EP3879638A1 - Connection assembly with quick and secure attachment - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection assembly (1) comprising a first connector (100 including a post (120), and a second connector (200). A body (210) of the second connector (200) includes an attachment passage (212). enter this passage in a fixing direction (X +), up to a fixing position, in which it is within a predetermined angular range. In the fixing position, the column cannot move in a dismantling direction ( X-) opposite to the fixing direction (X +). However, an external action applied only to the post (120) allows the post to pass from the fixing position to a released position, in which the post can move in the The connection assembly (1) further comprises angular return means, configured to return the post (120) within said predetermined angular range when the post is attached to a body (110) of the first connector (100).

Description

Technical area

The present disclosure relates to the field of connection sets. A connection assembly here denotes an assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector which must be fixed to one another. These connectors are normally provided for connecting cables or at least communication circuits together, in order to allow the exchange of information between first circuits linked to the first connector and second circuits linked to the second connector.

The present disclosure relates more precisely to the connection assemblies which must be miniaturized, the space available for connecting and disconnecting the connectors being very small. It therefore relates in particular to the connection assemblies designed to comply with the MIL-DTL-32139 standard (format usually called 'nano-D').

Prior art

To meet the constraints indicated above, connection assemblies of known type comprise a first connector and a second connector, which are fixed to one another in the fixing position by means of screws. The screws provide a reliable and proven fastening; however, the connection and disconnection operations are long, since a tightening operation to a predetermined torque is necessary, and can be difficult if there is very little room available for tightening and unscrewing the screws.

A known alternative proposed by the patent US8449314 consists of connection assemblies whose connectors are fixed to each other in the fixing position by means of fixing hooks. These hooks are fixed to the second connector using countersinks, machined on the sides of the latter. This method of fixing has satisfactory reliability; however, the use of square brackets can be problematic if the space available for connection and disconnection operations is very low.

There is therefore a need for connection assemblies capable of ensuring a connection in a reliable manner, but whose connectors can be connected and disconnected in a simple and rapid manner, and in a very small volume.

Disclosure of the invention

To meet this need, the following connection set is offered.

According to a first aspect, this connection assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector. The first connector comprises a post having an axis. A body of the second connector includes an attachment passage for the post, and is arranged to allow the post to enter said securing passage by moving forward in a securing direction, until it reaches a securing position. . The first connector and the second connector are configured such that in the fixing position, the post is prevented by a stopper device from moving in a disassembly direction, which is a direction opposite to the fixing direction. The first connector and the second connector are configured such that an external action applied only to the post allows the post to move from the fixing position to a released position, in which the post is disengaged from the stop device and can be moved. move in translation in the dismantling direction. In the fixing position, the post is located within a predetermined angular range. The connection assembly further comprises angular return means, comprising for example a spring, configured to return the post within said predetermined angular range with respect to the axis of the post, when the post is fixed to a body of the first connector before it is attached to the second connector.

In the present document, the term “column” designates any part (or set of parts) consisting mainly of an elongated part capable of being placed in a bore of corresponding shape.

In this document, the term 'direction' means a direction as defined by a line or a set of parallel lines. A direction can possibly have a meaning, that is to say be oriented, depending on the context.

In general, in the fixing position, the post passes through a guide passage arranged in a body of the first connector, and its end is placed in the fixing passage of the second body. Consequently, in the fixing position, the post ensures alignment of the body of the first connector with respect to the body of the second connector. However, more generally the alignment of the body of the first connector with the body of the second connector can be ensured by any means.

The connection assembly presented above can naturally include more than one post for fixing the two connectors to one another. Each column may have all or part of the characteristics and operation indicated for the column presented here. For example, one or more of the posts may be only axial guide posts, provided to help maintain the alignment of the first connector with the second connector in the fixing position, but which have no function of maintaining in position. axial of the first connector with respect to the second connector.

The connection assembly is preferably configured so that the connection of the post is made automatically when the post is placed (by a translational movement) in the fixing passage. This means that, during this movement, the stop device preventing the post from moving in the opposite direction, in the direction of dismantling, is put in place without external action and performs its retaining function.

