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EP0593343B1 - Electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements - Google Patents

Electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0593343B1
EP0593343B1 EP19930402482 EP93402482A EP0593343B1 EP 0593343 B1 EP0593343 B1 EP 0593343B1 EP 19930402482 EP19930402482 EP 19930402482 EP 93402482 A EP93402482 A EP 93402482A EP 0593343 B1 EP0593343 B1 EP 0593343B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact member
connector
elastic arm
elastic
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19930402482
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0593343A1 (en
Inventor
Denis Maurice
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nexans Interface SA
Original Assignee
Alcatel Cable Interface
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 Alcatel Cable Interface filed Critical Alcatel Cable Interface
Publication of EP0593343A1 publication Critical patent/EP0593343A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0593343B1 publication Critical patent/EP0593343B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/28—Contacts for sliding cooperation with identically-shaped contact, e.g. for hermaphroditic coupling devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
    • H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
    • H01R4/242—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members being plates having a single slot
    • H01R4/2425—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates
    • H01R4/2429—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates mounted in an insulating base
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
    • H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
    • H01R4/242—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members being plates having a single slot
    • H01R4/2425—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
    • H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
    • H01R4/2445—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members having additional means acting on the insulation or the wire, e.g. additional insulation penetrating means, strain relief means or wire cutting knives
    • H01R4/2462—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members having additional means acting on the insulation or the wire, e.g. additional insulation penetrating means, strain relief means or wire cutting knives the contact members being in a slotted bent configuration, e.g. slotted bight

