EP3599672A1 - Connector with lever for assisting with connection and method for packaging such a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lever connector (3) for connection assistance. Locking means (4) of the lever (3) are slidably mounted thereon between three positions: a locking position in which the locking means (4) of the lever (3) lock the lever (3) in its position closed, an unlocking position in which the locking means (4) of the lever (3) release the lever (3) to allow rotation of the latter towards its open position, and a delivery position, distinct from the locking positions and unlocking, in which the lever (3) can be in the closed position without being blocked by the locking means (4). In the delivery position, the locking means (4) are not constrained.

Description

The invention relates to the field of connectors, and in particular that of automotive connectors.

Connectors are used to transmit signals or electrical energy between cables, devices (computer, lighting, etc.) or motors. In particular, the electrical connectors include more or less electrical contacts, or even more or less large.

Furthermore, in order to avoid musculoskeletal disorders for the operators responsible for assembling and connecting the connectors together, in order to ensure an easy and reliable connection, and in order to avoid the risks of faulty connections, the connectors, and in particular connectors for the automotive industry, can be fitted with a coupling aid lever.

Thus, connectors are known with a lever mounted for rotation on a housing, the lever comprising two lever arms articulated around an axis of rotation, each respectively on a face of the housing, perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Each of these arms is provided with teeth cooperating with racks of a counter connector. The lever is then movable between two positions: an open position, corresponding to a pre-coupling position or the start of coupling of the connector with a counter connector, and a closed position, corresponding to a fully coupled position of the connector with the against connector. In other words, the lever is placed in the open position when the connector is placed opposite a counter connector to couple the connector with the counter connector. Then, the lever is tilted, from this open position to its closed position. During this maneuver, the teeth of the lever engage with the racks of the counter connector, to couple and connect the connector with the counter connector. When the lever is in the closed position, the connectors and counter-connectors are fully coupled and connected.

This type of connector can be provided with locking means which lock the lever in its closed position, in order to prevent the lever from tilting, inadvertently or under the effect of vibrations, towards its open position and that the connectors and against -connector does not disconnect.

Connectors of this type are described, for example, in the document EP2675021A2 or in the document EP2863490A1 .

For reasons of space and / or to limit the risk of breaking the lever, it is preferable that, during the storage and delivery periods, the lever is in the closed position, without however being locked.

Thus, there is provided a connector according to claim 1.

Thanks to the invention, in addition to the fact that the connector can be conditioned by limiting the volume it occupies and by reducing or preventing the lever from being broken, the connector can be stored for long periods without the effectiveness lever locking means does not degrade over time.

Indeed, the locking means with which the connectors are provided are often in the form of a lock produced by molding a plastic material. It is therefore necessary to prevent elements of the locking means from being kept under stress for long periods. Under the effect of temperature and / or time, the plastic material can creep and / or deform, which can cause a malfunction and / or a loss of reliability of the locking means.

Thus, advantageously, the locking means do not remain under stress for prolonged periods. There are in fact two particular periods during which a connector can remain without movement of the lever and the locking means. These are, on the one hand, the storage and delivery periods before the connector is used, and on the other hand, the period of use when the connector is operatively connected with a counter connector.

Thus, the connector according to the invention may comprise locking means which comprise at least one flexible branch cooperating with the housing to lock the lever in the closed position, this flexible branch not being under stress (that is to say not under permanent constraint) when the locking means are in the delivery position or in the locking position.

The connector according to the invention may, in addition, optionally include one or the other of the characteristics mentioned in claims 2 to 10, considered in isolation or in combination with one or more others.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of packaging a connector, according to claim 11.

