EP0635167B1 - Disconnectable male connector for use in a communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

Disconnectable male connector for use in a communication network comprising means for connecting wires (43), corresponding to the lines of a communication cable (44), and the terminals of a female connector, which are linked to the lines of a switching network, during insertion of said male connector into the female connector. Also included are means (41) for locking the male connector to the female connector, wherein said connection means (46, 81, 100) and locking means (41, 80) can be disconnected when the cable is pulled (44). Application especially in an integrated services digital network.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a male connector disconnectable for communication network.

It applies in particular to networks of transmission using multiline cables such as for example networks, local or not, which allow computer data transmissions or digital telephone data transmissions. he is essential to be able to connect in bypass and / or in series on each of these networks and so simple, one or more terminal equipment of processing of computer data and / or telephone, depending on the type of network considered.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

A male connector, which allows to connect thanks to lines of a communication cable a terminal IT and / or telephone to a network, by insertion of this male connector into a connector female having its connection terminals connected to it network, is described, for example, in the request for European patent N ° 0366556 filed October 26, 1989.

This patent application more precisely describes a universal connection set for connecting a processing terminal to a transmission network data. This universal set includes a connector male and female connector. The male connector includes an insulating support parallelepiped having two side faces, one side upper, lower face, front face and rear side, and connection terminals partially embedded in the support and leading to one of the upper or lower faces. These terminals are connected to lines of a communication cable surrounded by a insulating sheath and entering the support from its face back. Male connector connection terminals come into sliding contact with corresponding terminals of a female connector. These female connector terminals are located in a boltier and are respectively connected to lines of a communication network. Contacts between male connector and female connector terminals are established when the male connector is inserted in an entry window cutting out a front face of the female conductor bolt. This entry window has edges which are respectively parallel at the faces of the insulating support of the male connector. The insulating support described in this patent application further includes a rigid elastic tongue for lock the position of the male connector.

Male connectors of this type have the advantage essential to be very small and to ensure good locking of the position of the male connector in the female connector.

But such male connectors are one-piece or can be considered as monoblocks: i.e. that during normal use the part male connector is non-deformable. To achieve the disconnection between the male connector and the connector female, human action is essential. The male connector therefore remains connected to the connector female when pulling on the cable, with all the very important consequences that can ensue: risk for a person to trip over cause the cable to fall and injure yourself, and involve in its movement an expensive device like a computer, or a measuring device.

A French patent application n ° 90 08831 filed July 11, 1990 describes a male connector for computer communication network and / or telephone, of the type described above, which includes a targette engaging under the elastic tongue rigid and connected to the cable, to release the tongue, when pulling on the cable, when the connector male is inserted into the female connector. This connector therefore allows in the event of untimely traction on the cable that connects the male connector to a device, when this connector is engaged in the female connector, to facilitate its disconnection, but the connector structure is quite complicated to achieve.

• la position du contact étant figée de façon précise par diverses normes (par exemple la norme ISO 8877), le sertissage nécessitant un outillage spécifique, et la position n'étant pas aisément vérifiable sur site de montage, des incertitudes subsistent sur la position et l'orientation des contacts vis-à-vis de ces normes.
• la tenue du contact pour tous les types de connecteurs est réalisée par harpon, cette méthode de fixation n'assure pas un positionnement correct des contacts. Leurs faces utiles, zone de liaison électrique, ont toutes des orientations différentes par rapport à la référence.
• un effort important est appliqué sur le contact pour perforer l'isolant, traverser les brins de cuivre, et assurer son maintien dans la matière plastique du connecteur. En conséquence, les différents points contacts avec les contacts et les fils correspondants d'un câble ne sont pas alignés sur une droite, mais plutôt sur une courbe. De plus, ces fils doivent être multibrins. L'effort mécanique détériore la surface du contact.

Male connectors of the prior art provide electrical contact between a contact and a wire, corresponding to a line of the communication cable, by displacement of the contact and perforation of the wire insulation. They therefore have several drawbacks:

• the position of the contact being fixed in a precise manner by various standards (for example ISO 8877), the crimping requiring specific tools, and the position not being easily verifiable on the assembly site, uncertainties remain on the position and the 'orientation of contacts with regard to these standards.
• contact holding for all types of connectors is carried out by harpoon, this method of fixing does not ensure correct positioning of the contacts. Their useful faces, electrical connection area, all have different orientations compared to the reference.
• a significant effort is applied to the contact to perforate the insulation, pass through the copper strands, and ensure its retention in the plastic material of the connector. Consequently, the different contact points with the contacts and the corresponding wires of a cable are not aligned on a straight line, but rather on a curve. In addition, these wires must be multi-strand. Mechanical stress deteriorates the contact surface.