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements, this connector being made up of two assemblable parts to be removable and having its identical contact elements, facing each other and coupled with the assembly of these two parts.
  • Such a connector can be used in particular in the computer field or in the field of telephony, to ensure the connection of external conductors connected to its contact elements.
  • Document DE-C-685737 discloses a connector which has two identical contact elements facing each other in its two connector parts in the assembly position.
  • Each of the contact elements is cylindrical and has elastic end tabs.
  • the contact element is associated with a concentric holding sleeve, which itself has elastic terminal tongues, bent in the form of a spring and offset radially with respect to the tabs of this contact element.
  • Document FR-A-1247715 which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1, has proposed a connector with flat hermaphrodite contact elements, each of which has its terminal coupling part in the form of a rectangular blade split over part of its length. to define multiple elastic tabs side by side. These tongues are bent alternately in one direction and the other, on either side of the plane of the blade. The the tongues of two contact elements facing each other slide one over or under the other, overlapping and thus being directly coupled, during the assembly of the two parts of the connector. Opposite the tabs, each contact element can be connected to a conductor and for this purpose has a tubular socket or the like crimped or welded to this conductor.
  • Document DE-A-3019992 describes a contact element for such a connector, whose rectangular terminal coupling part is divided into two tabs by a slot and has on the one hand one of its two tabs remaining in the plane of the blade and the other offset from this plane by a folding and on the other hand has a hole and a complementary boss on one and the other of the two tongues, respectively.
  • This boss engaged in the hole of the corresponding tongue of the contact element coupled to that considered improves the quality of the coupling of the contact elements as long as their tongues remain sufficiently elastic.
  • the document FR-A-2628898 describes another contact element for such a connector, the rectangular terminal coupling part of which has several elastic tabs, one of which is on the one hand with lateral boss opposite a complementary imprint on the edge of the tab (s) which are adjacent to it and is, on the other hand, slightly bent but without arch relative to the or adjacent tabs.
  • Such contact elements are improved coupling compared to those described in the first document, due to the coupling on edges between tongues, in addition to the junctions of their surfaces. Although less bulky and of better quality coupling, these features remain to be improved in particular for the targeted applications.
  • the main object of the present invention is to meet these needs.
  • the contact element illustrated in FIG. 1 is designated by the general reference 1. It is constituted by a flat blade, of generally initially rectangular shape, on which is defined by a lateral cutout an elastic arm 2 for coupling with another element identical contact.
  • This arm 2 is in the plane of the blade. It is of width and length substantially half that of the initial blade and extends almost on one side of the longitudinal axis of the blade, defining on the other side of this axis a shoulder 3 on this blade.
  • Its edge located practically on this longitudinal axis and said internal edge has, from its end and following each other, a boss 4, quasi-terminal and projecting on this axis, a notch 5, recessed on this axis and a final portion 6 merged with this axis.
  • the middle part of the boss and the bottom of the notch are flat and parallel to the longitudinal axis. Relative to this axis, the notch is slightly less deep than the height of the middle part of the boss.
  • the boss extends to the end of the arm to come back on the longitudinal axis and constitute a terminal chamfer 4A.
  • the junction of the middle part of the boss with the bottom of the notch is of opposite slope from that of this chamfer.
  • the opposite edge called the outer edge of the arm simply forms a slight chamfer 7 along its length, relative to the corresponding edge of the initial blade.
  • This contact element 1 also has, on the part of the blade that is not cut and opposite the arm 2, an insulation displacement slot 8 for connection to an external conductor.
  • This insulation displacement slot is centered on the longitudinal axis of the blade. It is opened by an 8A entry V on the short side of the blade.
  • Figures 2 and 3 show this contact element 1 and another contact element 1 ', identical to the previous one and simply turned 180 ° on itself, in a removable connector 10 consisting of two parts 11 and 12. These two elements contact are mounted and retained vis-à-vis in the two connector parts 11 and 12. They are coupled to each other with the assembly of connector parts whose internal coupling faces are complementary.
  • the connector part 11 has a narrow slot 13 used for mounting and retaining the contact element 1.
  • the shape and dimensions of this slot are practically identical to those of the contact element.
  • This slot 13 is open on the one hand directly on the external face opposite to that internal of the insulating body of the part 11 and on the other hand laterally in a window 14 formed in the internal assembly face of the part 11. It n on the other hand is not open directly on this internal face.
  • the window 14 is of substantially less depth than the length of the elastic arm 2. It is in this example of rectangular section, but may be different.
  • the contact element 1 is fully housed in this slot, having the boss of its slightly protruding arm in window 14 while the notch of this arm is set back but accessible from this window.
  • the chamfer of the outer edge 7 of its arm leaves a slight clearance 13A between it and the edge facing the slot.
  • the edge of the opening of the window 14 is chamfered, at least on the side of the slot 13, as illustrated in 14A. This chamfered edge 14A extends the end chamfer of the arm of the contact element 1.
  • the insulation displacement slot 8 of the contact element corresponds to a groove 15 formed in the external face of the connector part 11, transversely to the slot 13.
  • This groove 15 is of width corresponding to the opening of the inlet V 8A and of depth corresponding to that of the slot 8, for the connection of the external conductor.
  • the other connector part 12 is made complementary to part 11 for their assembly. It is also with a narrow slot 23, assigned to the contact element 1 ′ and open directly on the external face of the insulating body of this part 12. This slot 23 extends in a projecting leg 24 on the internal assembly face of part 12, and is open laterally on this leg. This leg 24 is complementary to the window 14 in which it fully engages.
  • the boss of the arm of the contact element 1 ' is projecting laterally on the leg and the notch of this arm in withdrawal but accessible laterally, for their engagement in the notch and on the boss of the arm of the contact element 1
  • the outside chamfer of the arm of the contact element 1 ′ leaves a play 23A between it and the corresponding edge of the slot 23.
  • this part 12 On the external face of this part 12 is provided a groove 25, transverse to the slot 23 and similar to the groove 15, to allow the connection of another external conductor to the contact element 1 '.
  • the elastic arm of one and the other of the contact elements is held by pressing its large faces on the edges of the slot 13 or 23, thereby removing any elasticity in the transverse direction of the arm and leaving it only low elasticity in its own plane thanks to the play 13A or 23A.
  • the coupling of the two elements 1 and 1 ′ is carried out on edge between their arms and obtained by pressing the internal edges of these arms one against the other, when the boss of each of them is in the notch of the other.
  • Figures 4 and 5 correspond to a preferred embodiment of the contact element according to the invention, designated by the general reference 30.
  • This contact element 30 is said to be double and constituted by a flat blade, initially rectangular and of length double that defining the previous contact element 1, which is cut and folded on itself around its minor median axis 31.
  • the contact element 30 has a double elastic arm 32, 33, which are substantially half the width of that of the blade and extend generally one on one side and the other on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the blade. These arms 32 and 33 are defined on the opposite end parts of the blade before folding and come side by side but offset from each other by the thickness of the blade, after folding thereof as shown in the figure 4 and in dotted lines in FIG. 5.
  • One of the arms, here the arm 32 has on its internal edge a quasi-terminal boss 34, projecting from the axis of the blade, and the other arm 33 a notch 35 also quasi-terminal complementary boss 34.
  • This boss 34 extends to the end by forming a chamfer 34A recessed on the longitudinal axis.
  • a similar chamfer 35A is provided at the end of the notch 35.
  • the outer edge of each of the two arms is chamfered along its length, as illustrated in 36 and 37.
  • a central cutout 38 formed on either side of the folding axis 31 in the unfolded blade, defines an insulation displacement slot, opposite the arms on the folded blade.
  • the two longitudinal edges of this cut are defined symmetrically on one side and the other of this folding axis.
  • each of them has a single portion 38A perpendicular to the folding axis, on one side or the other of this axis depending on the edge considered, and on the second side of this axis a portion 38B, at an angle on this axis 31, then a portion 38C, parallel to the portion 38A and relatively close to the longitudinal axis.
  • the edges of the insulation displacement gap, obtained after folding and designated by this same reference 38 are defined by the portions 38C of the two edges of the cutout, its entry into a V shape is formed by the portions 38B.
  • the so-called facing edges of this insulation displacement slit and of its V-shaped entry are offset from one another by the thickness of the blade, by folding it.
  • Figures 6 and 7 show this contact element 30 and another 30 ', identical but simply turned 180 ° on itself, in a removable connector 40 in two parts 41 and 42. These two contact elements 30 and 30' are coupled with the assembly of the two parts of the connector, the internal faces of which are complementary.
  • the insulating body of each of these connector parts has a slot 43 or 44 assigned to its contact element.
  • Each slot 43 or 44 is of shape and dimensions adapted to those of the contact element 30 or 30 'which it receives, this to a side play 45 or 46 which it leaves on each side opposite the chamfer of the outer edge of each of the elastic arms of the contact element. It is directly open on the face opposite to that internal assembly and called external part 41 or 42 of connector. There corresponds to it on this external face a transverse groove 47 or 48, for the connection of an external conductor in the insulation displacement slot of the contact element in place.
  • the connector part 41 or upper part in these Figures 6 and 7, has two relatively deep windows 51 and 52, which are formed in its internal coupling face. These two rectangular section windows are side by side and said to be contiguous but extend on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the connector part 41. They communicate with each other at their junction in this median plane.
  • the slot 43 opens out along this median plane into one and the other of these windows, making the internal edges of the two elastic arms accessible.
  • the two elastic arms of the contact element 30 in place in the slot 43 each have that of their faces, located in the plane of folding of the initial blade and called the internal face, which is thus directly accessible in the one or the other of the two windows depending on the arm considered.
  • Their other so-called outer face is itself held in abutment against the corresponding edge of the slot.
  • the end of the two elastic arms is protected by the opening edge of the corresponding window 51 or 52 on the internal face of this connector part.
  • This opening is simply chamfered, as illustrated in 51A or 52A in correspondence with the terminal chamfer of each elastic arm.
  • the internal face of the elastic arm considered is accessible in one of the windows and its internal edge accessible in the other window.
  • the internal assembly face of the other connector part or lower part 42 is made complementary that of the connector part 41. It is specified with further reference to FIG. 8. It has two projecting legs 53 and 54, corresponding to the two aforementioned windows. These two legs have one of their so-called inner face in the same plane, which is the median plane of the contact element 30 ′ or of this lower part, but are on either side of this plane. They are made simply quasi-contiguous and not connected to each other, on the one hand by the slot 44 ending in this median plane in the inner face of one and the other of the legs, and on the other part by two facing chamfers 53A, 54A on these legs.
  • These two facing chamfers correspond to the facing ends in the median plane of the chamfered ends 53B, 54B of these two legs.
  • the elastic arms of the contact element 30 ′ come to rest in abutment in the inner face of the legs 53, 54, having their inner faces flush with the inner faces of the legs and thus accessible.
  • the boss that one of the arms has is projecting laterally on the leg carrying this arm.
  • the coupling of the two contact elements 30 and 30 ', with the assembly of the two connector parts, is obtained by the pressure contact on edge of the internal edges of the two elastic arms of one and the other of the two elements of contact but also by the support of the inner faces of the elastic arms of the contact elements one on the other.
  • the connector according to the invention may include several contact elements facing each other in each of their two connector parts, which are coupled in pairs with the assembly of the two connector parts.
  • each internal edge of the double elastic arm can be similar to that of the single elastic arm of the contact element according to Figure 1 and then include a boss and a notch.

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  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un connecteur électrique à éléments de contact hermaphrodites, ce connecteur étant constitué en deux parties assemblables pour être démontable et ayant ses éléments de contacts identiques, en vis-à-vis et couplés avec l'assemblage de ces deux parties.The present invention relates to an electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements, this connector being made up of two assemblable parts to be removable and having its identical contact elements, facing each other and coupled with the assembly of these two parts.

