shunts 138 completely away from the pairs of terminals 135.
  • Figures 10B and 10D further illustrate that, in this step, since the locking lever 102 is in the locked position, the locking lance 1 13 is returned to the initial rest position thereof, and consequently the tongue portion 125 thereof for preventing closure of the CPA circuit is also returned to the initial position thereof. Consequently, according to the invention, when the locking lever 102 is in the locked position, nothing any longer redirects the contact locations 163 of the CPA shunt 162 and they are now in direct contact with the two contact terminals 220 of the electrical CPA circuit which is therefore closed, thus indicating correctly that the connector 100 really is mechanically locked or, in other words, that the cover casing 101 is correctly coupled and locked to the corresponding base 200 thereof.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un connecteur électrique (100) comprenant un boîtier de couvercle (101) qui peut être couplé à une base correspondante (200), un levier de verrouillage (102) qui peut être déplacé d'une position déverrouillée à une position verrouillée étant monté d'une manière mobile sur le boîtier de couvercle (101) et une lance de verrouillage (113) qui fait partie intégrante du boîtier de couvercle (101) étant agencée de manière que, dans la position verrouillée, la lance (113) empêche un mouvement du levier (102) vers la position déverrouillée. Le connecteur (100) comprend en outre un circuit de détection électrique qui, quand il est fermé, permet de détecter que le boîtier de couvercle (101) est correctement couplé à la base (200), et la lance de verrouillage (113) est configurée de manière à, quand le boîtier de couvercle (101) est couplé à la base (200), prévenir la fermeture du circuit de détection électrique tant que le connecteur (100) n'est pas correctement couplé.
PCT/EP2014/069034 2013-09-06 2014-09-08 Connecteur ayant un dispositif pour assurer la position électrique WO2015032934A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1358596A FR3010578B1 (fr) 2013-09-06 2013-09-06 Connecteur a dispositif d'assurance de position electrique
FR1358596 2013-09-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015032934A1 true WO2015032934A1 (fr) 2015-03-12

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2014/069034 WO2015032934A1 (fr) 2013-09-06 2014-09-08 Connecteur ayant un dispositif pour assurer la position électrique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
FR (1) FR3010578B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015032934A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107196094A (zh) * 2017-06-01 2017-09-22 韶关高尔德防雷科技有限公司 一种带插头防脱落装置的插座

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102020210760A1 (de) 2020-08-25 2022-03-03 Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh Stecker mit einem Lagesicherungselement mit einer Kontaktaufnahme

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0549370A2 (fr) * 1991-12-27 1993-06-30 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Assemblage de connecteur
US20020173186A1 (en) * 2001-05-18 2002-11-21 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Lever-type connector
EP1770830A1 (fr) * 2005-09-29 2007-04-04 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Un connecteur et un assemblage de connexion
US20080096408A1 (en) * 2006-10-19 2008-04-24 The Furukawa Electric Co, Ltd. Lever type connector
US20110021058A1 (en) * 2009-07-22 2011-01-27 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Connector assembly
DE102011076568A1 (de) * 2011-05-27 2012-11-29 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Steckverbinder

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0549370A2 (fr) * 1991-12-27 1993-06-30 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Assemblage de connecteur
US20020173186A1 (en) * 2001-05-18 2002-11-21 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Lever-type connector
EP1770830A1 (fr) * 2005-09-29 2007-04-04 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Un connecteur et un assemblage de connexion
US20080096408A1 (en) * 2006-10-19 2008-04-24 The Furukawa Electric Co, Ltd. Lever type connector
US20110021058A1 (en) * 2009-07-22 2011-01-27 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Connector assembly
DE102011076568A1 (de) * 2011-05-27 2012-11-29 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Steckverbinder

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107196094A (zh) * 2017-06-01 2017-09-22 韶关高尔德防雷科技有限公司 一种带插头防脱落装置的插座

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR3010578B1 (fr) 2015-09-04
FR3010578A1 (fr) 2015-03-13

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