Patent Description:
An electrical connector device is known in the state of the art, described in <CIT> and represented in <FIG>.

The electrical connector device <NUM> comprises a first connector element <NUM> and a second connector element <NUM> that are configured so as to be coupled mechanically along a first direction, which corresponds to a vertical direction of <FIG> of the present application.

After the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> have been coupled to one another, an elastic fastener <NUM> is positioned so as to fix the relative positioning between the connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>. The first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> are comprised of bodies made of plastic material that carry within them the electric terminals that can be coupled to one another following the mechanical connection between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>.

The elastic fastener <NUM> is mounted on the first connector element <NUM> at a grooved portion <NUM> positioned at a lower part of the connector element <NUM>. The elastic fastener <NUM> comprises a pair of end portions <NUM> configured so as to be able to slide along a surface of the first connector element <NUM> and to divaricate with respect to one another so as to be able to be elastically connected to a locking element <NUM> positioned on the second connector element <NUM>.

To prevent a possible uncoupling between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>, due for example to a pressure exerted on the central portion <NUM> of the elastic fastener <NUM>, which would therefore compromise the relative displacement between the two end branches <NUM> and therefore the possibility of distancing the first connector element <NUM> from the second connector element <NUM>, a safety locking member <NUM> is provided, positioned slidably along the first connector element <NUM>.

The safety locking member <NUM> is configured so as to be able to slide along the lateral surface of the connector element <NUM> so as to be interposed between the lateral wall of the first connector element <NUM> and the central portion <NUM> of the elastic fastener <NUM>.

Such configuration is particularly complicated both in economic terms, due to the presence of two additional elements, and from a practical point of view, as an operator must first work on the elastic fastener <NUM> and then on the safety locking member <NUM> thus increasing both the time necessary for making the connection and the difficulty of making such connection.

Therefore, the aim of the present invention is that of providing a single coupling element configured so as to guarantee a correct positioning of the first connector element and of the second connector element and to fix the first connector element to the second connector element without requiring the presence of a second external additional element that allows such aim to be performed, as instead happens in the state of the art.

A further connector of the state of the art is known from <CIT>.