Un tel connecteur peut être utilisé notamment dans le domaine informatique ou le domaine de la téléphonie, pour assurer la connexion de conducteurs extérieurs reliés à ses éléments de contact.Such a connector can be used in particular in the computer field or in the field of telephony, to ensure the connection of external conductors connected to its contact elements.

On connaît par le document DE-C-685737 un connecteur qui comporte deux éléments de contact identiques en vis-à-vis dans ses deux parties de connecteur en position d'assemblage. Chacun des éléments de contact est cylindrique et présente des pattes terminales élastiques. Dans chaque partie de connecteur l'élément de contact est associé à une douille concentrique de maintien, qui présente elle-même des languettes terminales élastiques, cambrées en forme de ressort et décalées radialement par rapport aux pattes de cet élément de contact.Document DE-C-685737 discloses a connector which has two identical contact elements facing each other in its two connector parts in the assembly position. Each of the contact elements is cylindrical and has elastic end tabs. In each connector part, the contact element is associated with a concentric holding sleeve, which itself has elastic terminal tongues, bent in the form of a spring and offset radially with respect to the tabs of this contact element.

Ces languettes de la douille de maintien de l'élément de contact de l'une des parties du connecteur correspondent par contre radialement et sont reçues en pression contre les pattes de l'élément de contact de l'autre partie de connecteur, lors de l'assemblage de ces deux parties, pour le couplage deux éléments de contact.These tabs of the socket for holding the contact element of one of the parts of the connector on the other hand correspond radially and are received under pressure against the lugs of the contact element of the other part of the connector, during the 'assembly of these two parts, for coupling two contact elements.

On a proposé dans le document FR-A-1247715, qui correspond au préambule de la revendication 1, un connecteur à éléments de contact hermaphrodites plats, qui ont chacun leur partie terminale de couplage en forme de lame rectangulaire fendue sur une partie de sa longueur pour définir plusieurs languettes élastiques côte à côte. Ces languettes sont cambrées alternativement dans un sens et l'autre, de part et d'autre du plan de la lame. Les languettes de deux éléments de contact en vis-à-vis se glissent les unes sur ou sous les autres, en se superposant et étant ainsi directement couplées, lors de l'assemblage des deux parties du connecteur. A l'opposé des languettes, chaque élément de contact peut être relié à un conducteur et présente à cet effet une douille tubulaire ou analogue sertie ou soudée à ce conducteur.Document FR-A-1247715, which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1, has proposed a connector with flat hermaphrodite contact elements, each of which has its terminal coupling part in the form of a rectangular blade split over part of its length. to define multiple elastic tabs side by side. These tongues are bent alternately in one direction and the other, on either side of the plane of the blade. The the tongues of two contact elements facing each other slide one over or under the other, overlapping and thus being directly coupled, during the assembly of the two parts of the connector. Opposite the tabs, each contact element can be connected to a conductor and for this purpose has a tubular socket or the like crimped or welded to this conductor.

Ces éléments de contact sont relativement encombrants et nécessitent de relativement larges ouvertures dans les parties du connecteur pour recevoir les languettes et permettre leur déformation élastique lors de leur couplage. En outre la qualité de la connexion obtenue pour ce couplage des languettes superposées n'est pas toujours satisfaisante et notamment n'est pas fiable dans le temps après plusieurs démontages du connecteur.These contact elements are relatively bulky and require relatively large openings in the parts of the connector to receive the tabs and allow their elastic deformation during their coupling. In addition, the quality of the connection obtained for this coupling of the superposed tabs is not always satisfactory and in particular is not reliable over time after several dismantling of the connector.

Le document DE-A-3019992 décrit quant à lui un élément de contact pour un tel connecteur, dont la partie terminale rectangulaire de couplage est divisée en deux languettes par une fente et a d'une part l'une de ses deux languettes restant dans le plan de la lame et l'autre décalée de ce plan par un pliage et d'autre part présente un trou et un bossage complémentaires sur l'une et l'autre des deux languettes, respectivement. Ce bossage engagé dans le trou de la languette correspondante de l'élément de contact couplé à celui considéré améliore la qualité du couplage des éléments de contact tant que leurs languettes restent suffisamment élastiques.Document DE-A-3019992 describes a contact element for such a connector, whose rectangular terminal coupling part is divided into two tabs by a slot and has on the one hand one of its two tabs remaining in the plane of the blade and the other offset from this plane by a folding and on the other hand has a hole and a complementary boss on one and the other of the two tongues, respectively. This boss engaged in the hole of the corresponding tongue of the contact element coupled to that considered improves the quality of the coupling of the contact elements as long as their tongues remain sufficiently elastic.

Le document FR-A-2628898 décrit un autre élément de contact pour un tel connecteur, dont la partie terminale rectangulaire de couplage est à plusieurs languettes élastiques dont l'une est d'une part à bossage latéral en regard d'une empreinte complémentaire sur le bord de la ou des languettes qui lui sont adjacentes et est d'autre part légèrement infléchie mais sans cambrage relativement à la ou aux languettes adjacentes. De tels éléments de contact sont à couplage amélioré par rapport à ceux décrits dans le premier document, du fait du couplage sur chants entre languettes, en plus des jonctions de leurs surfaces. Bien que moins encombrants et de couplage de meilleure qualité, ces particularités restent à améliorer en particulier pour les applications visées.The document FR-A-2628898 describes another contact element for such a connector, the rectangular terminal coupling part of which has several elastic tabs, one of which is on the one hand with lateral boss opposite a complementary imprint on the edge of the tab (s) which are adjacent to it and is, on the other hand, slightly bent but without arch relative to the or adjacent tabs. Such contact elements are improved coupling compared to those described in the first document, due to the coupling on edges between tongues, in addition to the junctions of their surfaces. Although less bulky and of better quality coupling, these features remain to be improved in particular for the targeted applications.

La présente invention a pour but essentiellement de répondre à ces besoins.The main object of the present invention is to meet these needs.

