WO2015162095A1 - Fuse-holder connector for motor vehicles and method for assembly thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuse-holder connector for motor vehicles. The invention prevents an erroneous insertion of the contact tongues (17) of the fuses (19) via the front face (13) of said connector, by limiting the dimensions of the space around the opening via which the fuses (19) must be coupled to the contacts (5). To this end, secondary locking means (9) are introduced via the rear of the connector.

Description

 Fuse connector for motor vehicles and method of mounting this connector.

The invention relates to the field of fuse-holder connectors for motor vehicles.

 [002] The fuses used in motor vehicles frequently include, each individually, an insulating body and at each end of the insulating body, a conductive contact tab. The contact tongues extend substantially perpendicular to the body, the set of contact tongues and the body conferring the fuse essentially a U shape.

 [003] Such fuses are connected to electrical harnesses of the vehicle via a fuse holder connector. A fuse holder connector therefore comprises, for each fuse it receives, two female contacts each respectively adapted to be electrically coupled to a contact tab of a fuse.

[004] A problem frequently encountered, if the fuse is not precisely and correctly oriented when inserted on a fuse holder connector, lies in the fact that a fuse contact tab can be inserted between the housing of the fuse connector and the female contact that should receive it.

 [005] An object of the invention is to reduce the risk of encountering this type of problem.

This object is at least partly achieved by limiting the size of the space left (for reasons of molding pawls for example) around the contacts to which must be coupled the contact tabs of the fuses. For this purpose, there is provided a fuse connector for motor vehicles comprising a contact holder housing. This housing comprises at least one cavity for housing a contact. This cavity extends between a front opening and a rear opening, in a contact insertion direction substantially perpendicular to the front opening, the contact being inserted through the rear opening. The contact also extends substantially longitudinally parallel to the direction of insertion between a front end coupling (a cage for example) and a rear end of connection to a cable (a crimping area or solder for example). When pulling on the cable to which it is welded or crimped and / or when coupling this contact with a contact tab of a fuse, the contact undergoes an action tending to remove it from its cavity through the rear opening. To retain the contact in its cavity after it has been inserted, in the event of such action being exerted on the contact, provision is also made for primary locking means integral with the housing. Such primary locking means is for example formed of a pawl extending between a junction to the housing and a free end. The primary locking means are also advantageously flexible to allow the introduction of the contact in the cavity and a springback on a stop of the contact.

[007] In order to reinforce this primary locking function, which could lack robustness due to its flexibility, secondary locking means are also provided. In order to effectively block the primary locking means by keeping them in contact with the contact, secondary locking means are inserted, at least partly between the housing and the primary locking means. In other words, if a fuse is coupled to the connector, its contact tabs are inserted and coupled with at least two contacts each respectively housed in a cavity. Each contact has two electrically conductive elastic blades between which is inserted a contact tab of the fuse. A pawl integrally formed with the housing is placed, with respect to the adjacent contact, behind each elastic blade and the secondary locking means are placed, relative to the contact, behind each pawl.

 [008] Thus, if an action is exerted on the contact tending to bring the contact out of its cavity, through the rear opening, the primary locking means stiffened by the secondary locking means prevent the extraction of the contact.

[009] To make it easier to mold a connector having the functionalities indicated above, while reducing the risk of a fuse contact tongue being introduced between the contact and the housing, it is expected that the locking means secondary extend essentially in the direction of insertion, between a support placed on the housing substantially behind the cavity, and a free end located substantially at the front opening of the cavity. The space adjacent to the front opening, which could therefore be left next to the contact at this front opening, is thus at least partly closed by the secondary locking means. In addition, not to impede the approach and the coupling of the fuse on the fuse holder, the secondary locking means are introduced from the rear of the housing.

 In order to further close the space adjacent to the front opening, it is possible to provide secondary locking means comprising, at their free end, a flange at least partially covering the free end of the primary locking means.

