EP0549461A1 - Modular electrical connector - Google Patents

Modular electrical connector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0549461A1
EP0549461A1 EP92403518A EP92403518A EP0549461A1 EP 0549461 A1 EP0549461 A1 EP 0549461A1 EP 92403518 A EP92403518 A EP 92403518A EP 92403518 A EP92403518 A EP 92403518A EP 0549461 A1 EP0549461 A1 EP 0549461A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
modular
shielding
electrical connection
insulating body
elements
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP92403518A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0549461B1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Champion
Jacky Thenaisie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI France SA
Original Assignee
Souriau et Cie
Framatome Connectors France SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP0549461A1 publication Critical patent/EP0549461A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0549461B1 publication Critical patent/EP0549461B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/7082—Coupling device supported only by cooperation with PCB
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/73—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures connecting to other rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6591—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
    • H01R13/6594—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members the shield being mounted on a PCB and connected to conductive members

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a modular electrical connection device which can be used in particular for making electrical contacts from a motherboard and / or a daughterboard.
  • ERTI US Pat. No. 4,959,024
  • US Pat. No. 4,959,024 is a shielded connector intended to interconnect two printed circuit boards. It has a first female connector intended to be mounted on a motherboard, and comprising an external shielding constituted by a U-shaped profile extending over the entire length of the connector and fixed to the motherboard by ends of ground contacts. .
  • An insulating central body has female connectors with elastic connection, one point-shaped end of which is secured to the motherboard.
  • a male connector carrying a daughter card and two external shielding portions secured to the daughter card is plugged into the first connector to interconnect both the contacts of the male and female connectors and their shielding elements.
  • the present invention relates to a connection device which can be used in particular for making connections with cards such as motherboards and / or daughter cards, in which one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks are avoided.
  • a modular electrical connection element in particular for being connected to a motherboard, can be mounted by a simple plug-in operation while having all the desired functions of connection and shielding.
  • the modular electrical connection element is for this purpose characterized in that it comprises an insulating body comprising a central region for receiving electrical contact elements and two lateral branches substantially perpendicular to an axis of the central region and having a width equal to that of said module, in that each lateral branch comprises, on an external face, a shielding element extending over a major part of its surface, a said shielding element comprising at least one means for holding in position in said insulating body, at least one electrical connection means projecting from said insulating body, and at least one elastic electrical contact means through at least one corresponding opening of said lateral branch opening onto an internal face of said lateral branch.
  • the shielding element is arranged outside the insulating body and since contact is made from the inside, the internal faces of the lateral branches are free and can be used to implement polarization means known per se, for example from European patent application EP-A-392,629 (DU PONT DE NEMOURS BV).
  • the shielding element can extend over practically the entire width of the corresponding external face.
  • the shielding elements When the modular elements are aligned by juxtaposition, it is not necessary for the shielding elements to touch. It suffices that they are adjacent to the rows of contacts preferably over the entire length thereof.
  • the shielding elements can be placed in recesses on the corresponding external faces.
  • the elastic electrical contact means advantageously comprises at least one lever located in a region distal from the corresponding lateral branch.
  • the shielding element can then comprise a stiffening element located in the extension of said lever, in a region proximal to the lateral branch.
  • the distal end of said lever has a stock directed towards the inside of the insulating body.
  • the elastic electrical contact means may be such that in the rest position, it extends through the opening, projecting from the internal face towards the inside of the insulating body.
  • the means for holding the shielding element in position in the insulating body may consist of at least one tongue of the shielding element cooperating with at least one groove in the insulating body, in particular by forcing the tongue in the groove, and / or a hot deformable pin.
  • the contact elements are male contacts and the central region and the lateral branches form a flat U-shaped profile.
  • a modular connection element can be used both as a male connector by mounting male contacts thereon by force fitting, or as a bridge fixed on an opposite end of the motherboard and crossed by the ends of the male contacts of a male connector sliding in the openings of the trigger guard.
  • Such a trigger guard is adapted to receive a female cable connector.
  • a plurality of modular elements as defined above can be mounted side by side, integral with a printed circuit mother board, at least one connector having contacts cooperating electrically with the contact elements of a modular element as well as 'an external shielding element arranged so as to cooperate electrically with said electrical contact means of said shielding element.
  • the external shielding element may comprise at least one extension extending in the direction of the central branch of the insulating body of the modular element and along the internal face of a lateral branch so as to allow continuity of ground contact both that the contact elements of the connectors and of the modular element are in electrical contact.
  • the invention relates to a modular electrical connection element which can be used both as a male connector when it is equipped with male contact elements or as a jumper for connection between a motherboard and for example a connector cable, which can be easily attached to the motherboard.
  • a modular element according to the second aspect of the invention is of the type comprising, as is known from US Pat. No. 4,655,518 (TERADYNE INC), a body insulation having a flattened U-shaped profile having a central branch for receiving electrical contact elements and two lateral branches which have, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the U-shaped profile, a width equal to that of said module.
  • each lateral branch comprises a shielding element extending over a major part of its surface, a said shielding element comprising at least one means of elastic electrical contact on an internal face of said lateral branch and at least one means of electrical connection through said insulating body, said shielding element having means for holding it in position in the insulating body at least in the direction of a tearing off substantially parallel to an axis of the U-shaped profile .
  • Said means for holding in position may include at least one tongue folded back substantially 90 ° relative to the plane of the shielding element and cooperating with at least one groove in the insulating body.
  • This tongue-groove cooperation allows excellent transmission of forces when the modular element is subjected to tearing forces. Said cooperation can in particular be obtained by forcing the tongue in the corresponding groove.
  • Said groove can be disposed substantially at the joint between the central branch and the corresponding lateral branch, that is to say in a region close to the electrical connection means of the shielding element and which locally have good rigidity.
  • a particularly easy mounting of said modular element is obtained when the electrical connection means of the shielding element comprises at least one connection tab of the force-insertion type ("press-fit").
  • the shielding elements may have an edge adjoining the central branch of the central body, and comprising a plurality of said connection means alternating with a plurality of said tabs.
  • the electrical connection device may comprise a first set of modular elements as defined above, the first set being for example constituted by bridges for cable connector secured to the motherboard only by said connection means electrical, the modular elements being mounted side by side secured to a motherboard at least by said electrical connection means.
  • a second set may be constituted by male connectors mounted head to tail with the bridges of the first set, the electrical connection means of the first and of the second set being nested.
  • the invention relates to a connector having a central insulating element comprising rows of connection elements having a first male terminal intended to be secured to a flat support, such as a daughter card, and a second terminal in particular female, as well as a shielding device arranged on either side of the rows of connection elements.
  • a connector having a central insulating element comprising rows of connection elements having a first male terminal intended to be secured to a flat support, such as a daughter card, and a second terminal in particular female, as well as a shielding device arranged on either side of the rows of connection elements.
  • the shielding element of such a connector is in two parts, which are fixed only to the daughter card, the opposite end being held in position only when the connector has climbed.
  • the connector is characterized in that it comprises at least one hot deformable pin secured to the central element, in that the shielding device has a portion provided with at least one opening, the shape of the shielding device being such that, when it is mounted on the connector, said opening engages in said pin and there remains between said portion and the central element a space intended to receive one end of the support. Therefore, the shielding element is secured both to the daughter board and to the central element of the connector.
  • the central element may comprise at least one centering element disposed in the vicinity of said pin and intended to position the flat support, in particular during the hot deformation of the pin.
  • the connector according to the invention is for example of the type in which the connection elements comprise a 90 ° angle gear.
  • said portion is advantageously disposed at one end of the shielding device adjacent to the second terminals of a row of the connection elements.
  • the shielding device may comprise, on one face of the central insulating element opposite to said portion, at least one extension extending substantially as far as a distal end of the female terminals.
  • the shielding device can be in two parts intended to be connected to the support by nested contacts.
  • connection device comprising a connector as defined above mounted on a said flat support such as a daughter board with a printed circuit characterized in that the male terminals of the connection elements are integral with the support and in that said end of the support has at least one opening traversed by said pin and is sandwiched between said portion of the shielding device and the central insulating element, by at least one said pawn forming a rivet in its state after deformation.
