Patent Description:
Connectors equipped with a cable-guiding shell are well known. A cable-guiding shell is generally used to keep cables together on egress from the connector, to orient them in a pre-set direction and/or to allow a potential pull exerted on the cables to be redirected. The <CIT> discloses an example of relatively complex cable guide.

According to another example, <CIT> describes a connector equipped with a shell comprising a connector cover and a cable-guiding sleeve comprising three curved conduits allowing the cables to be oriented with three different orientations. The cover is adapted to be mounted at the rear of a connector. The cable-guiding sleeve is hinged to the cover using hinges. Patent publication <CIT> also describes an example of connector comprising a rotatable cable-guiding sleeve.

An alternative to prior-art connectors equipped with a cable-guiding shell allowing multiple orientations is proposed below.

To this end, a connector shell is proposed, comprising a connector cover and a cable-guiding sleeve comprising a curved conduit. The cover is adapted to be mounted at the rear of a connector. The cover and the cable-guiding sleeve are made up of two separate elements. The cable-guiding sleeve is mounted on the connector cover so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation essentially perpendicular to a rear face of the connector. The cable-guiding sleeve and the cover comprise means for blocking the rotation of the cable-guiding sleeve on the cover in at least two different pre-set angular positions about the axis of rotation. These blocking means in particular comprise shapes that engage with each other in a complementary way. These shapes are furthermore adapted to release each other and allow the passage from one angular position to the next.

Thus, the shell allows the egressing cables to be oriented with various orientations by rotating a cable-guiding sleeve comprising a single gutter or conduit, rather than, for example, using a cable-guiding sleeve that is not orientable but that possesses a plurality of conduits.

This cable-guiding shell optionally comprises one or more of the following features, considered each independently from one another, or each in combination with one or more others:.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for mounting a connector with a shell such as mentioned above. According to this method, a plurality of electrical contacts are each respectively inserted into one cavity in a connector casing, each of these contacts being connected to a cable extending to a rear face of the connector casing. The shell is mounted, with or without its cable-guiding sleeve, on the connector casing, with the cables passing, essentially parallel to the axis of rotation, through the interior of the cover. The cable-guiding sleeve is placed in one of the pre-set angular positions. And, the cables are placed in the curved conduit.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a connector comprising a casing and a shell such as mentioned above. In this connector, the shell comprises flexible tabs equipped with windows adapted to interact with complementary protuberances provided on the casing, so as to retain the shell on the casing in a fixed position.

Other features, aims and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description, with reference to the appended drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example, and in which:.

<FIG> shows an example of a connector <NUM>. It comprises a casing <NUM> and a connector shell <NUM>. In a known way, the casing <NUM> comprises cavities in each of which is housed a contact. Each contact is electrically connected to a free end of a wire or of a cable <NUM>. In the rest of this document, the term "cable" will be used to designate either an electrical wire or an electrical cable or an optical fibre. All of the cables <NUM> connected to the contacts egress via the rear face <NUM> of the casing <NUM> and pass through the shell <NUM> mounted on the casing <NUM> (see <FIG>). The shell <NUM> is retained on the casing <NUM>, in a fixed position, using four flexible fastening tabs <NUM> that are each equipped with a window <NUM> adapted to interact with a complementary protuberance <NUM> provided on the casing <NUM>.

The shell <NUM> comprises a connector cover <NUM> and a cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> comprising a curved conduit <NUM> (see <FIG>). The cables <NUM> on passing through the shell <NUM> form a harness. The conduit <NUM> comprises, at its free end, fastening means allowing the cables <NUM> to be attached, together and to the conduit <NUM>, using a cable tie <NUM>, in order to guide the harness in the conduit (see <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> comprises a fastening segment <NUM> and a neck <NUM>.

The fastening segment <NUM> is essentially parallelepipedal. The fastening segment <NUM> comprises an entry face <NUM> and four lateral faces <NUM>. The entry face <NUM> is essentially rectangular. Two fastening tabs <NUM> are placed on the exterior surface of two opposite lateral faces <NUM>.

