EP3651275B1 - Housing for connector provided with an improved cable terminal position assurance (tpa) and method of mounting a cable terminal in a connector - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to connectors in the field of electrical and/or data transmission connectors.

It relates more particularly to cable terminal position assurance (TPA) devices.

The invention applies more generally to any type of connection technology for transmitting electrical signals and/or data and/or radio-frequency (RF) signals.

An interesting application is automotive vehicle connectors.

Prior art

In the field of connectors for transmitting electrical signals and/or data and/or radio-frequency (RF) signals, it is known that the electrical, fiber optic and other connections are made using two connectors interlocking, usually in the form of male and female connectors mated together.

Each male or female connector has mutually located electrical contacts, optical fibers or other conductors configured to provide a connection therebetween when the male and female connectors are mated together.

More specifically, each male or female connector comprises a box in which is mounted and fixed a cable terminal (“Terminal” in English language).

A general specification in the field of connectors is to ensure that when the electrical cable terminal is correctly housed/positioned in the cavity of the box dedicated to it and locked, the terminal cannot inadvertently unlock during assembly. connector or by accident during use. For example following shocks and/or vibrations, one of the terminals could uncouple and become dislodged from its box without this being visible outside the connected boxes.

In the end, this can cause malfunctions by breaking the signal(s) to be transmitted between the connectors or during use of the connector.

Failures of this type are of particular concern in the automotive industry where electrical/optical/data transmission components are subjected to almost continuous shock and/or vibration during normal use.

To avoid these problems, it is known, more particularly in the automotive industry, to equip a connector with a terminal insurance device (TPA anglo-saxon acronym for "Terminal Position Assurance") to secure the locking of terminals in the connectors and prevent inadvertent disconnection.

A TPA device performs the function of securing the locking of a cable terminal in an enclosure. When the terminal is housed and locked in its case, the TPA is moved from its locking standby position to its active terminal locking securing position.

The patent KR 101482973 B1 discloses a connector whose housing is provided with a U-shaped TPA, the TPA being inserted laterally into the housing so that the rigid branches of the U ensure the blocking of the terminal.

Requirement WO 2013/064573 A1 discloses a connector and associated TPA, the TPA having a flexible tab configured to be locked in the connector in a standby position when no terminal is inserted into the connector and to be deflected by the terminal upon insertion into the connector.

The major drawback of existing TPA devices is that they can be placed in their active position in the box even if no terminal is actually mounted in the box.

On the other hand, the function of a TPA also consists in preventing any connection with a complementary connector, when the TPA is not in the active position, any attempt to couple a complementary connector box failing due to the presence of a dedicated part at the front of the TPA against which the additional connector box abuts.

However, current TPAs can be placed in the active security position, even in the absence of a terminal in the box.

There is therefore a need to improve the solutions for securing the locking of a cable terminal in a connector housing by a TPA device, in particular in order to overcome the aforementioned major drawback.

The object of the invention is to meet this need at least in part.

Disclosure of Invention

To do this, the invention relates to a connector housing according to claim 1.

Preferably, the flexible lug is also configured to be locked inside the first housing of the case body when the TPA is in its active position.

According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the flexible tab is adapted so that, when it is blocked in its standby position, it does not allow the sliding of the TPA device towards its active position if no terminal insertion is carried out in the housing. .

In other words, the invention consists in defining a connector whose TPA mounted sliding inside the box, transversely to its axis is activated only by the insertion of a cable terminal whose body comes to unlock one or more flexible legs of the TPA previously in abutment against the case.

Thus, the solution according to the invention makes it possible to prevent any activation of the TPA if no cable terminal is inserted in the box equipped with the TPA, and consequently the connection between two complementary connectors.

In other words again, a TPA according to the invention can only be activated on the condition that the terminal is actually housed in its box.

And consequently, the connection between two complementary connectors can only be made if the two terminals are correctly inserted in the receiving boxes of this pair of complementary connectors.

The TPA according to the invention therefore provides additional security compared with the TPAs according to the state of the art.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the flexible tab is arranged in such a way that it projects at least partially into the central passage of the case when it is in its standby position and is housed entirely in the wall of the case. in active position.

Advantageously, the flexible lug is adapted so that, when it is blocked in its standby position, it does not allow the TPA device to slide towards its locking position if no terminal is inserted into the housing.

Preferably, each flexible lug includes a chamfer at its free end, adapted to facilitate insertion of the conductor into the box.