  • At least one centering element can be carried by the central element and be mounted with clamping in the flat support. In this way, the flat support is held in position, said position being retained even during the hot deformation of the pin.
  • the shielding device can then comprise first and second parts located on two opposite sides of the flat support.
  • the first part of the shielding device can then comprise a cover disposed around the male terminals and having a first end comprising contacts by which it is fixed to the flat support and a second end constituted by said portion.
  • the second part of the shielding device may have a first end comprising contacts by which it is fixed to the flat support so as to be nested with the contacts of the first end of the first part and a second end forming at least one extension extending substantially to a distal end of the second terminals.
  • an insulating body designated by the general reference 5 has a flattened U-shaped profile comprising a central branch 11 provided with openings 14 intended to receive electrical contacts and two lateral branches 12 and 13.
  • a such an arrangement is known per se from US Pat. No. 4,655,518 for receiving male contacts.
  • the branch 13 has keying and / or latching grooves 30 opening onto its internal face 31.
  • the external faces 32 of the branches 12 and 13 each have a recess 15 of generally rectangular shape whose width is practically equal to the width l of the corresponding branch with the exception of two marginal strips 33.
  • the recesses 15 extend in the height of the branch to beyond the opening 17 of the contact passage located at the distal end of the branches 12 and 13.
  • the bottom 26 of the recesses 15 has a flat lower part 16, an upper middle part forming an inclined plane 19 of connection with the opening 17 and, beyond the opening 17, a stop 25.
  • the bottom 16 of the recesses 15 is connected with grooves 20 arranged across the width of the branch, by means of chamfers 21.
  • FIG. 2c shows housings 54 for hot-deformable pins. Each housing 54 is located between the openings 17 at the distal end of the branches 12 and 13.
  • the lower part 16 of the bottom 26 of the recess 15 also extends via chamfers 22 ′ by two narrow profiles, one horizontal 22 and the other vertical 24 located lower than and alternating with the grooves 20.
  • the lateral edges 27 of the lateral branches 12 and 13 are extended by spacers 52, the lower part of which lies in the same plane as the lower part of the profiles 24. Finally, the distal ends of the branches 12 and 13 have entry chamfers 53.
  • FIGS. 2a to 2d four rows of holes 14 have been shown corresponding to a connection of type 4 + 2 (4 connection elements + 2 rows of shielding) with a central branch of width L1 whereas FIGS. 3a to 3d, by elsewhere identical, have a wider central branch 11 (width L2) and having five rows of opening 14 corresponding to a connection of the 5 + 2 type.
  • a shield plate 40 comprises a base plate 37 extending by a narrower upper plate 41 and having on both sides of the contact arms 46 connecting to the base plate 37.
  • Each of the contact arms 46 has an inclined part at an angle corresponding to the rest at that of the inclined part 19 and extending by a butt 48 whose dimensions correspond to those of the opening 17.
  • the butt 48 itself extends by an end 49 intended to cooperate with the stop 25.
  • the base plate 37 comprises in the extension of the contact arms 46 two curved mechanical reinforcements 47.
  • the upper part 41 of the base plate 37 has on the one hand three tongues 45 folded at 90 ° at 45 ′ in the direction of the stock 48 so as to cooperate with the corresponding grooves 20, the tongues 45 alternating with two male contact elements 42 having ends 43 which can be force-fitted ("press-fit") into a card.
  • the two male contacts 42 have two alternating folds at 90 ° at 44 ′ and 44 ′′ defining a recessed horizontal portion 44 intended to be housed in the horizontal face 22, the corresponding end 43 extending from the vertical face 24
  • the male connector 3 receives two identical shielding plates 40. They are fixed in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 4c on its lateral branches 12 and 13 as shown in FIGS. 5a to FIG.
  • FIG. 5b shows the positioning of the male contacts 43 which is laterally offset, which produces alternating contacts in lateral view, and which will result, as will be seen hereinafter, by an assembly nested in the same plane for a head-to-tail assembly of a male connector and a bridge on a motherboard.
  • the male contacts 43 of the male connector and of the bridge are interconnected.
  • the tabs 45 are forced into grooves 20, which allows to hold the shielding elements in place in the male connector, and therefore to produce a modular element which can be mounted on a card in a single insertion operation.
  • the housing 54 makes it possible, thanks to its deformable pin, to keep the plate 41 in place when the arms 46 are bent.
  • the electrical contacts 60 have an active part 62 located inside the U-shaped profile of the male connector 3, and, as they are secured at 61 with the central branch 11, they can be inserted into a motherboard 1 at the same time as the contacts 43 according to the so-called "press-fit" force insertion technique (FIGS. 6a and 6b).
  • the male connectors also have ends 64 and 65 which protrude from the underside 6 of the motherboard 1 in order to cooperate with a bridge 4 capable of receiving a cable connector.
  • the trigger guard designated by the general reference 4, is constituted by an insulating body 5, as represented in FIGS. 2a to 2d or 3a to 3d, in which two shielding and connection plates 40 have been attached as shown in FIGS.
  • FIG. 4a , 4b, 4d and 4th show the openings 14 of the trigger guard 4 slide freely along the end 65 of the male contacts 60 until they come into abutment on the lower face 6 of the motherboard 1, the trigger guard 4 being secured to the motherboard only by male contacts 43 press-fit into the corresponding openings on the motherboard 1.
  • Figure 6b shows the nested position in the same plane of the contacts 43 of the trigger guard 4 and of the male connector 3 mounted head to tail. This nested mounting is favorable for good shielding.
  • Figure 7 shows in section an assembly comprising a male connector, a motherboard and a trigger guard after head-to-tail assembly.
  • the active ends 65 of the contacts 60 project towards the inside of the U-shaped insulating body of the bridge 4 to cooperate with a cable connector.
  • the forced insertion of the contacts 43 is carried out by supporting the horizontal recessed portion 44 on the horizontal face 22. This makes it possible, by the abutment effect provided by the faces 22, to prevent the forces of inserting the contacts 43 are retransmitted to the base plate 37 and therefore to avoid deforming it.
  • the continuation of the operations therefore comprises a positioning of the trigger guard (FIG. 8a), the introduction of a cable connector designated by the general reference 70 which has at its front part a lock 78 carried by a lock lever which comes to cooperate with the opening 30 carried by the branch 13 of the trigger guard.
  • the cable connector 70 has openings 72 for the male conductors 60, female contacts 73 and cable mounting lugs 74, 75.
  • the trigger guard is surrounded by an insulating sheath 71.
  • the cable connector 70 is surrounded by a metallized plastic sheath 76 which provides its shielding and which comes into contact with the brackets 48 (see FIG. 1).
  • FIG. 8c more particularly shows the distribution of the mechanical functions during a tensile force exerted on the cable connector.
  • the action forces F and reaction R generated at the latch 78 are transmitted to the shielding plates 40 via the tabs 45 disposed in the grooves 20, then to the male contacts 43 which maintain the trigger guard on the motherboard 1.
  • the folds 44 at 90 ° of the contact tabs 42 ensures that the trigger guard is held in place with a certain elasticity.
  • the fixing action retransmitted by the shielding plates 40 is added to the holding forces produced by the male contacts 60 inserted at 61 in the central branch 11 .
  • FIGS. 9a to 9c represent a connector for connection between a male connector and a daughter card 2. It comprises a front insulating body 81 having openings in which are arranged female contacts 83 extending by the cylindrical conductors 85 forming a 90 ° bend ° at 86 and having a rear part 8th extended by the male contacts with forced insertion 88.
  • the cylindrical contacts 85, 86, 87 are embedded in a rear insulating block designated by the general reference 89.
  • the insulating body 81 has, in the vicinity of the male contacts 88, a hot deformable pin 110 having one end 115. Two centering pins 114 surround the deformable pin 110.
  • the first shielding element designated by the general reference 91 has a flat face 92 forming a cover for the protruding ends of the contacts 88.
  • This cover 92 is extended at one end by forced insertion contacts 94 which form with it a ngle of 90 ° (fold 93) and its second end by a profile inclined at 45 ° 95, which is extended by a flat face 96 having an opening 100 of diameter corresponding to that of the pin 110 to let its ends pass 115.
  • the opening 100 is framed by two contact projections 97 intended to cooperate with the sticks 48.
  • the projections 97 receive the ends of the centering pins 114.
  • the flat surface 96 is extended by a spacer 99 forming with it an angle of 90 °, this who thus defines a space 120 suitable for receiving and sandwiching a 2 ′ end of the daughter card 2.
  • the spacer 99 defines a space for surrounding and receiving the end of a daughter card 2.
  • a second cover, designated by the general reference 101, has two flat parts 102 and 106 connected by a 90 ° bend 105 so as to follow and surround the path of the conductive elements of the connector.
  • the flat part 106 is extended by forced insertion contacts 107 which overlap with the contacts 94 for good shielding continuity.
  • the contacts 94 and 107 are interconnected by conductors of the daughter card 2.
  • the distal end of the flat part 102 is extended by two lateral arms 104 whose function is to allow and maintain continuity of the ground contact up to the main conductors have been disconnected.
  • an L-profile tool designated by the reference 112 follows the contour of the shield 100 and allows the insertion of its contacts 107 in the card daughter 2 at the same time as the contacts 88 without deforming the shielding plate 101.
  • the centering pins 114 which surround the hot deformable pin 110 are forcefully introduced into the daughter card 2 so as to maintain this provisionally in place.
  • the shield 91 is put in place by force introduction into the corresponding openings of the daughter board of its contacts 94.
  • the opening 100 is crossed by the end 115 of the pin 110.
  • the shielding plate 91 is also held by a correspondingly shaped tool which surrounds it and prevents its deformation.
  • the hot deformation of the pin 110 is carried out, the assembly being temporarily held in place on the one hand by the centering pins 114 and by fixing the plate 91 through its contacts 94.
  • the end 115 of the pin 110 takes the form of a flattened head 111 (FIGS. 10b and 10e).
  • the centering pins 114 thus have a double function, namely on the one hand producing a good centering of the daughter card independently of the deformations of the pin 110 and on the other hand, temporarily holding it in place during the operation of hot deformation of the pin 110.
  • FIGS. 11a to 11c show the advantage of the modular connector according to the invention which can be used either individually (FIG. 11a) or joined in pairs (FIG. 11b) or in greater number, for example four (FIG. 11c).