The neck <NUM> is essentially tubular and symmetric with respect to a central axis. The neck <NUM> is coaxial with the central axis. The neck <NUM> comprises a face <NUM> for egress of the cables <NUM>. This egress face <NUM> has an essentially round opening. The cover therefore comprises a face <NUM> for entry and face <NUM> for egress of the cables <NUM>. These two faces <NUM>, <NUM> lie essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction parallel to the central axis. As described below, the central axis also corresponds to the axis of rotation A of the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> with respect to the cover <NUM>. The neck <NUM> comprises a wall <NUM> containing two longitudinal apertures <NUM> and two circularly arcuate apertures <NUM>.

The two longitudinal apertures <NUM> are radially opposite and located on the same side of the cover <NUM> as the fastening tabs <NUM>. The two longitudinal apertures <NUM> lie parallel to the axis of rotation A. A flexible locking tab <NUM> is housed in each of the two longitudinal apertures <NUM>. Each locking tab <NUM> extends longitudinally parallel to the axis of rotation A between an end connected to the wall <NUM> of the neck <NUM>, on one edge of a longitudinal aperture <NUM>, and a free end, located in proximity to the fastening segment <NUM>. In proximity to its free end, each locking tab <NUM> is equipped with a locking surface <NUM> that protrudes from the internal surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> of the neck <NUM> (see <FIG>). This locking surface <NUM> is essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation A and directed away from the fastening segment <NUM>.

The two circularly arcuate apertures <NUM> are radially opposite and essentially at <NUM> degrees to the locking tabs <NUM> (see <FIG>). Each circularly arcuate aperture <NUM> extends over a circular arc essentially centred on the axis of rotation A. A blocking tab <NUM> extends, in each of the circularly arcuate apertures <NUM>, between an end connected to the wall <NUM> of the neck <NUM>, on one edge of a circularly arcuate aperture <NUM>, and a free end. Each blocking tab <NUM> extends over a circular arc essentially centred on the axis of rotation A. The two blocking tabs <NUM> are oriented, between their fixed end and their free end, in the same direction, for example in the clockwise direction. The free end of each blocking tab <NUM> is equipped with a tooth <NUM> that protrudes from the internal surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> of the neck <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> comprises a fastening ring <NUM> and the curved conduit <NUM>. The ring <NUM> comprises a central passage intended for the passage of the cables <NUM>. The ring <NUM> comprises an essentially tubular wall, centred on the axis of rotation A, with an external surface <NUM>. The ring <NUM> extends longitudinally between an end connected to the conduit <NUM> and an end intended to penetrate into the neck <NUM>. Eight protruding ridges <NUM> are distributed around this external surface <NUM> about the axis of rotation A. Two neighbouring ridges <NUM> are spaced apart angularly by <NUM>° about the axis of rotation A. Each ridge <NUM> extends longitudinally, parallel to the axis of rotation A, over the external surface <NUM> of the wall of the ring <NUM>.

A notch <NUM> is provided between two neighbouring ridges <NUM>. Two neighbouring notches <NUM> are spaced apart angularly by <NUM>° about the axis of rotation A. The notches <NUM> and the teeth <NUM> have shapes that engage with each other in a complementary way (see also <FIG>). The fact that the teeth <NUM> are located on flexible blocking tabs <NUM> allows the teeth <NUM> to release from the notches <NUM>, when the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> is moved rotationally about the axis of rotation A, with respect to the fastening segment <NUM>, in order to allow passage from one angular position to the next. The ridges <NUM>, the notches <NUM> and the teeth <NUM> on the blocking tabs <NUM> form means for blocking the rotation of the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> on the cover <NUM> in eight different pre-set angular positions.