In this method, the connector is conditioned, for example, in a box, by placing the lever in the closed position and the locking means in a delivery position, separate from the locking and unlocking positions, in which the locking means do not are not under duress.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement en perspective et de manière éclatée un exemple de mode de réalisation d'un connecteur selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement en perspective le connecteur de la figure 1, avec le levier en position fermée ;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement en perspective le connecteur de la figure 1, avec le levier en position ouverte ;
• les figures 4 et 5 représentent, schématiquement en perspective, une partie du connecteur des figures 1 à 3, avec le levier en position fermée avec les moyens de verrouillage du levier respectivement en position de livraison et en position de verrouillage ;
• les figures 6 et 7 représentent schématiquement, en perspective et en coupe, une partie du connecteur des figures 1 à 3, avec le levier en position fermée et avec les moyens de verrouillage du levier respectivement en position de livraison et en position de verrouillage, le levier ayant été caché pour mieux voir l'interaction des moyens de verrouillage avec le boîtier du connecteur ;
• les figures 8 et 9 représentent, schématiquement en coupe et vue de dessus, une partie du connecteur des figures 1 à 3, avec le levier en position fermée avec les moyens de verrouillage du levier respectivement en position de livraison et en position de verrouillage ;
• les figures 10 et 11 représentent, schématiquement vue de dessus et en coupe , respectivement dans deux plans différents, une partie du connecteur des figures 1 à 3, avec le levier en position fermée et avec les moyens de verrouillage du levier en position de livraison ;
• les figures 12 et 13 représentent, schématiquement en coupe, une partie du connecteur des figures 1 à 3, respectivement avec le levier en position ouverte et en position fermée, et avec les moyens de verrouillage du levier en position de déverrouillage ;
• les figures 14 et 15 représentent, schématiquement vue de dessus et en coupe , respectivement dans deux plans différents, une partie du connecteur des figures 1 à 3, avec le levier en position fermée avec les moyens de verrouillage du levier en position de verrouillage.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows as well as in the appended drawings. In these drawings:

• the figure 1 schematically shows in perspective and exploded an exemplary embodiment of a connector according to the invention,
• the figure 2 schematically represents in perspective the connector of the figure 1 , with the lever in the closed position;
• the figure 3 schematically represents in perspective the connector of the figure 1 , with the lever in the open position;
• the Figures 4 and 5 show, diagrammatically in perspective, part of the connector of the Figures 1 to 3 , with the lever in the closed position with the locking means of the lever respectively in the delivery position and in the locking position;
• the Figures 6 and 7 schematically represent, in perspective and in section, a part of the connector of Figures 1 to 3 , with the lever in the closed position and with the locking means of the lever respectively in the delivery position and in the locking position, the lever having been hidden to better see the interaction of the locking means with the connector housing;
• the Figures 8 and 9 schematically show in section and top view, part of the connector of the Figures 1 to 3 , with the lever in the closed position with the locking means of the lever respectively in the delivery position and in the locking position;
• the figures 10 and 11 represent, schematically top view and in section, respectively in two different planes, part of the connector of Figures 1 to 3 , with the lever in the closed position and with the means for locking the lever in the delivery position;
• the figures 12 and 13 show, diagrammatically in section, part of the connector of the Figures 1 to 3 , respectively with the lever in the open position and in the closed position, and with the means for locking the lever in the unlocked position;
• the Figures 14 and 15 represent, schematically top view and in section, respectively in two different planes, part of the connector of Figures 1 to 3 , with the lever in the closed position with the means for locking the lever in the locked position.

In the different figures, similar or identical elements have the same references.

An exemplary embodiment of a connector according to the invention is shown in the figure 1 . The connector 1 comprises a housing 2, a lever 3 and locking means 4. These elements are made of molded resin having dielectric properties.

The housing 2 has a coupling face 5 with a counter connector (not shown) and a wire guide passage 6. The coupling face 5 is provided with contacts (not shown) electrically connected to wires or cables ( not shown) exiting connector 1 through the wire guide passage 6. These contacts are intended to be connected with contacts of the counter connector (not shown), by bringing connector 1 and the counter connector one towards the 'other, by fitting them one into the other, in a coupling direction D, then by coupling them to each other by rotating the lever 3, about an axis of rotation A, from an open position of the lever ( figure 3 ) to a closed position of the lever ( figure 2 ). The open position corresponds to a position in which the connector 1 is positioned to be coupled with a counter connector. The closed position corresponds to a position in which the connector 1 is completely coupled with the counter-connector and in which the contacts of the connector and of the counter-connector are electrically connected to each other.