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  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un élément modulaire de connexion électrique, et comportant un corps isolant présentant un profil en forme de U aplati et comportant une région centrale (11) pour recevoir des éléments de contact électrique et deux branches latérales (12, 13) qui présentent, dans une direction perpendiculaire à un plan du profil en U, une largeur égale (1) à celle dudit module. Il se caractérise en ce que chaque branche latérale comporte un élément de blindage (40) s'étendant sur une majeure partie de sa surface, un dit élément de blindage comportant au moins un moyen de contact électrique élastique (46, 48) sur une face interne de ladite branche latérale et au moins un moyen de connexion électrique à travers ledit corps isolant, ledit élément de blindage présentant un moyen (45) pour le maintenir en position dans le corps isolant au moins dans le sens d'un arrachement sensiblement parallèle à un axe du profil en U.

Figure imgaf001
The invention relates to a modular element for electrical connection, and comprising an insulating body having a flattened U-shaped profile and comprising a central region (11) for receiving electrical contact elements and two lateral branches (12, 13) which have , in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the U-shaped profile, a width equal (1) to that of said module. It is characterized in that each lateral branch comprises a shielding element (40) extending over a major part of its surface, a said shielding element comprising at least one elastic electrical contact means (46, 48) on one face internal of said lateral branch and at least one means of electrical connection through said insulating body, said shielding element having means (45) for holding it in position in the insulating body at least in the direction of a tearing off substantially parallel to an axis of the U-shaped profile.
Figure imgaf001

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif modulaire de connexion électrique pouvant être notamment utilisé pour réaliser des contacts électriques à partir d'une carte mère et/ou d'une carte fille.The present invention relates to a modular electrical connection device which can be used in particular for making electrical contacts from a motherboard and / or a daughterboard.

On connaît du brevet US-4 959 024 (ERNI) un connecteur blindé destiné à interconnecter deux cartes de circuit imprimé. Il présente un premier connecteur femelle destiné à être monté sur une carte mère, et comportant un blindage externe constitué par un profil en forme de U s'étendant sur toute la longueur du connecteur et fixé à la carte mère par des extrémités de contacts de masse. Un corps central isolant comporte des connecteurs femelle à connexion élastique dont une extrémité en forme de pointe est solidaire de la carte mère. Un connecteur mâle portant une carte fille et deux portions de blindage externes solidarisées à la carte fille est connecté par enfichage dans le premier connecteur pour interconnecter à la fois les contacts des connecteurs mâle et femelle et leurs éléments de blindage.Known from US Pat. No. 4,959,024 (ERNI) is a shielded connector intended to interconnect two printed circuit boards. It has a first female connector intended to be mounted on a motherboard, and comprising an external shielding constituted by a U-shaped profile extending over the entire length of the connector and fixed to the motherboard by ends of ground contacts. . An insulating central body has female connectors with elastic connection, one point-shaped end of which is secured to the motherboard. A male connector carrying a daughter card and two external shielding portions secured to the daughter card is plugged into the first connector to interconnect both the contacts of the male and female connectors and their shielding elements.

Un tel ensemble d'interconnexion entre une carte mère et une carte fille présente les inconvénients suivants :

  • le montage sur la carte mère impose une opération d'assemblage en deux parties, à savoir montage de l'élément de blindage sur la carte mère et ensuite raccordement du connecteur proprement dit ; le connecteur n'est pas véritablement modulaire étant donné que l'élément de blindage occupe toute la longueur du connecteur.
  • cette construction est peu propice à la mise en oeuvre de moyens de détrompage ou alors si ceux-ci sont utilisés, ils imposent une augmentation des dimensions latérales du connecteur.
  • le blindage du connecteur portant la carte fille n'est fixé qu'à la carte fille.
  • le blindage de la carte fille est très imparfait étant donné que le blindage en deux parties du deuxième connecteur n'est efficace que sur une face de la carte fille.
Such an interconnection assembly between a motherboard and a daughter card has the following drawbacks:
  • mounting on the motherboard requires an assembly operation in two parts, namely mounting the shielding element on the motherboard and then connecting the connector itself; the connector is not truly modular since the shielding element occupies the entire length of the connector.
  • this construction is not very conducive to the use of polarizing means or so if these are used, they impose an increase in the lateral dimensions of the connector.
  • the shield of the connector carrying the daughter card is only attached to the daughter card.
  • the shield of the daughter card is very imperfect since the shield in two parts of the second connector is effective only on one face of the daughter card.

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de connexion utilisable notamment pour réaliser des connexions avec des cartes telles que les cartes mères et/ou des cartes filles, dans lequel un ou plusieurs des inconvénients précités sont évités.The present invention relates to a connection device which can be used in particular for making connections with cards such as motherboards and / or daughter cards, in which one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks are avoided.

Selon un premier aspect de l'invention, un élément modulaire de connexion électrique, en particulier pour être connecté à une carte mère, peut être monté par une simple opération d'enfichage tout en possédant toutes les fonctions désirées de connexion et de blindage.According to a first aspect of the invention, a modular electrical connection element, in particular for being connected to a motherboard, can be mounted by a simple plug-in operation while having all the desired functions of connection and shielding.

L'élément modulaire de connexion électrique selon l'invention est dans ce but caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un corps isolant comportant une région centrale pour recevoir des éléments de contact électrique et deux branches latérales sensiblement perpendiculaires à un axe de la région centrale et présentant une largeur égale à celle dudit module, en ce que chaque branche latérale comporte, sur une face externe, un élément de blindage s'étendant sur une majeure partie de sa surface, un dit élément de blindage comprenant au moins un moyen de maintien en position dans ledit corps isolant, au moins un moyen de connexion électrique dépassant dudit corps isolant, et au moins un moyen de contact électrique élastique à travers au moins une ouverture correspondante de ladite branche latérale débouchant sur une face interne de ladite branche latérale.The modular electrical connection element according to the invention is for this purpose characterized in that it comprises an insulating body comprising a central region for receiving electrical contact elements and two lateral branches substantially perpendicular to an axis of the central region and having a width equal to that of said module, in that each lateral branch comprises, on an external face, a shielding element extending over a major part of its surface, a said shielding element comprising at least one means for holding in position in said insulating body, at least one electrical connection means projecting from said insulating body, and at least one elastic electrical contact means through at least one corresponding opening of said lateral branch opening onto an internal face of said lateral branch.

Etant donné que l'élément de blindage est disposé à l'extérieur du corps isolant et que la prise de contact s'effectue par l'intérieur, les faces internes des branches latérales sont dégagées et sont utilisables pour mettre en oeuvre des moyens de détrompage connus en soi, par exemple de la demande de brevet européen EP-A-392 629 (DU PONT DE NEMOURS B.V.).Since the shielding element is arranged outside the insulating body and since contact is made from the inside, the internal faces of the lateral branches are free and can be used to implement polarization means known per se, for example from European patent application EP-A-392,629 (DU PONT DE NEMOURS BV).

L'élément de blindage peut s'étendre sur pratiquement toute la largeur de la face externe correspondante. Il n'est pas en effet nécessaire, lorsque les éléments modulaires sont alignés par juxtaposition, que les éléments de blindage se touchent. Il suffit qu'ils soient adjacents aux rangées de contacts de préférence sur toute la longueur de celles-ci.The shielding element can extend over practically the entire width of the corresponding external face. When the modular elements are aligned by juxtaposition, it is not necessary for the shielding elements to touch. It suffices that they are adjacent to the rows of contacts preferably over the entire length thereof.

On peut disposer les éléments de blindage dans des évidements des faces externes correspondantes.The shielding elements can be placed in recesses on the corresponding external faces.

Le moyen de contact électrique élastique comporte avantageusement au moins un levier situé dans une région distale de la branche latérale correspondante. L'élément de blindage peut alors comporter un élément raidisseur situé dans le prolongement dudit levier, dans une région proximale de la branche latérale.The elastic electrical contact means advantageously comprises at least one lever located in a region distal from the corresponding lateral branch. The shielding element can then comprise a stiffening element located in the extension of said lever, in a region proximal to the lateral branch.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, l'extrémité distale dudit levier présente une crosse dirigée vers l'intérieur du corps isolant.According to a preferred embodiment, the distal end of said lever has a stock directed towards the inside of the insulating body.

Le moyen de contact électrique élastique peut être tel qu'en position de repos, il s'étende à travers l'ouverture en dépassant de la face interne vers l'intérieur du corps isolant.The elastic electrical contact means may be such that in the rest position, it extends through the opening, projecting from the internal face towards the inside of the insulating body.

Le moyen de maintien en position de l'élément de blindage dans le corps isolant peut consister en au moins une languette de l'élément de blindage coopérant avec au moins une rainure du corps isolant, notamment par forçage de la languette dans la rainure, et/ou un pion déformable à chaud.The means for holding the shielding element in position in the insulating body may consist of at least one tongue of the shielding element cooperating with at least one groove in the insulating body, in particular by forcing the tongue in the groove, and / or a hot deformable pin.

Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, les éléments de contact sont des contacts mâles et la région centrale et les branches latérales forment un profil en forme de U aplati. Un tel élément modulaire de connexion est utilisable aussi bien comme connecteur mâle en montant sur celui-ci des contacts mâles par montage à force, ou bien comme pontet fixé sur une extrémité opposée de la carte mère et traversée par les extrémités des contacts mâles d'un connecteur mâle coulissant dans les ouvertures du pontet. Un tel pontet est apte à recevoir un connecteur femelle de câble.According to an advantageous embodiment, the contact elements are male contacts and the central region and the lateral branches form a flat U-shaped profile. Such a modular connection element can be used both as a male connector by mounting male contacts thereon by force fitting, or as a bridge fixed on an opposite end of the motherboard and crossed by the ends of the male contacts of a male connector sliding in the openings of the trigger guard. Such a trigger guard is adapted to receive a female cable connector.

Une pluralité d'éléments modulaires tels que définis ci-dessus peuvent être montés côte à côte, solidaires d'une carte mère de circuit imprimé, au moins un connecteur présentant des contacts coopérant électriquement avec les éléments de contacts d'un élément modulaire ainsi qu'un élément de blindage externe agencé de manière à coopérer électriquement avec lesdits moyens de contact électrique dudit élément de blindage. L'élément de blindage externe peut comporter au moins un prolongement s'étendant en direction de la branche centrale du corps isolant de l'élément modulaire et longeant la face interne d'une branche latérale de manière à permettre une continuité de contact de masse tant que les éléments de contacts du connecteurs et de l'élément modulaire sont en contact électrique.A plurality of modular elements as defined above can be mounted side by side, integral with a printed circuit mother board, at least one connector having contacts cooperating electrically with the contact elements of a modular element as well as 'an external shielding element arranged so as to cooperate electrically with said electrical contact means of said shielding element. The external shielding element may comprise at least one extension extending in the direction of the central branch of the insulating body of the modular element and along the internal face of a lateral branch so as to allow continuity of ground contact both that the contact elements of the connectors and of the modular element are in electrical contact.

Selon un deuxième aspect, l'invention concerne un élément modulaire de connexion électrique qui puisse être utilisé aussi bien comme connecteur mâle lorsqu'il est équipé d'éléments de contacts mâles ou comme pontet de raccordement entre une carte mère et par exemple un connecteur de câble, et qui puisse être fixé de manière simple sur la carte mère.According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a modular electrical connection element which can be used both as a male connector when it is equipped with male contact elements or as a jumper for connection between a motherboard and for example a connector cable, which can be easily attached to the motherboard.

Un élément modulaire selon le deuxième aspect de l'invention est du type comportant, ainsi qu'il est connu du brevet US-4 655 518 (TERADYNE INC) un corps isolant présentant un profil en U aplati présentant une branche centrale pour recevoir des éléments de contact électrique et deux branches latérales qui présentent, dans une direction perpendiculaire au plan du profil en U, une largeur égale à celle dudit module. Selon l'invention, il est caractérisé en ce que chaque branche latérale comporte un élément de blindage s'étendant sur une majeure partie de sa surface, un dit élément de blindage comportant au moins un moyen de contact électrique élastique sur une face interne de ladite branche latérale et au moins un moyen de connexion électrique à travers ledit corps isolant, ledit élément de blindage présentant un moyen pour le maintenir en position dans le corps isolant au moins dans le sens d'un arrachement sensiblement parallèle à un axe du profil en U.A modular element according to the second aspect of the invention is of the type comprising, as is known from US Pat. No. 4,655,518 (TERADYNE INC), a body insulation having a flattened U-shaped profile having a central branch for receiving electrical contact elements and two lateral branches which have, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the U-shaped profile, a width equal to that of said module. According to the invention, it is characterized in that each lateral branch comprises a shielding element extending over a major part of its surface, a said shielding element comprising at least one means of elastic electrical contact on an internal face of said lateral branch and at least one means of electrical connection through said insulating body, said shielding element having means for holding it in position in the insulating body at least in the direction of a tearing off substantially parallel to an axis of the U-shaped profile .

On met ainsi à profit la présence d'un élément de blindage solidaire du corps isolant pour assurer la fixation du corps isolant sur une carte mère lorsqu'il s'agit d'un pontet, ou pour renforcer la fixation d'un connecteur mâle sur une carte mère.This takes advantage of the presence of a shielding element secured to the insulating body to secure the insulating body to a motherboard when it is a jumper, or to strengthen the fixing of a male connector on a motherboard.

Ledit moyen de maintien en position peut comporter au moins une languette repliée de sensiblement 90° par rapport au plan de l'élément de blindage et coopérant avec au moins une rainure du corps isolant. Cette coopération languette-rainure permet une excellente transmission des efforts lorsque l'élément modulaire est soumis à des forces d'arrachement. Ladite coopération peut en particulier être obtenue par forçage de la languette dans la rainure correspondante. Ladite rainure peut être disposée sensiblement à la jointure entre la branche centrale et la branche latérale correspondante, c'est-à-dire dans une région proche des moyens de connexion électriques de l'élément de blindage et qui présentent localement une bonne rigidité.Said means for holding in position may include at least one tongue folded back substantially 90 ° relative to the plane of the shielding element and cooperating with at least one groove in the insulating body. This tongue-groove cooperation allows excellent transmission of forces when the modular element is subjected to tearing forces. Said cooperation can in particular be obtained by forcing the tongue in the corresponding groove. Said groove can be disposed substantially at the joint between the central branch and the corresponding lateral branch, that is to say in a region close to the electrical connection means of the shielding element and which locally have good rigidity.

Un montage particulièrement aisé dudit élément modulaire est obtenu lorsque le moyen de connexion électrique de l'élément de blindage comporte au moins une patte de connexion du type à insertion à force ("press-fit").A particularly easy mounting of said modular element is obtained when the electrical connection means of the shielding element comprises at least one connection tab of the force-insertion type ("press-fit").

Les éléments de blindage peuvent présenter un bord jouxtant la branche centrale du corps central, et comportant une pluralité desdits moyens de connexion alternant avec une pluralité desdites languettes.The shielding elements may have an edge adjoining the central branch of the central body, and comprising a plurality of said connection means alternating with a plurality of said tabs.

Le dispositif de connexion électrique selon l'invention peut comporter un premier ensemble d'éléments modulaires tels que définis ci-dessus, le premier ensemble étant par exemple constitué par des pontets pour connecteur de câbles solidaire de la carte mère uniquement par lesdits moyens de connexion électriques, les éléments modulaires étant montés côte-à-côte solidaires d'une carte mère au moins par lesdits moyens de connexion électrique. Un deuxième ensemble peut être constitué par des connecteurs mâles montés tête-bêche avec les pontets du premier ensemble, les moyens de connexion électriques du premier et du deuxième ensemble étant imbriqués.The electrical connection device according to the invention may comprise a first set of modular elements as defined above, the first set being for example constituted by bridges for cable connector secured to the motherboard only by said connection means electrical, the modular elements being mounted side by side secured to a motherboard at least by said electrical connection means. A second set may be constituted by male connectors mounted head to tail with the bridges of the first set, the electrical connection means of the first and of the second set being nested.

Selon un troisième aspect, l'invention concerne un connecteur présentant un élément central isolant comportant des rangées d'éléments de connexion présentant une première borne mâle destinée à être solidarisée à un support plat, tel qu'une carte fille, et une deuxième borne notamment femelle, ainsi qu'un dispositif de blindage disposé de part et d'autre des rangées d'éléments de connexion. Dans le brevet US-4 959 024 précité, l'élément de blindage d'un tel connecteur est en deux parties, qui ne sont fixées qu'à la carte fille, l'extrémité opposée n'étant maintenue en position que lorsque le connecteur est monté.According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a connector having a central insulating element comprising rows of connection elements having a first male terminal intended to be secured to a flat support, such as a daughter card, and a second terminal in particular female, as well as a shielding device arranged on either side of the rows of connection elements. In the aforementioned US Pat. No. 4,959,024, the shielding element of such a connector is in two parts, which are fixed only to the daughter card, the opposite end being held in position only when the connector has climbed.

Selon l'invention, on remédie au moins dans une large mesure à cet inconvénient par le fait que le connecteur est caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un pion déformable à chaud solidaire de l'élément central, en ce que le dispositif de blindage présente une portion pourvue d'au moins une ouverture, la forme du dispositif de blindage étant telle que, lorsqu'il est monté sur le connecteur, ladite ouverture s'engage dans ledit pion et il subsiste entre ladite portion et l'élément central un espace destiné à recevoir une extrémité du support. De ce fait, l'élément de blindage est solidarisé à la fois à la carte fille et à l'élément central du connecteur.According to the invention, this drawback is at least largely remedied by the fact that the connector is characterized in that it comprises at least one hot deformable pin secured to the central element, in that the shielding device has a portion provided with at least one opening, the shape of the shielding device being such that, when it is mounted on the connector, said opening engages in said pin and there remains between said portion and the central element a space intended to receive one end of the support. Therefore, the shielding element is secured both to the daughter board and to the central element of the connector.

L'élément central peut comporter au moins un élément de centrage disposé au voisinage dudit pion et destiné à positionner le support plat, notamment lors de la déformation à chaud du pion.The central element may comprise at least one centering element disposed in the vicinity of said pin and intended to position the flat support, in particular during the hot deformation of the pin.