The present invention is based on the idea of providing a coupling element that makes it possible to both ensure and fix the correct relative positioning between a first connector element and a second connector element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention a coupling is provided which is configured to ensure and fix the correct relative positioning between a first connector element and a second connector element. The first connector element and the second connector element are configured so as to be able to be coupled to one another along the first direction. The coupling element comprises a first arched portion, having a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, and a second arched portion, having a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, wherein the first terminal portion of the first arched portion is connected to the first terminal portion of the second arched portion. The coupling element further comprises a first locking means comprising at least a first positioning projection and a second positioning projection that extend from the first arched portion and are configured so as to be inserted within an opening of the first connector element and into a groove of the second connector element for fixing the relative positioning of the first connector element with respect to the second connector element along the first direction. The coupling element further comprises a second locking means comprising a closing means positioned at the second terminal portion of the first arched portion and of the second terminal portion of the second arched portion; wherein the closing means is configured so as to fix the second terminal portion of the first arched portion to the second terminal portion of the second arched portion so as to fix the relative positioning between the first connector element and the coupling element along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows the first connector element to be "embraced" along the entire outer peripheral surface thereof by means of the connector element. In the present description, the term "arched" means any shape that allows an external body to be "embraced". For example, an arched portion may be a portion that joins two different points by means of two or more broken lines or by means of a continuous curved line. This solution is also advantageous as it makes it possible to have a single element, represented by the coupling element, able to ensure and fix the correct relative positioning between the first and the second connector element. This is guaranteed by the presence of the first locking means and the second locking means. In particular, the first locking means is able, thanks to the presence of at least one positioning projection, to pass through an opening of the first connector element and a groove of the second connector element so as to be able to fix the relative positioning along a direction that is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the coupling element. Additionally, in the presence of the second locking means the fixing of the coupling element to the first connector element is guaranteed, so as to be able to guarantee the relative positioning between the first connector element and the second connector element. In fact, by locking the movement of the first connector element it will be possible to prevent the uncoupling of the coupling element from the two connector elements. In practice, such second locking means guarantees obtaining the same function as the safety locking member described in the electrical connector device known in the state of the art.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a coupling element is provided, in which the second locking means further comprises a fixing projection positioned at a terminal portion of the first projecting element of the first locking means and configured so as to lock the relative positioning between the projecting element of said first locking means and said second connector element. This solution is advantageous as it allows the relative positioning between the coupling element and the second connector element to be locked by means of a fixing projection positioned on the first projecting element so that the first projecting element acts both as the first locking means along the first direction and, by means of such fixing projection positioned at the end thereof, as the second locking means.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a coupling element is provided, in which the first locking means comprises a first projecting element and a second projecting element, wherein a terminal portion of each of the first projecting element and of the second projecting element comprises a fixing projection configured so as to lock a relative positioning between the projecting elements of the first locking means and the second connector element. This solution enables uniform locking to be obtained between the first connector element and the second connector element thanks to the fact that the locking along the first direction is provided by two different fixing projections positioned on two separate projecting elements.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a coupling element is provided, wherein the first positioning projection and the second positioning projection of the first locking means are configured so as to be elastically deformable along a perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the first projecting element. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows the projecting element to be elastically deformed and therefore a fixing projection able to act as the second locking means to be able to be installed on the terminal portion of the projecting element. In fact, thanks to such elasticity, the projecting element, with the end on which the fixing projection is positioned, can be effectively inserted within a groove having a lower height with respect to the height of the projecting element in proximity to the fixing projection.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a coupling element is provided, wherein the closing means of the second locking means comprises a hook closure wherein a male hook portion is positioned preferably at said second terminal portion of said first arched portion and a female hook portion is positioned preferably at said second terminal portion of said second arched portion. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows a common hook closure to be used for connecting and fixing the second terminal portion of the first arched portion with the second terminal portion of the second arched portion. Furthermore, given the reversibility of the hook type opening, it will be possible to reuse such coupling element various times.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a coupling element is provided, further comprising a third locking means configured so as to fix the positioning of said coupling element with respect to said first connector element along a circumferential direction of said first connector element, said third locking means comprising a locking protrusion that extends along an internal circumferential surface of said second arched portion. Thanks to the presence of the third locking means, it will be possible to prevent the opening of the coupling element due for example to high vibrations to which a coupling element can be subject.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a coupling element is provided, wherein the first arched portion is provided integrally with the second arched portion, wherein a connection portion is configured so as to connect the first terminal portion of the first arched portion to the first terminal portion of the second arched portion. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows a single and strong coupling to be provided thanks to the fact that the first arched portion is provided integrally with the second arched portion.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a coupling element is provided, wherein each of the first arched portion and the second arched portion comprises a semicircular body. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows two semicircular bodies to be obtained that are easily adapted to the outer lateral surface of the first connector element in the case in which it has a cylindrical outer lateral surface. In fact, thanks to the curved surface, it will be possible to obtain a better support of the first arched portion and of the second arched portion on the outer lateral surface of the first connector element.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector device is provided comprising a coupling element according to any one of the preceding embodiments and a first connector element and a second connector element. The first connector element and the second connector element bearing respective electrical terminals with respective bodies that can be coupled to one another being configured so as to be able to be coupled to one another along the first direction. The first connector element comprising a first lateral opening configured so as to be able to allow the passage of the first positioning projection and of the second positioning projection of the first locking means. The second connector element comprising a first lateral groove configured so as to house the first positioning projection and the second positioning projection of the first locking means, the first lateral groove comprising a wall perpendicular to the first direction and positioned above the the first and second positioning projections of said first locking means so as to fix the relative positioning of the first connector element with respect to the second connector element along the first direction; wherein the closing means of the second locking means is configured so as to rest the coupling element against an outer surface of the first connector element so as to fix the coupling element to the first connector element. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows the connection to be made between the first connector element and the second connector element thanks to the presence of a single coupling element able to perform a double function: that of ensuring the relative positioning between the first connector element and the second connector element and that of fixing such connection so as to be able to prevent a possible uncoupling between the two elements. In particular, the first locking means is able to lock the relative movement along the first direction between the first and the second connector element, thanks to the insertion of projections along a perpendicular direction with respect to the first direction, so that an abutment surface positioned above the projecting element of the first locking means is able to prevent the coupling element from being translated along the first direction and therefore prevent a relative movement between the second connector element and the coupling element along the first direction. Furthermore, the locking of the relative movement along the second direction is guaranteed thanks to the fact that the closing means of the second locking means is configured so as to rest the outer surface of the first connector element, so as to be able to be engaged therewith.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention an electrical connector device is provided, wherein the first connector element comprises a support groove positioned along an outer lateral wall of the first connector element and extending along a perpendicular direction to the first direction, the support groove is configured so as to be coupled with a locking protrusion of the second arched portion so as to lock a circumferential positioning between the second arched portion of the coupling element and the first connector element. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows uncoupling to be prevented which could happen because of the vibrations to which the electrical connector device is subject. In fact, it could happen that, because of vibrations, the closure hook of the second locking means opens. However, the presence of such support groove and of such locking protrusion allows the vibrations to which the second locking means is subjected to be dampened, thus reducing the probability of the second locking means being able to open.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention an electrical connector device is provided in which the first connector element further comprises a second lateral groove configured so as to house the first locking means, wherein the second groove comprises a wall perpendicular to the first direction and positioned above the first locking means so as to fix the relative positioning of the first connector element with respect to the second connector element along the first direction.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention an electrical connector device is provided, in which the first and the second lateral groove have an open terminal portion configured so as to allow fixing projections of the second locking means to be fixed to the first and to the second lateral groove. This solution is particularly advantageous as it allows the grooves of the second conductor element to be used both for the locking of the coupling element along the first direction and for the locking of the coupling element along the second direction.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention an electrical connector device is provided, wherein the first connector element and the second connector element have a substantially cylindrical shape. In the present description, the term cylindrical identifies any curve having a cylindrical surface (e.g. an elliptical cylinder or a parabolic cylinder).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided for ensuring and fixing a coupling between a first connector element and a second connector element by means of a coupling element according to any one of the embodiments defined in the previous paragraphs; said method comprising the following steps:.