 [001 1] To facilitate their implementation, it is also possible that the secondary locking means are inserted behind the primary locking means, relative to the contact locked by the primary locking means, by a substantially perpendicular displacement of the support to the insertion direction of this contact in its cavity.

 It can also provide several types of contacts in the same connector fuse. Thus, it may for example include at least one contact retained in a cavity by a pawl integrally formed with the housing, as explained above, and another contact retained in another cavity by a lance made of material with the contact. The structure of the secondary locking means presented above, remains compatible with these two types of contacts, even if in the case of the lance contacts, this structure does not have the function corresponding to the secondary lock. The structure nevertheless remains useful in this case to prevent the accidental introduction of the tongue of a fuse contact next to the corresponding female contact.

 In another aspect, the invention is a method of mounting a fuse holder connector such as that defined above. This process then involves

- providing a contact carrier housing, having at least one cavity extending between a front opening and a rear opening, in an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to the front opening,

 providing at least one contact, extending substantially longitudinally between a front end of coupling and a rear end of connection to a cable,

inserting the contact into the cavity in the direction of insertion by first introducing the front end of coupling by the rear opening, the locking of the contact in the cavity by primary locking means integrally formed with the housing, after the latter has been completely inserted into the cavity, and

 - The locking of the primary locking means by secondary locking means at least partially inserted between the housing and the primary locking means and now the primary locking means engaged with the contact if an action is exerted on the contact tending to bring the contact out of its cavity, through the rear opening.

 It is also provided to insert the secondary locking means at least partly between the housing and the primary locking means on the side of the housing corresponding to the rear opening of the cavity and to partially close a space adjacent to the front opening of the cavity with a portion of the secondary locking means.

 If the secondary locking means comprise a support, it is possible, in the same movement, to slide the support to both block the primary locking means with the secondary locking means and reduce a portion of the means secondary lock in the space adjacent to the front opening of the cavity. More particularly, if the provided contact is a female contact having a slot for receiving a contact tab of a fuse, the carrier is slid perpendicular to the insertion direction of the contact and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slot.

 Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

 - Figure 1 shows schematically in perspective an exemplary embodiment of a fuse holder connector according to the invention;

 - Figure 2 shows schematically in perspective, exploded the connector of Figure 1, with a fuse for being coupled therewith;

 - Figure 3 shows schematically in section a cavity of the connector of Figures 1 and 2, and the space on either side of this cavity;

FIGS. 4A and 4B correspond to partial diagrammatic elevational views of the front face of the connector of FIGS. 1 and 2, with a contact placed in a cavity of this connector, and intended to receive a contact tab of a fuse, with the secondary locking means respectively in the open and closed position; and

 - Figure 5 shows schematically in perspective a poorly oriented fuse but whose contact tabs can not be introduced next to the contacts.

In these figures, the same references are used to designate identical or similar elements.

 The invention is illustrated below with the aid of an example of a particular embodiment of a fuse holder connector 1.

 This embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2. It comprises a housing 3, female contacts 5, a bus bar 7 (also called busbar) and secondary locking means 9. In this case, the secondary locking means also correspond to a device for ensuring the position of the contacts (also called in the English terminology "Terminal Position Assurance", the acronym TPA or "Primary Lock Retention" or the acronym PLR ).

 The housing 3 consists of an electrically insulating material. It accommodates the secondary locking means 9 also made of an electrically insulating material, and the female contacts 5 and the bus bar 7 which are electrically conductive. It essentially comprises a side wall January 1 surrounding a front face 13 of which it exceeds. The front face 13 has front openings 15 adapted to receive contact tabs 17 of fuses 19. On this front face 13 are formed walls 21 to guide the establishment and coupling of the fuses 19 with female contacts 5 housed in cavities 23 of the housing 3 and exposed through the front openings 15 (see also FIG. 3).

 Returning to Figure 2, we see that the secondary locking means 9, the female contacts 5 and the bus bar 7 are introduced into the housing by its rear face 25, substantially parallel and opposite to the front face 15.