Le connecteur selon l'invention est par exemple du type dans lequel les éléments de connexion comportent un renvoi d'angle à 90°. Dans ce cas, ladite portion est avantageusement disposée à une extrémité du dispositif de blindage adjacente aux deuxièmes bornes d'une rangée des éléments de connexion. Lors de l'enfichage du connecteur dans l'élément modulaire de connexion, l'ouverture est située dans la zone de recouvrement entre les blindages, ce qui fait que la (ou les) ouverture(s) n'introduisent pas d'interruption dans le blindage.The connector according to the invention is for example of the type in which the connection elements comprise a 90 ° angle gear. In this case, said portion is advantageously disposed at one end of the shielding device adjacent to the second terminals of a row of the connection elements. When the connector is plugged into the modular connection element, the opening is located in the overlap area between the shields, so that the opening (s) do not introduce any interruption in the shielding.

Le dispositif de blindage peut comporter, sur une face de l'élément central isolant opposée à ladite portion, au moins un prolongement s'étendant sensiblement jusqu'à une extrémité distale des bornes femelles.The shielding device may comprise, on one face of the central insulating element opposite to said portion, at least one extension extending substantially as far as a distal end of the female terminals.

Le dispositif de blindage peut être en deux parties destinées à se raccorder au support par des contacts imbriqués.The shielding device can be in two parts intended to be connected to the support by nested contacts.

L'invention concerne également un dispositif de connexion comportant un connecteur tel que défini ci-dessus monté sur un dit support plat tel qu'une carte fille à circuit imprimé caractérisé en ce que les bornes mâles des éléments de connexion sont solidaires du support et en ce que ladite extrémité du support comporte au moins une ouverture traversée par ledit pion et est prise en sandwich entre ladite portion du dispositif de blindage et l'élément central isolant, par au moins un dit pion formant rivet dans son état d'après déformation.The invention also relates to a connection device comprising a connector as defined above mounted on a said flat support such as a daughter board with a printed circuit characterized in that the male terminals of the connection elements are integral with the support and in that said end of the support has at least one opening traversed by said pin and is sandwiched between said portion of the shielding device and the central insulating element, by at least one said pawn forming a rivet in its state after deformation.

Au moins un élément de centrage peut être porté par l'élément central et être monté avec serrage dans le support plat. De la sorte, le support plat est maintenu en position, ladite position étant conservée même au cours de la déformation à chaud du pion.At least one centering element can be carried by the central element and be mounted with clamping in the flat support. In this way, the flat support is held in position, said position being retained even during the hot deformation of the pin.

Le dispositif de blindage peut alors comporter une première et une deuxième parties situées sur deux côtés opposés du support plat. La première partie du dispositif de blindage peut alors comporter un capot disposé autour des bornes mâles et présentant une première extrémité comportant des contacts par lesquels elle est fixée au support plat et une deuxième extrémité constituée par ladite portion. La deuxième partie du dispositif de blindage peut comporter une première extrémité comportant des contacts par lesquels elle est fixée au support plat de manière imbriquée avec les contacts de la première extrémité de la première partie et une deuxième extrémité formant au moins un prolongement s'étendant sensiblement jusqu'à une extrémité distale des deuxièmes bornes.The shielding device can then comprise first and second parts located on two opposite sides of the flat support. The first part of the shielding device can then comprise a cover disposed around the male terminals and having a first end comprising contacts by which it is fixed to the flat support and a second end constituted by said portion. The second part of the shielding device may have a first end comprising contacts by which it is fixed to the flat support so as to be nested with the contacts of the first end of the first part and a second end forming at least one extension extending substantially to a distal end of the second terminals.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront mieux à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en liaison avec les dessins qui représentent :

  • la figure 1, un ensemble d'interconnexion entre une carte mère, une carte fille et un connecteur de câble et comportant un assemblage d'éléments de connexion selon l'invention, à savoir un connecteur mâle, un connecteur femelle et un pontet pour recevoir un connecteur de câble connu en soi ;
  • les figures 2a à 2d, respectivement en vue de droite avec enlèvement partiel, en coupe A-A, en coupe B-B et en vue de gauche avec enlèvement partiel, un corps isolant à quatre rangées de conducteurs selon l'invention ;
  • les figures 3a à 3d, respectivement en vue de droite avec enlèvement partiel, en coupe A-A, en coupe B-B et en vue de gauche avec enlèvement partiel, un corps isolant à cinq rangées de connecteurs selon l'invention ;
  • les figures 4a à 4e représentent respectivement une première plaque de blindage en vue de face, la première plaque de blindage en vue de profil, un connecteur mâle en coupe transversale, un deuxième plaque de blindage en vue latérale et la deuxième plaque de blindage en vue de face ;
  • les figures 5a à 5c, un connecteur mâle selon l'invention assemblé avec deux plaques de blindage, respectivement en coupe transversale, en vue latérale et en vue de dessus ;
  • les figures 6a et 6b, respectivement en coupe transversale et en vue latérale, un connecteur mâle selon l'invention monté sur une carte mère avant assemblage avec un pontet ;
  • la figure 7, une vue en coupe transversale d'un connecteur mâle monté sur une carte mère tête-bêche avec un pontet selon l'invention ;
  • les figures 8a à 8c, en coupe transversale partielle, respectivement un pontet avant son montage sur une carte mère tête-bêche avec un connecteur mâle, le pontet solidarisé de la carte mère auquel on présente un connecteur de câble, et le connecteur de câble enclenché sur le pontet précité ;
  • la figure 9a, un connecteur de raccordement entre un connecteur mâle et une carte fille au moment de son assemblage avec son élément de blindage en deux parties ;
  • la figure 9b représentant les deux parties de l'élément de blindage en vue latérale,
  • la figure 9c, la coupe G-G de la figure 9a ;
  • les figures 10a à 10e, respectivement une coupe longitudinale d'un connecteur de raccordement après assemblage des éléments représentés à la figure 9a, une coupe C-C d'un tel élément, une vue de dessus d'un tel connecteur, une coupe partielle de la partie avant d'un tel connecteur, et une coupe partielle montrant le pion déformable à chaud avant et après déformation lors de l'assemblage du connecteur ;
  • les figures 11a, 11b et 11c, en vue de profil, respectivement un élément de connexion, deux éléments de connexion modulaires juxtaposés et quatre éléments de connexion modulaires juxtaposés.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example, in conjunction with the drawings which represent:
  • Figure 1, an interconnection assembly between a motherboard, a daughter board and a cable connector and comprising an assembly of connection elements according to the invention, namely a connector male, a female connector and a trigger guard for receiving a cable connector known per se;
  • Figures 2a to 2d, respectively in right view with partial removal, in section AA, in section BB and in left view with partial removal, an insulating body with four rows of conductors according to the invention;
  • Figures 3a to 3d, respectively in right view with partial removal, in section AA, in section BB and in left view with partial removal, an insulating body with five rows of connectors according to the invention;
  • FIGS. 4a to 4e respectively represent a first shielding plate in front view, the first shielding plate in profile view, a male connector in cross section, a second shielding plate in side view and the second shielding plate in view front ;
  • Figures 5a to 5c, a male connector according to the invention assembled with two shielding plates, respectively in cross section, in side view and in top view;
  • Figures 6a and 6b, respectively in cross section and in side view, a male connector according to the invention mounted on a motherboard before assembly with a trigger guard;
  • Figure 7, a cross-sectional view of a male connector mounted on a head-to-tail motherboard with a trigger guard according to the invention;
  • Figures 8a to 8c, in partial cross section, respectively a trigger guard before mounting on a motherboard head to tail with a male connector, the trigger guard secured to the motherboard to which a cable connector is presented, and the cable connector engaged on the aforementioned trigger guard;
  • FIG. 9a, a connector for connection between a male connector and a daughter card at the time its assembly with its two-part shielding element;
  • FIG. 9b showing the two parts of the shielding element in side view,
  • Figure 9c, section GG of Figure 9a;
  • Figures 10a to 10e, respectively a longitudinal section of a connection connector after assembly of the elements shown in Figure 9a, a CC section of such an element, a top view of such a connector, a partial section of the front part of such a connector, and a partial section showing the hot-deformable pin before and after deformation during assembly of the connector;
  • FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c, in profile view, respectively a connection element, two juxtaposed modular connection elements and four juxtaposed modular connection elements.