Elle a pour objet un connecteur électrique à éléments de contact hermaphrodites, comportant une première partie de connecteur et une deuxième partie de connecteur,
assemblables l'une à l'autre et équipées desdits éléments de contact montés en vis-à-vis dans les deux parties de connecteur en position d'assemblage, et dans lequel chaque élément de contact présente au moins un bras élastique terminal de couplage de cet élément de contact à l'élément de contact en vis-à-vis et un contact opposé de raccordement à un conducteur extérieur et les première et deuxième parties de connecteur présentent chacune une face interne d'assemblage et une face externe opposée et comportent une fente de montage et retenue de chaque élément de contact, ouverte le long d'une partie terminale dite interne dans un premier moyen, respectivement deuxième moyen, d'accès prévu sur la face interne de ladite première, respectivement deuxième, partie de connecteur, lesdits premier et deuxième moyens d'accès étant complémentaires et emboîtables l'un dans l'autre, caractérisé en ce que :

  • chaque élément de contact est constitué par une lame initiale plate,
  • chaque bras élastique de chaque élément de contact est de largeur sensiblement moitié de celle de ladite lame initiale, a l'un de ses bords dit bord interne sensiblement sur l'axe longitudinal de cette lame initiale, et s'étend dans la partie terminale interne de la fente retenant cet élément de contact, en présentant un seul jeu élastique possible dans le plan de l'élément de contact, le couplage des éléments de contact en vis-à-vis étant obtenu par contact à pression sur chant des bords internes de leurs bras élastiques,
  • ledit premier moyen d'accès comporte une fenêtre d'ouverture, prévue dans la face interne de la première partie de connecteur et transversale à chaque bras élastique de l'élément de contact en place, s'étendant sensiblement le long du bord interne de ce bras élastique, et
  • ledit deuxième moyen d'accès comporte un jambage, saillant sur la face interne de la deuxième partie de connecteur et dans lequel s'étend la partie terminale interne de la fente concernée en étant ouverte,
transversalement à chaque bras élastique de l'élément de contact en place, sensiblement le long du bord interne de ce bras élastique.Its subject is an electrical connector with hermaphrodite contact elements, comprising a first connector part and a second connector part,
connectable to each other and equipped with said contact elements mounted vis-à-vis in the two connector parts in the assembly position, and in which each contact element has at least one terminal elastic coupling arm this contact element with the opposite contact element and an opposite contact for connection to an external conductor and the first and second connector parts each have an internal assembly face and an opposite external face and comprise a mounting and retaining slot of each contact element, open along a so-called internal end part in a first means, respectively second means, of access provided on the internal face of said first, respectively second, connector part, said first and second access means being complementary and nestable one inside the other, characterized in that:
  • each contact element consists of an initial flat blade,
  • each elastic arm of each contact element is of width substantially half that of said initial blade, has one of its edges said internal edge substantially on the longitudinal axis of this initial blade, and extends in the internal end part of the slot retaining this contact element, presenting only one possible elastic clearance in the plane of the contact element, the coupling of the contact elements facing each other being obtained by pressure contact on singing of the internal edges of their elastic arms,
  • said first access means comprises an opening window, provided in the internal face of the first connector part and transverse to each elastic arm of the contact element in place, extending substantially along the internal edge of this elastic arm, and
  • said second access means comprises a leg projecting from the internal face of the second connector part and in which the internal terminal part of the slot concerned extends while being open,
transversely to each elastic arm of the contact element in place, substantially along the internal edge of this elastic arm.

Le connecteur présente en outre avantageusement au moins l'une des caractéristiques suivantes:

  • chaque élément de contact est à bras élastique unique, pour lequel la fenêtre d'ouverture et le jambage sont également dits uniques.
  • le bras élastique unique comporte un bossage et une échancrure à la suite l'un de l'autre et sensiblement complémentaires sur son bord interne.
  • chaque élément de contact est à bras élastique double et formé par un premier et deuxième bras élastique s'étendant côte à côte mais décalés l'un de l'autre de l'épaisseur de la lame initiale pliée sur elle-même autour de son axe transversal, pour lequel la fenêtre d'ouverture et le jambage sont également dits doubles et formés par une première et une deuxième fenêtre côte à côte et un premier et un deuxième jambage côte à côte, respectivement.
  • lesdites première et deuxième fenêtres ont une paroi dite interne sensiblement dans le plan longitudinal médian de la fente concernée, sont couplées l'une à l'autre au niveau de l'ouverture de cette fente le long du bord interne desdits premier et deuxième bras élastiques et s'étendent depuis ladite ouverture d'un côté et de l'autre dudit plan longitudinal médian, en rendant accessibles sur leur paroi interne l'une des faces dite face interne des premier et deuxième bras élastiques, respectivement.
The connector also advantageously has at least one of the following characteristics:
  • each contact element has a single elastic arm, for which the opening window and the jamb are also said to be unique.
  • the single elastic arm has a boss and a notch following one another and substantially complementary on its internal edge.
  • each contact element is with double elastic arm and formed by a first and second elastic arm extending side by side but offset from each other by the thickness of the initial blade folded on itself around its axis transverse, for which the opening window and the jamb are also said to be double and formed by a first and a second window side by side and a first and a second jamb side by side, respectively.
  • said first and second windows have a so-called internal wall substantially in the median longitudinal plane of the slot concerned, are coupled to each other at the opening of this slot along the internal edge of said first and second elastic arms and extend from said opening on one side and the other of said median longitudinal plane, making accessible on their internal wall one of the faces called internal face of the first and second elastic arms, respectively.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description donnée ci-après de modes de réalisation donnés à titre d'exemple et illustrés dans les dessins joints. Dans ces dessins:

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un élément de contact selon la présente invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'un connecteur selon l'invention équipé de deux éléments de contact selon la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III du connecteur de la figure 2,
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'une variante préférée de réalisation de l'élément de contact selon l'invention,
  • la figure 5 est une vue en développé de l'élément de contact selon la figure 4,
  • la figure 6 est une vue en coupe d'un connecteur selon l'invention équipé de deux éléments de contact selon la figure 4,
  • la figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VII-VII du connecteur de la figure 6,
  • la figure 8 est une vue de dessus de la partie inférieure du connecteur des figures 6 et 7.
The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below of embodiments given by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contact element according to the present invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a connector according to the invention equipped with two contact elements according to FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of the connector of FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred variant embodiment of the contact element according to the invention,
  • FIG. 5 is a developed view of the contact element according to FIG. 4,
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a connector according to the invention equipped with two contact elements according to FIG. 4,
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII of the connector of FIG. 6,
  • FIG. 8 is a top view of the lower part of the connector of FIGS. 6 and 7.

L'élément de contact illustré dans la figure 1 est désigné sous la référence globale 1. Il est constitué par une lame plate, de forme générale initialement rectangulaire, sur laquelle est défini par une découpe latérale un bras élastique 2 de couplage avec un autre élément de contact identique. Ce bras 2 est dans le plan de la lame. Il est de largeur et de longueur sensiblement moitié de celles de la lame initiale et s'étend quasiment d'un côté de l'axe longitudinal de la lame, en définissant de l'autre côte de cet axe un épaulement 3 sur cette lame.The contact element illustrated in FIG. 1 is designated by the general reference 1. It is constituted by a flat blade, of generally initially rectangular shape, on which is defined by a lateral cutout an elastic arm 2 for coupling with another element identical contact. This arm 2 is in the plane of the blade. It is of width and length substantially half that of the initial blade and extends almost on one side of the longitudinal axis of the blade, defining on the other side of this axis a shoulder 3 on this blade.