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numbers and/or marks indicate the same parts and/or similar parts and/or corresponding parts of the system.

The present invention is described in the following by making reference to particular embodiments as shown in the accompanying figures. However, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described in the following detailed description and depicted in the figures, rather the embodiments described simply exemplify the various aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims. Further modifications in relation to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in art.

<FIG> show two three-dimensional views of a coupling between a first connector element <NUM> and a second connector element <NUM>, with a coupling element <NUM> configured so as to fix the mechanical coupling between the first conductor element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As can be seen in the figure, the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> are elements intended to be electrically connected to one another through mechanical type operations actuated by a user.

According to the prior art, the connector elements <NUM> and <NUM> are formed by respective bodies of preferably elastic material that supports and houses respective electrical terminals that can be coupled to one another following the mechanical connection, and therefore the coupling, between the two elements <NUM> and <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the coupling between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> is performed by means of a pressure exerted on the first connector element <NUM> above the second connector element <NUM> along the direction R1 shown in the figure (hereinafter referred to as "first direction R1").

The construction details related to the electrical terminals of the two elements <NUM> and <NUM> are not presented as such details may be performed in any way known in the state of the art. Furthermore, the removal of these details from the drawings makes the latter clearer and easier to understand.

The first connector element <NUM> can be a plug connector whereas the second connector element <NUM> can be an external header connector. However, it is clear that the present invention can also operate in the event in which the first connector element is made of an external header connector and the second connector element is made of a plug connector.

The first connector element <NUM> like the second connector element <NUM> is made, as mentioned, of plastic material, for example PA46-GF30 plastic.

Such features of the first connector element <NUM> and of the second connector element <NUM> are valid both for the first and for the second embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, the second connector element has a height D12 that can preferably be equal to <NUM>. Furthermore, as shown in the view from above of <FIG>, the width D13 of the second connector element <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM> whereas the depth D14 thereof is preferably equal to <NUM>.

However, it is clear that such measurements can vary according to requirements in the event in which a second connector element <NUM> is to be created having different features.

In the same way, as shown in <FIG> the depth D15 of the first connector element is preferably equal to <NUM> whereas the length D16 and the height D17 are preferably <NUM> and <NUM> respectively.

Returning to the coupling between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the mechanical connection is made by means of a coupling element <NUM> that is inserted through the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> along a direction R2 (hereinafter called "second direction R2") which is perpendicular to the first direction R1.

The coupling element <NUM> is preferably made of plastic material, e.g. PA46-GF30 plastic.

Below, with reference to <FIG>, the features of the first connector element <NUM> and of the second connector element <NUM> and of the coupling element <NUM> will be presented in detail. Following such detailed description, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the coupling mode will be described between the three elements together. The following examples regarding the coupling element <NUM> are not according to the invention and are present for illustration purposes only.

As described in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> from which a series of projecting elements extend.

In the first place, a pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> extends from lateral portions of the main body <NUM> and is configured so that the projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> are elastically deformable along a parallel plane to the plane on which the coupling element <NUM> lies so that the two projections <NUM> and <NUM> can be moved towards and away from one another by exercising pressure thereon.

On such projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> two openings <NUM> and <NUM> are made, which extend along a longitudinal direction of the projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM>. As will become clearer from the following description, the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> form, together with the openings <NUM> and <NUM>, a "second locking means".

Furthermore, as clearly shown in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> comprises three projecting elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> which substantially extend perpendicularly from the main body <NUM>. As can be seen in the figure, the projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> were omitted from such figure so as to be able to show the arrangement of the projections <NUM> and <NUM> more clearly.

The three projecting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form a first locking means.

For simplicity purposes, in the following description the projecting element <NUM> will simply be called the first projection of the first locking means whereas the projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> will be respectively referred to as second and third projection of the first locking means. Preferably, the three projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means are fixed stably to the main body therefore preferably having high rigidity in spite of the elasticity of the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> and of the second locking means.

The first projection <NUM> is positioned centrally in a lower portion of the main body <NUM> whereas the second and third projection <NUM> and <NUM> are always positioned in a lower portion of the main body but symmetrically opposite with respect to the first projection <NUM>. The longitudinal extension of the second and third projection is, as will be described below, much higher with respect to the longitudinal extension of the first projection <NUM> so that the second and the third projection <NUM> and <NUM> can reach further portions of external elements. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the second and third projection <NUM> and <NUM>, have a curved inner surface. In the present description, inner surface of the second and third projection <NUM> and <NUM> means a surface facing towards the first projection <NUM>.