Selon les figures 2a à 2d, un corps isolant désigné par le repère général 5, présente un profil en forme de U aplati comportant une branche centrale 11 pourvue d'ouvertures 14 destinées à recevoir des contacts électriques et deux branches latérales 12 et 13. Une telle disposition est connue en soi du brevet US-4 655 518 pour recevoir des contacts mâles. La branche 13 comporte des rainures de détrompage et/ou d'accrochage 30 débouchant sur sa face interne 31. Les faces externes 32 des branches 12 et 13 présentent chacune un évidement 15 de forme générale rectangulaire dont la largeur est pratiquement égale à la largeur l de la branche correspondante à l'exception de deux bandes marginales 33. Les évidements 15 s'étendent dans la hauteur de la branche jusqu'au-delà de l'ouverture 17 de passage de contact située à l'extrémité distale des branches 12 et 13. Le fond 26 des évidements 15 comporte une partie inférieure plane 16, une partie médiane supérieure formant un plan incliné 19 de raccordement avec l'ouverture 17 et, au-delà de l'ouverture 17, une butée 25. A la jointure 18 entre les branches latérales 12 et 13 et de la branche centrale 11, le fond 16 des évidements 15 se raccorde avec des rainures 20 disposées dans le sens de la largeur de la branche, par l'intermédiaire de chanfreins 21. La figure 2c montre des logements 54 pour des pions déformables à chaud. Chaque logement 54 est situé entre les ouvertures 17 à l'extrémité distale des branches 12 et 13. En outre, comme le montre également la figure 2c, la partie inférieure 16 du fond 26 de l'évidement 15 se prolonge également par l'intermédiaire de chanfreins 22' par deux profils étroits, l'un horizontal 22 et l'autre vertical 24 situés plus bas que les rainures 20 et alternant avec celles-ci.According to Figures 2a to 2d, an insulating body designated by the general reference 5, has a flattened U-shaped profile comprising a central branch 11 provided with openings 14 intended to receive electrical contacts and two lateral branches 12 and 13. A such an arrangement is known per se from US Pat. No. 4,655,518 for receiving male contacts. The branch 13 has keying and / or latching grooves 30 opening onto its internal face 31. The external faces 32 of the branches 12 and 13 each have a recess 15 of generally rectangular shape whose width is practically equal to the width l of the corresponding branch with the exception of two marginal strips 33. The recesses 15 extend in the height of the branch to beyond the opening 17 of the contact passage located at the distal end of the branches 12 and 13. The bottom 26 of the recesses 15 has a flat lower part 16, an upper middle part forming an inclined plane 19 of connection with the opening 17 and, beyond the opening 17, a stop 25. At the joint 18 between the lateral branches 12 and 13 and of the central branch 11, the bottom 16 of the recesses 15 is connected with grooves 20 arranged across the width of the branch, by means of chamfers 21. FIG. 2c shows housings 54 for hot-deformable pins. Each housing 54 is located between the openings 17 at the distal end of the branches 12 and 13. In addition, as also shown in FIG. 2c, the lower part 16 of the bottom 26 of the recess 15 also extends via chamfers 22 ′ by two narrow profiles, one horizontal 22 and the other vertical 24 located lower than and alternating with the grooves 20.

Les bords latéraux 27 des branches latérales 12 et 13 se prolongent par des entretoises 52 dont la partie inférieure se situe dans le même plan que la partie inférieure des profils 24. Enfin, les extrémités distales des branches 12 et 13 présentent des chanfreins d'entrée 53.The lateral edges 27 of the lateral branches 12 and 13 are extended by spacers 52, the lower part of which lies in the same plane as the lower part of the profiles 24. Finally, the distal ends of the branches 12 and 13 have entry chamfers 53.

Aux figures 2a à 2d, on a représenté quatre rangées de trous 14 correspondant à une connexion du type 4+2 (4 éléments de connexion + 2 rangées de blindage) avec une branche centrale de largeur L₁ alors que les figures 3a à 3d, par ailleurs identiques, présentent une branche centrale 11 plus large (largeur L₂) et présentant cinq rangées d'ouverture 14 correspondant à une connexion du type 5+2.In FIGS. 2a to 2d, four rows of holes 14 have been shown corresponding to a connection of type 4 + 2 (4 connection elements + 2 rows of shielding) with a central branch of width L₁ whereas FIGS. 3a to 3d, by elsewhere identical, have a wider central branch 11 (width L₂) and having five rows of opening 14 corresponding to a connection of the 5 + 2 type.

Aux figures 4a à 4e, on a représenté un connecteur mâle 3 dans lequel des contacts électriques mâles 60 ont été montés à force dans les ouvertures 14 de la branche centrale 11 et qui est prêt à recevoir dans ses branches latérales 12 et 13 des plaques de blindage désignées par le repère général 40. Une plaque de blindage 40 comporte une plaque de base 37 se prolongeant par une plaque supérieure 41 plus étroite et présentant de part et d'autre des bras de contact 46 se raccordant à la plaque de base 37. Chacun des bras de contact 46 comporte une partie inclinée d'un angle correspondant au repos à celui de la partie inclinée 19 et se prolongeant par une crosse 48 dont les dimensions correspondent à celles de l'ouverture 17. La crosse 48 se prolonge elle-même par une extrémité 49 destinée à coopérer avec la butée 25. La plaque de base 37 comporte dans le prolongement des bras de contact 46 deux renforts mécaniques incurvés 47. La partie supérieure 41 de la plaque de base 37 présente d'une part trois languettes 45 repliées à 90° en 45' en direction de la crosse 48 de manière à coopérer avec les rainures correspondantes 20, les languettes 45 alternant avec deux éléments de contact mâles 42 présentant des extrémités 43 pouvant être insérées à force ("press-fit") dans une carte. Les deux contacts mâles 42 présentent deux pliures alternées à 90° en 44' et 44" définissant une portion horizontale en retrait 44 destinée à venir se loger dans la face horizontale 22, l'extrémité correspondante 43 venant dans le prolongement de la face verticale 24. Comme le montrent les figures 4a à 4e, le connecteur mâle 3 reçoit deux plaques de blindage 40 identiques. Elles viennent se fixer dans le sens des flèches de la figure 4c sur ses branches latérales 12 et 13 de la manière représentée aux figures 5a à 5c. La figure 5b montre le positionnement des contacts mâles 43 qui est décalé latéralement ce qui produit en vue latérale des contacts alternés, et qui se traduira, ainsi qu'on le verra par la suite, par un montage imbriqué dans le même plan pour un assemblage tête-bêche d'un connecteur mâle et d'un pontet sur une carte mère. Sur la carte mère, les contacts mâles 43 du connecteur mâle et du pontet sont interconnectés. Les languettes 45 sont introduites à force dans les rainures 20, ce qui permet de maintenir en place les éléments de blindage dans le connecteur mâle, et donc de réaliser un élément modulaire pouvant être monté sur une carte en une seule opération d'insertion. On notera également que le logement 54 permet, grâce à son pion déformable, de maintenir en place la plaque 41 lors des flexions des bras 46.In FIGS. 4a to 4e, a male connector 3 has been shown in which male electrical contacts 60 have been forced-fitted into the openings 14 of the central branch 11 and which is ready to receive plates in its lateral branches 12 and 13 shield designated by the general reference 40. A shield plate 40 comprises a base plate 37 extending by a narrower upper plate 41 and having on both sides of the contact arms 46 connecting to the base plate 37. Each of the contact arms 46 has an inclined part at an angle corresponding to the rest at that of the inclined part 19 and extending by a butt 48 whose dimensions correspond to those of the opening 17. The butt 48 itself extends by an end 49 intended to cooperate with the stop 25. The base plate 37 comprises in the extension of the contact arms 46 two curved mechanical reinforcements 47. The upper part 41 of the base plate 37 has on the one hand three tongues 45 folded at 90 ° at 45 ′ in the direction of the stock 48 so as to cooperate with the corresponding grooves 20, the tongues 45 alternating with two male contact elements 42 having ends 43 which can be force-fitted ("press-fit") into a card. The two male contacts 42 have two alternating folds at 90 ° at 44 ′ and 44 ″ defining a recessed horizontal portion 44 intended to be housed in the horizontal face 22, the corresponding end 43 extending from the vertical face 24 As shown in FIGS. 4a to 4e, the male connector 3 receives two identical shielding plates 40. They are fixed in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 4c on its lateral branches 12 and 13 as shown in FIGS. 5a to FIG. 5b shows the positioning of the male contacts 43 which is laterally offset, which produces alternating contacts in lateral view, and which will result, as will be seen hereinafter, by an assembly nested in the same plane for a head-to-tail assembly of a male connector and a bridge on a motherboard. On the motherboard, the male contacts 43 of the male connector and of the bridge are interconnected. The tabs 45 are forced into grooves 20, which allows to hold the shielding elements in place in the male connector, and therefore to produce a modular element which can be mounted on a card in a single insertion operation. It will also be noted that the housing 54 makes it possible, thanks to its deformable pin, to keep the plate 41 in place when the arms 46 are bent.

A la figure 5a, les leviers 46 en position de repos, suivent le profil incliné 19 en leurs parties distales, la crosse 48 des bords des faces internes 31 des branches latérales 12 et 13 et leurs extrémités 49 s'appuient sur les butées correspondantes 25. L'épaisseur des branches latérales 12 et 13 est ainsi mise à profit pour absorber le débattement des contacts élastiques 46 (voir figure 1).In FIG. 5a, the levers 46 in the rest position, follow the inclined profile 19 in their distal parts, the stock 48 of the edges of the internal faces 31 of the lateral branches 12 and 13 and their ends 49 are supported on the corresponding stops 25 The thickness of the lateral branches 12 and 13 is thus used to absorb the movement of the elastic contacts 46 (see FIG. 1).