Son bord, situé pratiquement sur cet axe longitudinal et dit bord interne présente, depuis son extrémité et à la suite les uns des autres, un bossage 4, quasi-terminal et saillant sur cet axe, une échancrure 5, en retrait sur cet axe et une portion finale 6 confondue avec cet axe. La partie médiane du bossage et le fond de l'échancrure sont plats et parallèles à l'axe longitudinal. Par rapport à cet axe, l'échancrure est de profondeur légèrement moindre que la hauteur de la partie médiane du bossage. Le bossage se prolonge jusqu'à l'extrémité du bras pour venir en retrait sur l'axe longitudinal et constituer un chanfrein terminal 4A. La jonction de la partie médiane du bossage avec le fond de l'échancrure est de pente inverse de celle de ce chanfrein.Its edge, located practically on this longitudinal axis and said internal edge has, from its end and following each other, a boss 4, quasi-terminal and projecting on this axis, a notch 5, recessed on this axis and a final portion 6 merged with this axis. The middle part of the boss and the bottom of the notch are flat and parallel to the longitudinal axis. Relative to this axis, the notch is slightly less deep than the height of the middle part of the boss. The boss extends to the end of the arm to come back on the longitudinal axis and constitute a terminal chamfer 4A. The junction of the middle part of the boss with the bottom of the notch is of opposite slope from that of this chamfer.

Le bord opposé dit externe du bras forme simplement un léger chanfrein 7 sur sa longueur, relativement au bord correspondant de la lame initiale.The opposite edge called the outer edge of the arm simply forms a slight chamfer 7 along its length, relative to the corresponding edge of the initial blade.

Cet élément de contact 1 présente par ailleurs, sur la partie de la lame non découpée et opposée au bras 2, une fente autodénudante 8 de raccordement à un conducteur extérieur. Cette fente autodénudante est centrée sur l'axe longitudinal de la lame. Elle est ouverte par un Vé d'entrée 8A sur le petit côté de la lame.This contact element 1 also has, on the part of the blade that is not cut and opposite the arm 2, an insulation displacement slot 8 for connection to an external conductor. This insulation displacement slot is centered on the longitudinal axis of the blade. It is opened by an 8A entry V on the short side of the blade.

Les figures 2 et 3 montrent cet élément de contact 1 et un autre élément de contact 1', identique au précédent et simplement retourné de 180° sur lui-même, dans un connecteur démontable 10 constitué en deux parties 11 et 12. Ces deux éléments de contact sont montés et retenus en vis-à-vis dans les deux parties 11 et 12 de connecteur. Ils sont couplés l'un à l'autre avec l'assemblage des parties de connecteur dont les faces internes de couplage sont complémentaires.Figures 2 and 3 show this contact element 1 and another contact element 1 ', identical to the previous one and simply turned 180 ° on itself, in a removable connector 10 consisting of two parts 11 and 12. These two elements contact are mounted and retained vis-à-vis in the two connector parts 11 and 12. They are coupled to each other with the assembly of connector parts whose internal coupling faces are complementary.

La partie 11 de connecteur présente une fente étroite 13 affectée au montage et à la retenue de l'élément de contact 1. La forme et les dimensions de cette fente sont pratiquement identiques à celles de l'élément de contact.The connector part 11 has a narrow slot 13 used for mounting and retaining the contact element 1. The shape and dimensions of this slot are practically identical to those of the contact element.

Cette fente 13 est ouverte d'une part directement sur la face externe opposée à celle interne du corps isolant de la partie 11 et d'autre part latéralement dans une fenêtre 14 pratiquée dans la face interne d'assemblage de la partie 11. Elle n'est par contre pas ouverte directement sur cette face interne. La fenêtre 14 est de profondeur sensiblement moindre que la longueur du bras élastique 2. Elle est dans cet exemple de section rectangulaire, mais peut être différente.This slot 13 is open on the one hand directly on the external face opposite to that internal of the insulating body of the part 11 and on the other hand laterally in a window 14 formed in the internal assembly face of the part 11. It n on the other hand is not open directly on this internal face. The window 14 is of substantially less depth than the length of the elastic arm 2. It is in this example of rectangular section, but may be different.

L'élément de contact 1 se loge entièrement dans cette fente, en ayant le bossage de son bras légèrement saillant dans la fenêtre 14 tandis que l'échancrure de ce bras est en retrait mais accessible depuis cette fenêtre. Le chanfrein du bord extérieur 7 de son bras laisse un léger jeu 13A entre lui et le bord en regard de la fente.The contact element 1 is fully housed in this slot, having the boss of its slightly protruding arm in window 14 while the notch of this arm is set back but accessible from this window. The chamfer of the outer edge 7 of its arm leaves a slight clearance 13A between it and the edge facing the slot.

Le bord de l'ouverture de la fenêtre 14 est chanfreiné, tout au moins du côté de la fente 13, ainsi qu'illustré en 14A. Ce bord chanfreiné 14A prolonge le chanfrein terminal du bras de l'élément de contact 1.The edge of the opening of the window 14 is chamfered, at least on the side of the slot 13, as illustrated in 14A. This chamfered edge 14A extends the end chamfer of the arm of the contact element 1.

A la fente autodénudante 8 de l'élément de contact correspond une rainure 15 pratiquée dans la face externe de la partie 11 de connecteur, transversalement à la fente 13. Cette rainure 15 est de largueur correspondant à l'ouverture du Vé d'entrée 8A et de profondeur correspondant à celle de la fente 8, pour le raccordement du conducteur extérieur.The insulation displacement slot 8 of the contact element corresponds to a groove 15 formed in the external face of the connector part 11, transversely to the slot 13. This groove 15 is of width corresponding to the opening of the inlet V 8A and of depth corresponding to that of the slot 8, for the connection of the external conductor.

L'autre partie 12 de connecteur est rendue complémentaire de la partie 11 pour leur assemblage. Elle est également à fente étroite 23, affectée à l'élément de contact 1' et ouverte directement sur la face externe du corps isolant de cette partie 12. Cette fente 23 s'étend dans un jambage 24 saillant sur la face interne d'assemblage de la partie 12, et est ouverte latéralement sur ce jambage. Ce jambage 24 est complémentaire de la fenêtre 14 dans laquelle il s'engage totalement. Le bossage du bras de l'élément de contact 1' est saillant latéralement sur jambage et l'échancrure de ce bras en retrait mais accessible latéralement, pour leur engagement dans l'échancrure et sur le bossage du bras de l'élément de contact 1. Le chanfrein extérieur du bras de l'élément de contact 1' laisse un jeu 23A entre lui et le bord correspondant de la fente 23.The other connector part 12 is made complementary to part 11 for their assembly. It is also with a narrow slot 23, assigned to the contact element 1 ′ and open directly on the external face of the insulating body of this part 12. This slot 23 extends in a projecting leg 24 on the internal assembly face of part 12, and is open laterally on this leg. This leg 24 is complementary to the window 14 in which it fully engages. The boss of the arm of the contact element 1 'is projecting laterally on the leg and the notch of this arm in withdrawal but accessible laterally, for their engagement in the notch and on the boss of the arm of the contact element 1 The outside chamfer of the arm of the contact element 1 ′ leaves a play 23A between it and the corresponding edge of the slot 23.