In different embodiments (which can be combined with each other subject to technical compatibility), the connection assembly can have all or some of the following additional characteristics:
According to a second aspect, in certain embodiments, the external action comprises (and advantageously, may comprise only) the application of a torque, allowing when the post is in the fixing position to rotate the latter around its axis, and thus to pass the latter from an angular fixing position to a released angular position different from the angular fixing position. In this released angular position, the post is in the released position. In this embodiment, the post may or may not occupy the same axial position, in the fixing position and in the released position.

According to a third aspect, in certain embodiments, one end of the column has a circumferential surface; in a first angular sector, the circumferential surface has a recessed surface delimited at the front in the direction of attachment by a first shoulder, the recessed surface being situated radially set back relative to the first shoulder; the stop device comprises a retaining tab axially secured to the second connector; and the first and the second connector are configured such that when the post is in the fixing position, the retaining tab is disposed radially in front of the recessed surface, and is held in front of the first shoulder, in a following view the direction of attachment.

In this embodiment, when the post is in the fixing position, due to the fact that the retaining tab is held in front of the first shoulder (seen in the direction of fixing), any movement of the first shoulder in the dismantling direction is blocked by the retaining tab. Therefore, in this situation the post cannot move in the dismantling direction.

The connection assembly can thus comprise holding means configured for, when the post is in the fixing position, to maintain the retaining tab in front of the first shoulder in the direction of fixing (that is to say that, in seen in the direction of attachment, the first shoulder is aligned with the retaining tab; while also being located axially in front of the latter).

In a variant of this embodiment, the further recessed surface is delimited at the rear in the direction of attachment by a second shoulder. The recessed surface is located radially recessed from the second shoulder. The external action, in this embodiment, can then include an axial thrust which moves the post in the fixing direction. The first and the second connector are configured such that, when under the effect of this axial thrust, the post moves in the fixing direction, the second shoulder moves until it is axially at the level of the retaining tab. , pushing the retaining tab radially outwards.

According to a fourth aspect, in certain embodiments, in a second angular sector, the circumferential surface has a dismounting surface, not having a shoulder in the fixing direction; and the first and the second connector are configured such that when the post is in the released position, the retaining tab is disposed radially (i.e., viewed in a radial direction) opposite the surface of disassembly.

In this embodiment, the fact that "the dismantling surface does not have a shoulder in the fixing direction" means that the dismantling surface is a surface which does not present any protrusion, step, or any other relief, capable of blocking a retaining tab moving on the dismantling surface, while remaining in contact with the latter, from the fixing position until the post is completely out of the fixing passage.

In this embodiment, in the released position, as the retaining tongue is disposed radially in front of the dismantling surface, it is not blocked by a shoulder with respect to a movement in the direction of dismantling and can therefore move in the dismantling direction, which therefore makes it possible to move the post in the dismantling direction and therefore to disconnect the two connectors from one another.

The retaining tab, or retaining claw, is a part or set of parts of any shape. Furthermore, the second connector may optionally include not a single tab, but a plurality of retaining tabs, each having all or part of the characteristics indicated above.

According to a fifth aspect, in certain embodiments, the retaining tab is formed integrally with the body of the second connector, or may be a portion of a retaining piece attached to the body of the second connector, said retaining piece preferably being a portion of strip.

According to a sixth aspect, in certain embodiments, the connection assembly comprises means for returning the tab, in particular for resilient return, configured to, in the absence of the post, maintain the retaining tab in the fixing passage. , at the same radial position as the shoulder of the column (viewed in the direction of fixing). Thus, when the tongue is placed in this radial position and the post is in the fixing position, it blocks the axial displacement of the first shoulder of the post, and thus prevents the post from coming out of the passage.

In this case, the connection assembly is preferably configured so that the connection of the post is made simply by moving the post (in translation) in the fixing passage. During this movement, the retaining tongue itself engages against the shoulder of the post, thus ensuring the axial fixing thereof.

The connection assembly is configured so as to allow movement of the post from a disassembled position in which the post is spaced from the second connector, to the fixing position.

In some embodiments, during this movement the retaining tongue (which is therefore, in the absence of the post, disposed in the fixing passage due to the tongue return means) is pushed radially outwards by the shoulder when installing the column in the fastener passage, then moves back radially inwardly opposite the recessed surface when the shoulder has moved forward past the retaining tab.