Les contacts électriques 60 présentent une partie active 62 située à l'intérieur du profil en U du connecteur mâle 3, et, comme ils sont solidarisés en 61 avec la branche centrale 11, ils peuvent être insérés dans une carte mère 1 en même temps que les contacts 43 selon la technique d'insertion à force dite "press-fit" (figures 6a et 6b). Dans cet exemple de réalisation, les connecteurs mâles présentent également des extrémités 64 et 65 qui dépassent de la face inférieure 6 de la carte mère 1 pour coopérer avec un pontet 4 apte à recevoir un connecteur de câble. Le pontet, désigné par le repère général 4, est constitué par un corps isolant 5, tel que représenté aux figures 2a à 2d ou 3a à 3d, dans lequel ont été rapportées deux plaques de blindage et de connexion 40 telles que représentées aux figures 4a, 4b, 4d et 4e. Les ouvertures 14 du pontet 4 coulissent librement le long de l'extrémité 65 des contacts mâles 60 jusqu'à venir en butée sur la face inférieure 6 de la carte mère 1, le pontet 4 étant solidarisé à la carte mère uniquement par des contacts mâles 43 insérés à force (press-fit) des ouvertures correspondantes de la carte mère 1. La figure 6b montre la position imbriquée dans le même plan des contacts 43 du pontet 4 et du connecteur mâle 3 montés tête-bêche. Ce montage imbriqué est favorable à un bon blindage. La figure 7 représente en coupe un ensemble comportant un connecteur mâle, une carte mère et un pontet après assemblage tête-bêche. Les extrémités actives 65 des contacts 60 dépassent vers l'intérieur du corps isolant en U du pontet 4 pour coopérer avec un connecteur de câble. On notera que l'insertion à force des contacts 43 s'effectue en épaulant la portion horizontale en retrait 44 sur la face horizontale 22. Ceci permet, de par l'effet de butée apporté par les faces 22, d'éviter que les forces d'insertion des contacts 43 se retransmettent à la plaque de base 37 et donc d'éviter de la déformer.The electrical contacts 60 have an active part 62 located inside the U-shaped profile of the male connector 3, and, as they are secured at 61 with the central branch 11, they can be inserted into a motherboard 1 at the same time as the contacts 43 according to the so-called "press-fit" force insertion technique (FIGS. 6a and 6b). In this exemplary embodiment, the male connectors also have ends 64 and 65 which protrude from the underside 6 of the motherboard 1 in order to cooperate with a bridge 4 capable of receiving a cable connector. The trigger guard, designated by the general reference 4, is constituted by an insulating body 5, as represented in FIGS. 2a to 2d or 3a to 3d, in which two shielding and connection plates 40 have been attached as shown in FIGS. 4a , 4b, 4d and 4th. The openings 14 of the trigger guard 4 slide freely along the end 65 of the male contacts 60 until they come into abutment on the lower face 6 of the motherboard 1, the trigger guard 4 being secured to the motherboard only by male contacts 43 press-fit into the corresponding openings on the motherboard 1. Figure 6b shows the nested position in the same plane of the contacts 43 of the trigger guard 4 and of the male connector 3 mounted head to tail. This nested mounting is favorable for good shielding. Figure 7 shows in section an assembly comprising a male connector, a motherboard and a trigger guard after head-to-tail assembly. The active ends 65 of the contacts 60 project towards the inside of the U-shaped insulating body of the bridge 4 to cooperate with a cable connector. It will be noted that the forced insertion of the contacts 43 is carried out by supporting the horizontal recessed portion 44 on the horizontal face 22. This makes it possible, by the abutment effect provided by the faces 22, to prevent the forces of inserting the contacts 43 are retransmitted to the base plate 37 and therefore to avoid deforming it.

Ceci est représenté aux figures 8a à 8c. La suite des opérations comporte donc une mise en place du pontet (figure 8a), l'introduction d'un connecteur de câble désigné par le repère général 70 qui présente à sa partie avant un verrou 78 porté par un levier de verrou qui vient coopérer avec l'ouverture 30 portée par la branche 13 du pontet. Le connecteur de câble 70 comporte des ouvertures 72 pour les conducteurs mâles 60, des contacts femelles 73 et des cosses de montage de câble 74, 75. Le pontet est entouré d'une gaine isolante 71. Le connecteur de câble 70 est entouré par une gaine plastique métallisée 76 qui assure son blindage et qui vient faire contact avec les crosses 48 (voir figure 1).This is shown in Figures 8a to 8c. The continuation of the operations therefore comprises a positioning of the trigger guard (FIG. 8a), the introduction of a cable connector designated by the general reference 70 which has at its front part a lock 78 carried by a lock lever which comes to cooperate with the opening 30 carried by the branch 13 of the trigger guard. The cable connector 70 has openings 72 for the male conductors 60, female contacts 73 and cable mounting lugs 74, 75. The trigger guard is surrounded by an insulating sheath 71. The cable connector 70 is surrounded by a metallized plastic sheath 76 which provides its shielding and which comes into contact with the brackets 48 (see FIG. 1).

La figure 8c montre plus particulièrement la répartition des fonctions mécaniques lors d'un effort de traction exercé sur le connecteur de câble. Les forces d'action F et de réaction R générées au niveau du verrou 78 se transmettent vers les plaques de blindage 40 par l'intermédiaire des languettes 45 disposées dans les rainures 20, puis vers les contacts mâles 43 qui assurent le maintien du pontet sur la carte mère 1. On remarquera que les pliures 44 à 90° des pattes de contact 42 permet d'assurer le maintien en place du pontet avec une certaine élasticité.FIG. 8c more particularly shows the distribution of the mechanical functions during a tensile force exerted on the cable connector. The action forces F and reaction R generated at the latch 78 are transmitted to the shielding plates 40 via the tabs 45 disposed in the grooves 20, then to the male contacts 43 which maintain the trigger guard on the motherboard 1. It will be noted that the folds 44 at 90 ° of the contact tabs 42 ensures that the trigger guard is held in place with a certain elasticity.

En outre, si un effort de traction est exercé sur le connecteur mâle 3, l'action de fixation retransmise par les plaques de blindage 40 vient s'ajouter aux forces de maintien produites par les contacts mâles 60 insérés en 61 dans la branche centrale 11.In addition, if a tensile force is exerted on the male connector 3, the fixing action retransmitted by the shielding plates 40 is added to the holding forces produced by the male contacts 60 inserted at 61 in the central branch 11 .

Les figures 9a à 9c représentent un connecteur de liaison entre un connecteur mâle et une carte fille 2. Il comporte un corps isolant avant 81 présentant des ouvertures dans lesquelles sont disposés des contacts femelles 83 se prolongeant par les conducteurs cylindriques 85 formant un coude à 90° en 86 et présentant une partie arrière 8è prolongée par les contacts mâles à insertion forcée 88. Les contacts cylindriques 85, 86, 87 sont noyés dans un bloc isolant arrière désigné par le repère général 89. Le corps isolant 81 présente, au voisinage des contacts mâles 88, un pion déformable à chaud 110 présentant une extrémité 115. Deux pions de centrage 114 encadrent le pion déformable 110. Le premier élément de blindage désigné par le repère général 91 comporte une face plane 92 formant un capot pour les extrémités dépassantes des contacts 88. Ce capot 92 se prolonge à une extrémité par des contacts à insertion forcée 94 qui forment avec lui un angle de 90° (pliure 93) et sa deuxième extrémité par un profil incliné à 45° 95, lequel se prolonge par une face plane 96 comportant une ouverture 100 de diamètre correspondant à celui du pion 110 pour laisser passer ses extrémités 115. L'ouverture 100 est encadrée par deux saillies 97 de contact destinées à coopérer avec les crosses 48. Les saillies 97 recoivent les extrémités des pions de centrage 114. La surface plane 96 se prolonge par une entretoise 99 formant avec elle un angle de 90°, ce qui définit ainsi un espace 120 apte à recevoir et prendre en sandwich une extrémité 2' de la carte fille 2. L'entretoise 99 définit un espace pour entourer et recevoir l'extrémité d'une carte fille 2. Un deuxième capot, désigné par le repère général 101, présente deux parties planes 102 et 106 raccordées par une pliure à 90° 105 de manière à suivre et à entourer le trajet des éléments conducteurs du connecteur. La partie plane 106 se prolonge par des contacts à insertion forcée 107 qui s'imbriquent avec les contacts 94 pour une bonne continuité de blindage. Les contacts 94 et 107 sont interconnectés par des conducteurs de la carte fille 2. L'extrémité distale de la partie plane 102 se prolonge par deux bras latéraux 104 dont la fonction est de permettre et de maintenir une continuité du contact de masse jusqu'à ce que les conducteurs principaux aient été déconnectés.FIGS. 9a to 9c represent a connector for connection between a male connector and a daughter card 2. It comprises a front insulating body 81 having openings in which are arranged female contacts 83 extending by the cylindrical conductors 85 forming a 90 ° bend ° at 86 and having a rear part 8th extended by the male contacts with forced insertion 88. The cylindrical contacts 85, 86, 87 are embedded in a rear insulating block designated by the general reference 89. The insulating body 81 has, in the vicinity of the male contacts 88, a hot deformable pin 110 having one end 115. Two centering pins 114 surround the deformable pin 110. The first shielding element designated by the general reference 91 has a flat face 92 forming a cover for the protruding ends of the contacts 88. This cover 92 is extended at one end by forced insertion contacts 94 which form with it a ngle of 90 ° (fold 93) and its second end by a profile inclined at 45 ° 95, which is extended by a flat face 96 having an opening 100 of diameter corresponding to that of the pin 110 to let its ends pass 115. The opening 100 is framed by two contact projections 97 intended to cooperate with the sticks 48. The projections 97 receive the ends of the centering pins 114. The flat surface 96 is extended by a spacer 99 forming with it an angle of 90 °, this who thus defines a space 120 suitable for receiving and sandwiching a 2 ′ end of the daughter card 2. The spacer 99 defines a space for surrounding and receiving the end of a daughter card 2. A second cover, designated by the general reference 101, has two flat parts 102 and 106 connected by a 90 ° bend 105 so as to follow and surround the path of the conductive elements of the connector. The flat part 106 is extended by forced insertion contacts 107 which overlap with the contacts 94 for good shielding continuity. The contacts 94 and 107 are interconnected by conductors of the daughter card 2. The distal end of the flat part 102 is extended by two lateral arms 104 whose function is to allow and maintain continuity of the ground contact up to the main conductors have been disconnected.