Document FR-A 2 379 918 also discloses a detachable connector for connecting a cable transmission of signals to an interface device of equipment, in particular of a dropable vehicle. This connector is in two parts which are positively locked together. Its male part is detachably anchored on the cable so that the cable separates from this part, during a significant pull on him.

US-A-4,707,046 discloses a solution similar to the previous one, that is to say in which the cable separates from the male connector assembly - female connector.

For the applications covered by this request, this disconnection mode is not satisfactory because it requires reconnect the cable to the male connector after any disconnection during an untimely pull on the cable.

The object of the invention is to solve the problems of disconnection during an untimely pull on the cable offering a simpler and less expensive solution.

The subject of the invention is a male connector disconnectable for communication network, intended to connect the line wires of a multiline cable to the network lines by plugging this male connector into a connector female terminal connected to the lines of the network, comprising a support housing of which a first terminal part receives said cable and an opposite second end portion forms a connection head pluggable into said connector female, connection means mounted in said housing support, connected to the line wires of said cable and by otherwise accessible on said connection head, for their brought into contact with said terminals when plugging in said head in the female connector, means for blocking of said cable in said first terminal part of the support housing, and locking means provided on said connection head for locking in said female connector, characterized in that said housing support comprises said connection head and a body assembled and separable from each other, both provided this effect of securing means comprising deformable side tabs on said head connection and lateral bearing surfaces on said body, securing said connection head in place on said body and dissociating them by untimely traction on said cable connected to said network.

Advantageously, said connection head is provided with minus a cavity and said body of a lug which enters said cavity for positioning said head on said body. Connection head includes two tabs lateral each having an inclined face close to its end received in the body and said body comprises two inclined side walls on which take respectively support the inclined faces of the two tabs to constitute the means for securing the head on the body.

• il permet de réduire le nombre de pièces utilisées en augmentant les fonctions de chacune,
• il permet une déconnexion rapide par une séparation en deux parties,
• il permet une diminution du coût de fabrication.

Such a connector has many advantages, and in particular:

• it reduces the number of parts used by increasing the functions of each,
• it allows a quick disconnection by a separation into two parts,
• it allows a reduction in the manufacturing cost.

The object of the invention is also to resolve the other problems separating the functions: contact electrical with female connector terminals, fixing on the insulating support box, electrical contact with cable wires, and in particular using a new way to make the contacts with the wires of the cable communication.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the connector of the invention, the connection means on the one hand have first connection means to said wires of the communication cable, and on the other hand second means of sliding connection with the terminals of the female connector, which are connected to each other in the body.

Advantageously, cable locking means are provided in the end of the housing opposite to said head connection, so that the wires cannot move.

Advantageously, this connector comprises an assembly cover containing said means for blocking said cable and connection means receiving the wires of the cable, adapted to said body and blocked thereon by closing it and connecting the cable wires to the first connection means.

The first connection means include contacts fork-shaped corresponding respectively to each wire, each contact being located below the end of one of the wires in such a way that when the the cover assembly on the body, each end of the wire either crimped into the fork of one of these contacts. Each contact comprises at least two branches each provided, on its internal face or faces, of at least one roughness intended for tear the sheath of the corresponding wire and thus carry out the contact with the soul of it. These shaped contacts fork are brought to the surface of a printed circuit comprising printed tracks constituting the second means of connection with the respective terminals of the female connector.

Advantageously, said connection head comprises a main cavity receiving said printed circuit and presents inclined walls on which the circuit rests printed and guide grooves to receive the terminals of the female connector and position them on the tracks of the printed circuit board.

Advantageously, the connection means are provided of several dwellings into which the ends of the communication cable wires. All cover has a rear part, through which can be inserted and blocked at the end of the cable, the sheath has been removed to free the end of the wires, and a front part in which are mounted said means of connection receiving the ends of the wires guided by a inclined range between said rear and front parts. In its rear part, this cover is provided with two walls side fitted with internal racks between which a blocking piece belonging to the cable locking means and provided with external racks designed to adapt to the internal racks of the lid. This locking piece also includes, on each of its side faces, a lug provided for move in a groove made in the middle part of each internal rack of the cover.

The cover has side slits making it possible to adapt to the side walls of said body, and vertical grooves provided to adapt respectively on vertical projections located on the side walls of said body.

