CN104937786A - Electrical connection device having a support housing formed of frangible integral parts - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connection device comprises first and second separate electrical contacts (11, 12) and a frangible monolithic part (13) in which are formed first and second separate support housings (131, 132), to which the first and second electrical contacts (11, 12) are rigidly connected respectively, and a controlled fracture connection element (133) is formed which couples the first and second support housings (131, 132) and is configured such that said connection element (133) is broken by relative movement of the first and second support housings (131, 132) caused by an external force (F) exerted on the electrical connection device (10) which is stronger than a predefined fracture force threshold of said connection element (133).

Description

Electrical connection device having a support housing formed of frangible integral parts

invention technical field

The invention relates to an electrical connection device equipped with separate first and second electrical contacts and selectively allowing the first and second electrical contacts to be placed or not placed in connection with each other.

The subject of the invention is also an electrical arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a panel for a fuse, the panel comprising a current collector and intended to support at least one fuse, and at least one such electrical connection device. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, likewise to a method for the electrical connection between a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element which are respectively electrically connected to a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact.

current technology

In the field of motor vehicles, panels for fuses are often installed, which panels include current collectors, also called "busbars". At the electrical connection between the current collector and the electrical wire to be connected to the current collector, an electrical connection means is provided which comprises, on the one hand, a first electrical contact in the form of a blade terminal formed in the current collector And another aspect includes a second electrical contact electrically coupled to the wire and in the form of a female member to be snapped onto the blade terminal. In order to guide the movement of the second contact while it is snapped on, the panel for the fuse comprises a housing for guiding the female part. The user applies a snap force, thereby pushing the wire towards the current collector, supporting the female part at its free end.

This arrangement is not very easy to use because depending on its flexibility and its diameter, the wire tends to bend during the application of manual force, making snapping difficult or even impossible to perform.

1 and 2 show a known electrical connection device 1 . The electrical connection means comprises first and second electrical contacts 2, 3 which are separate and fixed to the first and second support shells 4, 5 respectively independently of each other.

The support housings 4 and 5 are mounted in translation relative to each other in such a way that their relative movement allows the first and second electrical contacts to be brought apart or conversely brought closer together. More precisely, this translation allows the electrical connection device to change between a first configuration ( FIG. 1 ) in which the electrical contacts are in electrical contact, and a second configuration ( FIG. 2 ) in which there is no such electrical contact. The support shells 4, 5 comprise snap means 6 for securing them in the second configuration. The second electrical contact 3 is connected to a wire 7 , while the first contact 2 is connected to a conductive element 8 , to which the wire 7 has to be connected by means of the device 1 .

However, the use of such an electrical connection device 1 cannot always be envisaged in the specific context of panels for fuses, not least for reasons of the high costs incurred by this solution.

Furthermore, document WO 2012/041746 A1 describes an electrical connection device comprising separate first and second electrical contacts and an integral part in which separate first and second supports are formed The housing, the first and second electrical contacts are respectively rigidly connected to the supporting housings and are permanently connected to each other by deformable mechanical linkages. However, this solution is not entirely satisfactory in practice and cannot always be applied in a simple and economical manner in the specific context of panels of fuses.

purpose of invention

The object of the present invention is to propose an electrical connection device that remedy the disadvantages listed above.

Notably, an object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical connection device allowing the connection of electric wires to the panel for the fuses in a reliable, easy, simple and economical manner.

These objects may be achieved by an electrical connection device comprising separate first and second electrical contacts and a frangible integral part in which, on the one hand, separate first and first contacts are formed. two support housings to which the first and second electrical contacts are respectively rigidly connected and on the other hand are formed with a controlled break-connect element coupling the first and second support housings and configured such that said breaking connection element is effected by relative movement of the first and second support shells due to an external force exerted on the electrical connection means, the external force having a predetermined breaking greater than said connecting element The strength of the force threshold.

The controlled break connection element may be configured on the one hand such that said external force applied to cause the break of the connection element tends to move the first and second support shells relative to each other and on the other hand to cause the first and second support shells to move relative to each other. The two support shells move relative to each other only after the breakage of the break connection element, so that the first and second The two electrical contacts move relative to each other.

