EP0756353A1 - Method for plugging the male and female elements of an electric connection device, and holder for carrying out this method - Google Patents

Abstract

The mounting process involves locking the connector on the support using four abutments (6,7) to retain the two transverse end faces (1a,3a) of the male (1) and female (3) elements. The abutments have corner angles perpendicular to the plane of the support with a side piece (6a) cut back by a chamfer (6c) at one end parallel to the transverse face. Ribs (3d) along the longitudinal edges of the connector engage clips (8) mounted perpendicular to the surface of the support. An alternative abutment uses two with corner angles and two blocks which are cut away to support a transverse positioning rod on either side of one of the elements.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for mounting on a support an electrical connection device comprising a male element and a female element, the support comprising a bearing surface and locking means for immobilizing the male and female elements in the plugged-in position when they are against the bearing surface.

Electrical connection devices, especially those installed on motor vehicles, require great dexterity and a lot of patience on the part of the personnel responsible for mounting them in the plugged-in position on the supports provided to immobilize them.

In general, the mounting of these devices consists in introducing one of the male and female elements into an appropriate housing of the support, to plug the other element onto the one which is located in the housing, and to move the elements by translation or pivoting inserted to apply them against the support in order to immobilize them.

However, as the free space available in the assembly area is often limited and not very accessible, the staff must most of the time proceed by trial and error to carry out the above steps, which complicates their task and limits their productivity.

• à enficher au moins partiellement l'élément mâle (1,11) et l'élément femelle (3,13) en les disposant à une distance prédéterminée du support (4,14), en face de la surface d'appui (5,15), et en les déplaçant l'un par rapport à l'autre parallèlement ou pratiquement parallèlement à cette dernière ; et
• à mettre les éléments mâle et femelle ainsi enfichés en prise avec les moyens de verrouillage (6-8 ; 16-18) en les déplaçant perpendiculairement ou pratiquement perpendiculairement à la surface d'appui, jusqu'à ce qu'ils viennent s'appuyer contre celle-ci.

The present invention more particularly proposes to provide a solution to this problem and, to do this, it relates to a method for mounting on a support having the structure indicated above, an electrical connection device comprising a male element and a female element, this process being characterized in that it consists:

• at least partially plugging in the male element (1,11) and the female element (3,13) by placing them at a predetermined distance from the support (4,14), opposite the bearing surface (5, 15), and by moving them relative to one another parallel or practically parallel to the latter; and
• putting the male and female elements thus plugged in engagement with the locking means (6-8; 16-18) by moving them perpendicular or practically perpendicular to the bearing surface, until they come to bear against it.

Thanks to this process, the operator can constantly see the male and female elements during the plug-in operation since it takes place at a distance from the support. He therefore no longer has to fumble for this operation, which greatly facilitates his work.

The present invention also relates to a support making it possible to implement the method described above, this support being characterized in that the locking means comprise four stops intended to hold together the two extreme transverse faces of the male and female elements, the stops intended to retain one of the two extreme transverse faces comprising a bevel at their free end.

In this embodiment, the stops are preferably constituted by angles intended to retain between them the corners of the male and female elements which are perpendicular to the bearing surface, the angles intended to retain one of the extreme transverse faces comprising a wing parallel to this extreme transverse face and provided with a bevel at its free end.

When one of the male and female elements carries nipples on its longitudinal faces which are perpendicular to the bearing surface, the locking means may comprise two first stops intended to retain the extreme transverse face of the other element and two seconds stops intended to retain the nipples.

In this case, the first stops are preferably constituted by angles intended to retain the other element at the ends of its extreme transverse face while the second stops are preferably constituted by studs extending parallel to the longitudinal faces carrying the nipples.

In addition, the second stops are preferably bevelled on their faces respectively facing the first stops.

Furthermore, the locking means comprise two hooks perpendicular to the bearing surface, these hooks being located one opposite the other and capable of engaging with ribs formed on two opposite longitudinal faces of one male and female elements.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective montrant un premier support et les éléments mâle et femelle d'un dispositif de connexion électrique destiné à être monté sur le premier support ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de face montrant le premier support et le dispositif de connexion monté sur celui-ci ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du premier support sans le dispositif de connexion, la coupe étant réalisée selon la ligne III-III de la figue 4 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective montrant un second support et les éléments mâle et femelle d'un autre dispositif de connexion électrique destiné à être monté sur le second support ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de face montrant le second support et le dispositif de connexion monté sur celui-ci ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du second support sans le dispositif de connexion, la coupe étant réalisée selon la ligne VII-VII de la figure 8 ; et
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7.