• d'une part, les éléments servant au blocage mécanique qui sont les moyens de blocage de câble, le couvercle venant s'emboíter dans le support pour fermer l'ensemble : ces pièces peuvent être en matière plastique métallisée afin qu'il y ait continuité avec le blindage du câble et le nième point, par exemple le neuvième point, du connecteur femelle.
• d'autre part, les éléments servant au positionnement, qui sont les moyens de raccordement localisant les fils du câble dans les logements, la tête de connexion positionnant les bornes du connecteur femelle face à chaque piste du circuit imprimé. Ces pièces peuvent être en matière plastique isolante transparente afin de visualiser les divers éléments de connexion, comme la position des fils dans les moyens de raccordement, ou encore le positionnement du circuit imprimé dans la tête de connexion, cette dernière ne pouvant être conductrice sous peine de relier les pistes entre elles, auquel cas on aurait un point électrique commun contrairement à ce qui est recherché et qui est d'obtenir la transmission de par exemple huit lignes indépendantes.

An advantageous distribution of the connector parts of the invention based on two functions, comprises:

• on the one hand, the elements serving for the mechanical blocking which are the cable blocking means, the cover fitting into the support to close the assembly: these parts can be made of metallized plastic so that there is continuity with the cable shield and the nth point, for example the ninth point, of the female connector.
• on the other hand, the elements used for positioning, which are the connection means locating the wires of the cable in the housings, the connection head positioning the terminals of the female connector facing each track of the printed circuit. These parts can be made of transparent insulating plastic material in order to visualize the various connection elements, such as the position of the wires in the connection means, or even the positioning of the printed circuit in the connection head, the latter being unable to be conductive under pain. to connect the tracks together, in which case there would be a common electrical point, contrary to what is sought and which is to obtain the transmission of, for example, eight independent lines.

• La position de chaque point de contact est fixée avant le sertissage des fils par un moyen ne nécessitant que des efforts très modérés.
• La tenue des contacts est réalisée par un moyen sans déformation mécanique de matière, par exemple collage surmoulage ou soudés sur un circuit imprimé.
• Pour assurer la mise en place des contacts, il n'est plus nécessaire d'exercer un effort important, les points contact sont donc bien positionnés et alignés.
• En reportant vers l'arrière le sertissage des fils, on peut utiliser des fils ayant un diamètre sur isolant plus important, ce qui permet d'utiliser des câbles ayant des caractéristiques plus performantes.

A connector having such characteristics has many advantages, and in particular:

• The position of each contact point is fixed before the crimping of the wires by a means requiring only very moderate forces.
• The holding of the contacts is carried out by a means without mechanical deformation of material, for example bonding overmolding or soldered on a printed circuit.
• To ensure the establishment of the contacts, it is no longer necessary to exert a significant effort, the contact points are therefore well positioned and aligned.
• By deferring back the crimping of the wires, it is possible to use wires having a larger diameter on insulator, which makes it possible to use cables having more efficient characteristics.

In an alternative embodiment, each contact fork-shaped is the first end of a connection terminal partially embedded in the support, and the second end of which allows the contact with the respective connector terminals female.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• Figure 1 schematically represents a network data transmission in which a connector according to the invention,
• Figure 2 shows schematically and in longitudinal section a male connector of art anterior, in position inserted in a connector female,
• Figure 3 shows schematically and in exploded perspective and in partial section the connector male of the invention,
• Figure 4 shows a sectional view longitudinal of the male connector of the invention, in two positions of the cover, and in two positions of the front part of the support,
• FIG. 5 represents the integrated circuit provided contacts, intended to be inserted in the support of the male connector of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 schematically represents a network data transmission between two stations 2, 3 communicating by means of a multi-line cable. The connection assembly 4 makes it possible to connect, in branch on this network, by a connection cable 5, another terminal or station 6. This set connection has a female connector connected to two successive sections 7, 8 of the cable network communications, and the male connector of the invention connected to the connection cable 5. The cable connection 5, like the cable sections 7, 8 of network transmission, is preferably a cable multilines with ground shielding. He can, by example, contain eight conductive lines consisting each of a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath. It can also include ground shielding, constituted for example by a metallic envelope wrapped around the lines.

In this type of multi-line cable, some lines are intended to ensure transmissions in a first sense, while other lines are intended to ensure one-way transmissions opposite.

A male connector for communication network computer and / or telephone of the prior art is shown schematically and in longitudinal section in Figure 2. This connector has a support parallelepipedic insulator 20. Connection terminals 21 are partially embedded in the support 20 and open onto the upper face of the support. These terminals are connected to wires 22 forming the lines a communication cable 23 surrounded by a sheath insulating and entering the support 20 by its face rear 24.

The connection terminals 21 of the male connector come into sliding contact with corresponding terminals 25 of a female connector. The female connector terminals are enclosed in a box 26 and are respectively connected to lines of the communication network. The connector bolt female has an entry window that allows inserting the male connector.