This curved conformation allows, as will become clearer from the following description, an external body to be able to be "embraced" so as to position such external body between the second projection <NUM> and the third projection <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a detail of a view from above of the coupling element <NUM> in which all the projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second locking means can be seen.

As can be appreciated from the view from above of <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> is perfectly symmetrical with respect to a central axis, at which the first projection <NUM> of the first mounting means is placed.

<FIG> shows a detail of the openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM>.

Even if, for simplicity purposes, the drawing only shows the opening <NUM>, it is clear that also the opening <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, preferably has the same conformation as the opening <NUM>. As can be seen in the detail, the height of the opening <NUM> along a longitudinal length of the projecting element <NUM> varies: a first portion 37a has a height along a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal direction of the projecting element <NUM> that is shorter with respect to the height of the second portion 37b positioned closer to the distal portion of the projecting element <NUM>.

Between the first portion 37a and the second portion 37b there is preferably a step 37c perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the projecting element <NUM>, which allows the passage from the first portion 37a to the second portion 37b.

With reference to <FIG> an idea of reference values that the coupling element <NUM> can assume will be provided.

As can be seen, and as also shown in <FIG>, the shape of the coupling element <NUM> seen in plan view is of a substantially circular element wherein a portion of the circle is removed to allow the coupling element <NUM> to be coupled with an external body.

Therefore, it is possible to talk about the diameter of the coupling element D1 that will preferably be equal to <NUM>. The distance D2 between an outer portion of the second projection <NUM> and an outer portion of the third projection <NUM> of the first locking means is preferably equal to <NUM>. In the same way the first projection <NUM> has a substantially quadratic shape and has a length D3 preferably equal to <NUM> and a width D4 preferably equal to <NUM>.

Instead, with regard to the second locking means, the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> has a height D5 preferably equal to <NUM>. The distal portion 37b (second portion) of the opening <NUM> has a height D6 preferably equal to <NUM> whereas the first portion 37a of the opening <NUM> preferably has a height D9 equal to <NUM>.

Therefore, the step 37c between the first portion 37a and the second portion 37b, which is preferably equal in a lower portion and an upper portion of the opening <NUM>, will preferably be equal to <NUM>. The length D7 of the second and of the third projection <NUM> and <NUM> of the first locking means is preferably equal to <NUM> whereas the total extension D8 of the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> of the second locking means is preferably equal to <NUM>. The total height D10 of the coupling element <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM>. Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, the first projection <NUM> of the first locking means which, as previously mentioned, is substantially quadratic shaped, has a height D11 preferably of <NUM>.

Now with reference to <FIG>, the features of the second connector element <NUM> will be shown in detail.

In the present description, only the necessary features of the second connector element for the realisation of the present invention will be underlined.

However, it is clear that the second connector element <NUM> can have numerous variations with respect to what has been described up to now, as the present invention is not limited to this particular embodiment of the second connector element <NUM> rather, as will become clearer from the following description, it relates to a coupling element that guarantees the coupling and fixing between the first connector element and the second connector element.

As can be seen in <FIG>, which show two three-dimensional views of the second connector element <NUM>, in this embodiment the second connector element <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> on which a substantially cylindrical body is placed having a plurality of protrusions on the cuter surface thereof. It is clear that, for example, the base <NUM> can have any other shape able to allow the coupling of the second connector element <NUM> to an external element.

As will be explained below, the presence of the protrusions guarantees for the coupling element <NUM> to fix a positioning along the first direction R1 between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>.

On the cylindrical lateral surface <NUM> there are two symmetrically opposite protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> positioned at about half the height of the cylindrical lateral surface <NUM>. Protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged below such protrusions. The second and third projection <NUM> and <NUM> of the first locking means are configured so as to be interposed between the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. In this way the curved portion of the second and third projection <NUM> and <NUM> will contact the outer surface <NUM> of the second connector element positioned between the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> and the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM>.

Furthermore, an upper surface of the second and third projection <NUM> and <NUM> (which preferably have a flat shape) will abut with a lower surface of the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM>, so that the coupling element <NUM> cannot move along the first direction R1 with respect to the second connector element <NUM>. Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, on the lateral surface <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM> there is a further protrusion <NUM> placed substantially at the same height as the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> and configured so as to be able to house the first projection <NUM> of the first locking means.

As clarified from the present description, the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> form a first groove <NUM> comprised between the upper wall of the protrusion <NUM>, the lateral wall <NUM> and the lower wall of the protrusion <NUM>. Furthermore, the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> form a second groove <NUM> formed by the upper wall of the protrusion <NUM> of the lateral wall <NUM> and the lower wall of the protrusion <NUM>. Additionally, the protrusion <NUM> forms a groove <NUM> below. Such groove will be formed by the lower wall of the protrusion <NUM> and the upper wall of the base <NUM>.