According to a seventh aspect, in certain embodiments in which the retaining tongue is a portion of a retaining piece fixed to the body of the second connector, the tongue return means are constituted by the retaining piece, the retaining tongue. being formed integrally with the retainer.

According to an eighth aspect, in certain embodiments, the first connector comprises an angular stopper, and the post comprises an angular stop, said angular stops being configured to come into contact when the angular return means return the post within said predetermined angular range . The post is then placed in the angular fixing position, that is to say the angular position which allows that, when the first connector is connected to the second connector, the recessed surface comes to be placed directly radially opposite the tongue. of restraint. The angular return means may for example comprise a torsion spring, for example helical.

Preferably, the first and the second connector are configured such that the post can move from the released position to a disengaged position, in which the post is placed further back than in the fixing position, and in which the second connector allows the post to exit from its fixing passage, whatever the angular position of the post.

Thus according to a ninth aspect, in certain embodiments, the first connector comprises axial return means such as a spring configured, when the post is in the released position, to move the post in the disassembly direction to a position released in which the post relative to a body of the first connector, is placed behind its axial position in the fixing position, and in which the second connector allows the exit of the post out of its fixing passage, whatever the angular position of the column.

Preferably, the connectors are configured such that the difference in the axial position of the post between the released position and the released position is visible.

According to a tenth aspect, in certain embodiments, said angular return means and said axial return means consist mainly of the same helical spring, configured to act in torsion and in compression. This spring can in particular be arranged around the column.

According to an eleventh aspect, in certain embodiments, the first connector comprises an axial stop device, making it possible to limit an axial displacement of the post in the direction of dismantling relative to the first body when the post is fixed to a body of the first. connector before it is attached to the second connector.

According to a twelfth aspect, in certain embodiments, the axial stop device comprises a stop ring disposed around the post, and a shoulder formed on an inner surface of the guide passage, the stop ring abutting against. the shoulder when the column moves in the dismantling direction. The stop ring can for example be a split ring, arranged in a circumferential groove of the column.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in certain embodiments, the connection assembly comprises spacing means configured to elastically move the first connector away from the second connector in the direction of attachment, when the first connector and the second connector are connected. to one another. These spacing means make it possible to position the retaining tongue in abutment against the first shoulder when the post is in the fixing position.

These spacing means may in particular comprise at least one spacing strip, able to be placed between the first connector and the second connector.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in certain embodiments, the external action comprises an axial thrust moving the post in the fixing direction. In this case, the post can operate in particular according to the 'push-latch' principle: to disconnect the post from the second connector, it is first necessary to push it slightly in the direction of attachment, to release it from the second connector; it is then possible to release it from the second connector, as well as the assembly of the first connector, by moving it in translation in the disassembly direction (that is to say, the direction opposite to the fixing direction).

Advantageously, according to the present disclosure, the post passes from the fixing position to the released position simply by an action on the column itself. This post passing through the second connector, this action can be done substantially along the axis of the post, and not on the sides of the connectors. Thanks to this, the disconnection of the column can be done in a reduced volume.

Brief description of the drawings

• [ Fig. 1 ] The figure 1 is a perspective view of a connection assembly before connecting the two connectors to each other, in a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
• [ Fig. 2 ] The figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 .
• [ Fig. 3 ] The figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , in the fixing position.
• [ Fig. 4 ] The figure 4 is a first partial cross-sectional view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , in the fixing position.
• [ Fig. 5 ] The figure 5 is a second partial cross-sectional view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , in released position.
• [ Fig. 6 ] The figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , at the start of the operation of connecting the two connectors to each other.
• [ Fig. 7 ] The figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , during the operation of connecting the two connectors to each other.
• [ Fig. 8 ] The figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , at the end of the operation of connecting the two connectors to each other.
• [ Fig. 9 ] The figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , at the start of the operation to disconnect the two connectors from each other.
• [ Fig. 10 ] The figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , during the operation of disconnecting the two connectors from each other.
• [ Fig. 11 ] The figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , at the end of the disconnection operation of the two connectors from each other.
• [ Fig. 12 ] The figure 12 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , showing in particular the head of a small column.
• [ Fig. 13 ] The figure 13 is a side view of a spring in the connection assembly of the figure 1 , when compressed.
• [ Fig. 14 ] The figure 14 is a side view of a spring in the connection assembly of the figure 1 , when it is in extension.
• [ Fig. 15 ] The figure 15 is a perspective view of a post of a connection assembly constituting a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
• [ Fig. 16 ] The figure 16 is a partial perspective view of a connector assembly illustrating a third embodiment of the present disclosure.
• [ Fig. 17 ] The figure 17 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a connection assembly illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
• [ Fig. 18 ] The figure 18 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a connection assembly illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Description of embodiments