• le corps comprend au moins un deuxième logement, dit logement de verrouillage ;
• le dispositif TPA comprend au moins une excroissance de verrouillage adapté pour venir se loger dans le deuxième logement et bloquer par coincement le conducteur dans la position de verrouillage du TPA.

According to another advantageous embodiment:

• the body comprises at least a second housing, said locking housing;
• the TPA device comprises at least one locking protrusion adapted to be housed in the second housing and block the driver by jamming in the locking position of the TPA.

• un boitier de connecteur équipé d'un dispositif TPA tel que décrit précédemment ;
• un terminal de câble électrique logé et verrouillé dans le corps du boitier au moyen du dispositif TPA.

The invention also relates to a connector comprising:

• a connector box equipped with a TPA device as described previously;
• an electrical cable terminal housed and locked in the body of the box by means of the TPA device.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the connector comprises a so-called connector position assurance device (CPA), adapted to secure the locking of a complementary connector coupled with the connector.

The invention also relates to a method for mounting a cable terminal in a connector as described above according to claim 8.

detailed description

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple d'un boitier femelle de connecteur équipé d'un dispositif TPA selon l'invention dans sa position d'attente. ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un connecteur avec un boitier femelle équipé de son dispositif TPA selon la figure 1 et dans lequel est monté et retenu avec verrouillage un terminal de câble grâce au dispositif TPA;
• la figure 3 est une autre vue en perspective du boitier femelle selon la figure 1, avec le dispositif TPA en position d'attente;
• la figure 3A est une vue en coupe transversale du boitier avec son dispositif TPA selon la figure 3 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple d'un boitier mâle de connecteur équipé d'un dispositif TPA selon l'invention en position d'attente, ce boitier mâle étant destiné à être accouplé et verrouillé au boitier femelle selon les figures 1 à 3A;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues en perspective d'un dispositif TPA conforme à l'invention;
• les figure 7A à 7D sont des vues en perspective et en coupe transversale montrant les différentes étapes de montage d'un terminal de câble dans un boitier femelle de connecteur avec le fonctionnement d'un dispositif TPA conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'un connecteur avec un boitier femelle dans lequel est monté et retenu avec verrouillage un terminal de câble grâce au dispositif TPA;
• les figures 9A et 9B sont des vues en coupe longitudinale d'un connecteur montrant certaines étapes de montage d'un terminal de câble dans un boitier femelle de connecteur avec le fonctionnement d'un dispositif TPA conforme à l'invention ;
• les figures 10A à 10C sont des vues en coupe longitudinale d'un connecteur muni d'un dispositif TPA conforme à l'invention, montrant le verrouillage d'un terminal de câble dans un boitier femelle de connecteur.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge better on reading the detailed description of examples of implementation of the invention given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the following figures, among which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a female connector housing equipped with a TPA device according to the invention in its standby position. ;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of a connector with a female box equipped with its TPA device according to figure 1 and in which is mounted and lockedly retained a cable terminal by means of the TPA device;
• the picture 3 is another perspective view of the female box according to the figure 1 , with the TPA device in standby position;
• the Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the box with its TPA device according to the picture 3 ;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of a male connector housing equipped with a TPA device according to the invention in the standby position, this male housing being intended to be coupled and locked to the female housing according to the figures 1 to 3A ;
• them figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of a TPA device according to the invention;
• them figure 7A to 7D are perspective and cross-sectional views showing the different stages of mounting a cable terminal in a female connector housing with the operation of a TPA device according to the invention;
• the figure 8 is a perspective view of a connector with a female housing in which is mounted and retained with locking a cable terminal thanks to the TPA device;
• them figures 9A and 9B are views in longitudinal section of a connector showing certain stages of assembly of a cable terminal in a female connector housing with the operation of a TPA device according to the invention;
• them figures 10A to 10C are views in longitudinal section of a connector fitted with a TPA device according to the invention, showing the locking of a cable terminal in a female connector housing.

It is specified here throughout the present application, the terms "lower", "upper", "above", "below", "interior", "exterior", ""internal", "external" are to be understood by reference to a connector according to the invention in a substantially horizontal configuration.