As shown from the overturned view of the second conductor element <NUM> shown in <FIG> on the lower surface of the base <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM> a sealing element <NUM> may be placed to allow the seal between the second connector element <NUM> and an element placed below. Such sealing element <NUM> is preferably made of rubber by means of a generic silicone.

<FIG> shows a three-dimensional view of the first connector element <NUM>.

Also the first connector element <NUM>, like the second connector element <NUM>, has an outer lateral surface <NUM> that is substantially cylindrical. A pair of first projections <NUM>, <NUM> and a pair of second projections <NUM>, <NUM> are placed on the outer surface, which project outside the lateral surface <NUM>.

As can be seen in the drawing, and as becomes clear from the previous description of the openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the pair of projecting elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the second locking means, the height of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> of the first pair of projections along the first direction R1 is less than the height of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> of the second pair of projections.

Furthermore, the lateral surface <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM> comprises three openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> configured so as to allow the projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means to pass through them. Therefore, such openings shall be found in positions corresponding to the three projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means.

It is clear that if the number of projections of the first locking means is different from three, the number of openings positioned on the outer lateral surface <NUM> will preferably be equal to the number of projections of the first locking means.

Therefore, in the particular embodiment of the present invention, the first opening <NUM> will be at a central position and the openings <NUM>, <NUM> will be configured so as to house the second projection and the third projections <NUM> and <NUM> respectively and will therefore be placed symmetrically opposite with respect to the first opening <NUM>.

Furthermore, as shown in the figures, above the first opening <NUM>, a sealing element <NUM> is preferably placed, represented by a rubber projection (made of a generic silicone) able to isolate the area of the electrical connection from the outside. Such element can prevent dust, damp and water or other fluids from penetrating into the electrical connection, preventing compromising the electrical functionality of the connection.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG> and <FIG>, the coupling method of the first connector element <NUM> with the second connector element <NUM> by means of the coupling element <NUM> will be described herein.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> is pre-mounted on the outer surface <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM> by means of the interaction between the openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> and the pair of first projections <NUM> and <NUM> positioned on the outer surface <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM>.

This solution allows the first connector element <NUM> to be provided with the coupling element <NUM> pre-mounted thereon so as to proceed with the coupling of two different elements from one another: the pair formed by the connector element <NUM> and the coupling element <NUM> with the second connector element <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the pair formed by the first connector element <NUM> and by the coupling element <NUM> is moved with respect to the second connector element <NUM> along the first direction R1. The correct final positioning between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> will be terminated precisely by the coupling element <NUM> which will be able to fix the relative positioning between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> only in the event in which the relative position between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> is a predetermined position.

In fact, in the event that it is not, the projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means will not be coupled correctly with the grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM> and the operator will not then be able to fix the coupling element <NUM> to the first connector element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, which shows a subsequent state to the one shown in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> is translated along the direction R2 which is perpendicular to the direction R1 so that the projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means enter into the grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM>.

Thanks to such translation of the first locking means, the coupling element <NUM> will be able to be translated from the pre-mounting position shown in <FIG> to the final position shown in <FIG> wherein the coupling element <NUM> is in a fixing position, wherein the openings <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed to the pair of second projections <NUM> and <NUM> positioned on the outer lateral surface <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM>.

To explain in more detail the way in which the coupling element <NUM> is fixed to the first connector element <NUM>, reference is made to <FIG> in which the various steps are shown schematically through a sectional view from above of the connector device <NUM>.

As can be seen in such figures, the second connector element <NUM> has been omitted such as to be able to more clearly represent the coupling between the first connector element <NUM> and the coupling element <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a previous state to the coupling wherein the first connector element <NUM> and the coupling element <NUM> are completely uncoupled from one another.

Following a translation along the second direction R2 shown by the arrow in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> reaches a pre-mounting position, in which it is pre-mounted on the first connector element <NUM> through a coupling of the pair of first projections <NUM> and <NUM> with the openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM>.

At this point, after such pre-mounting has been performed, the pair formed by the first connector element <NUM> and the coupling element <NUM> can be coupled to the second connector element <NUM>.

Between the step shown in <FIG> and the step shown in <FIG> the projections <NUM> and <NUM> of the first locking means are inserted within the openings <NUM> and <NUM> positioned on the outer lateral surface <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM>.

In any case, the present invention is not limited to this particular method. In fact, it is possible to proceed at a first time with the coupling between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> and, in a second step, mount the coupling element <NUM> thus ensuring the coupling between the first and the second connector element <NUM> and <NUM> and fixing it.