A connection assembly 1 constituting an example of a first embodiment of the present disclosure will now be presented in relation to the figures 1 to 14 .

The connection assembly 1 comprises a first connector 100 and a second connector 200. These connectors are configured to allow the connection of conductors designed for the communication of telecommunication signals or for transmitting electric current. Each of the connectors 100 and 200 can be fixed to a fixed support, in particular an electronic card such as a PCB, and / or be fixed to a telecommunications cable comprising a certain number of conductors allowing the transport of electrical signals and / or of current (s).

The connector 100 is configured to be connected to the connector 200 by simply causing it to move in a fixing direction X + (the dismantling direction X- being the opposite direction), until it reaches a final position, said position. fixing (the connector 200 remaining fixed). The directed side of the side indicated by the direction of attachment X + is said to be 'front side', while the opposite side is said to be 'rear side'.

In the proposed embodiment, the connection assembly 1 is symmetrical with respect to a plane xOz (plane y = 0) containing the axis X. For this reason, the same numerical reference is assigned to the parts or parts of the connection assembly 1 located symmetrically on one side and on the other side of this xOz plane of symmetry, and only one half of the connector arranged on the same side of the xOz plane is described.

The connector 100 comprises a body 110 and two posts 120 (The connector 100 could include only one post, or it could include 3, 4, 5 or more). Although the posts can be formed integrally with the body 110, in this embodiment they are separate parts thereof.

A post 120 has a head 122 and a rod 124, both of which are substantially cylindrical and coaxial. To assemble the first connector 100, the post is fixed to the body 110 of the first connector 100 by passing the post 120 through a guide passage 112 provided in the body 110. The post 120 is configured to be able to be inserted into the corresponding passage 112. according to the direction of fixation X +. However, it cannot exceed a position of maximum displacement, because the head 122 cannot enter the passage 112 in its central section 114, which is of smaller diameter than that of the head 122.

A stop ring 130 is then fixed on the post 120, by clipping the latter (made for this purpose in a suitable elastic material) in a circumferential groove 128 of the post. The ring 130, which is a split ring, is introduced onto the post from the front end 125 thereof. The guide passage 112 has a circumferential stop 116 at which, depending on the direction of removal, its inside diameter goes from a value slightly greater than the outside diameter of the ring 130 to a value less than this diameter. Thus, the stop 116 prevents the movement of the post 120 in the disassembly direction beyond a certain position, in which the stop ring 130 is in abutment against the stop 116. Thus, once the ring 130 has been mounted on the column 120, it cannot be removed (except after removing the ring 130).

The connector 200 includes a body 210 and a retainer 220. The retainer 220 has a retainer tab 222.

In the body 210, a fixing passage 212 is formed for each post 120. Each fixing passage 212 of the body 210 is arranged so as to be able to be disposed opposite a guide passage 112 of the body 110, and has a diameter interior substantially equal (to the gap) to the exterior diameter of the rod 124. Consequently, when the post 120 is in the fixing position, and a front part of the post 120 is engaged in the fixing passage 212, the passages guide 112 and fixing 212 are kept coaxial and one opposite the other by the post.

• dans un premier secteur angulaire S1, une surface en retrait 136 située entre un premier épaulement 138 du côté avant, et un deuxième épaulement du côté arrière ; et
• dans un deuxième secteur angulaire S2, une surface de démontage 134.

In addition, at its front end 125, which is disposed in the passage 212 when the post 120 is in the fixing position ( Fig. 3 ), the column 120 has a circumferential surface 132. This surface 132 comprises:

• in a first angular sector S1, a recessed surface 136 situated between a first shoulder 138 on the front side, and a second shoulder on the rear side; and
• in a second angular sector S2, a dismantling surface 134.