The electrical connection device may be configured such that said external force is exerted on the first support shell and/or the second support shell, in particular by a hand of a user of the electrical connection device.

The controlled break-connect element may be configured such that the external force applied to cause breakage of the break-connect element is oriented in a manner that tends to cause the first and second support housings to move relative to each other, thereby causing the electrical connection device to move from the a first initial configuration adopted before fracture of the break connection element is transferred to a second final configuration adopted after said fracture and resulting from said movement, the first configuration being the first and second electrical contacts Not in a configuration in electrical connection, the second configuration is a configuration in which the first and second electrical contacts are in electrical connection.

The first and second electrical contacts may be configured for during their relative movement as the electrical connection device transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration under the applied external force Fitting one electrical contact into another electrical contact by insertion.

One of the first and second electrical contacts may be male, in particular constituted by at least one electrical plug connector, and in that the other of the first and second electrical contacts may be female Yes, the electrical contacts are adapted to be forcibly fitted into the male electrical contacts by insertion when they are in electrical contact, the electrical contacts being in particular constituted by an electrically conductive blade terminal.

One of the first and second support shells may be mounted to slide relative to the other one of the first and second support shells, and the first and second support shells once Achieving said breaking involves a relative movement along a trajectory introduced by said sliding.

One of the first and second support shells may include a plurality of elements for guiding relative movement of the other of the first and second support shells, before the controlled break connection element breaks, The first and second electrical contacts are positioned opposite each other along a direction oriented along a guide track introduced by said guide element.

The controlled break connection element may be placed at the interface between the first and second support shells, at said guide element.

A motor vehicle may comprise a panel for a fuse, the panel comprising a current collector and intended to support at least one fuse, and at least one such electrical connecting device, the first and second electrical contacts of the electrical connecting device One of them is electrically coupled to the current collector.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention given as a non-limiting example and shown in these drawings, in which:

- Figs. 1 and 2 already explained show examples of electrical connection devices according to the prior art, which employ first and second configurations in which electrical contact is not present and established, respectively, between the two electrical contacts type,

- Figures 3 and 4 show an example of an electrical connection device according to the invention, employing a first and a second configuration in which electrical contact between the first and second electrical contacts is respectively absent and established.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The invention relates to an electrical connection device 10 comprising separate first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 and a frangible integral part 13, in which Formed in the unitary part are separate first and second support shells 131 , 132 to which the first and second electrical contacts 11 , 12 are respectively rigidly connected.

By "rigidly" it is to be understood that the electrical contacts 11, 12 are preferably fixed to the respective support housing 131, 132, however if necessary with A potential degree of freedom is possible due to the nature of the cooperation with the other electrical contact 11 , 12 .

The second electrical contact 12 is coupled to an electrical wire 14 , while the first contact 11 is coupled to a conductive element 15 , to which the electrical wire 14 has to be connected by means of the electrical connection means 10 .

In the case of the specific intended application of the invention 10, the electrical connection device 10 described below is in the context of electrical arrangements for motor vehicles. This arrangement (not shown) includes a panel for the fuses, the panel comprising the current collector and at least one fuse supported by this panel. The arrangement also comprises at least one such electrical connection means 10, one of the first and second electrical conductors 11, 12 of which is electrically coupled to the current collector of this panel. The other of these first and second contacts 11, 12 is then electrically coupled to an electrical wire, ie to an electrical wire intended to be connected to the current collector.

In particular, the wire to be connected to the current collector can be formed by the wire 14 coupled to the second electrical contact 12, while the conductive element 15 is formed by the electrical connection element between the first contact 11 and this electrical conductor or else even Possibly formed by the electrical conductor itself. A reverse installation can be provided, where the wire 14 is connected to the first contact 11 , and where the conductive element 15 is connected to the second contact 12 .

This solution presents an advantage in particular situations in which it is not necessary to make an electrical disconnection between the electrical line 14 and the conducting element 15 in the context of normal use of the vehicle, eg in a repair situation.