However, according to a preferable embodiment, as mentioned, following a pre-coupling between the first connector element <NUM> and the coupling element <NUM>, the mechanical coupling with the second connector element <NUM> takes place. In a third step, shown in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> has been translated along the direction R2 so that the projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means have penetrated into the grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector element.

As it will have been possible to see, between the step shown in <FIG> and the step shown in <FIG>, the first projection <NUM> of the first locking means is inserted through the opening <NUM> positioned on the outer lateral surface <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM>.

Therefore, in the step shown in <FIG>, the openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled in a fixed way to the pair of second projections <NUM> and <NUM>.

It is clear that, thanks to the elasticity of the pair of projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> of the coupling element <NUM>, between the step shown in <FIG> and the step shown in <FIG> the projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> are moved away from one another so as to overtake the step formed by the pair of second projections 13a, 14a and, after reaching the top of the step 13a, 14a, thanks to a further translation along the second direction R2, the projecting elements <NUM> and <NUM> move towards one another and remain "wedged" to the pair of second projections <NUM>, <NUM> along the edge 13b, 14b of the second projections.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of the state in which the coupling element <NUM> is fixed to the first connector element <NUM> (state shown in <FIG>), so as to lock the relative positioning between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>.

As can be seen, the projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking elements are inserted into the grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM> and the pair of projecting elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the second locking means is fixed to the pair of second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM>.

In this state, the horizontal displacement between the coupling element <NUM> and the pair formed by the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> is locked by the interaction between the openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the pair of projecting elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the second locking means and the pair of second projections <NUM>, <NUM>.

In this way, the relative displacement along the first direction R1 perpendicular to the sectional plane shown in <FIG> is locked thanks to an interaction of the first locking means and the lower wall of the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> positioned on the outer lateral surface <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a particular feature of the present embodiment.

In the case in which, as previously mentioned, the coupling element <NUM> is pre-mounted on the first connector element <NUM> before the coupling takes place with the second connector element <NUM>, it is possible to use the relative positioning between the coupling element <NUM> and the first connector element <NUM> to make sure that the coupling with the second connector element <NUM> only takes place in the particular case in which the positioning of the second and third projecting element <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means into the openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM> is a correct positioning, in which the coupling element <NUM> is inserted within the openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM> for a length less than or equal to a predetermined length.

For example, as shown in Figure 21b, in the case in which the first and the second projections <NUM>, <NUM> of the first locking means are inserted too deep, they prevent the second connector element <NUM> from being mechanically connected to the pair formed by the first connector element <NUM> and the coupling element <NUM>.

On this point, Figure 21a shows instead a state in which the coupling element <NUM> and the first connector element <NUM> are positioned correctly in which the connection can take place with the second connector element <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a second embodiment of the present invention will be presented herein, which is the main embodiment of the present invention.

Common elements to the first embodiment shall be identified with the same reference numbers.

In particular, also in the second embodiment the coupling takes place between a first connector element <NUM> and a second connector element <NUM> having analogous features to those of the first embodiment. The substantial difference between the first and the second embodiment is the particular shape of the coupling element <NUM> which, in this case, has slightly different features, which will be explained in detail in the following description.

As shown in <FIG>, the electrical connector device <NUM> comprises: a first connector element <NUM>, a second connector element <NUM> and a coupling element <NUM> configured so as to ensure and fix the coupling between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>.

With respect to the connector element <NUM>, shown for the first embodiment, in the present embodiment it is preferable for the first connector element <NUM> to have a longitudinal support groove <NUM> positioned along a circumferential surface of the outer lateral surface <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM> and a lateral opening <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). As can be seen in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> is configured so as to "embrace" the outer lateral surface <NUM> of the first conductor element <NUM>.

The features of the coupling element <NUM> will be explained in detail below and, following such description, the particular operation of such coupling element <NUM> will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, the coupling element <NUM> comprises a first arched portion <NUM> and a second arched portion <NUM>, connected to one another by a connection portion <NUM> configured so as to allow a first terminal portion of the first arched portion <NUM> to be connected to a first terminal portion of the second arched portion <NUM>.

In the other two second terminal portions of the first arched portion <NUM> and of the second arched portion <NUM> a hooking system is placed. In particular, according to the particular embodiment described in the figure, the first arched portion <NUM> comprises a male hook portion <NUM> and the second arched portion <NUM> has a female hook portion <NUM> configured so as to be coupled mechanically to the male hook portion <NUM>.

In this way, as shown in <FIG>, when the male hook portion <NUM> is coupled to the female hook portion <NUM>, the first arched portion <NUM> and the second arched portion <NUM> close the circle in which a first terminal part of the two arched portions <NUM>, <NUM> is connected by means of the connection portion <NUM>, and the other second terminal portion is connected by means of the hook formed by the male hook portion <NUM> and the female hook portion <NUM>.