The recessed surface 136, between the first and second shoulders 138 and 139, forms a notch 137 in the circumferential surface 132.

The dismantling surface 134, in this embodiment, is a surface having a transverse section (in a plane perpendicular to the X axis) which is substantially constant whatever the position in the direction of fixing X +, from the axial position of the tab 222 (in the column fixing position) up to the point of the column. In this embodiment, this transverse section forms an arc of a circle of radius R centered on the X axis.

As the cross section of the dismantling surface is constant regardless of the position in the direction of attachment X +, the dismantling surface 134 has no shoulder, no protrusion capable of preventing the tongue 222 from moving to the point. of the column 120 by sliding on the surface 134.

The recessed surface 136, which is delimited at the front by the first shoulder 138, is located radially recessed with respect to this shoulder, that is to say it is disposed radially within a range of distances d of the X axis less than the radius R of the shoulder 138.

In this embodiment, the shoulder 138 has a cylindrical shape with the same radius R as the dismantling surface 134. As a result, the recessed surface 136 forms a recessed surface not only with respect to the shoulder 138 but also by compared to the disassembly surface 134.

The second connector is further equipped with the retainer 220. Although this piece may be integrally formed with the body 210 (as illustrated by Fig. 17 ), in the proposed embodiment it is a separate part, rigidly fixed to the body 210. The part 220 is a part formed from a part of metal strip folded and cut, and which has a wide range of elastic deformation.

The body 210 and the part 220 are configured so as to allow the part 220 to be rigidly fixed to the body 210. This fixing can be provided by any suitable means.

The tongue 222 of the part 220 is inclined with respect to the fixing direction, so that it is all the closer to the X axis as one moves forward in the fixing direction X + . When the retaining piece 220 and the post 120 are in the fixing position, the tongue 222 is placed opposite the fixing surface 136. The end of the tongue is then resting both on this surface 136, and on shoulder 138. As seen on the Fig. 4 , in this position, the retaining tab 222 is maintained at the same radial position (is at the same distance from the X axis) as the shoulder 138, and thus prevents the exit of the post 120 from the passage 212.

The first connector 100 is further equipped with a spring 140. This spring 140 is a spring acting both in torsion and in compression, and is an example of angular return means and of axial return means within the meaning of the present invention. disclosure.

Indeed, the spring 140 is configured to, when the post 120 is mounted in the passages 112 and 212, rotate the post 120 about its axis and thus return it to a certain position or at least angular range. This action serves to place the post 120 in the angular position called the 'angular fixing position', in which, if the post 120 is engaged in the passages 112 and 212, the tongue 222 will come to rest on the recessed surface 136: this is the angular position shown in particular on the Fig. 3 and 4 . As will be explained later, the post 120 is placed in the angular fixing position not only by the spring 140, but by the action of the spring 140 combined with the presence of angular stops 142 and 144.

Conversely, the Fig. 5 represents an angular position called 'released angular position' (or 'angular dismantling position'), in which the tongue 222 is not resting on the fixing surface 136, but on the contrary is resting on the dismantling surface 134.

When connecting the first connector 100 to the second connector 200, the post is engaged in the passages 112 and 212. During this movement, to allow the tab 222 to be put in place against the recessed surface 136, it is necessary that the column is in an angular position (the angular fixing position) which corresponds to the angular position of the retaining tab. To place the post in a certain manner in this desired angular position, in addition to the spring 140, the body 110 comprises a stop 142, and the head 122 of the post has a corresponding stop 144. These stops are configured so as to lock in rotation. (relative to the axis of the guide passage) the column 120 in the desired angular position. The post body 110 and head 122 further include stops 146,148 which prevent the post from rotating through an excessive angle in the opposite direction of rotation. The column head 122 has a hexagonal bore 150 thanks to which it can be rotated using an Allen key (any other form of head making it possible to drive the column in rotation around its axis would of course be possible).

The spring 140 acts not only in torsion to maintain the post 120 in the desired angular position for its fixing, but also in compression.