The support 20 shown in Figure 2 includes also a rigid elastic tongue 27, made secured to this support, in the vicinity of its faces lower and front by a base 28 wider than the tongue 27. This tongue 27 and this base 28 are inclined to the underside of the report 20 and engage in a cutting corresponding to the front face of the bolt bolt 26. The base 28 has a transverse locking shoulder 29. To facilitate insertion of the male connector into the female connector, the base 28 and the shoulder 29 can be connected by an inclined surface. The shoulder 29 is also preferably inclined, as shown in the figure.

During the insertion of the male connector into the female connector window, tab 27 and the base 28 gradually folds down towards the face support 20 by pressing and sliding this base and the inclined surface on the edges of the cutout 30. At the end of the insertion, the tongue 27 and the base 28 move away from the underside of the support 20 to lock the connector position male by support of the shoulder 29 on an internal wall of the front face of the housing 26.

The connector further comprises a jumper 35 in insulating material for example, which encloses the support 20, in the vicinity of the rear face 24 of this support. This rider partially covers the faces sides and the upper face of the support, to press the end 36 of each wire 22, of the cable 23 present inside the support 20; this support ensures the respective contacts between the ends of the wires and the terminals male connector. Each terminal of connection 21 present, on the side of the rear face 24 of the support 20, a pointed shape allowing thanks to the support of the rider 35 on line 22, to perforate the insulation surrounding this wire to the conductor surrounded by this insulator; the terminal and the wire conductor are then in contact. The jumper 35 is kept on the support 20 for example thanks to lights 37 made on the side faces of this rider and which engage on bosses 38 present on the faces side of the support 20. The jumper 35 provides a effective locking of the wires 22 of the cable 23.

The lateral faces of the support 20 are at least partially metallized in the vicinity of the contacts between the connection terminals 21 and the ends 36 of the wires of the cable, to form a armor sleeve which is connected to a sheath metal cable shield. This shielding is suitable for come into contact with an armor sleeve surrounding the terminals of the female conductor, inside the case 26. The shield of the connector female is herself connected to a shielding sheath network lines.

• il n'y a pas de déconnexion en cas de traction intempestive sur le câble,
• il existe des incertitudes sur la position et l'orientation des points contacts entre les fils et les bornes vis-à-vis des normes,
• la méthode de fixation des contacts utilisée n'assure par un bon positionnement de ceux-ci,
• les points de contacts ne sont pas alignés.

But such a connector has many faults:

• there is no disconnection in the event of untimely pulling on the cable,
• there are uncertainties about the position and orientation of the contact points between the wires and the terminals with regard to standards,
• the method of fixing the contacts used does not ensure a good positioning of these,
• the contact points are not aligned.

To overcome these various faults, the connector of the invention makes it possible on the one hand to separate the functions: connection and locking and secondly the electrical contact functions with the terminals of the female connector, fixing on the material support insulating, electrical contact with cable wires.

• un boltier support 40 comprenant deux parties 80 en matériau isolant et 81 en matériau métallisé pouvant être séparées, la première partie 80 étant munie dans sa partie inférieure d'une languette élastique rigide 41,
• un ensemble couvercle 100 comprenant une pièce de raccordement 91 en matière isolante positionnant les fils 43 de la pièce 54 en matière métallisée bloquant le câble 44 de communication et d'un couvercle 42 en matière métallisée.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the male connector of the invention comprises two parts:

• a support bolt 40 comprising two parts 80 of insulating material and 81 of metallized material which can be separated, the first part 80 being provided in its lower part with a rigid elastic tongue 41,
• a cover assembly 100 comprising a connecting piece 91 of insulating material positioning the wires 43 of the piece 54 of metallized material blocking the communication cable 44 and of a cover 42 of metallized material.

The bolt holder 40 comprises in its part before 80 a cavity 45 in which can be arranged a printed circuit 46 which then rests in its part front on inclined walls 47 of the front part 80, and in its rear and central parts on lugs 48 and 48 'of the rear part 81. In its rear part, the printed circuit 46 is inserted in the groove 78 of a stop 79 secured to the body 81. On the front part 80, the cavity 45 opens towards the exterior by guide grooves 49 making it possible to guide the contacts from the female connector to the contacts of the corresponding printed circuit 46.

The housing 40 therefore consists of two parts: a part 80 or connection head and a part 81 or body, which can be fully metallized ensuring thus protecting the data transmitted against electromagnetic wave or electricity emissions static.