Two embodiments of the support according to the invention will be described below by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first support and the male and female elements of an electrical connection device intended to be mounted on the first support;
• Figure 2 is a front view showing the first support and the connection device mounted thereon;
• Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first support without the connection device, the section being taken along line III-III of fig 4;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a second support and the male and female elements of another electrical connection device intended to be mounted on the second support;
• Figure 6 is a front view showing the second support and the connection device mounted thereon;
• Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second support without the connection device, the section being taken along line VII-VII of Figure 8; and
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

The electrical connection device that can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 is known per se and will therefore not be described in detail here. It will simply be indicated that it comprises a male element 1 in which the free ends of the insulated metal wires (not shown) of an electric cable 2a, and a female element 3 in which are fixed the free ends of the insulated metal wires (also not shown) of an electric cable 2b.

The male 1 and female 3 elements each include a plastic housing of generally parallelepiped shape. More specifically, the housing of the male element 1 comprises a transverse face 1a situated on the side of the cable 2a, two small longitudinal faces 1b parallel to each other, and two large longitudinal faces 1c perpendicular to the small faces 1b. Likewise, the housing of the female element 3 comprises a transverse face 3a situated on the side of the cables 2b, two small longitudinal faces 3b parallel to each other, and two large longitudinal faces 3c perpendicular to the small faces 3b.

The shape and dimensions of the male and female elements are obviously chosen so that they provide a reliable electrical connection between the metal wires of the cables 2a and 2b when they are fully inserted, as shown in FIG. 2.

It will be specified here that each of the small longitudinal faces 3b of the female element 3 is provided with a longitudinal rib 3d whose role will emerge from the following description.

The support 4, which is visible in Figures 1 to 4, has been designed to receive the male 1 and female 3 elements in the plugged-in position. It is made of molded plastic and comprises a plate 5 provided on one of its faces with two stops 6, two stops 7 facing the stops 6, and two hooks 8.

The stops 6 are located at a distance from the stops 7 which corresponds to the distance separating the transverse faces la and 3a from the male and female elements when these are fully inserted.

Thus, when the male and female elements are inserted between the stops 6 and 7, they bear against them by through their extreme transverse faces 1a and 3a, as shown in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the stops 6 are constituted by angles extending perpendicular to the plate 5 and whose wings 6a, 6b are intended to retain the corners of the male element 1 which are delimited by the transverse face 1a and the small longitudinal faces 1b of the latter;

The stops 7 are also constituted by angles extending perpendicular to the plate 5, the wings 7a, 7b of these angles being intended to retain the corners of the female element which are delimited by the transverse face 3a and the small transverse faces 3b of this element.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the wings 6a of the stops 6 are parallel to the wings 7a of the stops 7 and have at their free end a bevel 6c intended to guide the connection device during its movement in the direction of the plate 5 support 4.

It will be noted here that it would not be departing from the scope of the present invention if the wings 7a had a bevel at their free end whereas the wings 6a were devoid of it or if the wings 6a and the wings 7a were bevelled. Similarly, there is nothing to prevent the wings 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b from being provided with a bevel at their free end.

As regards the two hooks 8, they extend parallel to the wings 6b and 7b and are shaped so as to come into engagement with the ribs 3d of the female element 3 when this element and the male element 1 are inserted between the angles and applied against the plate 5 which serves as their bearing surface.

The mounting of the male and female elements on the support 4 which has just been described is particularly easy and quick to carry out.

It suffices in fact to insert at least partially these elements at a predetermined distance from the support 4, opposite stops 6 and 7, and to apply them against the plate 5 so that the hooks 8 retain them on the support while the stops keep them in the plugged-in position.

It will be noted here that the first operation above can be carried out by positioning the male and female elements at a distance of the order of 5 to 10 cm from the support, one after the other and so that their large longitudinal faces 1c and 3c extend parallel or practically parallel to the plate 5, and then moving them parallel to themselves to plug them in.

As for the second operation above, it can be carried out by moving the elements inserted perpendicularly or practically perpendicularly to the plate 5 until they come to bear against the latter so that the hooks 8 engage with the 3d ribs of the female element. Of course, the insertion of the male and female elements between the stops 6 and 7 is facilitated by the presence of the bevels of the wings 6a of the stops 6.

The electrical connection device that can be seen in Figures 5 and 6 comprises, also in a manner known per se, a male element 11 connected to an electric cable 12a and a female element 13 connected to an electric cable 12b.

These male and female elements, which are designed to produce a reliable electrical connection between the cables 12a and 12b when they are fully plugged into each other, each include a plastic housing generally in a parallelepiped shape.

More specifically, the male element 11 comprises a transverse face 11a situated on the side of the cable 12a, two small longitudinal faces 11b parallel to each other, and two large longitudinal faces 11c perpendicular to the small faces 11b. Similarly, the female element 13 comprises a transverse face 13a situated on the side of the cable 12b, two small longitudinal faces 13b parallel to each other, and two large longitudinal faces 13c perpendicular to the small faces 13b.

It will be noted here that each of the small longitudinal faces 13b of the female element 13 is provided with a longitudinal rib 13d and with a cylindrical stud 13e, the respective roles of which will emerge from the following description.