En se reportant également aux figures 10a à 10e, l'assemblage est effectué de la manière suivante : un outil à profil en L, désigné par le repère 112 épouse le contour du blindage 100 et permet l'insertion de ses contacts 107 dans la carte fille 2 en même temps que les contacts 88 sans déformer la plaque de blindage 101. Au cours de cette opération, les pions de centrage 114 qui entourent le pion déformable à chaud 110 sont introduits légèrement à force dans la carte fille 2 de manière à maintenir celle-ci provisoirement en place. Ensuite, le blindage 91 est mis en place par introduction à force dans les ouvertures correspondantes de la carte fille de ses contacts 94. L'ouverture 100 est traversée par l'extrémité 115 du pion 110. Pour l'introduction à force de ses contacts 94 dans la carte fille 2, la plaque de blindage 91 est également maintenue par un outil de forme correspondante qui l'entoure et empêche sa déformation.Referring also to FIGS. 10a to 10e, the assembly is carried out in the following manner: an L-profile tool, designated by the reference 112 follows the contour of the shield 100 and allows the insertion of its contacts 107 in the card daughter 2 at the same time as the contacts 88 without deforming the shielding plate 101. During this operation, the centering pins 114 which surround the hot deformable pin 110 are forcefully introduced into the daughter card 2 so as to maintain this provisionally in place. Then, the shield 91 is put in place by force introduction into the corresponding openings of the daughter board of its contacts 94. The opening 100 is crossed by the end 115 of the pin 110. For the force introduction of its contacts 94 in the daughter card 2, the shielding plate 91 is also held by a correspondingly shaped tool which surrounds it and prevents its deformation.

On procède ensuite à la déformation à chaud du pion 110, l'ensemble étant maintenu provisoirement en place d'une part par les pions de centrage 114 et par la fixation de la plaque 91 par ses contacts 94. Après déformation, l'extrémité 115 du pion 110 prend la forme d'une tête aplatie 111 (figures 10b et 10e). Les pions de centrage 114 ont ainsi une double fonction, à savoir d'une part produire un bon centrage de la carte fille indépendamment des déformations du pion 110 et d'autre part, maintenir provisoirement celle-ci en place lors de l'opération de déformation à chaud du pion 110.Then the hot deformation of the pin 110 is carried out, the assembly being temporarily held in place on the one hand by the centering pins 114 and by fixing the plate 91 through its contacts 94. After deformation, the end 115 of the pin 110 takes the form of a flattened head 111 (FIGS. 10b and 10e). The centering pins 114 thus have a double function, namely on the one hand producing a good centering of the daughter card independently of the deformations of the pin 110 and on the other hand, temporarily holding it in place during the operation of hot deformation of the pin 110.

Les figures 11a à 11c montrent l'intérêt du connecteur modulaire selon l'invention qui peuvent être utilisés soit individuellement (figure 11a) soit accolés par deux (figure 11b) ou en plus grand nombre, par exemple quatre (figure 11c).FIGS. 11a to 11c show the advantage of the modular connector according to the invention which can be used either individually (FIG. 11a) or joined in pairs (FIG. 11b) or in greater number, for example four (FIG. 11c).

Claims (11)

Elément modulaire de connexion électrique, comportant un corps isolant présentant un profil en forme de U aplati comportant une région centrale (11) pour recevoir des éléments de contact électrique et deux branches latérales (12, 13) qui présentent, dans une direction perpendiculaire à un plan du profil en U, une largeur (l) égale à celle dudit module, caractérisé en ce que chaque branche latérale comporte un élément de blindage (40) s'étendant sur une majeure partie de sa surface, un dit élément de blindage comportant au moins un moyen de contact électrique élastique (46, 48) sur une face interne de ladite branche latérale et au moins un moyen de connexion électrique à travers ledit corps isolant, ledit élément de blindage (40) présentant un moyen (45) pour le maintenir en position dans le corps isolant au moins dans le sens d'un arrachement sensiblement parallèle à un axe du profil en U.Modular electrical connection element, comprising an insulating body having a flattened U-shaped profile comprising a central region (11) for receiving electrical contact elements and two lateral branches (12, 13) which have, in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the U-shaped profile, a width (l) equal to that of said module, characterized in that each lateral branch comprises a shielding element (40) extending over a major part of its surface, a said shielding element comprising at at least one elastic electrical contact means (46, 48) on an internal face of said lateral branch and at least one electrical connection means through said insulating body, said shielding element (40) having means (45) for holding it in position in the insulating body at least in the direction of a tearing substantially parallel to an axis of the U-shaped profile. Elément modulaire selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de maintien en position comporte au moins une languette (45) repliée de sensiblement 90° par rapport à un plan de l'élément de blindage et coopérant avec au moins une rainure (20) du corps isolant.Modular element according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for holding in position comprises at least one tongue (45) folded back substantially at 90 ° relative to a plane of the shielding element and cooperating with at least one groove (20 ) of the insulating body. Elément modulaire selon une des revendications 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite coopération est obtenue par forçage d'une dite languette (45) dans la rainure correspondante (20).Modular element according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said cooperation is obtained by forcing a said tongue (45) in the corresponding groove (20). Elément modulaire selon une des revendications 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une dite rainure (20) est disposée sensiblement à la jointure (18) entre la branche centrale (11) et une branche latérale (12, 13).Modular element according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one said groove (20) is disposed substantially at the joint (18) between the central branch (11) and a lateral branch (12, 13). Elément modulaire selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de connexion électrique comporte au moins une patte de connexion (43) du type à montage à force ("press-fit").Modular element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connection means comprises at least one connection tab (43) of the press-fit type. Elément modulaire selon une des revendications 2 à 5, caractérisé en ce qu'un dit moyen de connexion électrique (43) comporte au moins une patte de connexion (43) présentant une partie coudée (44) présentant deux pliures alternées, et coopérant avec une butée (22) correspondante du corps isolant.Modular element according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said electrical connection means (43) comprises at least one connection tab (43) having a bent part (44) having two alternating folds, and cooperating with a corresponding stop (22) of the insulating body. Elément modulaire selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de blindage présentent un bord jouxtant la branche centrale (11) du corps central et comportant une pluralité de dits moyens de connexion (43) alternant avec une pluralité de dites languettes (45).Modular element according to claim 6, characterized in that the shielding elements have an edge adjoining the central branch (11) of the central body and comprising a plurality of said connection means (43) alternating with a plurality of said tongues (45) . Elément modulaire selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un élément de blindage (40) s'étend sur une face externe (32) de la branche latérale (12, 13) correspondante, laquelle présente une ouverture (17) agencée de manière à permettre un contact électrique élastique par sa face interne (31).Modular element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one shielding element (40) extends over an external face (32) of the corresponding lateral branch (12, 13), which has an opening (17) arranged to allow elastic electrical contact through its internal face (31). Dispositif de connexion électrique, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un premier ensemble d'éléments modulaires selon une des revendications précédentes, qui sont montés côte à côte solidaires d'une carte mère (1), au moins par lesdits moyens de connexion électrique (43).Electrical connection device, characterized in that it comprises a first set of modular elements according to one of the preceding claims, which are mounted side by side secured to a motherboard (1), at least by said electrical connection means ( 43). Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que le premier ensemble est constitué de pontets (4) pour connecteur de câble solidaires de la carte mère (1) uniquement par lesdits moyens de connexion électrique (43).Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first assembly consists of bridges (4) for cable connector secured to the motherboard (1) only by said electrical connection means (43). Dispositif selon la revendication 10 caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un deuxième ensemble d'éléments modulaires constitué par des connecteurs mâles (3) montés tête-bêche avec les pontets (4) du premier ensemble, les éléments de connexion électrique (43) des éléments modulaires correspondants des premier (4) et deuxième (3) ensembles étant imbriqués.Device according to claim 10 characterized in that it comprises a second set of modular elements constituted by male connectors (3) mounted head to tail with the bridges (4) of the first set, the electrical connection elements (43) of the corresponding modular elements of the first (4) and second (3) assemblies being nested.
EP92403518A 1991-12-23 1992-12-22 Modular electrical connector Expired - Lifetime EP0549461B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9116016 1991-12-23
FR9116016A FR2685556B1 (en) 1991-12-23 1991-12-23 MODULAR ELEMENT FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.

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EP0549461A1 true EP0549461A1 (en) 1993-06-30
EP0549461B1 EP0549461B1 (en) 1996-08-07

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US (1) US5277624A (en)
EP (1) EP0549461B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69212640T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2090558T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2685556B1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69212640T2 (en) 1996-12-05
FR2685556A1 (en) 1993-06-25
US5277624A (en) 1994-01-11
DE69212640D1 (en) 1996-09-12
ES2090558T3 (en) 1996-10-16
FR2685556B1 (en) 1994-03-25
EP0549461B1 (en) 1996-08-07

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