In fact, in the fixing position, the spring 140 is compressed along the X axis of the column 120 ( Fig. 3 ). Because the post is axially prevented from moving in the disassembly direction (X-) by the retaining tab 222, the post head is axially at the end of the body 110, and does not protrude from the body. 110 in the disassembly direction (i.e., does not extend on the disassembly direction side beyond the end plane P of the body 110).

Conversely, as soon as the post is in the released position shown in the Fig. 5 , the column is pushed back by the spring 140, until the stop ring 130 abuts against the stop 116 (the spring then acts as 'axial return means'). In this position, the head 122 of the post protrudes from the body 110 in a visible manner: this thus makes it possible visually to distinguish the situation where the post is fixed in the mounted position ( Fig. 13 , the head 122 does not protrude from the body 110), from the disassembly position ( Fig. 14 , the head 122 protrudes above the plane P delimiting the body 110).

Advantageously, when the connector 100 is not fixed to the connector 200, for each post 120, the spring 140 maintains the post in the “ready to connect” position, since it then maintains each of the posts in the angular fixing position. This "ready to connect" position allows fast and secure locking of the connection, and in some cases blind. The end of the posts is conical to ensure the pre-guiding of the posts.

In addition to the tongue 222, the retaining piece plays a role of placing the first connector 100 in a predetermined relative position with respect to the second connector 200. For this purpose, the retaining piece 220 comprises two spacer strips 224. These strips , which are elastic, are arranged substantially in a transverse plane (X = Cte) relative to the axis of the column 120, but are however slightly inclined relative to this plane. The connectors 100 and 200 are configured such that, in the fixing position, these strips are sandwiched between the facing walls of the body 110 and the body 210. Consequently, due to their elasticity, the strips are sandwiched between the walls facing the body 110 and the body 210. slats tend to move away from one another, depending on the direction of assembly, the two bodies 110, 210. These separation forces, on the one hand, lead the tongue 222 to bear against the shoulder 138 of the column 120; on the other hand, they ensure that the lower surface 126 of the column head 122 is in abutment on the bearing surface 118 of the housing 110. As a result, the possible play which could exist between the body 110 and the head 122 is caught, and thus the connector 100 is fixed without play to the connector 200 (The separation force, by retaining piece 220, can for example be greater than 5 N), and does not risk disconnection even if there is has vibrations.

The connection of connectors 100 and 200 to each other is done as follows:
Beforehand, the first connector 100 is assembled: each column 120 is placed in one of the passages 112 of the body 110 of the first connector and equipped with its stop ring 130.

S10) The connector 100 is positioned opposite the connector 200 so that the axes of the posts 120 coincide with the axes of the fixing passages 212 in which they are to be placed. (As previously, the following description refers to a single column 120, but the remarks made for this column are applicable to all of the columns).

S20) The connector 100 is approached to the connector 200 by moving it in the direction of fixing X +. The column 120 is placed automatically in the angular fixing position, thanks to the return torque of the spring 140 and the angular stops 142,144.

The end 125 of the post engages the fixing passage 212. The tab 222, which is at this stage ( Fig. 6 ) by elasticity returned to position in the fixing passage opposite the column 120 (along the X axis) is pushed radially outwards by the end 125 of the column, which allows the column to continue its movement forward ( Fig. 7 ).

Once the two connectors 100 and 200 are in contact (and the elastic strips 224 compressed), we then stop moving the first connector forward. At this point, the column heads 122 still protrude from the rear of the housing 110.

S30) To finalize the connection, we then push, manually or with a tool, on the two column heads 122 (alternately or simultaneously) until the lower surface 126 of the column head 122 is in contact with the surface d 'support 118 of the housing 110. The connectors then reach the fixing position.

During this movement, when the column 120 reaches the fixing position, the tongue 222 is no longer radially opposite the shoulder 138, but comes in front of the recessed surface 136: it then presses against this surface with audible noise. The spring 140 then returns the column 120 to the rear, so that the tongue 222 is pressed into abutment against the shoulder 138 ( Fig. 8 ).

The elastic strips 224 are at this moment in compression between the two connectors 100 and 200, and tend to move the body 110 away from the body 210. Under the effect of this pressure, the column 120 is returned to the rear, which maintains the end of the tongue 222 resting firmly against the shoulder 138.