As can be noted, between <FIG>, the connection portion <NUM> has two different shapes. <FIG> shows a connection portion <NUM> formed integrally with the first arched portion <NUM> and the second arched portion <NUM>, so that the coupling element <NUM> forms an integral element. Instead, <FIG> shows an additional connection portion <NUM> that connects the first arched portion <NUM> with the second arched portion <NUM> so as to connect them to one another.

Therefore, in the present invention, the coupling element <NUM> can be formed integrally or formed by two distinct and separate bodies which are coupled to one another by means of the connection portion <NUM>.

The connection portion <NUM> is configured so as to allow the relative displacement between the first arched portion <NUM> and the second arched portion <NUM>. Preferably, the first arched portion <NUM> forms a first semi-circle and the arched portion <NUM> forms a second semi-circle. However, it will also be possible that the first arched portion <NUM> forms a larger portion of a semi-circle (an arc of a circle or ellipse), and the second arched portion <NUM> forms a smaller portion of a semi-circle (an arc of a circle or ellipse) or vice versa.

As shown in the figure, the first arched portion <NUM> comprises a first semi-circular body <NUM> on which a base portion <NUM> is installed on which a first positioning projection <NUM> and a second positioning projection <NUM> are installed which extend from it along an at least partially perpendicular direction from such base portion <NUM>. The positioning projections <NUM>, <NUM> are projections that allow, as will be illustrated below, the correct positioning to be obtained between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM>.

The first positioning projection <NUM> and the second positioning projection <NUM> have an at least partially arched inner surface, so as to be able to "embrace" an external body, for example elliptical or cylindrical. Preferably, also the outer surface will have an arched surface. In the present description, inner surface means a surface turned towards the first positioning projection <NUM> or towards the second positioning projection <NUM> and outer surface means a surface opposite it.

The upper terminal portion of the first positioning projection and of the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> each comprise a fixing projection <NUM>, <NUM> which, as will become clearer in the continuation of the description, allows the coupling of the coupling element <NUM> with the connector element <NUM>. As shown in the figure, such fixing projection is positioned at an upper terminal portion of the positioning projections.

Furthermore, the second arched portion <NUM> also comprises a second semicircular body <NUM> on which a locking protrusion <NUM> is placed, configured so as to extend along the circumference of the second semicircular body <NUM>. Such locking protrusion <NUM> is preferably in a central portion along the first direction R1 of the second semicircular body <NUM>.

Now with reference to <FIG>, the preferable features of the lengths of the coupling element <NUM> will be presented in detail.

As shown in <FIG>, which shows a view from above of the coupling element <NUM>, the outer diameter D19 of the first semicircular body <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM> whereas the outer diameter D18 of the first and of the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM>. The height D20 of the locking protrusion <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM>. Height in this case means the extension length of the protrusion <NUM> along a perpendicular direction to the surface on which the protrusion <NUM> is located.

The height D22 of the first and the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM>, whereas the height D23 of the first positioning projection and of the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> at the fixing projections is preferably equal to <NUM>. Furthermore, the height D24 of the first arched portion and of the second arched portion <NUM> and <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the inner diameter D25 placed at the locking protrusion <NUM> is preferably equal to <NUM> whereas, as shown in <FIG>, the outer diameter D27 of the first arched portion and of the second arched portion <NUM>, <NUM> in a state in which the first arched portion <NUM> is fixed to the second arched portion <NUM> by means of the hook, is preferably equal to <NUM>. In the same way, the outer diameter obtained, in the same state, of the outer hook, is preferably equal to <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the fixing mode of the coupling element <NUM> to the second connector element <NUM> will be shown. To show such coupling more clearly, in such figure the first connector element <NUM> has been omitted.

As can be seen in the figure, the first positioning projection and the second positioning projection <NUM> and <NUM> are configured so as to be channelled into the lateral groove <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM>, as happened in the first embodiment of the present invention.

This "channelling" is precisely what allows the first connector element <NUM> to be positioned in a correct position with respect to the second connector element <NUM>, from which the name "positioning projection" derives. However, as will be described below, the positioning projections <NUM>, <NUM> also act as locking means as they allow a fixing between the first connector element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> along the first direction R1.

However, unlike the first embodiment, the terminal portion of the first and of the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM>, as previously described, have fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM>, which are also able to allow the locking of the coupling element <NUM> to the second connector element <NUM> along the second direction R2.

In fact, when the first and the second projection <NUM>, <NUM> are inserted along the lateral grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, such positioning projections <NUM>, <NUM> are configured so as to be slightly flexible along the second direction (perpendicular to the extension direction of the positioning projections <NUM>, <NUM>), so that the fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM> can also be inserted into the lateral grooves <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the terminal portion of the lateral grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, thanks to the elasticity of the positioning projections <NUM>, <NUM>, such projections are configured so as to return into the initial position making sure that the fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM> remain wedged with a terminal wall of the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector element <NUM>.

