WO2023104901A1

WO2023104901A1 - Electrical connection by way of pins

Info

Publication number: WO2023104901A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/084828
Authority: WO
Inventors: David CRAVO; Yannick SOHIER
Original assignee: Valeo Siemens Eautomotive France Sas
Priority date: 2021-12-07
Filing date: 2022-12-07
Publication date: 2023-06-15
Also published as: FR3130084A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical half-connector comprising: - a first row (302A) of pins (118); and - a first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) for the pins (118) of the first row (302A). The first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) comprises complementary first and second hook portions (306A, 308A) such that the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) is able to hook onto a second support part (124B, 126B, 128B) of another electrical half-connector, this second support part (124B, 126B, 128B) being identical to the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A), through the first hook portion (306A, 306B) of each one cooperating with the second hook portion (308A, 308B) of the other.

Description

TITLE: ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BY MEANS OF PINS

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an electrical half-connector, an electrical connector comprising two such electrical half-connectors, an electrical installation comprising such an electrical connector and a method of manufacturing such an electrical connector.

Technology background

[0002] Electrical connectors comprising pins distributed over first and second rows, and at least one support for these pins to hold them in place, are known from the state of the art.

More specifically, a support is generally provided at each end. Each support then has openings for the passage of the pins, in which the latter are inserted by force.

[0004] Forced insertion is a tricky step to implement, which can cause certain pins to bend or even break. For this reason, the lengths of the pins are limited to at most 60 mm.

[0005] Furthermore, the support can also be produced by molding. However, it is very difficult in this case to ensure correct positioning of the first and second row of pins during molding.

Summary of the invention

To solve these problems, an electrical half-connector is proposed comprising: a first row of pins; and a first pin support part of the first row; characterized in that the first support part comprises first and second complementary attachment parts, so that the first support part can be attached to a second support part of another electrical half-connector, this second part of support being identical to the first support piece, by cooperation of the first attachment part of each with the second attachment part of the other.

[0007] In other words, the first support part is intended to be hooked to a second support part of another electrical half-connector, this second support part being identical to the first support part.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to easily produce the support by molding. Indeed, it is easy to mold a support piece around a single row of pins. Because this support piece can be hooked to another twin support piece, it is easy to obtain an electrical connector with two rows of pins, without requiring them to be force-inserted.

Thanks to the invention, it is also possible to obtain an electrical connector with rows of pins whose length is greater than that of the pins of the connectors of the prior art.

The invention may further include one or more of the following optional features, in any technically possible combination.

[0011] Optionally, the first support part is molded around the pins of the first row.

[0012] Thus, the pins of the first row are fixed to the first support part during the molding operation.

[0013] Optionally, the other electrical half-connector comprises a second row of pins, the second support part being molded around the pins of the second row.

[0014] Optionally, the electrical half-connector is identical to the other electrical half-connector.

[0015] Optionally, the first and second attachment parts of the first support part are designed to perform clipping of the first support part with the second support part. This is an easy way to hang the first and second support pieces.

[0016] Also optionally, the first attachment part comprises a flexible hook and in which the second attachment part comprises an opening for receiving the flexible hook of the second support part of the other electrical half-connector. This is a simple way to implement clipping. [0017] Also optionally, the first support piece comprises a guide pin and a guide opening, so that, when the first support piece is brought close to the associated second support piece, the guide pin of the first support part is inserted into the guide opening of the second support part and the guide opening of the first support part receives the guide pin of the second support part. Thus, the attachment of the first and second parts is facilitated.

[0018] Also optionally, the first support part comprises a guide pin designed to be inserted into a complementary guide hole of an electrical device. Thus, the connection to the electrical device is facilitated.

[0019] Also optionally, the electrical half-connector comprises a plurality of first support parts each comprising first and second complementary attachment parts, so that each first support part can be attached to a second part of support of another electrical half-connector, this second support part being identical to the first support part, by cooperation of the first attachment part of each with the second attachment part of the other.

[0020] Optionally, each first support part of said plurality of first support parts is molded around the pins of the first row.

[0021] In other words, each first support part is molded around the pins of the first row.

[0022] An electrical connector is also proposed comprising two half-connectors according to the invention, with the pair of first support part and the second support part identical and hooked to each other by cooperation of the first part grip of each with the second gripping part of the other.