To disconnect the connector 100 from the connector 200, the procedure is as follows.

The connectors are initially in the fixing position ( Fig. 8 ).

S120) Column 120 is rotated around its X axis using an Allen key ( Figs. 9.10 ). During this movement, the post moves from the angular fixing position ( Fig. 4 ) to the released angular position ( Fig. 5 ). The end of the tongue 222 is gradually pushed back radially by the recessed surface 136 and comes into contact with the dismantling surface 134. In the latter position, the post 120 is no longer prevented from moving in the disassembly direction by the shoulder 138, and the first connector 100 can be moved rearward.

S130) While maintaining the post 120 in the released angular position (to prevent it from returning to the angular fixing position under the effect of the return torque of the spring 140), the post is moved (relative to the first connector, or at the same time as this) in the disassembly direction at least until the recessed surface 136 is no longer, axially, at the level of the tongue 222. The position thus reached is said to be the 'released position': c 'is the axial position of the post, located further back than the released position, in which the second connector (i.e., the tab 222) can no longer prevent the exit of the post 120 from the passage 212, regardless of the angular position of the column.

S140) Finally, either by continuing to maintain the column 120 in the freed angular position, or by allowing it to return to the angular fixing position, the first connector 100 is moved in the disassembly direction, which makes it possible to disconnect it from the second connector 200.

To avoid the risk that the post, after having been placed in the freed angular position (but before reaching the disengaged position), inadvertently returns to the angular fixing position (which would have the effect of the tongue 222 flattening again against the the recessed surface and would therefore prevent the exit of the post), in certain embodiments means for blocking the post from rotation, once it has been placed in the freed angular position, may be provided.

Thus in some embodiments, the dismantling surface 134 and the retaining tab may be configured such that, once the post is placed in the released position (and can then move in the direction of disassembly), the post is required to remain in a fixed angular position with respect to its axis.

This locking in rotation, which must not prevent the post from sliding relative to the second connector, can be achieved in particular by means of a form of cooperation between the retaining tongue and the dismantling surface.

For example, the disassembly surface may have a guide groove such as groove 135 shown in Figure. Fig. 16 . The embodiment shown in this figure is identical to the first embodiment, except that the guide groove 135 is provided in the dismantling surface 134.

When disconnecting the connector 100, in step S120), the post 120 is rotated around its axis. The tongue 222 is found (radially) in front of the dismantling surface 134. Consequently, the tongue 222 is placed at the bottom of the groove 135, and therefore prevents the post 120 from rotating around its axis, and this despite the return torque exerted by the spring 140. It follows that during step S130, the post can be extracted from the passage 212 without the risk of the tongue 222 coming to interrupt this movement by locking against the first shoulder 138 .

Furthermore, to facilitate the exit of the tab 222 from the notch 137, it is possible to provide the following additional step, at the start of the disconnection procedure before step S120:
S110) the column 120 is moved slightly in the direction of fixing.

This step is carried out if the first connector is arranged so as to allow the post to advance in the fixing direction while the connectors are in the fixing position, as in the embodiment represented by the Fig. 18 .

In this embodiment, the connector 100 is configured such that the post 120 can move in the direction of attachment in step 110, which is the first step of the disconnection procedure. This movement allows the shoulder 139 to push back the tongue 222 and to cause the latter to come out of the notch 137. In step S120, the rotation of the column about its axis is thus facilitated.

Second embodiment

A second embodiment will now be presented in relation to the figure 15 . This embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except for the following point. For simplicity, the same reference signs are used for the first and the second embodiment.

In this second embodiment, the column 120 is arranged as in the first embodiment except for its end. Therefore, the attachment passage 212 formed in the body 210 has a shape adapted to the specific shape that the post 120 has in this embodiment.

In this second embodiment, at the end 125 of the column 120, the dismantling surface 134 and the recessed surface 136 have the same radius R2, which is less than the radius R of the first shoulder 138.