Each female contact 5 extends longitudinally between a rear end 27 having a crimping zone for electrically connecting this female contact 5 to a cable (not shown), and a front end 29 comprising a cage 51 adapted to receive a contact tab 17 of a fuse 19 and establish an electrical contact therewith.

 As shown in Figure 3, each female contact 5 is housed in a cavity 23 of the housing 3. Each cavity 23 extends between a front opening 15 opening on the front face 13 and a rear opening 31 through which the contact 5 is introduced into the cavity 23. Once housed in a cavity 23, a contact 5 therefore extends substantially longitudinally parallel to an insertion direction Di, perpendicular to the front faces 13 and rear 31 of the cavity 23.

The secondary locking means 9 comprise tabs 33 integrally with a support 35 (see Figure 2). When the lugs 33 are housed, with their support 35, in the housing 3, they extend essentially parallel to the insertion direction Di, between the support 35 and a free end 37. The support 35 is then placed in the housing 3 essentially behind the rear face 25 of the cavities 23 of the female contacts 5, while the free end 37 of the secondary locking means 9 arrives essentially at the front opening 15 of the cavity 23 (see Figure 3).

 The fuse holder connector 1 also comprises primary locking means 39. These comprise for each cavity 23, two latches 41 integral with the housing 3. In known manner, they extend between a junction 43 the binder elastically to the housing 3 and a free end 45. They each comprise a shoulder 47 adapted to cooperate with a stop 49 of the contact 5, thereby preventing the contact 5 to come out through the rear opening 31 of the cavity 23 in which it has been inserted.

The tabs 33 of the secondary locking means 9 are then placed behind the latches 41. Thus, when a contact tab 17 of a fuse 19 is inserted in the cage 51 of a contact 5, between two elastic conducting strips 53, the latches 41 located on either side of the elastic blades 53, behind those in relation to the contact tab 17, maintain the cage 51 in place in its cavity 23 and prevent it from moving backwards. The tabs 33 of the secondary locking means 9 placed relative to the contact tab 17 behind each latch 41 reinforce this locking. In addition, the secondary locking means 9 comprise, at their free end 37, a flange 55 at least partially overlapping the free end 45 of the primary locking means 39.

 Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the establishment of the secondary locking means 9 behind the primary locking means 39. After the introduction of the secondary locking means 9 with the support 35, the tabs 33 are in the illustrated position in Figure 4A. In this position, the secondary locking means 9 are in the unlocked position, and the tabs 33 of the secondary locking means 9 do not block, or at least not completely, the pawls 41. The pawls 41 can therefore retract to let the contact 5 when inserted into the cavity 23. Once, the contact 5 in place in the cavity 23, the latches 41 located on either side of this contact 5 return elastically in the rest position in which the shoulder 47 cooperates with the stop 49. At this stage, a space 56 remains behind each latch 41 in which could be accidentally inserted a contact tab 17 of a fuse 19.

 The secondary locking means 9 are movable between the unlocked position and a locked position (and reciprocally). The support 35 is then moved substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction Di of the contact 5 in its cavity 13 and parallel to the longitudinal orientation of the slot 57 formed between the elastic blades 53 for the introduction of a contact tab. 17.

 As illustrated in FIG. 4B, after displacement of the support 53, the secondary locking means 9 are in the locked position and the respective flanges 55 of the secondary locking means 9 partially overlap with the free ends 45 of the locking means. primary lock 39 and completely close the space 56 behind each latch 41. In this movement also, a thicker portion of the tabs 33 is placed behind the pawls 41 to block (see Figure 3).

As shown in Figure 5, in this locked position of the secondary locking means 9, the contact tongues 17 fuse 19 even poorly oriented can not be inserted accidentally next to the contacts 5. Indeed, the tabs of contact 17 of the same fuse are essentially in the same plane, the slots for receiving these two tabs are aligned, and as indicated above, the fuses are already prepositioned and guided by the walls 21, the contact tongues 17 can not take any orientation and / or inclination relative in contact 5.

