Patent Publication Number: US-7581984-B2

Title: Multicontact connector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     At present, most modular connectors used in the field of aviation are of the rear release/rear removable (RR/RR) type. 
     Such connectors are removed from the rear in satisfactory manner in a large number of intended utilizations. 
     For a multicontact connector fitted with contact elements formed by pins soldered to a printed circuit card, with said contact elements being carried by an insert disposed in a cavity of a connector body and the connector body being fastened to the card via its rear face, withdrawing the insert from the cavity becomes more difficult since it is not possible to pass an extractor tool from the rear face of the connector body. That operation requires the contact elements initially to be unsoldered from the card before it is possible to extract the insert. 
     Likewise, when sealing elements are provided at the rear of the cavity of the connector body, it can be difficult to pass an extractor tool from the rear face because of the presence of said sealing elements. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention seeks in particular to facilitate withdrawing an insert from a cavity of a connector body. 
     The invention thus provides a multicontact connector comprising:
         a connector body presenting front and rear faces and including at least one cavity extending between the front and rear faces and opening out therein;   at least one insert arranged to receive contact elements, in particular electrical or optical contact elements; and   at least one retention member arranged to retain the insert in the cavity of the connector body, the retention member comprising at least one elastically deformable tab movable between a locking position preventing the insert from being withdrawn from the cavity and a retracted position enabling the insert to be withdrawn from the cavity, in particular via the rear face of the connector body, the tab having at least two bearing faces, one of which is arranged in such a manner that a force applied thereagainst and directed towards the front face of the body of the connector causes the tabs to be retracted, and another one of which is arranged in such a manner that a force applied thereagainst and directed towards the rear face of the body of the connector causes said tabs to retract.       

     By means of the invention, it is possible to withdraw the insert from the cavity of the connector body by inserting an extractor tool from the rear face or from the front of the connector body in order to act on the tab so as to retract it. 
     The invention makes it easy to withdraw the insert from the cavity by passing an extractor tool from the front face, in particular when the connector includes contact elements soldered to a printed circuit card placed against the rear face of the connector body, or when the connector includes rear sealing elements that make it difficult to pass an extractor tool. 
     Whether the extractor tool is passed from the front face or from the rear face of the connector body, the insert is preferably always withdrawn from the cavity from the rear face of the connector body. 
     By way of example, the connector of the invention may be of the same type as connectors in the EPX A and B range sold by the supplier Radiall. 
     By way of example, the contact elements may be male or female electrical contact elements, or in a variant they may be optical contact elements. 
     The connector of the invention, whether of the electrical, optical, or opto-electrical type, can be used in the field of aviation, for example. 
     Advantageously, the tab includes at least one bearing edge, in particular an edge that is substantially rectilinear, which edge is arranged to bear against a shoulder of the insert, in order to retain the insert in the cavity of the connector body. 
     Preferably, the tab comprises:
         at least one locking tongue defining the front of the bearing edge and including at least one side edge; and   one or more actuator elements for actuating the locking tongue connected thereto via its side edge, a bearing face being formed on the or each actuator element enabling the elastically deformable tab to be retracted by exerting on said bearing face a force that is directed towards the rear face of the connector body.       