In the frangible monolithic part 13 , on the other hand, a controlled breakage connection element 133 linking the first and second supporting shells 131 , 132 is also formed. The connecting element 133 is configured as a whole such that its fracture is caused by the relative movement of the first and second supporting shells 131, 132 caused by the application of an external force F ( FIG. The strength of the predefined breaking force threshold of the connecting element 133 . In other words, the design of the connection element 133 fixes a predefined threshold value, in particular depending on the shape, thickness, length or material of the connection element 133 and of the part 13 .

By "controlled breakage" it is understood that the connection element 133 breaks as soon as an external force F having a value greater than the predefined threshold is applied to the electrical connection device.

The advantage of this solution is that it allows the wiring 14 to be connected to the panel for the fuse in a reliable, easy, simple and economical manner, and does not require costly additions separate from the panel for the fuse and intended to support A supporting housing coupled to the electrical contacts on the wires to be connected to the current collectors of the panel.

According to an important characteristic, the controlled breakage connection element 133 is configured on the one hand such that the external force F applied to produce the breakage of the connection element tends to move the first and second support shells 131, 132 relative to each other and on the other hand Aspects so that the first and second supporting shells 131, 132 move relative to each other only after the breakage of the connecting element 133, so that after the breaking of the connecting element 133 and due to the application of the external force F the first and second supporting The relative movement of the housings 131, 132 moves the first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 relative to each other.

In a specific embodiment, as shown, the electrical connection device 10 is configured such that an external force F is applied to the second support housing 132 by, inter alia, a hand of a user of the electrical connection device 10 . However, additionally or alternatively, it is very possible to envisage a design of the electrical connection device 10 such that an external force F is applied to the first support shell 131 , in particular by the hand of the user of the electrical connection device 10 .

Advantageously, the controlled breakage connection element 133 is configured such that the external force F applied to cause the breakage of the breakage connection element is oriented in such a way as to tend to move the first and second support shells 131, 132 relative to each other, thereby causing an electrical connection. The device 10 is transferred from a first initial configuration ( FIG. 3 ) adopted before the breaking of the connecting element 133 to a second final configuration ( FIG. 4 ) adopted after the breaking of the connecting element 133 and resulting from this movement. A configuration is a configuration in which the first and second electrical contacts 11 , 12 are not in electrical connection and the second configuration is a configuration in which the first and second electrical contacts 11 , 12 are in electrical connection. In other words, the applied force F is simultaneously used to cause the part 13 to break at the connection element 133 and to cause the housings 131, 132 to move, thereby ensuring that the electrical connection device 10 turns into the second configuration for contact between the contacts 11, 12 and by This establishes electrical contact between the wire 14 and the conductive element 15 . However, a reverse configuration is conceivable, wherein the force F applied to produce a break of the connection element 133 is used to bring the electrical connection device 10 from the second configuration to the first configuration.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 are configured such that as the electrical connection device 10 is under the action of an external force F from a first configuration to a second configuration, in its opposite One electrical contact mates with another electrical contact by insertion during movement. In FIG. 3, the electrical contacts are away from each other and are not in electrical contact before the application moves. In contrast, in FIG. 4 , after the movement caused by the applied force F, the first electrical contact 11 is inserted into the second electrical contact 12 so that between these electrical contacts 11 , 12 and thus between the wires 14 establishes electrical contact with the conductive element 15 . In the particular case of the design of the first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 (satisfactory in practice but by no means limiting), one of the first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 is of convex type, In particular constituted by at least one electrical plug connector, while the other of the first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 is of female type, the electrical contacts being adapted to be Forcibly fitted by insertion into the male electrical contact, which in particular consists of an electrically conductive blade terminal. In the variant shown, the first electrical contact 11 is of a convex type, while the second electrical contact 12 is of a female type.