The connection head 80 has a cavity 82 allowing to receive a lug 83 of the body 81. This lug allows the two parts to be positioned between they. The printed circuit 46 provides between the two parts 80 and 81 a transverse guide.

Maintaining the part 80 on the part 81 is produced by tabs 84 and 85. These tabs are supported on inclined faces 86 and 87 of the part 81 via the faces 88 and 89 of so as to allow this maintenance.

In normal operation, the connector cannot back off, it is blocked in the retracted position by a stop on the female connector which is supported on a face 51 of the tongue 41. A pull on the cable of the connector secures the male connector and the female connector.

As in the connector of the prior art, the tongue 41 is made integral with the support by a flat base 50, wider than the tongue. This tongue 41 and this base 50 are inclined. The base 50 which connects the tongue 41 to the support 40 has a transverse shoulder 51 allowing, in end of insertion, locking of the male connector in the female connector which has not been shown in Figure 3, but which appears schematically on Figure 2.

The cover 42 has a rear part by which can be inserted the end of the cable 44 whose sheath has been removed to free the end sons 43.

In its front part, the cover 42 joins the part 91 provided with housings 70 for the ends of wires connected to the rear part by an inclined span 52.

In its rear part, the cover 42 comprises two side walls with internal racks 53 between which a coin can be inserted cable lock 54, fitted with external racks 55 designed to fit internal racks 53 of the cover 42. This blocking piece 54 comprises also, on each of its lateral faces, a lug 56 designed to move in a groove 57 made in each rack of the cover 42. The cover 42 has side slots 60 allowing it to adapt to the walls of the support 40. It includes also vertical grooves 61 provided to come adapt respectively to vertical projections 62 located on the lateral faces of said support 40.

The male connector therefore forms a set deformable which can be split in two: part 80 which includes the tongue 41 and the body 81. The male connector being in the assembled position shown in FIG. 4, the faces 88 and 89 of the head of connection 80 are in contact with the faces 86 and 87 of the body 81. A pull on the cable presses the male connector on the female connector by through the surface 51, a tensile force tends to move aside parts 80 and 81. The bearing faces (86, 87, 88, 89) between these two parts are inclined to the effort. The latter can be broken down into a component parallel to the tensile force and a component perpendicular to the tensile force. The perpendicular component tends to bring the two tabs 84 and 85 from each other and therefore from allow part 80 to separate from the part 81, and therefore of the entire male connector.

In the following description, to simplify the explanation, we will speak of support 40 to designate the set of two parts 80 and 81 secured between they.

The printed circuit 46, as shown in the Figure 5 has conductive tracks 64 to the end of which contacts 65 in the form of forks, for example three-pronged 66 can be introduced into metallized holes 67. These contacts are staggered in two lines transverse. Once the printed circuit 46 is arranged in the support 40, each contact is located below from the end of a wire 43 so that when the depression of the cover assembly 100 on the support 40, each end of wire 43 is crimped between the branches 66 of a contact 65.

Each contact 65 comprises at least two branches 66 each provided on its (or its) internal face (s) at least one roughness 68 intended to tear the sheath of the wire 43 and thus make contact with the soul of the wire.

These contacts are therefore related to the surface of the printed circuit 46 which includes printed tracks 64 allowing contact with the terminals the female connector. These contacts are made of a hard conductive material, for example bronze-beryllium.

Advantageously, the cable 44 may include a screen and a drain, uninsulated wire running along the screen; the cover 42, part 81 of support 40 and part of blocking 54 can then be metallized and connected electrically by contact to this screen and to this drain in order to protect data transmission from emissions of electromagnetic waves or static electricity.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the support 40 and the cover assembly 100 are shown in two distinct and consecutive positions: in a first position in which they are separated, in a second position they are in in solidarity with each other.

• d'une part, les éléments servant au blocage mécanique qui sont le blocage de câble 54, le couvercle 42 venant s'emboíter dans le support 81 pour fermer l'ensemble. Ces pièces peuvent être en matière plastique métallisée afin qu'il y ait continuité avec le blindage du câble et le nième point, par exemple le neuvième, du connecteur femelle.
• d'autre part, les éléments servant au positionnement des pièces extérieures : la pièce de raccordement 91 localise les fils 43 du câble 44 dans les logements 70, la pièce 80 positionne les contacts du connecteur femelle face à chaque piste du circuit imprimé. Ces pièces peuvent être en matière plastique isolante transparente afin de visualiser les divers éléments de connexion, comme la position des fils dans la pièce 91, ou encore le positionnement du circuit imprimé dans la pièce 80, cette dernière ne pouvant être conductrice sous peine de relier les pistes entre elles, auquel cas on aurait un point électrique commun contrairement à ce qui est recherché et qui est d'obtenir la transmission de par exemple huit lignes indépendantes.