The operation, and in particular the operations of connecting and disconnecting the two connectors 100, 200 to each other are the same in this embodiment as in the first embodiment. However, when the post 120 is rotated from the angular fixing position to the released angular position, the recessed surface 136 does not have to radially repel the tab 222, because the disassembly surface 134 and the recessed surface 136 are both surfaces of the same radius R2.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is evident that various modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description and the drawings should be taken in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims (14)

Connection assembly (1) comprising a first connector (100) and a second connector (200), and in which
the first connector (100) comprises a post (120) having an axis;
a body (210) of the second connector (200) includes an attachment passage (212) for said post, and is arranged to allow the post (120) to enter said attachment passage while moving forward in a direction fixation direction (X +), until a fixation position is reached;
the first connector and the second connector are configured such that, in the fixing position, the post is prevented by a stop device from moving in a disassembly direction (X-) opposite to the fixing direction (X +); and
the first connector and the second connector are configured such that an external action applied only to the post (120) allows the post to move from the fixing position to a released position, in which the post is released from the locking device. stopper and can move in translation in the disassembly direction; the connection assembly (1) characterized in that in the fixing position, the post (120) is within a predetermined angular range; and the connection assembly (1) further comprises angular return means, comprising for example a spring (140), configured to return the post (120) in said predetermined angular range with respect to the axis of the post, when the post is fixed to a body (110) of the first connector (100) before the latter is fixed to the second connector (200). Connection assembly (1) according to claim 1,
in which the external action comprises an application of a torque, allowing when the post (120) is in the fixing position, to rotate the latter around its axis, and thus to cause the latter to pass through a angular fixing position up to a released angular position different from the angular fixing position. Connection assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
one end (125) of said post has a circumferential surface (132);
in a first angular sector (S1), the circumferential surface (132) has a recessed surface (136) delimited at the front in the direction of attachment by a first shoulder (138), the recessed surface (136) being located radially set back from the first shoulder (138);
the stop device comprises a retaining tab (222) axially secured to the second connector; and
the first and the second connector are configured such that when the post is in the fixing position, the retaining tab (222) is disposed radially in front of the recessed surface (136), and is held in front of the first shoulder (138), in a view following the direction of fixing. Connection assembly (1) according to claim 3,
in which
in a second angular sector (S2), the circumferential surface (132) has a dismantling surface (134), not having a shoulder in the fixing direction (X +);
the first and the second connector are configured such that when the post (120) is in the released position, the retaining tab (222) is disposed radially opposite the dismantling surface (134). A connection assembly (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the retaining tab (222) is integrally formed with the body of the second connector (210), or is a portion of a retaining piece (220) attached to the body of the second connector (210), said retaining piece preferably being a strip portion. Connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising tab return means, in particular elastic return means, configured to, in the absence of the post (120), hold the retaining tab ( 222) in the fixing passage, at the same radial position as the shoulder (138) of the post (120). Connection assembly (1) according to claim 6, the tab return means of which are constituted by the retainer (220), the retainer tab (222) being integrally formed with the retainer (220). Connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the first connector of which comprises an angular stop (142), and the post comprises an angular stop (144), said angular stops being configured to come into contact when the angular return means (140) return the post within said predetermined angular range. Connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first connector comprises axial return means such as a spring (140) configured, when the post is in the released position, to move the post. in the disassembly direction (X-) to a disengaged position in which the post (120), relative to a body (110) of the first connector, is placed behind its axial position in the fixing position, and in which the second connector allows the exit of the post out of its fixing passage, whatever the angular position of the post. Connection assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein said angular return means and said axial return means consist mainly of a single helical spring (140), configured to act in torsion and in compression. Connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the first connector comprises an axial stop device (116,130), making it possible to limit an axial displacement of the post (120) relative to a body ( 110) of the first connector in the direction of dismantling when the post (120) is placed in a guide passage (112) of said body (110) of the first connector (100). A connection assembly (1) according to claim 11, wherein the axial stop device (116,130) has a stop ring (130) disposed around the post, and a shoulder (116) formed on an interior surface of the passageway. guide (112), the stop ring (130) abutting against the shoulder (116) when the post (120) moves in the direction of dismantling. Connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising spacer means configured to elastically move the first connector away from the second connector in the direction of attachment (X) when the first connector (100) and the second connector (200) are connected to each other. Connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the external action comprises an axial thrust moving the post in the fixing direction.

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