3 and 4 illustrate that one of the first and second support shells 131 , 132 is mounted to slide relative to the other of these first and second support shells 131 , 132 . In the example shown, the second support shell 132 is mounted to slide within the first support shell 131 . To this effect, the first support shell 131 delimits a receptacle 1311 , such as a hole, within which socket the second support shell 132 slides along a direction D corresponding in particular to the direction of the hole. The outer surface of the second support shell 132 is complementary to the inner surface of the socket 1311 . However, it is quite possible to envisage a reverse configuration in which the first support shell 131 is mounted to slide inside the second support shell 132 . The result of the above arrangement is that the first and second supporting shells 131, 132 move relative to each other along a trajectory along the direction D introduced by sliding once the connection element 133 is broken due to the application of an external force F after the connection element 133 breaks. .

One possibility for providing relative sliding of the support shells 131, 132 is to arrange for the first and second support shells 131, 132 (here the first support shell 131) to include The relative movement of the other of the support shells 131 , 132 (ie here the second support shell 132 ) is guided by an element 1312 . To this effect, the guide elements 1312 can in particular be formed by the inner surface of the socket 1311 . When the second support shell 132 slides, the outer surface of the second support shell 132 is guided by the guide element 1312 supported by the first support shell 131 . Then, before the controlled break connection element 133 breaks, the first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 are placed opposite each other along the direction D, which is oriented along the guide track introduced by the guide element 1312, as before as described. FIG. 3 shows the situation before the connection element 133 breaks, where the two contacts 11 , 12 face each other and move away from each other along the direction D shown in FIG. 4 .

In order to simplify the design of the electrical connection device 10 as much as possible, the controlled break connection element 133 can especially be placed at the interface between the first and the second support shell 131 , 132 at the guide element 1312 as previously described. Specifically, in the case where the first supporting shell 131 defines a receptacle 1311 for receiving and guiding the sliding of the second supporting shell 132, the connecting element 133 may be formed by coupling the inner surface of the receptacle 1311 with the second supporting shell. At least one connecting wall of the outer surface of 132 constitutes. The connection elements 133 can be placed around the direction D in a continuous or discontinuous manner on the entire circumference of the second support shell 132 or a part thereof.

The use of the electrical connection device 10 may be the following:

In order to electrically connect a first conductive element (for example, consisting of a current collector of a panel for a fuse) to a second conductive element (for example, consisting of a wire to be connected to the current collector), it is necessary to provide The electrical connection device 10 of the electrical connection device 10, and then on the one hand, the first conductive element (for example, element 15) is connected to the first electrical contact 11 of the electrical connection device 10, and the second conductive element (for example, wire 14) is connected on the other hand to the first electrical contact 12 of the electrical connection device 10 .

Then, an external force F greater than a predefined breaking force threshold of the controlled breaking connection element 133 is applied to the electrical connection device 10 . This causes the connection element 133 between the first and second support shells 131, 132 to break under the applied external force F, and as a result the first and second support shells 131, 132 face each other under the applied external force F. Movement until electrical contact is made between the first and second electrical contacts 11, 12 of the electrical connection device 10 (Fig. 4).

The connection means that we have just described allow a particularly advantageous electrical connection method to be implemented between the first conducting element 15 and the second conducting element 14, comprising the following steps:

- supply of electrical connection means 10,

- electrically connecting the first conductive element 15 to the first electrical contact 11 of the electrical connection device 10,

- electrically connecting the second conductive element 14 to the second electrical contact 12 of the electrical connection device 10,

- applying an external force F to the electrical connection device 10 greater than a predefined breaking force threshold of the controlled breaking connection element 133,

- such that the connecting element 133 between the first and second supporting shells 131, 132 breaks under the effect of said external force F applied,

- The first and second supporting shells 131 , 132 move relative to each other under the action of the applied external force F until electrical contact is formed between the first and second electrical contacts 11 , 12 of the electrical connection device 10 .