In proximity to the end intended to penetrate into the neck <NUM>, the ring <NUM> comprises a circular locking bead <NUM> that is coaxial with the axis of rotation A and that protrudes from the external surface <NUM> of the wall of the ring <NUM>. The locking bead <NUM> comprises two orientation recesses <NUM>. These two recesses <NUM> are radially opposite with respect to the axis of rotation A. Each of these recesses <NUM> is aligned, along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A, with a notch <NUM> located between two ridges <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> are essentially in a plane comprising the axis of rotation A. This plane is perpendicular to the direction of the segment of the conduit <NUM> corresponding to its free end <NUM>. Each recess <NUM> is designed to allow the passage of one tooth <NUM> during the insertion of the ring <NUM> into the neck <NUM> (see <FIG>). The locking bead <NUM> comprises a surface <NUM> perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, this surface being directed toward the fastening segment <NUM>. This surface <NUM> is intended to interact with the locking surface <NUM> of the locking tabs <NUM>, in order to retain the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM>, mounted on the cover <NUM>.

The ring <NUM> also comprises a flange <NUM> at its end connected to the conduit <NUM>. This flange <NUM> is intended to abut against the edge of the free end of the neck <NUM>, and forms a stop during the insertion of the ring <NUM> into the neck <NUM>.

The conduit <NUM> extends longitudinally, with a <NUM>-degrees dog-leg, between the fastening means egress from the ring <NUM> and a free end <NUM> at which fastening means <NUM> are found. The <NUM> for example comprise two tabs lying facing each other in parallel planes. Each of the two tabs comprises a through-slot <NUM> for the passage of a cable tie <NUM> for attaching cables <NUM> to the conduit <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> has, in transverse cross section, a "U" shape. At the egress from the ring <NUM>, the conduit <NUM> is open on one side (left-hand side in <FIG>) when the recesses <NUM> are placed in a vertical plane, perpendicular to the largest lateral faces <NUM> of the fastening segment <NUM>.

An example of a method for mounting the connector shown in <FIG> is described below.

In this example of a method, a plurality of electrical contacts are each respectively inserted into a cavity in a connector casing <NUM>, with one cable <NUM> connected to each of the contacts extending toward a rear face <NUM> of the casing <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> and the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> are mounted together to form a connector shell <NUM> (see <FIG>). After insertion, in an insertion direction I parallel to the axis of rotation A, of the ring <NUM> into the neck <NUM>, the locking surface <NUM> interacts with the surface <NUM> of the locking bead <NUM> to retain the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> on the cover <NUM>, when a force is exerted, on the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM>, in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I (see <FIG>).

The connector shell <NUM> is then mounted on the casing <NUM> (care having been taken to pass beforehand the cables <NUM> through the interior of the cover <NUM> and of the ring <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>)). The cables <NUM> are essentially arranged parallel to the axis of rotation A. Next, the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> is placed in one of the pre-set angular positions (see <FIG>) by rotating the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM>, about the axis of rotation A, with respect to the fastening segment <NUM>. During this rotation, the teeth <NUM> pass from one notch <NUM> to the next with not entirely easy passage over a ridge <NUM> between two notches <NUM>. The cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> is blocked and stabilized in the desired angular position by virtue of the interaction of each of the teeth <NUM> with a notch <NUM>. The cables <NUM> are then placed in the curved conduit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and they are attached thereto by virtue of the fastening means <NUM> and a cable tie <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Another example of embodiment of the connector <NUM> is shown on <FIG>. The description of the components and features which are identical or similar to those already described in connection with the first embodiment will not be repeated. According to this other embodiment, the connector <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM> and a connector shell <NUM>.

As shown on <FIG>, the connector shell <NUM> comprises a connector cover <NUM> and a cable-guiding sleeve <NUM>. This embodiment has the advantage that the connector cover <NUM> and the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> can be mounted onto the connector <NUM>, even if the terminals cables <NUM> are already attached to terminals and that these terminals are already accommodated in the corresponding cavities of the casing <NUM>.

As shown on <FIG>, the cover <NUM> comprises a fastening segment <NUM> and a neck <NUM>. The cover <NUM> comprises two cover halves 900A, 900B, each cover half 900A, 900B comprising one half of the fastening segment <NUM> and one half of the neck <NUM>. The two cover halves 900A, 900B are connected by a hinge <NUM> located on a lateral face comprising a fastening tab <NUM>. The two cover halves 900A, 900B are attached together when the cover <NUM> is closed around the cables <NUM> by the virtue of a locking means <NUM>. The locking means <NUM> is located on a lateral face opposite, with regard to the rotational axis A, to the lateral face comprising the hinge <NUM>. The locking means <NUM> comprises a flexible tab, located on one of the cover halves 900A, 900B, with a window adapted to interact with a complementary protuberance, located on the other one of the cover halves 900A, 900B.