As illustrated in figures 1 and 2 , a connector 1 of the female type according to the invention comprises a housing 10 with a body which houses a terminal 3 of an electrical and/or data cable which is held and locked by means of a removable device 2, called a terminal position (“ Terminal Position Assurance ” in English, acronym TPA). Another device 4 called connector position insurance (" Connector Position Insurance " in English acronym CPA) is slidably mounted in the housing 10. The CPA device is not mandatory and the TPA device can be alone here.

The CPA 4 device is described and claimed in the patent application entitled "Connector housing equipped with an improved connector position assurance device (CPA) ", filed in the name of the applicant, on the same day as the present application. .

The conductor 30 of the terminal 3 is intended to be connected by coupling with a conductor 20 of a complementary connector 2, by the front face 11 of the body of the box 10. The conductor 30 is held inside a barrel 100 at the within the connector housing 10.

In the active position of the TPA device 2, the body 31 of the terminal 3 is locked inside the box 10 and the cable 32 of the terminal emerges from the body of the box 10 by its rear face 12.

The body 31 of the terminal 3 includes a locking pin 33 which protrudes outside.

The figure 4 illustrates a male box 50, complementary to the female box 10 with its removable device TPA 2 in the standby position.

In the active position of the TPA device 2, the body 31 of a terminal 3 is locked and secured inside the box 50 and the cable 32 of the terminal emerges from the box 50 via its rear face 52.

As illustrated in figures 1 to 4 , the body of the case 10, 50 comprises retaining and locking lugs 13 molded.

These retaining and locking lugs 13 are adapted to cooperate by snap-fastening with the flexible tabs 22 of the TPA device 2 on the one hand to retain the latter on the box 10, 50 in its locking waiting position and on the other hand to hold it and lock it in its active locking securing position.

The case body 10, 50 also comprises first housings 14, in the form of outwardly opening grooves, adapted to house the flexible tabs 21 of the TPA 2 in its active position, as well as a second housing also open on the outside adapted to house the abutment protrusion 23 of the TPA, as detailed below.

The TPA 2 device, made in one piece, is mounted in the box 10, between a standby position and an active position, as explained below.

The TPA 2 device essentially comprises a head 20 with a manual support zone.

Two flexible tabs 21, preferably identical, are connected to the head 20, on either side and at the front end thereof. As explained, these flexible lugs 21 have the function of blocking the TPA device 2 in translation against the case 10 in its unlocking waiting position.

Two flexible tongues 22, preferably identical, are also connected to the head 20 on either side and to the rear end thereof. Each of these tongues 22 comprises two openings 220 corresponding either to the standby position or to the active position. These retaining and locking openings 220 are each adapted to snap around a retaining and locking lug 13 of the case 10, so as to retain the TPA device 2 both in its standby position and in lock and lock it to the box 10.

We now describe with reference to figures 7A to 7D , the various stages of connection with locking by the TPA device 2, of a cable terminal 3 in a housing 10 of a female connector 1 according to the invention.

Step a/ : A cable terminal 3 is placed on the rear face 12 of a housing 10 of a connector. In this approach phase, the TPA 2 device is in the locking waiting position ( Figure 7A ). The openings 220 are snapped around the retaining lugs 13 on the top of the box 10, and thus retain the TPA device 2 in this standby position, which is the position farthest from the box 10.

In this waiting position, the abutment protrusion 23 prevents any coupling of the complementary connector housing.

Step b/: The terminal 3 is translated to insert it inside the box 10, as symbolized by the black arrow in figure 7B .

In this phase of the start of insertion, the tabs 21 have a position close to each other and are in abutment against a barrel part 100 of the box ( figure 7B ). In the example illustrated, the barrel parts 100 which have the function of abutment are each in the form of a flat.

Thus, the TPA device 2 is blocked, that is to say that the lugs 21 in abutment prevent any unwanted translation of the latter ( figure 7B ).

Step c/: Continuing the insertion of the terminal 3 into the box 10, the end of the conductor 30 deflects the lugs 21 outwards by deflection, which positions them each facing a groove 14 ( Fig. 7C ). In this phase, the translation of the TPA 2 device is therefore possible transversely to the X axis ( Fig. 7C ).

Step d/: Once the conductor 30 has reached its final position in the barrel 100 of the box 10, it can be locked ( figure 7D ).

Thus, we then end up with the movement in translation, transversely of the TPA device 2 by manual support on the surface 20 provided for this purpose. The translation in the direction of the black arrow in figure 7D , makes it possible to bring the abutment protrusion 23 into the housing 15.

Simultaneously, the lugs 21 are housed completely in the housings 14 ( figure 7D ).