[0023]An electrical installation is also proposed comprising: first and second electrical devices respectively comprising first and second bases; and an electrical connector according to the invention, a first end of the pins of the first and second rows being inserted into the first socket and a second end of the pins of the first and second rows being inserted into the second socket. [0024] The invention may further include one or more of the following optional features, in any technically possible combination.

[0025] Optionally, the first electrical device comprises a power module and the second electrical device comprises a control device for the power module. This is a common case where a power connection is needed.

[0026] Also optionally, the electrical installation further comprises a wall separating the first and second electrical devices and having an opening through which the electrical connector passes, the electrical connector comprising a support formed from first and second identical support parts hooked to each other, this support extending into the opening of the wall. In this way, the support forms a barrier making it possible to isolate the pins from the wall, in particular to avoid untimely electrical connections with the wall when the latter is made of metal.

[0027] There is also proposed a mobility device comprising an electrical installation according to the invention or an electrical connector according to the invention.

[0028] A mobility device is, for example, a motorized land vehicle, an aircraft or a drone.

[0029] A motorized land vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, a motorized bicycle or a motorized wheelchair.

[0030] A method of manufacturing an electrical connector according to the invention is also proposed, comprising: molding the first support part around the pins of the first row; a molding of the second support part around the pins of the second row; and attachment of the first support part to the second support part, by cooperation of the first attachment part of each with the second attachment part of the other.

Brief description of figures [0031] The invention will be better understood using the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of an electrical installation comprising an example of an electrical connector according to the invention, Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, with the electrical connector connected to two electrical devices, Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of the electrical connector, the Figure 4 is a block diagram of an example of a method of manufacturing and using the electrical connector, Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of an electrical connector half obtained during the manufacture of the electrical connector, the FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of an assembly of the electrical half-connector with another electrical half-connector, during manufacture of the electrical connector, and FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional view of the connected electrical connector.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, an example of an electrical installation 100 in which the invention is implemented, will now be described.

The electrical installation 100 firstly comprises first and second electrical devices 102, 104 separated from each other at least locally. For example, electrical device 104 is a power module, while electrical device 102 is a power module controller. The power module is for example part of an on-board charger of a mobility device (from the English “On-Board Charger”, also designated by the acronym OBC). Such an on-board charger is in particular designed to rectify an alternating voltage from an electrical network external to the mobility device in order to charge a battery of the mobility device. The power module implements for example a switching arm, and the control device is designed p [0034] Our control switching this switch arm. The mobility device is for example one of: a motor vehicle, an electric bicycle, an electric drone, an electric scooter, etc.

The electrical devices 102, 104 respectively comprise bases 106, 108 each having holes 106', 108' for inserting pins (called "pins" in English).

Each of the electrical devices 102, 104 further comprises for example two guide holes 110A, 110B and 112A, 112B.

The electrical installation 100 further comprises a wall 114 extending between the electrical devices 102, 104. The wall 114 is generally metallic, for example aluminum, and is for example part of a protective casing of one of the two devices 102, 104, for example the second device 104. An opening 115 is formed in the wall 114.

The electrical installation 100 further comprises an electrical connector 116 for connecting the electrical devices 102, 104 to each other, by connecting, on a first side, to the first base 106 and, on a second side, to the second base 108.

More specifically, the electrical connector 116 comprises pins 118 having, on the first side, first ends 120 designed to be respectively inserted into the holes 106' of the first base 106 and, on the second side, second ends 122 designed to be respectively inserted into the holes 108' of the second base 108. For example, the pins 118 are all straight and parallel to each other.

The electrical connector 116 further comprises at least one pin support 118 designed to hold the pins 118 in place by gripping them. In the example described, three supports are provided: a first end support 124 located on the side of the first ends 120 of the pins 118, a second end support 126 located on the side of the second ends 122 of the pins 118 and an intermediate support 128 located between the two end supports 124, 126. The supports 124, 126, 128 are for example separated from each other.

As seen in Figure 2, the intermediate support 128 is positioned along the pins 118 so that it extends into the opening 115 of the wall 114 when the electrical connector 116 is connected between the first and second electrical devices 102, 104.

[0042] The first end support 124 may comprise two guide pins 130A, 130B designed to be inserted respectively into the guide holes 110A, 110B of the first electrical device 102, in order to guide the electrical connector 116 during its connection. to the first electrical device 102. Similarly, the second end support 126 may comprise two guide pins 132A, 132B designed to be inserted respectively into the guide holes 112A, 112B of the second electrical device 104, in order to guide the connector electrical 116 when connected to the second electrical device 104.