The axis of rotation A of the lever 3 is parallel to the coupling face 5 and perpendicular to the direction of coupling D with the counter connector. The lever 3 has two arms 7. The arms 7 are connected by one of their ends to a handle 8. Their other end is provided with a flange 9 rotatably mounted on the housing 2 around the axis of rotation A. Each flange 9 is provided with teeth 10 configured to cooperate with a respective rack present on the counter connector, in order to couple the connector 1 with the counter connector when the lever 3 is tilted from its open position ( figure 3 ) to its closed position ( figure 2 ).

The locking means 4 are, in the example of embodiment described here, in the form of a lock mounted to slide on the lever 3 in a direction of translation T, parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A. More particularly, the lock is mounted movable in translation on the handle 8 between successively, along the direction T, a delivery position, an unlocking position and a locking position.

The latch has an actuating surface 11 under which there is a slide 12. This slide 12 has two branches 13 extending longitudinally between an end connected to a base 14 (see Figures 10, 12 and 15 ) and a free end. The arms 13 are flexible and can elastically deform and bend towards the base 14. The base 14 has two ribs 15 each extending laterally towards the outside of the connector (see figures 1 , 4, 6 and 7 ). These ribs 15 extend longitudinally in the direction T. They penetrate and slide, in the direction T, in slides 16 formed in the handle 8 of the lever 3.

Each branch 13 has a locking tooth 17 and an unlocking tooth 18. These locking teeth 17 and unlocking teeth 18 extend from each of the branches 13, towards the outside of the connector 1, parallel to the axis of rotation A of lever 3 (see figures 1 , 6 and 7 ). Each locking tooth 17 is shaped to cooperate with the lever 3 and prevent the free movement of the lock 4 from its unlocking position to its locking position ( figure 12 ) and vice versa ( Figure 15 ). Each unlocking tooth 18 is shaped to cooperate with the housing 2, when the lock 4 is in the unlocking position and the lever 3 is tilted from its open position to its closed position ( Figure 13 ), and thus deflect the branches 13 respectively comprising each of the unlocking teeth 18 so that the lock 4 escapes the stopper 26 and can be moved from its unlocking position to its locking position.

The connector 1 is conditioned for its storage and transport, for example in a box, in bulk or in a cell provided for this purpose. In accordance with the invention, it is conditioned, as shown in the figure 2 , by placing the lever 3 in the closed position and the locking means 4 in the delivery position.

As shown in the figure 4 , when the lever 4 is in the closed position, it is locked in this position thanks to primary locking means. according to the exemplary embodiment described here, these primary locking means comprise a lug 19 and an opening 20 formed in a locking tab 21, elastic and coming in manner with the housing 2. In the closed position of the lever 3 ( Figures 4 and 5 ), the lug 19 is engaged in the opening 20. However, the latch 4 in the delivery position does not interact with the elastic tongue 21. It then suffices to press on the free end of the tongue 21 to release the lug 19 of the opening 20 and release the lever 3.

However, as shown in the figure 5 , when the lever 3 is in the closed position and we want to lock it in this position so that it does not tip over, inadvertently, for example because pressure has been involuntarily exerted on the tongue 21, it is necessary to position the latch 4 in the locked position. The lock 4 thus forms secondary locking means.

More particularly, the latch 4 comprises two hooks 22 located opposite, each respectively, at a longitudinal edge of the tongue 21. Each hook 22 has a U shape (when viewed in cross section ). Each hook 22 thus forms a gutter or slide in which can engage a rib 23 extending the tongue 21, laterally, outward.

In the delivery position of the lock 4, the ribs 23 do not penetrate the hooks 22. There is no interference between the tongue 21 and the lock 4. The flexibility of the tongue 21 can thus be used to release the 'pin 19 of opening 20 ( figure 4 ). The lever 3 can be released from the tongue 21 by bending the latter.

In the locking position of the lock 4, the ribs 23 are engaged in the hooks 22 preventing the tongue 23 from being able to bend under the effect of a pressure exerted on its free end ( figure 5 ). This prevents the lever 3 from being released from the tongue 21 and can be tilted to its open position. This avoids involuntary uncoupling and disconnection of the connector 1 and the counter connector.