     The bearing and side edges of the locking tongue may be substantially perpendicular. 
     Advantageously, the locking tongue defines the bearing face enabling the tab to be retracted by exerting on said bearing face a force that is directed towards the front face of the connector body. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the locking tongue has two side edges, in particular parallel edges, each having an actuator element connected thereto. 
     In a variant, the tab may have only one actuator element. 
     The actuator element may in particular be bent. 
     The actuator element may comprise a first portion extending substantially parallel to the locking tongue and a second portion co-operating with the first portion to define the bend of the actuator element. 
     In a variant, the actuator element comprises a first portion that is inclined relative to the locking tongue and a second portion co-operating with the first to define the bend of the actuator element, the second portion sloping more steeply relative to the locking tongue than the first. 
     This enables the lever effect to be increased at the bearing edge so as to make it easier to remove the cavity when the extractor tool is inserted from the front face. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the actuator element extends beyond the bearing edge of the locking tongue. 
     By way of example, at least one of the bearing faces, and in particular both of them, is/are substantially plane. 
     The bearing faces enabling the tab to be retracted respectively from the front and rear faces of the connector body form between them an angle that lies in particular in the range 30° to 90°, and in particular is equal to about 60°. 
     Preferably, the retention member comprises a frame and the elastically deformable tab is connected to an inside edge of the frame. 
     The locking tongue advantageously forms an angle relative to the main plane of the frame that lies in particular in the range 5° to 30°, for example that is about 15°. 
     Advantageously, the frame includes a step arranged to bear against a shoulder of the connector body. 
     For example, the frame includes one and in particular two side portions, each being substantially rounded in shape. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the connector body has an inside wall defining the cavity, the wall having one or more setbacks arranged to receive at least in part the or each actuator element of the elastically deformable tab when retracted. 
     Advantageously, the connector body has one or more setbacks giving access to the actuator element(s) of the tab from the front face of the connector body. 
     The retention member is made by cutting out sheet metal, for example. 
     The invention also provides a retention member for a connector, the retention member comprising at least one elastically deformable tab movable between a locking position preventing the insert from being withdrawn from the cavity and a retracted position enabling the insert to be withdrawn from the cavity, the tab including at least two bearing faces, said faces being arranged in such a manner that a force applied to one of said faces and directed towards the front face of the connector body, or a force applied to the other of said faces and directed towards the rear face of the connector body causes the tabs to be retracted. 
     The invention also provides an extractor tool arranged to bear against the retention member of a connector as defined above, with a force enabling the elastically deformable tab of the retention member to be retracted, the tool being arranged to be capable of being applied against the tab by passing through the front face of the connector body. 
     Advantageously, the tool includes at least one branch, and in particular two substantially parallel branches, with two projections at the end of the or each branch for engaging in two openings formed in the connector body and accessible from the front face. 
     The invention also provides a method of removing an insert from a connector body in a connector as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:
         exerting a force, in particular with the help of an extractor tool, from the front face of the connector body on the tab of the retention member, in particular on one or more actuator elements of the tab, so as to cause the tab to retract; and   withdrawing the insert through the rear face of the connector body.       

     By way of example, the connector has its rear face secured to a printed circuit card. 
     The invention also provides a method of removing an insert from a connector body in a connector as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:
         exerting a force, in particular with the help of an extractor tool, from the rear face of the connector body, against the tab of the retention member in order to retract it; and   withdrawing the insert through the rear face of the connector body.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary view in longitudinal section of a connector constituting an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary face view of the  FIG. 1  connector; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view of a retaining member in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective views of two extractor tools; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal section view of the  FIG. 1  connector with an extractor tool inserted via its front face; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal section view of a connector constituting an embodiment of the invention, with an extractor tool inserted via its rear face; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view of a retaining member in another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are diagrammatic and fragmentary section views showing the tab of the  FIG. 8  retaining member, respectively in a rest position and in a retracted position. 
     
    
    
     MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a multicontact connector  1  comprising:
         a connector body  2  presenting front and rear faces  3  and  4  and having two cavities  5  and  6  of axis X extending between the front and rear faces  3  and  4  and opening out therein, the body  2  being made of metal or of composite material, for example; and   inserts  8  and  9  engaged respectively in the cavities  5  and  6 .       
     The insert  8  includes a plurality of housings  10 , each serving to receive a respective electrical contact element, e.g. in the form of pins  11 , which may present various diameters. 
     A printed circuit card  15  is fastened to the rear face  4  of the connector body  2 , over the cavity  5 . 
     The contact elements  11  are soldered to this printed circuit card  15 . 
     The insert  8  has a side wall  16  having shoulders  17  formed thereon that extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis X. 
     The cavity  5  is defined by an inside wall  18  of the connector body  2 . 
     Facing grooves  19  and likewise facing setbacks  20  are formed in the wall  18 , the grooves  19  being situated between the setbacks  20  and the rear face  4 . 
     The insert  9  includes a plurality of housings  23  that may be of at least two different types, or in a variant that may be identical, the housings being arranged to receive electrical or optical contact elements. 
     The insert  9  includes annular ribs  24  that press against an inside wall  25  defining the cavity  6 , so as to provide through sealing between the front and rear faces  3  and  4 . 
     The sealing ribs  24  are made for example on a rear portion  26  of elastomer material of the insert  9 . 
     Grooves  19  and setbacks  20  are formed in the inside wall  25 , as described above for the wall  18 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the connector body  2  forms four openings  27  in the front face  3  around the insert  8  for a purpose that is explained below. 
     The inserts  8  and  9  are retained in their respective cavities  5  and  6 , each by means of a pair of retention members  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , each retention element  30  comprises a frame  31  defining a window  32  in which there extends an elastically deformable tab  33  movable between a locking position preventing the insert  8  or  9  being withdrawn from the corresponding cavity  5  or  6 , and a retracted position enabling the insert  8  or  9  to be withdrawn from the cavity  5  or  6  through the rear face  4 . 
     The tab  33  has a generally plane locking tongue  34  defining a bearing edge  35  at the front and including two side edges  36  that are substantially parallel to each other. 
     The locking tongue  34  is connected to the frame  31  along an inside edge  46  of the frame  31 . 
     The tab  33  also has two actuator elements  38 , each connected to the locking tongue  34  via a side edge  36 ; 
     In the example shown, each actuator element  38  is bent, comprising a first portion  40  extending substantially parallel to the locking tongue  34 , and a second portion  41  co-operating with the first portion  40  to define the bend  42  of the actuator element  38 . 
     The first portion  40  is connected to the locking tongue  34 . 
     The second portions  41  of the actuator elements  38  extend beyond the bearing edge  35  of the locking tongue  34 . 
     In the rest position, the locking tongue  34  makes an angle relative to a main plane P of the frame  31  that lies in particular in the range 5° to 30°, for example being about 15°. 
     The second portion  41  of the actuator element  38  forms an angle A relative to the locking tongue  34  that is equal to about 60°, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Each locking tongue  34  and each second portion  41  of the actuator element  38  defines a respective bearing face  44  or  45 , each of the faces  44  and  45  being arranged in such a manner that a force applied to said face  44  or  45  and respectively directed towards the front face  3  or towards the rear face  4  of the connector body  2  causes the tab  33  to be retracted. 
     The frame  31  includes a step  47  arranged to press against a shoulder formed in a groove  19  of the connector body  2 . 
     The frame  31  also has two side portions  48 , each being of substantially rounded shape so as to match substantially the shape of the inside wall  18  or  25 . 
     In the locking position, the locking tabs  33  press against the shoulders  17  of the inserts  8  and  9 , serving to prevent the insert  8  or  9  from being withdrawn via the rear face  4  of the connector body  2 , as can be seen in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an extractor tool  50  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention suitable for acting on the locking tabs  33  so as to bring them into a retracted position. 
     The tool  50  comprises two substantially rectilinear and parallel branches  51  that are connected together by a rounded portion  52 . 
     Two projections  53  are provided at the free end of each of the branches  51 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an extractor tool  55  comprising two substantially rectilinear and parallel branches  56  each having a substantially rectilinear tip  57  at its end. 
     There follows a description of the operations for extracting an insert  8  or  9  from the corresponding cavity  5  or  6 . 
     When withdrawing the insert  8  from the cavity  5 , it should be observed that inserting an extractor tool via the rear face  4  is made difficult because of the presence of the printed circuit card  15 . 
     In order to retract the elastically deformable tabs  33  of the retention members  30 , thus enabling the insert  8  to be withdrawn from the cavity  5 , the extractor tool  50  is inserted via the front face  3  in such a manner that the projections  53  penetrate into the openings  27 . 
     By pushing on the extractor tool  50 , the projections  53  exert a force on the bearing faces  45  of the actuator elements  38 , thereby tending to cause the tab  33  to pivot away from the bearing edge  35  of the corresponding shoulder  17 . 
     The actuator elements  38  thus retract into the corresponding setbacks  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     It is then possible to extract the insert  8  from the cavity  5 . 
     The insert  9  is extracted from the cavity  6  in the same manner, by inserting the extractor tool  50  via the front face  3 . 
     When the insert  8  does not have sealing ribs  24 , there is sufficient space at the rear face  4  to enable the extractor tool  55  to be used to exert a force on the bearing faces  44  of the unlocking tongues  34  so as to retract the tab  33 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. 
     For example, the elastically deformable tab  33  could comprise a locking tongue  34  and only one actuator element  38 . 
     If so desired, the connector body  2  could have a single cavity  5  or  6 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a retention member  30 ′ constituting another embodiment of the invention, differing from the above-described retention member  30  by the fact that the first portion  40  of each actuator element  38  extends in a manner that is not parallel relative to the locking tongue  34 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 8 to 10 , the first portion  40  forms an angle B with the tongue  34 , e.g. having a value of about 15°, and the second portion  41  forms an angle C of about 55° with the locking tongue  34 . 
     The angular disposition of the portions  40  and  41  serves to increase the lever effect at the bearing edge  35  of the locking tongue  34  so as to make it easier to remove the insert when the extractor tool is inserted via the front face of the connector body. 
     Although the present invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.