In this way, it will be possible to lock the movement of the coupling element <NUM> along the second direction R2. Such a configuration of the first positioning projection <NUM> and of the second positioning projection <NUM> comprising the fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM> as described in the figure, can also be applied to the first embodiment and in particular in the terminal portions of the second and of the third projecting element of the first mounting means <NUM>, <NUM>.

When the first and the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> are inserted into the lateral grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, as previously mentioned, the relative movement between the coupling element <NUM> and the second connector element <NUM> is locked both along the first direction R1 and along the second direction R2, thanks to the first and the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> and the presence of the fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively.

Below, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the two steps that allow the coupling of the coupling element <NUM> to the first and the second connector element <NUM>, <NUM> will be explained.

Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the coupling element <NUM> is preferably coupled to the first and to the second connector element <NUM>, <NUM> after the first conductor element <NUM> has been coupled to the second conductor element <NUM> along the first direction R1.

In fact, as shown in <FIG>, after the first conductor element <NUM> has been positioned at the second conductor element <NUM>, the first and the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> of the coupling element <NUM> are inserted into the lateral opening <NUM> of the first connector element <NUM>. In this way, such positioning projections <NUM>, <NUM> will then enter the grooves <NUM>, <NUM> of the second conductor element <NUM> so as to realise the fixing that was previously described in relation to <FIG>.

In the subsequent state, which is shown in <FIG>, the first positioning projection and the second positioning projection <NUM>, <NUM> are inserted until the fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM> fix the positioning of the coupling element <NUM> with respect to the second connector element <NUM> along the second direction R2.

Subsequently, the operator will exert a pressure along the second semicircular body <NUM> so that the second arched portion <NUM> closes the circle and the female hook portion <NUM> of the second arched portion <NUM> is placed at the male hook portion <NUM> of the first arched portion <NUM>.

It is clear that in an alternative embodiment the male hook portion can be positioned on the second arched portion <NUM> and the female hook portion <NUM> can be positioned on the first arched portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in a final state, the female hook portion <NUM> is fixed to the male hook portion <NUM> and the locking protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the circumferential support groove <NUM> of the first conductor element <NUM> so that the locking protrusion <NUM> locks a possible relative movement along the circumferential direction of the first connector element <NUM> with respect to the coupling element <NUM>.

The presence of the locking protrusion <NUM> is a preferable but not necessary feature as, thanks to the presence of the hook and the fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM>, in theory the locking is already guaranteed. However, the inventor has discovered that, due to the numerous vibrations that can take place on the body on which such electrical connector device is positioned <NUM>, it is preferable to have such locking protrusion <NUM>, so as to prevent any uncoupling caused by external vibrations.

Although the present invention was described with reference to the embodiments described above, it is apparent to an expert in the field that it is possible to make several modifications, variants and improvements to the present invention in light of the above teaching and within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the object and the scope of protection of the invention.

For example, even if it has always been shown that the fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned in an upper portion of the first and of the second projecting element <NUM>, <NUM> it is possible to position such fixing projections <NUM>, <NUM> also in a lower position.

Furthermore, even if this is not shown in the figures, the first connector element <NUM> can have an outer lateral surface having a different shape from the cylindrical one. In the case, for example, in which the outer lateral surface of the first connector element <NUM> has a parallelepiped surface, the first arched portion <NUM> and the second arched portion <NUM> will have an arched portion configured so as to "embrace" the lateral surface of the parallelepiped portion. For example, if the parallelepiped has a hexagonal shape, each arched portion will preferably have three broken portions rather than having a curvilinear portion such as the one shown in the figure.

Claim 1:
A coupling element (<NUM>) configured to ensure and fix the correct relative positioning between a first connector element (<NUM>) and a second connector element (<NUM>), said first connector element (<NUM>) and said second connector element (<NUM>) being configured so as to be able to be coupled to one another along a first direction (R1); said coupling element (<NUM>) comprising:
a first arched portion (<NUM>), having a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, and a second arched portion (<NUM>), having a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, wherein said first terminal portion of said first arched portion (<NUM>) is connected to said first terminal portion of said second arched portion (<NUM>);
a first locking means comprising at least a first positioning projection (<NUM>) and a second positioning projection (<NUM>) that extend from said first arched portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) and are configured so as to be inserted into an opening (<NUM>) of said first connector element (<NUM>) and into a groove (<NUM>, <NUM>) of said second connector element (<NUM>) for fixing the relative positioning of said first connector element (<NUM>) with respect to said second connector element (<NUM>) along said first direction (R1);
characterized in that
it further comprises:
a second locking means comprising a closing means (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned at said second terminal portion of said first arched portion (<NUM>) and at said second terminal portion of said second arched portion (<NUM>); wherein said closing means (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured so as to fix said second terminal portion of said first arched portion (<NUM>) to said second terminal portion of said second arched portion (<NUM>) so as to fix a relative positioning between said first connector element (<NUM>) and said coupling element (<NUM>) along a second direction (R2) that is perpendicular to said first direction (R1).