Claims

1. Fuse connector for motor vehicles comprising  a contact-carrying case (3), comprising at least one cavity (23) extending between a front opening (15) and a rear opening (31), in an insertion direction (Di) substantially perpendicular to the front opening (15), a contact (5) housed in the cavity (23), after insertion through the rear opening (31) and extending substantially longitudinally parallel to the direction of insertion (Di),  - primary locking means (39) integral with the housing (3), holding the contact (5) in the cavity (23) after it has been inserted into the cavity (23) through the opening rearward (31), if an action is exerted on the contact (5) tending to bring the contact out of its cavity (23), through the rear opening (31), and  - Secondary locking means (9) at least partially inserted between the housing (3) and the primary locking means (39) and maintaining the primary locking means (39) engaged with the contact (5) if an action is exerted on the contact (5) tending to make the contact (5) leave its cavity (23), through the rear opening (31),  characterized in that the secondary locking means (39) comprise tabs (33) extending essentially in the direction of insertion (Di) between a support (35) placed on the housing (3) essentially behind the cavity ( 23), and a free end (37) located substantially at the front opening (15) of the cavity (23). 2. Connector according to claim 1, wherein the secondary locking means (9) comprise, at their free end (37), a flange (55) at least partially overlapping a free end (45). primary locking means (39). 3. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary locking means (9) are movable between an unlocked position and a position locked, by a displacement of the support (35) substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction (Di) of the contact (5) in its cavity (23). 4. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one contact retained in a cavity (23) by a lance integral with the contact and another contact (5) retained in another cavity (23) by a latch (41) integral with the housing (3). 5. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fuse (19) coupled with at least two contacts (5), each respectively housed in a cavity (23), each contact (5) having two resilient blades (53). ) between which is inserted a conductive contact tab (17) of the fuse (19), a pawl (41) integrally formed with the housing (3) being placed, relative to the contact (5), behind each elastic blade (53). ), and secondary locking means (9) being placed, relative to the contact (5), behind each pawl (41). 6. A method of mounting a fuse connector (1) for motor vehicles comprising  the provision of a contact carrier housing (3), comprising at least one cavity (23) extending between a front opening (15) and a rear opening (31) in a substantially perpendicular insertion direction (Di) at the front opening (15),  providing at least one contact (5), extending substantially longitudinally between a front end of coupling (29) and a rearward end (27) of connection to a cable, inserting the contact (5) into the cavity (23) in the direction of insertion (Di) by first introducing the front coupling end (29) through the rear opening (31), - locking the contact (5) in the cavity (23) by primary locking means (41) integral with the housing (3) after it has been fully inserted into the cavity (23), and  - The locking of the primary locking means (41) by secondary locking means (9) at least partially inserted between the housing (3) and the primary locking means (41) and maintaining the primary locking means (41) engaged with the contact (5) if an action is exerted on the contact (5) tending to make the contact (5) leave its cavity (23), through the rear opening (31),  characterized in that the secondary locking means (9) is inserted at least partly between the housing (3) and the primary locking means (41) on the side of the housing (3) corresponding to the rear opening ( 31) of the cavity (23) and that a space (56) adjacent to the front opening (15) of the cavity (23) is partially closed off with a portion of the secondary locking means (9). 7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the secondary locking means (9) is slid by actuating a support (35) to both lock the primary locking means (41) with the secondary locking means (9). and returning the secondary locking means (9) in the adjacent space (56) to the front opening (15) of the cavity (23). The method of claim 6, wherein the contact (5) provided is a female contact having a slot (57) for receiving a contact tab (17) of a fuse (19) and the carrier (35) is slid. ) perpendicular to the insertion direction (Di) of the contact (5) and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slot (57).