Sur la face externe de cette partie 12 est prévue une rainure 25, transversale à la fente 23 et analogue à la rainure 15, pour permettre le raccordement d'un autre conducteur extérieur à l'élément de contact 1'.On the external face of this part 12 is provided a groove 25, transverse to the slot 23 and similar to the groove 15, to allow the connection of another external conductor to the contact element 1 '.

Le bras élastique de l'un et l'autre des éléments de contact est maintenu par appui de ses grandes faces sur les bords de la fente 13 ou 23, en supprimant ainsi toute élasticité dans le sens transversal du bras et ne lui laissant qu'une faible élasticité dans son propre plan grâce au jeu 13A ou 23A. Le couplage des deux éléments 1 et 1' est réalisé sur chant entre leurs bras et obtenu à pression des bords internes de ces bras l'un contre l'autre, lorsque le bossage de chacun d'eux est dans l'échancrure de l'autre.The elastic arm of one and the other of the contact elements is held by pressing its large faces on the edges of the slot 13 or 23, thereby removing any elasticity in the transverse direction of the arm and leaving it only low elasticity in its own plane thanks to the play 13A or 23A. The coupling of the two elements 1 and 1 ′ is carried out on edge between their arms and obtained by pressing the internal edges of these arms one against the other, when the boss of each of them is in the notch of the other.

Les figures 4 et 5 correspondent à une variante préférée de réalisation de l'élément de contact selon l'invention, désigné sous la référence globale 30. Cet élément de contact 30 est dit double et constitué par une lame plate, initialement rectangulaire et de longueur double de celle définissant l'élément de contact précédent 1, qui est découpée et pliée sur elle-même autour de son petit axe médian 31.Figures 4 and 5 correspond to a preferred embodiment of the contact element according to the invention, designated by the general reference 30. This contact element 30 is said to be double and constituted by a flat blade, initially rectangular and of length double that defining the previous contact element 1, which is cut and folded on itself around its minor median axis 31.

L'élément de contact 30 est à double bras élastique 32, 33, qui sont de largeur sensiblement moitié de celle de la lame et s'étendent globalement l'un d'un côté et l'autre de l'autre côté de l'axe longitudinal de la lame. Ces bras 32 et 33 sont définis sur les parties terminales opposées de la lame avant pliage et viennent côte à côte mais décalés l'un de l'autre de l'épaisseur de la lame, après pliage de celle-ci comme montré dans la figure 4 et en pointillés dans la figure 5. L'un des bras, ici le bras 32, présente sur son bord interne un bossage quasi-terminal 34, saillant sur l'axe de la lame, et l'autre bras 33 une échancrure 35 également quasi-terminale complémentaire de bossage 34. Ce bossage 34 se prolonge jusqu'à l'extrémité en formant un chanfrein 34A en retrait sur l'axe longitudinal. Un chanfrein analogue 35A est prévu en bout de l'échancrure 35. Le bord extérieur de chacun des deux bras est chanfreiné sur sa longueur, ainsi qu'illustré en 36 et 37.The contact element 30 has a double elastic arm 32, 33, which are substantially half the width of that of the blade and extend generally one on one side and the other on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the blade. These arms 32 and 33 are defined on the opposite end parts of the blade before folding and come side by side but offset from each other by the thickness of the blade, after folding thereof as shown in the figure 4 and in dotted lines in FIG. 5. One of the arms, here the arm 32, has on its internal edge a quasi-terminal boss 34, projecting from the axis of the blade, and the other arm 33 a notch 35 also quasi-terminal complementary boss 34. This boss 34 extends to the end by forming a chamfer 34A recessed on the longitudinal axis. A similar chamfer 35A is provided at the end of the notch 35. The outer edge of each of the two arms is chamfered along its length, as illustrated in 36 and 37.

Une découpe médiane 38, formée de part et d'autre de l'axe de pliage 31 dans la lame non pliée, définit une fente autodénudante, à l'opposé des bras sur la lame pliée.A central cutout 38, formed on either side of the folding axis 31 in the unfolded blade, defines an insulation displacement slot, opposite the arms on the folded blade.

Les deux bords longitudinaux de cette découpe sont définis de manière symétrique d'un côté et de l'autre de cet axe de pliage. Ainsi chacun d'eux présente une seule portion 38A perpendiculaire à l'axe de pliage, d'un côté ou de l'autre de cet axe selon le bord considéré, et du deuxième côté de cet axe une portion 38B, en biais sur cet axe 31, puis une portion 38C, parallèle à la portion 38A et relativement proche de l'axe longitudinal. Les bords de la fente autodénudante, obtenue après pliage et désignée par cette même référence 38, sont définis par les portions 38C des deux bords de la découpe, son entrée en Vé est formée par les portions 38B. Les bords dits en vis-à-vis de cette fente autodénudante et de son entrée en Vé sont décalés l'un de l'autre de l'épaisseur de la lame, par le pliage de celle-ci.The two longitudinal edges of this cut are defined symmetrically on one side and the other of this folding axis. Thus each of them has a single portion 38A perpendicular to the folding axis, on one side or the other of this axis depending on the edge considered, and on the second side of this axis a portion 38B, at an angle on this axis 31, then a portion 38C, parallel to the portion 38A and relatively close to the longitudinal axis. The edges of the insulation displacement gap, obtained after folding and designated by this same reference 38, are defined by the portions 38C of the two edges of the cutout, its entry into a V shape is formed by the portions 38B. The so-called facing edges of this insulation displacement slit and of its V-shaped entry are offset from one another by the thickness of the blade, by folding it.

Les figures 6 et 7 montrent cet élément de contact 30 et un autre 30', identique mais simplement retourné de 180° sur lui-même, dans un connecteur démontable 40 en deux parties 41 et 42. Ces deux éléments de contact 30 et 30' sont couplés avec l'assemblage des deux parties du connecteur, dont les faces internes sont complémentaires.Figures 6 and 7 show this contact element 30 and another 30 ', identical but simply turned 180 ° on itself, in a removable connector 40 in two parts 41 and 42. These two contact elements 30 and 30' are coupled with the assembly of the two parts of the connector, the internal faces of which are complementary.

Le corps isolant de chacune de ces parties de connecteur présente une fente 43 ou 44 affectée à son élément de contact.The insulating body of each of these connector parts has a slot 43 or 44 assigned to its contact element.