Referring to Figure 3, Figure 5 and Figure 6, the electrical connector 116 will be described in more detail.

The pins 118 are distributed over first and second rows 302A, 302B. Thus, the first ends 120 of the pins 118 of the first row 302A, as well as the first ends 120 of the pins 118 of the second row 302B, are aligned parallel to a first so-called transverse direction T1. Similarly, the second ends 122 of the pins 118 of the first row 302A, as well as the second ends 122 of the pins of the second row 302B, are aligned parallel to a second so-called transverse direction T2.

When the pins 118 are straight and parallel to each other (as in the example shown), the first and second transverse directions T1, T2 are the same and are perpendicular to the direction of the pins 118. In other cases, for example when the pins 118 are curved, the first and second transverse directions T1, T2 could be different.

Furthermore, each support 124, 126, 128 comprises a first support part 124A, 126A, 128A enclosing the pins 118 of the first row 302A and a second support part 124B, 126B, 128B enclosing the pins 118 of the second row 302B.

[0047] For each support 124, 126, 128, the first and second support parts 124A, 124B, 126A, 126B, 128A, 128B are identical to each other and each designed to hook onto the other. , for example to clip into it. More specifically, for the first end support 124, the first support piece 124A comprises first and second complementary attachment parts 306A, 308A. The second support piece 124B being identical, it also comprises first and second complementary attachment parts 306B, 308B. In order for the first and second support parts 124A, 124B to cling to each other, the first gripping part 306A of the first support part 124A is thus designed to cooperate with the second gripping part 308B of the second support part 124B, while the second attachment part 308A of the first support part 124A is designed to cooperate with the first attachment part 306B of the second support part 124B.

For example, each first attachment part 306A, 306B comprises a flexible hook and each second attachment part 308A, 308B comprises an opening for receiving the flexible hook of the other part, to ensure clipping.

The same structure is for example implemented for the second end support 126 and/or for the intermediate support 128.

In addition, for each of the first and second end supports 124, 126, each of the first and second support parts 124A, 124B and 126A, 126B may comprise a guide pin 310A, 310B and an opening 312A, 312B receiving the guide pin of the other support piece 124A, 124B and 126A, 126B, in order to guide the attachment of the two support pieces 124A, 124B and 126A, 126B.

Furthermore, the first and second support parts 124A, 124B of the first end support 124 may respectively comprise the guide pins 130A, 130B. Similarly, the first and second parts 126A, 126B of the second end support 126 may respectively comprise the guide pins 132A, 132B.

[0053] Referring to Figure 4, an example of a method 400 of manufacturing and using the electrical connector 116 will now be described.

During a step 402, the first row 302A of pins 118 is received. Preferably, the pins 118 are received already attached to each other by retaining tabs, for example integral with the pins 118. [0055] During a step 404, each first support piece 124A, 126A, 128A is molded around the pins 118 of the first row 302A, using one or more molds. Each mold comprises for example two half-molds designed to be closed on the pins 118 of the first row 302A. For example, all the first support parts 124A, 126A, 128A are produced at the same time using a single mold.

[0056] The molding is facilitated by the fact that the retaining tabs hold the pins 118 in place.

[0057] After molding, during a step 406, the retaining tabs are cut.

The result of steps 402 to 406 makes it possible to obtain an electrical half-connector, as for example illustrated in FIG. 5.

Returning to Figure 4, steps 402-406 are repeated with second row 302B of pins 118, to fabricate second support pieces 124B, 126B, 128B.

At this stage, two half-connectors have thus been manufactured.

[0061] During a step 408 illustrated in Figure 6, the two half-connectors are attached to each other. For this, each first support piece 124A, 126A, 128A is brought close to the associated second support piece 124B, 126B, 128B. During this rapprochement, each pair of first and second attachment parts 306A, 308B and 306B, 308A cooperate to attach the two support parts 124A, 124B, 126A, 126B, 128A, 128B. For example, the flexible hook bends to enter the associated opening, then releases to ensure clipping.

[0062] At this stage, the electrical connector 116, for example as shown in Figure 3, has been manufactured.