We can propose another distribution of the parts of the assembly, based on two functions:

• on the one hand, the elements serving for the mechanical blocking which are the cable blocking 54, the cover 42 fitting into the support 81 to close the assembly. These parts can be made of metallized plastic so that there is continuity with the cable shield and the nth point, for example the ninth, of the female connector.
• on the other hand, the elements used for positioning the external parts: the connecting part 91 locates the wires 43 of the cable 44 in the housings 70, the part 80 positions the contacts of the female connector facing each track of the printed circuit. These parts may be made of transparent insulating plastic material in order to visualize the various connection elements, such as the position of the wires in the part 91, or even the positioning of the printed circuit in the part 80, the latter being unable to be conductive under penalty of connecting the tracks between them, in which case there would be a common electrical point, contrary to what is sought and which is to obtain the transmission of, for example, eight independent lines.

1) On monte le boítier support 40 : On soude les contacts 65, ici au nombre de huit, sur le circuit imprimé 46, comme représenté sur la figure 5. On dispose cet ensemble sur les ergots 48 et 48' de la pièce 81 pour venir en butée dans la gorge 78 de la pièce 79. On assemble alors les pièces 80 et 81 pour former le boítier support 40.

2) On prépare le câble 44 : Le câble 44 est mis à la bonne longueur. La gaine est découpée sur une certaine longueur. L'écran de blindage et le drain de câble 44 sont retournés sur le câble. Les fils 43 du câble 44 sont alors positionnés suivant un code couleur relatif à l'installation ou à une fonction particulière à remplir.

3) On assemble la pièce 91 dans le couvercle 42 : La pièce 91 est guidée dans le couvercle 42 par des ergots latéraux qui se déplacent dans des gorges du couvercle 42 non représentés sur les figures. La liaison entre ces deux pièces 91 et 42 est réalisée par la déformation d'un ergot en forme de triangle 92, par exemple, dont est munie la pièce 91 sur sa partie supérieure, à l'intérieur d'un logement cylindrique 93 du couvercle 42. cet assemblage est réalisé en force. Les pointes du triangle interfèrent avec la paroi du logement cylindrique, d'où déformation du triangle, et liaison suffisamment importante de ces deux pièces, 4) On met en place les fils 43 :Les fils pré-positionnés les uns par rapport aux autres sont introduits dans les logements de la pièce 91.

5) On bloque le câble 44 : Le câble 44 est bloqué grâce à la pièce de blocage 54. Ce blocage est réalisé par un système de type crémaillère. Lors de la mise en place de la pièce 54 et du pincement du câble 44, cette pièce 54 et la pièce 42 métallisées se trouvent en contact électrique entre elles, et également avec l'écran et le drain du câble 44. De cette façon, on assure le contact électrique entre le blindage du câble et les pièces métallisées telles que 54 et 42.

6) On finit l'assemblage du connecteur : Le boítier support 40 et l'ensemble couvercle 100 relié au câble sont réunis pour concrétiser le produit final. Les deux ensembles sont guidés l'un par rapport à l'autre par les saillies verticales 62 du boítier 40 et des rainures 61 du couvercle 42. Chaque fil 43 vient en contact avec l'un des contacts 65. Un faible effort est alors nécessaire pour percer l'isolant et faire pénétrer l'âme de chaque fil entre les branches 66 d'un contact 65. Lorsque les deux ensembles sont en position, un léger clip se fait entendre. Ce sont les quatre bossages 72 de la pièce 81 qui viennent se loger dans quatre lumières correspondantes 71 réalisées dans les faces latérales du couvercle 42. Le couvercle métallisé 42 vient en contact avec le support 81 métallisé et la continuité électrique est réalisée entre ces deux pièces et donc entre le support 81 et le drain du câble 44.

We will now analyze the different stages of fitting the elements of the male connector of the invention.

1) We mount the support box 40: We solder the contacts 65, here eight in number, on the printed circuit 46, as shown in Figure 5. We have this set on the lugs 48 and 48 'of the part 81 for come into abutment in the groove 78 of the part 79. The parts 80 and 81 are then assembled to form the support housing 40.

2) Cable 44 is prepared: Cable 44 is placed at the correct length. The sheath is cut over a certain length. The shielding screen and the cable drain 44 are turned over on the cable. The wires 43 of the cable 44 are then positioned according to a color code relating to the installation or to a particular function to be fulfilled.