As shown on <FIG>, once the cover <NUM> is closed, the neck <NUM> presents a series of ridges <NUM> and notches <NUM> similar to those described in connection with the ring <NUM> of the previous embodiment.

As shown on <FIG>, the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> comprises a curved conduit <NUM> similar to the curved conduct <NUM> already described in connection with the previous embodiment. The cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> also comprises a fastening collar <NUM>. The fastening collar <NUM> comprises two collar halves 260A, 260B. One of the collar halves 260A, 260B is made in one piece with the curved conduct <NUM>. The other of the collar halves 260A, 260B is made as a separate piece. However, in a variant, the two collar halves 260A, 260B could be linked with a hinge similar to the hinge <NUM>. Each collar half 260A, 260B is essentially shaped as an arcuate portion extending over <NUM>° around the rotation axis A. Each collar half 260A, 260B comprises a bead <NUM> which can rotatably engage a circular groove <NUM> of the neck <NUM> so as to retain and rotatably guide the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> over the cover <NUM>.

The two collar halves 260A, 260B are attached together when the cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> is mounted around the cables <NUM> by the virtue of a locking means <NUM> similar to the locking means <NUM> already described in connection with the cover <NUM>.

For mounting the connector shell <NUM> on the casing <NUM>, cables <NUM> egressing from the casing <NUM> are accommodated in a first one of the cover halves 900A, 900B (see <FIG>). The second one of the cover halves 900A, 900B is then closed over the cables <NUM> and the locking means <NUM> are engaged in one another (see <FIG>). The closed cover <NUM> is pushed toward the casing <NUM> so as to engage each fastening tabs <NUM> with a corresponding protuberance <NUM> and to fasten the cover <NUM> on the casing <NUM>. Then, the two collar halves 260A, 260B are attached together around the neck <NUM> (see <FIG>). The cable-guiding sleeve <NUM> can be rotated around the rotation axis A and blocked in a particular position around the rotation axis A by virtue of the teeth of the blocking tabs <NUM> engaging notches. The cables <NUM> are bent and attached to the conduit <NUM> with fastening means <NUM> and a cable tie <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Connector shell (<NUM>) comprising a connector cover (<NUM>) and a cable-guiding sleeve (<NUM>) comprising a curved conduit (<NUM>), the cover (<NUM>) being adapted to be mounted at the rear of a connector (<NUM>), wherein the cover (<NUM>) and the cable-guiding sleeve (<NUM>) are made up of at least two separate elements, wherein the cable-guiding sleeve (<NUM>) is mounted on the cover (<NUM>) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (A) essentially perpendicular to a rear face (<NUM>) of the connector (<NUM>), and wherein the cable-guiding sleeve (<NUM>) and the cover (<NUM>) comprise means (<NUM>, <NUM>) for blocking the rotation of the cable-guiding sleeve (<NUM>) on the cover (<NUM>) in at least two different pre-set angular positions about the axis of rotation (A), these blocking means (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising shapes that engage with each other in a complementary way, and that are adapted to release each other and allow the passage from one angular position to the next,
characterized
- in that the cover (<NUM>) comprises a neck (<NUM>) having a wall (<NUM>) wherein two circularly arcuate apertures (<NUM>) are formed,
- in that the blocking means (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprise at least two notches (<NUM>) formed in the cable-guiding sleeve (<NUM>), and a blocking tab (<NUM>) extending, in each of the circularly arcuate apertures (<NUM>), between a fixed end connected to the wall (<NUM>) of the neck (<NUM>), on one edge of a circularly arcuate aperture (<NUM>) and a free end, the free end of each blocking tab (<NUM>) being equipped with a tooth (<NUM>) adapted to interact with each of these notches (<NUM>), the tooth (<NUM>) being elastically connected by the blocking tab (<NUM>) to the cover (<NUM>).