As shown on figures 6, 8 , 10 and 11 , when the lock is in the delivery position, the forms 13 are not constrained. The locking teeth 17 and unlocking teeth 18 do not interfere either with the housing 2 or with the lever 3. They are freely housed in notches or recesses 24 formed on the internal face of the walls of the housing 2.

Likewise, as shown in the figures 7, 9 , 14 and 15 , when the lock 4 is in the locked position, the forms 13 are not constrained. The locking teeth 17 and unlocking teeth 18 do not interfere either with the housing 2 or with the lever 3. In particular, they are freely housed in the notches or recesses 24 formed on the internal face of the walls of the housing 2.

However, as shown in the figure 13 , when the lock 4 is in the unlocked position, the forms 13 are constrained. The unlocking teeth 18 interfere with the housing 2, to flex the branches 13.

The procedure for using the locking means 4 is described below.

When the connector 1 must be used to be connected to a counter connector, an operator exerts pressure on the free end of the tongue 21. He thus releases the lug 19 from the opening 20. The lock 4 being in position delivery, the hooks 22 do not interfere with the tongue 21. The operator can then tilt the lever 3 from its closed position ( figure 2 ) to its open position ( figure 3 ).

Once the lever 3 in the open position, the latch 4 is moved, in the direction T, from its delivery position to its unlocking position. During this maneuver, protrusions 25 placed on the latch 4 and on the lever 3 interfere to offer a slight resistance which the operator can easily overcome ( figure 11 ). This gives the operator the feeling of passing a notch. After the passage of this notch, the latch 4 is blocked by the locking teeth 17 which are in abutment on buffers 26 made integrally with the lever 3 and which prevent the displacement of the latch 4, further forward, towards its position of lock ( Figure 12 ). Furthermore, the protrusions 25 also interfere to retain the latch in this unlocked position ( Figure 13 ).

The respective coupling faces 12 of the connector 1 and of the counter connector are presented one opposite the other. The connector 1 and the counter-connector begin to be nested one inside the other until the teeth 10 of the lever 3 can cooperate with the racks of the counter-connector.

The operator can then tilt the lever 3 from its open position to its closed position, to completely couple the connector 1 with the counter-connector.

When the lever 3 is in the closed position, as the latch 4 is in the unlocked position ( figure 13 ), the unlocking teeth 18 each interfere respectively with a rib 27 formed on the internal face of the wall of the housing, which causes the elastic branches to bend (see also the rib 27 on the Figures 6 and 7 ). The free end of the branches 13 then approaches the base 14. The bending of the branches 13 allows the locking teeth 17 which were blocked to be released (as in the figure 12 ), each respectively by the stops 26 formed on the internal face of the arms 7 of the lever 3.

The lock 4 can then be moved to its locked position ( figures 7, 9 , 14 and 15 ). The beveled shapes of the unlocking teeth 18 facilitate this movement.

When the latch 4 is in the locking position, the locking teeth 17 and unlocking teeth 18 are again housed in notches or recesses 24 formed on the internal face of the walls of the housing 2. The branches 13 are no longer constrained. The stress exerted on the branches 13 is limited to the duration of the passage into the unlocking position of the lock 4. This unlocking position corresponds to an intermediate position in which the lock is not intended to remain for a long time (and in any case not long enough for the plastic material to flow and the arms 3 to be deformed relative to the rest position lose in which they are when the lock is in the delivery position or in the locking position).

To disconnect the connector 1 and the counter connector, the operator moves the latch 4 from its locking position ( Figures 14 and 15 ) to its unlocking position ( figure 13 ). The beveled shapes of the locking teeth 17 facilitate this movement (see figure 15 ). The branches 13 flex when they pass over the stops 26 of the lever 3. Then, while continuing to move the lock 4 towards its unlocking position, the unlocking teeth 18 are placed on the ribs 27. By moving the lock again towards its delivery position, we find the initial position which releases the lug 19 from the opening 20 by pressing on the free end of the tongue 21. Thus, the lever 3 can be tilted to its open position by uncoupling the connector 1 and the counter connector.