3) The part 91 is assembled in the cover 42: The part 91 is guided in the cover 42 by lateral pins which move in grooves in the cover 42 not shown in the figures. The connection between these two parts 91 and 42 is achieved by the deformation of a triangle-shaped lug 92, for example, which is provided with the part 91 on its upper part, inside a cylindrical housing 93 of the cover. 42. this assembly is carried out by force. The points of the triangle interfere with the wall of the cylindrical housing, hence deformation of the triangle, and sufficiently important connection of these two parts, 4) The wires 43 are put in place: The wires pre-positioned with respect to each other are introduced into the housing in room 91.

5) The cable 44 is blocked: The cable 44 is blocked by the locking piece 54. This blocking is achieved by a rack-type system. When the part 54 is put in place and the cable 44 is pinched, this metallized part 54 and the part 42 are in electrical contact with one another, and also with the screen and the cable drain 44. In this way electrical contact is provided between the cable shield and the metallized parts such as 54 and 42.

6) We finish assembling the connector: The support box 40 and the cover assembly 100 connected to the cable are brought together to make the final product a reality. The two assemblies are guided relative to each other by the vertical projections 62 of the housing 40 and of the grooves 61 of the cover 42. Each wire 43 comes into contact with one of the contacts 65. A small effort is then necessary to pierce the insulation and make the core of each wire penetrate between the branches 66 of a contact 65. When the two assemblies are in position, a slight clip is heard. These are the four bosses 72 of the part 81 which are housed in four corresponding slots 71 produced in the lateral faces of the cover 42. The metallized cover 42 comes into contact with the metallized support 81 and electrical continuity is produced between these two parts and therefore between the support 81 and the cable drain 44.

When the male connector thus formed is inserted into a corresponding female connector, we provides electrical continuity for each wire in the cable with contact opposite connector female via the printed circuit 46, while providing electromagnetic shielding at the connection.

• le connecteur mâle ainsi réalisé se scinde en deux parties (partie 80 d'un côté, partie 81, circuit imprimé 46 et ensemble couvercle 100 de l'autre) lors d'une traction intempestive sur le câble 44.
• la face supérieure du circuit imprimé qui comporte des pistes assurant le contact avec le connecteur femelle, permet un positionnement franc et précis de la surface de contact vis-à-vis d'une référence de connexion définie dans la norme.
• la fixation des contacts dans le support est réalisée par une méthode sans contrainte par exemple collage, remplissage de résine, soudage ; de ce fait, aucune contrainte n'est exercée sur le connecteur et la déformation vue de bout est nulle.
• la jonction électrique de ce contact avec les fils du câble est réalisée sur la partie arrière de ce contact par déplacement des fils sur les contacts, l'effort de connexion n'est plus additionné à l'effort de fixation des contacts.
• la liaison avec les fils du câble étant reportée à plusieurs millimètres en arrière de la face avant du connecteur, il est possible d'utiliser des fils avec des diamètres sur isolant différents. En effet, la norme fixe la largeur du connecteur, mais à un certain niveau cette largeur est libre. On peut donc écarter les zones de connexion des fils. On peut donc utiliser des fils avec des jauges de numéro plus faible. De plus, ces fils peuvent être monobrin ou multibrins.

Such a connector has many advantages, and in particular:

• the male connector thus produced splits into two parts (part 80 on one side, part 81, printed circuit 46 and cover assembly 100 on the other) during an untimely pulling on the cable 44.
• the upper face of the printed circuit which has tracks ensuring contact with the female connector, allows a frank and precise positioning of the contact surface with respect to a connection reference defined in the standard.
• the fixing of the contacts in the support is carried out by a method without constraint for example gluing, filling of resin, welding; therefore, no stress is exerted on the connector and the deformation seen from the end is zero.
• the electrical junction of this contact with the wires of the cable is produced on the rear part of this contact by displacement of the wires on the contacts, the connection effort is no longer added to the effort for fixing the contacts.
• the connection with the wires of the cable being postponed several millimeters behind the front face of the connector, it is possible to use wires with diameters on different insulation. Indeed, the standard fixes the width of the connector, but at a certain level this width is free. We can therefore discard the connection areas of the wires. We can therefore use wires with lower number gauges. In addition, these wires can be single-strand or multi-strand.

In an alternative embodiment, the contact can be made by a connection terminal, of the same type than that shown in Figure 2; this terminal then having its rear end in the form of a fork several branches, so that the corresponding wire can be crimped in the manner shown in particular at Figure 5.