Chaque fente 43 ou 44 est de forme et de dimensions adaptées à celles de l'élément de contact 30 ou 30' qu'elle reçoit, ceci à un jeu latéral 45 ou 46 près qu'elle laisse de chaque côté en regard du chanfrein du bord extérieur de chacun des bras élastiques de l'élément de contact. Elle est directement ouverte sur la face opposée à celle interne d'assemblage et dite externe de la partie 41 ou 42 de connecteur. Il lui correspond sur cette face extérieure une rainure transversale 47 ou 48, pour le raccordement d'un conducteur extérieur dans la fente autodénudante de l'élément de contact en place.Each slot 43 or 44 is of shape and dimensions adapted to those of the contact element 30 or 30 'which it receives, this to a side play 45 or 46 which it leaves on each side opposite the chamfer of the outer edge of each of the elastic arms of the contact element. It is directly open on the face opposite to that internal assembly and called external part 41 or 42 of connector. There corresponds to it on this external face a transverse groove 47 or 48, for the connection of an external conductor in the insulation displacement slot of the contact element in place.

La partie 41 de connecteur, ou partie supérieure dans ces figures 6 et 7, présente deux fenêtres 51 et 52 relativement profondes, qui sont pratiquées dans sa face interne de couplage. Ces deux fenêtre de section rectangulaire sont côte à côte et dites jointives mais s'étendent de part et d'autre du plan longitudinal médian de la partie 41 de connecteur. Elles communiquent l'une avec l'autre à leur jonction dans ce plan médian. La fente 43 débouche selon ce plan médian dans l'une et l'autre de ces fenêtres, en rendant accessibles les bords internes des deux bras élastiques.The connector part 41, or upper part in these Figures 6 and 7, has two relatively deep windows 51 and 52, which are formed in its internal coupling face. These two rectangular section windows are side by side and said to be contiguous but extend on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the connector part 41. They communicate with each other at their junction in this median plane. The slot 43 opens out along this median plane into one and the other of these windows, making the internal edges of the two elastic arms accessible.

En outre, les deux bras élastiques de l'élément de contact 30 en place dans la fente 43 ont chacun celle de leurs faces, située dans le plan de pliage de la lame initiale et dite face interne, qui est ainsi directement accessible dans l'une ou l'autre des deux fenêtres selon le bras considéré. Leur autre face dite extérieure est quant à elle maintenue en appui contre le bord correspondant de la fente.In addition, the two elastic arms of the contact element 30 in place in the slot 43 each have that of their faces, located in the plane of folding of the initial blade and called the internal face, which is thus directly accessible in the one or the other of the two windows depending on the arm considered. Their other so-called outer face is itself held in abutment against the corresponding edge of the slot.

L'extrémité des deux bras élastiques est protégée par le bord d'ouverture de la fenêtre correspondante 51 ou 52 sur la face interne de cette partie de connecteur. Cette ouverture est simplement chanfreinée, ainsi qu'illustré en 51A ou 52A en correspondance avec le chanfrein terminal de chaque bras élastique. En regard de chacun des deux bras élastiques, on précise que la face interne du bras élastique considéré est accessible dans l'une des fenêtres et son bord interne accessible dans l'autre fenêtre.The end of the two elastic arms is protected by the opening edge of the corresponding window 51 or 52 on the internal face of this connector part. This opening is simply chamfered, as illustrated in 51A or 52A in correspondence with the terminal chamfer of each elastic arm. With respect to each of the two elastic arms, it is specified that the internal face of the elastic arm considered is accessible in one of the windows and its internal edge accessible in the other window.

La face interne d'assemblage de l'autre partie de connecteur ou partie inférieure 42 est rendue complémentaire de celle de la partie de connecteur 41. Elle est précisée en se référant en outre à la figure 8. Elle présente deux jambages saillants 53 et 54, correspondant aux deux fenêtres précitées. Ces deux jambages ont l'une de leur face dite intérieure dans le même plan, qui est le plan médian de l'élément de contact 30' ou de cette partie inférieure, mais sont de part et d'autre de ce plan. Ils sont rendus simplement quasi-jointifs et non reliés l'un à l'autre, d'une part par la fente 44 aboutissant selon ce plan médian dans la face intérieure de l'un et l'autre des jambages, et d'autre part par deux chanfreins terminaux en regard 53A, 54A sur ces jambages.The internal assembly face of the other connector part or lower part 42 is made complementary that of the connector part 41. It is specified with further reference to FIG. 8. It has two projecting legs 53 and 54, corresponding to the two aforementioned windows. These two legs have one of their so-called inner face in the same plane, which is the median plane of the contact element 30 ′ or of this lower part, but are on either side of this plane. They are made simply quasi-contiguous and not connected to each other, on the one hand by the slot 44 ending in this median plane in the inner face of one and the other of the legs, and on the other part by two facing chamfers 53A, 54A on these legs.

Ces deux chanfreins en regard correspondent aux extrémités en regard dans le plan médian des bouts chanfreinés 53B, 54B de ces deux jambages.These two facing chamfers correspond to the facing ends in the median plane of the chamfered ends 53B, 54B of these two legs.

Les bras élastiques de l'élément de contact 30' viennent se loger en appui dans la face intérieure des jambages 53, 54, en ayant leurs faces intérieures à niveau avec les faces intérieures des jambages et ainsi accessibles. Le bossage que présente l'un des bras est saillant latéralement sur le jambage portant ce bras.The elastic arms of the contact element 30 ′ come to rest in abutment in the inner face of the legs 53, 54, having their inner faces flush with the inner faces of the legs and thus accessible. The boss that one of the arms has is projecting laterally on the leg carrying this arm.

Le couplage des deux éléments de contact 30 et 30', avec l'assemblage des deux parties de connecteur, est obtenu par le contact à pression sur chant des bords internes des deux bras élastiques de l'un et l'autre des deux éléments de contact mais également par l'appui des faces intérieures des bras élastiques des éléments de contact les unes sur les autres.The coupling of the two contact elements 30 and 30 ', with the assembly of the two connector parts, is obtained by the pressure contact on edge of the internal edges of the two elastic arms of one and the other of the two elements of contact but also by the support of the inner faces of the elastic arms of the contact elements one on the other.

Bien entendu le connecteur selon l'invention, décrit ci-avant en regard deux modes de réalisation illustrés, peut comporter plusieurs éléments de contact en vis-à-vis dans chacune de leurs deux parties de connecteur, qui sont couplés deux à deux avec l'assemblage des deux parties de connecteur. On note également que chaque bord interne du bras élastique double peut être analogue à celui du bras élastique unique de l'élément de contact selon la figure 1 et alors comporter un bossage et une échancrure.Of course, the connector according to the invention, described above with reference to two illustrated embodiments, may include several contact elements facing each other in each of their two connector parts, which are coupled in pairs with the assembly of the two connector parts. We also note that each internal edge of the double elastic arm can be similar to that of the single elastic arm of the contact element according to Figure 1 and then include a boss and a notch.