The support 14, which is visible in Figures 5 to 8, was designed to receive the male 11 and female 13 elements in the plugged-in position. It is made of molded plastic and comprises a plate 15 provided on one of its faces with two first stops 16, two second stops 17 relatively close to the first stops 16, and two hooks 18.

The first stops 16 are separated from the second stops 17 by distances which are respectively the same as those existing between the transverse face 11a of the male element and the pins 13e of the female element when said male and female elements are fully inserted. .

Thus, when the transverse face 11a and the pins 13e are inserted between the stops 16 and 17, as shown in FIG. 6, the male and female elements are kept plugged in.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8, the first stops 16 are constituted by two angles extending perpendicular to the plate 15 and whose wings 16a, 16b are intended to retain the corners of the male element 11 which are delimited by the transverse face 11a and the small longitudinal faces 11b of the latter. Furthermore, the second stops 17 are constituted by two studs located one opposite the other and extending parallel to the wings 16b of the angles.

As shown in Figure 8, the pads are separated from each other by a distance slightly greater than that existing between the wings 16b so that the female element 13 can be introduced without difficulty between them.

It will be noted here that the studs are provided at the end of their faces which are respectively turned towards the angles with a bevel 17a intended to guide the connection device during its movement in the direction of the plate 15 of the support 14

It goes without saying that it would not be departing from the scope of the present invention if the wings 16a of the angles had a bevel at their free end while the studs were devoid of it or if the latter and the wings 16a and possibly the wings 16b were beveled at their free end.

As regards the hooks 18, they extend parallel to the wings 16b of the angles and are shaped so as to come into engagement with the ribs 13d of the female element 13 when the male and female elements bear against the plate 15, the transverse face 11a of the first and the studs 13e of the second being respectively applied against the angles and the studs.

The mounting of the male 11 and female 13 elements on the support 14 is as easy as that of the male 1 and female 3 elements on the support 4.

It suffices in fact to insert at least partially these elements at a predetermined distance from the support 5, and to insert the transverse face 11a of the male element and the pins 13e of the female element between the angles and the studs up to that the hooks 18 engage the ribs 13d.

The first operation above can be carried out by positioning the male and female elements one after the other so that their large longitudinal faces 11c and 13c extend practically parallel to the plate 15 and by moving them then parallel to themselves to plug them in.

As for the second operation above, it can be carried out by inserting the transverse face 11a of the male element and the pins 13e of the female element between the angles 16 and the studs 17, the insertion being continued until that the male and female elements come to bear against the plate 15 and that the hooks 18 come into engagement with the ribs 13d of the female element.

The bevels provided on the studs 17 obviously facilitate this insertion.

It is clear from the above that the present invention provides an easy and quick solution for immobilizing in the plugged-in position on a support the male and female elements of an electrical connection device.

Claims (7)

Method for mounting on a support (4,14) an electrical connection device comprising a male element (1,11) and a female element (3,13), the support comprising a bearing surface (5,15) and locking means (6-8; 16-18) for immobilizing the male and female elements in the plugged-in position when they are against the bearing surface, characterized in that it consists: - at least partially plugging in the male element (1,11) and the female element (3,13) by placing them at a predetermined distance from the support (4,14), opposite the bearing surface (5 , 15), and by moving them relative to each other parallel or practically parallel to the latter; and - putting the male and female elements thus inserted in engagement with the locking means (6-8; 16-18) by moving them perpendicularly or practically perpendicular to the bearing surface, until they come lean against it. Support for implementing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means comprise four stops (6,7) intended to retain between them the two end transverse faces (la, 3a) of the male elements (1) and female (3), the stops (6) intended to retain one (la) of the two extreme transverse faces comprising a bevel (6c) at their free end. Support according to claim 2, characterized in that the stops are constituted by angles (6,7) intended to retain between them the corners of the male (1) and female (3) elements which are perpendicular to the bearing surface ( 5), the angles (6) intended to retain one (the) of the end transverse faces comprising a wing (6a) parallel to this end transverse face and provided with a bevel (6c) at its free end. Support according to claim 2, characterized in that when one (13) of the male (11) and female (13) elements carries nipples (13e) on its longitudinal faces (13b) which are perpendicular to the bearing surface (15), the locking means comprise two first stops (16) intended to retain the extreme transverse face (lla) of the another element (11) and two second stops (17) intended to retain the pins (13e). Support according to claim 4, characterized in that the first stops are constituted by angles (16) intended to retain the other element (11) at the ends of its extreme transverse face (11a) while the second stops are formed by studs (17) extending parallel to the longitudinal faces (13b) carrying the pins. Support according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the second stops (17) are bevelled on their faces respectively facing the first stops (16). Support according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the locking means comprise two hooks (8; 18) perpendicular to the bearing surface (5,15), these hooks being located one opposite on the other and able to engage with ribs (3d, 13d) formed on two opposite longitudinal faces (3,13b) of one (3,13) of the male and female elements.

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