The openings 220 are snapped around the retaining lugs 13 on the bottom of the box 10, and thus retain and lock the TPA device 2 in this active position, which is the position closest to the box 10.

Thus, the TPA device 2 secures the locking of the cable terminal 3 in the box 10 ( figure 8 ). Also in this locking position, the TPA device 2 is in mechanical abutment against the box 10 ( figure 8 ).

The figures 9A and 9B show the function of the chamfers 210 made at the end which facilitate the insertion of the conductor 30 into the box 10, the latter then spreading the flexible lugs 21 from its passage in the shaft 100 of the box.

The figures 10A to 10C show the realization of the locking of the terminal 3 in the housing 10 of the connector, before the activation of a TPA device 2 according to the invention.

During connection, the locking lug 33 deflects the holding tab 16 of the terminal 3, made in the case ( figure 10B ).

As long as the locking pin is not housed in the locking housing 17 dedicated to this ( figure 10C ), it is not possible to lock the TPA because the tongue 16 remains deflected.

Other variants and advantages of the invention can be achieved without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Thus a single leg 21 can be envisaged. . In this case, it is preferable that they are on opposite sides to limit any rotation of the TPA.

A TPA device in accordance with the invention can equip both a female-type box and a male-type box.

In an advantageous variant, the TPA in the active position has no surface protruding from the surface of the box.

Claims (8)

1. Connector (1; 5) housing (10; 50), intended to be coupled to a complementary connector (5; 1) housing (50; 10), and to house a cable terminal (3), the connector housing extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising:

   - a body (10; 50) comprising at least one first recess (14; 54) that extends transverse to the axis X;

   - a device (2), called terminal position assurance (TPA) device, installed so as to be able to slide transverse to the axis X inside the connector housing between a standby unlocking position and an active position securing locking between the cable terminal (2) and the connector housing, the TPA device comprising at least one flexible tab (21, 210) configured so as respectively to be:

   • blocked in the body of the connector housing in a standby position, when no cable terminal (3) is inserted into the connector housing,

   • deflected by a conductor (30) of the terminal (3) when it is inserted into the connector housing,

   characterized in that

   - the body of the connector housing comprises at least two retaining and locking lugs (13);

   - the TPA device (2) comprises at least two retaining and locking tongues (22) each equipped with at least one aperture (220) designed so as to interact with one of the lugs so as to hold the TPA device on the connector housing both in its standby position and in its active position.
2. Connector (1; 5) housing (10; 50) according to Claim 1, the at least one flexible tab (21, 210) being arranged such that it runs at least partially into a central passage (100) of the connector housing when it is in its standby position, and that it is housed completely in a wall of the connector housing in the active position.
3. Connector (1; 5) housing (10; 50) according to Claim 1 or 2, the at least one flexible tab (21, 210) being designed, when it is blocked in its standby position, so as not to allow the TPA device to slide into its active position if a terminal (3) is not inserted into the connector housing.
4. Connector (1) housing (10; 50) according to one of the preceding claims, each flexible tab (21) comprising a chamfer (210) at its free end, the chamfer being arranged so as to come into contact with the conductor of the terminal when it is inserted into the connector housing so as to facilitate the insertion of the conductor (30) into the connector housing (10; 50).
5. Connector (1) housing (10; 50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein:

   - the body comprises at least one second recess (15), called locking recess;

   - the TPA device (2) comprises at least one locking protrusion (23) designed so as to be housed in the second recess and block the conductor in the locking position of the TPA (2) through jamming.
6. Connector (1; 5) comprising:

   - a connector housing (10; 50) according to one of the preceding claims;

   - an electrical cable terminal (3) housed and locked in the body of the connector housing (10; 50) by way of the TPA device (2).
7. Connector (1) according to Claim 6, comprising a device, called connector position assurance (CPA) device (4), designed so as to secure the locking of a complementary connector (5) coupled to the connector (1).
8. Method for installing a cable terminal (3) in a connector (1) according to either of Claims 6 and 7, comprising the following steps:

   a/ inserting the terminal (3) so as to bring about the deflection of the at least one flexible tab (21) and thus release the TPA device (2) from its standby position;

   b/ once the terminal (3) is positioned in its connection position, moving the TPA device (2) released from its standby position in translation transverse to the axis X, so as to secure the locking of the terminal (3) in the connector housing (10; 50).

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