Claims (10)

  1. Electrical connector with hermaphrodite contact members including a first connector part (11, 41) and a second connector part (12, 42) adapted to be assembled together and equipped with said contact members (1, 1', 30, 30') mounted face-to-face in the two connector parts in the assembled together position, and wherein each contact member has at least one elastic arm (2; 32, 33) at the end for coupling that contact member to the facing contact member and an opposite contact (8; 38) for connection to an external conductor, the first and second connector parts each have an inside assembly face and an opposite outside face and include a slot (12, 23; 43, 44) for mounting and retaining each contact member, open along an internal end part in a first access means (14; 51, 52) or respectively second access means (24; 53, 54) provided on the inside face of said first or respectively second connector part, said first and second access means being complementary and adapted to nest one within the other, characterised in that:
    - each contact member (1, 1'; 30, 30') is made from a flat original blade, each elastic arm (2, 32, 33) of each contact member (1, 1'; 30, 30') is substantially half the width of said original blade, has an inside edge substantially on the longitudinal axis of said original blade and extends in the inside end part of the slot (13, 23, 43, 44) retaining said contact member, having one single possible elastic clearance (13A, 23A) in the plane of the contact member, the facing contact members being coupled to each other by edgewise contact under pressure between the inside edges of their elastic arms,
    - said first access means comprise a window (14, 51, 52) in the inside face of the first connector part and transverse to each elastic arm of the contact member (1, 30) in place, extending substantially along the inside edge of said elastic arm, and
    - said second access means comprise a leg (24, 53, 54) projecting from the inside face of the second connector part and into which extends the inside end part of the slot concerned (23, 24) which is open, transversely to each elastic arm of the contact member (1', 30') in place, substantially along the inside edge of that elastic arm.
  2. Connector according to claim 1 characterised in that each contact member (1) has a single elastic arm (2) for which there are a single window (14) and a single leg (24).
  3. Connector according to claim 2 characterised in that the single elastic arm (2) has a boss (4) and a notch (5) one after the other and substantially complementary to each other on its inside edge.
  4. Connector according to claim 3 characterised in that said boss (4) has a height substantially greater than the depth of the notch (5).
  5. Connector according to claim 4 characterised in that said boss (4) is almost at the end of the inside edge of the single elastic arm and is flat in its median part, extending to the end of said inside edge through an end chamfer (4A).
  6. Connector according to claim 1 characterised in that each contact member (30) is a double elastic arm formed of first and second elastic arms (33, 34) extending side-by-side but offset from each other by the thickness of the original blade when bent on itself about its transverse axis, for which the window (51, 52) and the leg (53, 54) are also double and formed by a first and a second window side-by-side and by a first and a second leg side-by-side, respectively.
  7. Connector according to claim 6 characterised in that said first elastic arm and second elastic arm include coupling means (34, 35) of complementary shape on their respective inside edges.
  8. Connector according to claim 7 characterised in that said complementary means include a boss (34) on the inside edge of at least one of said first and second elastic arms (32) and a notch (35) on the inside edge of at least the other of said first and second elastic arms (33) of the double elastic arm contact member (30).
  9. Connector according to claim 7 or claim 8 characterised in that said first and second windows (51, 52) have an inside wall substantially in the median longitudinal plane of the slot concerned (43), are coupled to each other at the level of the opening of said slot along the inside edge of said first and second elastic arms and extend from said opening on both sides of said median longitudinal plane, making accessible at their inside wall an inside face of the first and second elastic arms, respectively.
  10. Connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that each elastic arm of each contact member (1, 30) has an outside edge (7, 36, 37) opposite said inside edge, chamfered substantially over its entire length, defining said elastic clearance in the inside end part of the contact member concerned.
EP19930402482 1992-10-12 1993-10-08 Electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements Expired - Lifetime EP0593343B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9212131A FR2696880B1 (en) 1992-10-12 1992-10-12 Electrical connector with hermaphrodite contact elements.
FR9212131 1992-10-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0593343A1 EP0593343A1 (en) 1994-04-20
EP0593343B1 true EP0593343B1 (en) 1996-12-27

Family

ID=9434409

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19930402482 Expired - Lifetime EP0593343B1 (en) 1992-10-12 1993-10-08 Electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0593343B1 (en)
AU (1) AU668587B2 (en)
DE (1) DE69306903T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2696880B1 (en)
NZ (1) NZ248731A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4260413A1 (en) * 2020-12-14 2023-10-18 HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Printed circuit board connector having hermaphroditic contact elements

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2710463B1 (en) * 1993-09-20 1995-11-10 Alcatel Cable Interface Hermaphroditic contact and connection defined by a pair of such contacts.
DE19809881C2 (en) * 1998-03-07 2002-12-05 Erni Elektroapp Electrical connector
SE529717C2 (en) * 2006-03-09 2007-11-06 Plastab I Anderstorp Ab Contact finger with transverse recess, adjustable in recess on corresponding contact finger
DE102007038221B3 (en) 2007-08-13 2008-10-16 Erni Electronics Gmbh Electrical plug connector, has concave recess, where shape of concave recess is adapted to convex protruding molding such that convex protruding molding of plug connector lies partly positively against concave recess of another connector

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE685737C (en) * 1937-07-16 1939-12-22 Siemens & Halske Akt Ges Plug coupling for electrical cables, lines, apparatus, etc. Like. Especially for large currents
GB781606A (en) * 1955-01-18 1957-08-21 Albert & J M Anderson Mfg Co Readily detachable electrical cable connectors
DE1615811C3 (en) * 1967-11-02 1974-03-07 Becker Autoradiowerk Gmbh, 7501 Karlsbad 2 - Ittersbach Electrical, in particular two-pole, plug-in device, in particular for low-current lines
US3794951A (en) * 1972-03-29 1974-02-26 Raymond Lee Organization Inc Electrical connector
US3794957A (en) * 1973-01-22 1974-02-26 Anderson Power Products Plural-poled, genderless electrical connector
JPH084021B2 (en) * 1987-02-20 1996-01-17 ミネソタ マイニング アンド マニユフアクチユアリング カンパニ− Telephone cable connector

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4260413A1 (en) * 2020-12-14 2023-10-18 HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Printed circuit board connector having hermaphroditic contact elements

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4750093A (en) 1994-04-28
DE69306903D1 (en) 1997-02-06
DE69306903T2 (en) 1997-05-07
FR2696880B1 (en) 1994-11-04
FR2696880A1 (en) 1994-04-15
NZ248731A (en) 1996-01-26
EP0593343A1 (en) 1994-04-20
AU668587B2 (en) 1996-05-09

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