Claims (11)

Connector (1) comprising - a case (2), - a connection assistance lever (3) articulated on the housing (2), around an axis of rotation (A), between at least one open position, in which a counter connector can be coupled to the connector ( 1) in a coupling direction (D) essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A) of the lever (3), and a closed position, in which the connector (1) and the counter-connector are coupled together, - locking means (4) of the lever (3) movable between a locking position in which the locking means (4) of the lever (3) block the lever (3) in its closed position and an unlocking position in which the locking means (4) of the lever (3) release the lever (3) to allow rotation of the latter around the axis of rotation (A), towards its open position,
characterized by the fact that - That the locking means (4) are configured to be able to occupy a delivery position, distinct from the locking and unlocking positions, in which the lever (3) can be in the closed position without being blocked by the locking means (4 ), and in which the locking means are not under stress. Connector according to claim 1, in which the locking means (4) - can be moved from their delivery position to their unlocking position, when the lever (3) is in the open position, - cannot be moved from their unlocking position to their locking position, when the lever (3) is in the open position, and - can be moved from their unlocking position to their locking position after rotation of the lever (3) from its open position to its closed position. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, in which the locking means (4) comprise at least one elastically flexible branch (13) cooperating with the housing (2) to lock the lever (3) in the closed position, this branch (13) not being under stress when the locking means (4) are in the delivery position or in the locking position. Connector according to claim 3, in which the branch (13) cooperates with the housing (2) by engagement of a tooth (18) in a notch (24), the tooth (18) and the notch (24) being each respectively provided on the branch (13) or on the housing, without the branch (13) being deflected when the locking means (4) are in the delivery position or in the locking position. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking means (4) are slidably mounted on the lever (3) successively between the delivery, unlocking and locking positions, and vice versa. Connector according to claim 5, in which the locking means (4) are slidably mounted on the lever (3), in a direction (D) essentially lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A) of the lever (3 ). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking means (4) are blocked by a stopper (26) on the lever (3) to prevent a displacement from their unlocking position towards their locking position, when the lever (3) is in the open position, and the locking means (4) cooperate with the housing (2), when they are in the unlocking position and the lever (3) is tilted in the closed position, to escape the stopper ( 26) and allow their displacement from their unlocking position to their locking position. Connector according to claim 7, in which the locking means (4) consist of a lock configured to be moved between the delivery, unlocking and locking positions, and vice versa, this lock (4) comprising at least an unlocking tooth (18) extending from a branch (13), towards the outside of the connector, parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the lever (3), and shaped to cooperate with the housing (2) when the latch (4) is in the unlocked position and the lever (3) is tilted from its open position to its closed position, and to thereby deflect the branch (13) having this unlocking tooth (18) for the lock (4) escapes the stopper (26) and can be moved from its unlocking position to its locking position. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking means (4) consist of a lock configured to be moved between the delivery, unlocking and locking positions, and vice versa, this lock (4) comprising at least one locking tooth (17) extending from a branch (13), towards the outside of the connector (1), parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the lever (3), and shaped to cooperate with the lever (3) and prevent movement of the lock (4) from its unlocking position to its locking position. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing comprises an elastic locking tab (21) configured to lock the lever (3) in the closed position and in which the locking means (4) consist of a configured lock to be moved between the delivery, unlocking and locking positions, and vice versa, this lock (4) comprising at least one hook (22) configured to - cooperate with the tongue (21) when the latch (4) is in the locking position and thus prevent the lever (3) from being released from the tongue (21), and - do not interfere with the tongue (21) when the lock is in the delivery position in order to allow the lever (3) to be released from the tongue (21) by bending the latter. Method for packaging a connector, in which the connector (1) comprises - a case (2), - a lever (3) for connection assistance articulated on the housing (2), around an axis of rotation (A), between at least one open position, corresponding to a connector coupling position (1) with a counter connector, and a closed position, corresponding to a coupled position of the connector (1) with a counter connector, - locking means (4) of the lever (3), sliding between a locking position in which the locking means (4) of the lever (3) block the lever (3) in its closed position and an unlocking position in which the locking means (4) of the lever (3) release the lever (3) to allow rotation of the latter around the axis of rotation (A), towards its open position, characterized in that the connector (1) is conditioned, by placing the lever (3) in the closed position and the locking means (4) in a delivery position, separate from the locking and unlocking positions, in which the means lock (4) are not under stress.

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