Claims (10)

1. an arrangements of electric connection (10), this arrangements of electric connection comprises the first and second electric contacts (11 separately, 12) and one frangible one-piece parts (13), the first and second supporting outers (131 are separately formed with on the one hand in this one-piece parts, 132), these first and second electric contacts (11, 12) correspondence is connected on these supporting outers rigidly, and be formed with a controlled fracture Connection Element (133) on the other hand, this fracture Connection Element connects this first and second supporting outer (131, 132) and be configured to make described fracture Connection Element (133) be by this first and second supporting outer (131, 132) fracture is realized because an external force (F) puts on relative movement that this arrangements of electric connection (10) causes, this external force has the intensity of the predefined disruptive force threshold value being greater than described Connection Element (133).

2. arrangements of electric connection (10) as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, this controlled fracture Connection Element (133) is configured to make described applying be tending towards making this first and second supporting outer (131 to the external force (F) producing the fracture of this Connection Element on the one hand, 132) relative to each other move, on the other hand to make this first and second supporting outer (131, 132) only move relative to each other after the fracture of this fracture Connection Element (133), so that at this first and second supporting outer (131 caused after described fracture and due to the applying of this external force (F), 132) this first and second electric contact (11 is made under the effect of relative movement, 12) relative to each other move.

3. the arrangements of electric connection (10) according to any one of claim 1 and 2, it is characterized in that, this arrangements of electric connection (10) is configured to described external force (F) is especially put on this first supporting outer (131) and/or this second supporting outer (132) by a hand of the user of this arrangements of electric connection (10).

4. as the arrangements of electric connection (10) as described in one of in claims 1 to 3, it is characterized in that, this controlled fracture Connection Element (133) is configured to make described applying make this first and second supporting outer (131 in the mode of external force (F) orientation producing the fracture of this fracture Connection Element for trending towards, 132) relative movement, thus cause this arrangements of electric connection (10) from adopt after first initial configuration adopted before the fracture of this fracture Connection Element (133) transfers described fracture to and due to described mobile one the second final configuration produced, this first configuration is this first and second electric contact (11, 12) configuration of electrical connection is not in, this second configuration is this first and second electric contact (11, 12) configuration of electrical connection is in.

5. arrangements of electric connection (10) as claimed in claim 4, it is characterized in that, this first and second electric contact (11,12) be configured for along with this arrangements of electric connection (10) transfers this second configuration to from this first configuration under the effect of the described external force (F) applied, in their relative movement thereof, by inserting, an electric contact be assembled in another electric contact.

6. the arrangements of electric connection (10) as described in one of claim 1 to 5, it is characterized in that, this first and second electric contact (11,12) one of (11) are convexs, especially be made up of at least one electric plug connector, and be, this first and second electric contact (11,12) another electric contact (12) in is matrix, it is firmly be assembled in this convex electric contact by inserting that this electric contact is adapted to when they are in electrical contact, and this electric contact is especially made up of a conduction blade terminal.

7. the arrangements of electric connection (10) as described in one of claim 1 to 6, it is characterized in that, this first and second supporting outer (131,132) one of be installed into relative to the first and second supporting outers (131,132) another shell in slides, after this Connection Element (133) fracture, cause this first and second supporting outer (131,132) just to carry out relative movement along one by the described track introduced that slides once realize described fracture owing to applying this external force (F).

8. arrangements of electric connection (10) as claimed in claim 7, it is characterized in that, this first and second supporting outer (131, 132) one of comprise multiple for this first and second support housing (131, 132) element (1312) led is carried out in the relative movement of another supporting outer in, before this controlled fracture Connection Element (133) fracture, this first and second electric contact (11, 12) be placed with along a direction (D) toward each other, this direction is oriented to the guide track introduced along described director element (1312).

9. arrangements of electric connection (10) as claimed in claim 8, it is characterized in that, this controlled fracture Connection Element (133) is placed on the interface between this first and second supporting outer (131,132), at described director element (1312) place.

10. motor vehicles, these motor vehicles comprise one for the panel of fuse with as at least one arrangements of electric connection (10) in any one of the preceding claims wherein, this panel comprises a current-collector and is intended to support at least one fuse, one of first and second electric contacts (11,12) of this arrangements of electric connection (11) are electrically coupled on described current-collector.