Returning to Figure 4, during a step 410, the electrical connector 116 is connected between the two electrical devices 102, 104. More specifically, for this, the electrical connector 116 passes through the opening 115 of the wall 114. In addition, the upper ends 120 of the pins 118 are inserted into the first base 106. This connection is facilitated by the insertion of the guide pins 130A, 130B respectively in the guide openings 110A, 110B. Similarly, the lower ends 122 of the pins 118 are inserted into the second base 108. This connection is facilitated by the insertion of the guide pins 132A, 132B respectively in the guide openings 112A, 112B.

The result of this step 410 is illustrated in Figure 7.

[0065] It is clear that an electrical connector such as that described above makes it possible to dispense with forced insertion of the pins, even if the latter are distributed over two rows.

It will also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in the light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

In the detailed presentation of the invention which is made above, the terms used must not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiments set out in the present description, but must be interpreted to include therein all the equivalents including the forecast is within the reach of those skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

Claims

[1] Electrical half-connector comprising: a first row (302A) of pins (1 18); and a first part (124A, 126A, 128A) supporting the pins (118) of the first row (302A); characterized in that the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) comprises first and second complementary gripping parts (306A, 308A), so that the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) can be attach to a second support part (124B, 126B, 128B) of another electrical half-connector, this second support part (124B, 126B, 128B) being identical to the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) , by cooperation of the first attachment part (306A, 306B) of each with the second attachment part (308A, 308B) of the other.

[2] Electrical half-connector according to claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping parts (306A, 308A) of the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) are designed to produce a clipping of the first part (124A, 126A, 128A) with the second support piece (124B, 126B, 128B).

[3] Electrical half-connector according to claim 2, wherein the first gripping part (306A) comprises a flexible hook and in which the second gripping part (308A) comprises an opening for receiving the flexible hook of the second support piece (124B, 126B, 128B) of the other electrical connector half.

[4] Electrical half-connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first support part (124A, 126A) comprises a guide pin (310A) and a guide opening (312A), so that , when the first support part (124A, 126A) is approached to the second support part (124B, 126B), the guide pin (310A) of the first support part (124A, 126A) is inserted into the guide opening (312B) of the second support part (124B, 126B) and the guide opening (312A) of the first support part (124A, 126A) receives the guide pin (312B) of the second part of holder (126B).

[5] Electrical half-connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first support part (124A, 126A) comprises a guide pin (130A, 132A) designed to fit into a guide hole (110A, 112A) complementary to an electrical device (102).

[6] Electrical half-connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a plurality of first support parts (124A, 126A, 128A) each comprising first and second complementary attachment parts (306A, 308A), so that each first support piece (124A, 126A, 128A) can hook onto a second support piece (124B, 126B, 128B) of another electrical connector half, this second support piece (124B, 126B , 128B) being identical to the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A), by cooperation of the first attachment part (306A, 306B) of each with the second attachment part (308A, 308B) of the other.

[7] Electrical connector (116) comprising two half-connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 6, with the first support part (124A,

126A, 128A) and the second support piece (124B, 126B, 128B) hooked to each other by cooperation of the first hooking part (306A, 306B) of each with the second hooking part (308A , 308B) on the other.

[8] Electrical installation (100) comprising: a first and a second electrical device (102, 104) respectively comprising a first and a second base (106, 108); and an electrical connector (116) according to claim 7, a first end (120) of the pins (118) of the first and second rows (302A, 302B) being inserted into the first socket (106) and a second end (122) of the pins (118) of the first and second rows (302A, 302B) being inserted into the second socket (108).

[9] Electrical installation (100) according to claim 8, wherein the first electrical device (102) comprises a power module and the second electrical device (104) comprises a control device of the power module.

[10] Electrical installation (100) according to claim 9, further comprising a wall (1 14) separating the first and second electrical devices (102, 104) and having an opening (1 15) in which the electrical connector (116) passes, the electrical connector (116) comprising a support (128) formed of first and second identical support pieces (128A, 128B) hooked to one another, this support (128) extending into the opening (115) of the wall (114).

[11] A method (400) of manufacturing an electrical connector (116) according to claim 7, comprising: a molding (404) of the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) around the pins (118) of the first row (302A); a molding (404) of the second support piece (124B, 126B, 128B) around the pins (118) of the second row (302B); and a hooking (408) of the first support part (124A, 126A, 128A) to the second support part (124B, 126B, 128B), by cooperation of the first hooking part (306A, 306B) of each with the second attachment part (308A, 308B) on the other.