Claims (19)

1. A disconnectable male connector for a communications network, the connector being designed to connect the line wires of a multiline cable to the lines of the network by plugging the male connector into a female connector having terminals connected to the lines of the network, the male connector comprising: a support housing (40) having a first terminal portion that receives said cable and an opposite second terminal portion that forms a connection head (80) which is pluggable into said female connector; connection means (46, 64, 65) mounted in said support housing, the connection means being connected to the line wires of said cable and also being accessible on said connection head to enable them to be put into contact with said terminals when said head is plugged into the female connector; immobilizing means (54) for immobilizing said cable in said first terminal portion of the support housing; and locking means (41) provided on said connection head for locking it in said female connector; the male connector being characterized in that said support housing (40) includes said connection head (80) and a body (81) which can be assembled together and separated from each other. and to this end are both provided with securing means (84, 85, 86, 87) including deformable lateral tongues (84, 85) on said connection head, and lateral bearing surfaces (86, 87) on said body (81). securing said connection head in place on said body and releasing them when the cable connected to said network is accidentally pulled.
2. A connector according to claim 1, characterized in that said connection head (80) includes at least one cavity (82), and in that said body (81) includes a peg (83) which enters said cavity (82) to position said head on said body.
3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said securing means include on the connection head (80) two lateral tongues (84. 85) each having an inclined surface (88. 89) near its end received on said body, and on the body (81) two inclined side walls (86. 87) on which the respective inclined surfaces of the two tongues bear when said head is in place on said body.
4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said body (81) is made of a metallized material.
5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said connection head (80) is made of plastics material, which may be transparent.
6. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said connection means include first connection means (65) for connection to said wires (43) of the cable (44) and second connection means (46, 64) for sliding connection to the terminals of the female connector, said first and second connection means being interconnected inside said body (81).
7. A connector according to claim 6, characterized in that it further includes a cover assembly (100) containing said cable immobilizing means (54) and connection means (91) receiving the individual wires of said cable, the cover assembly being fitted to said body and locked thereon beyond the connection head secured to said body in order to close the body while connecting said cable wires to said first connection means.
8. A connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the first connection means include respective forked contacts (65) for each wire (43) of said cable, each contact being beneath the end of one of the wires (43) so that when the cover assembly (100) is forced onto the body (81), each wire end is crimped into the fork of the corresponding contact.
9. A connector according to claim 8, characterized in that each forked contact (65) comprises at least two branches (66) each having on its inside surface(s) at least one sharp projection (68) adapted to tear the insulation of the respective wire (43) to establish contact with the core thereof.
10. A connector according to claim 9, characterized in that each forked contact (65) can receive wires (43) of various gauges.
11. A connector according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said second connection means (46. 64) include a printed circuit (46) having printed tracks (64) making contact with the respective terminals of the female connector and to which said fork-shaped contacts (65) are connected.
12. A connector according to claim 11, characterized in that said connection head (80) includes a main cavity (45) receiving said printed circuit (46), inclined walls (47) on which said printed circuit received in said main cavity rests, and guide grooves (49) for opening said main cavity to the outside and for positioning the terminals of the female connector on the tracks of the printed circuit (46), and in that said body (81) includes support means (48) and abutment means (79) for said printed circuit (46).
13. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 12. characterized in that the connection means (91) have housings (70) into which the ends of the wires (43) of said cable are inserted.
14. A connector according to claim 13, characterized in that said cover assembly (100) includes a cover proper (42) having an open rear portion through which the end of the cable (44) can be inserted after its covering sheath has been removed to release the ends of the wires (43), and a front portion in which there are mounted said connection means (91) receiving the ends of said wires guided by an inclined bearing surface (52) between said front and rear portions, said rear portion receiving said immobilizing means for said cable.
15. A connector according to claim 14, characterized in that the rear portion of the cover (42) is provided with two side walls provided with internal racks (53), and in that said means for immobilizing said cable are constituted by a cable-immobilizing member (54) received between the internal racks, and external racks (55) designed to engage the racks (53) of the cover (42).
16. A connector according to claim 15, characterized in that said immobilizing member (54) also comprises a tab (56) on each side adapted to move in a groove (57) in each rack on the inside of the cover (42).
17. A connector according to claim 16, characterized in that the cover (42) includes side slots (60) enabling it to be fitted to the side walls of said body (81) and vertical grooves (61) received on corresponding projections (62) provided on the side walls of said body (81).
18. A connector according to claim 9, characterized in that each forked contact (65) is the first end of a connection terminal partially embedded in said body and whose other end makes the contact with the respective terminal of the female connector.
19. A connector according to any one of claims 14 to 17. characterized in that the cover (42) the body (81) and said immobilizing means (54) are metallized and electrically connected by direct contact to a shield and a drain wire of the cable (44) to protect the transmitted data against electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge.

Images