Electrical connector and contact assembly for vehicles

• US 5,052,484 A
• Filed: 08/02/1990
• Issued: 10/01/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
• Original Assignee: Compagnie Generale De Establissements Michelin
• Inventors: Gesta, Jean-Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US07/561,899
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 200/51.09, 200/51 R, 439/10, 439/16, 439/20, 439/27, 439/34, 439/35, 439/188, 439/289, 439/592, 439/824
• US Class Current: 166/55
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted

Abstract

An electrical connector device comprises an isolating support 20 and a conductive capsule 21 accessible from the exterior of the connector and fixed to the support 20 by a deformable membrane 22. The support 20, the membrane 22 and the capsule 21 define a cavity 23 at the bottom of which is a pole 24. Without connection to an associated contact, the capsule 21 is isolated from the pole 24. At the time of connection to said associated contact, the associated contact depresses the capsule 21 to establish the electrical contact with the pole 24. In particular, this connector device is useful between vehicle components that require frequent removal and reattachment where electrical signals are transmitted across the interface.

Claims

1. A connecting device having at least two electrical connectors designed to be permanently connected in parallel with a conductive wire from one part and from another part to realize a separable galvanic connection with one associated contact, each of said electrical connectors comprising a support on which are mounted two conductive stages:

a) the first conductive state having electrical connecting means to be connected to said conductive wire, and being galvanically insulated from the exterior;

b) the second conductive stage being accessible from the exterior of said connector to be able to be pressed by said associated contact, being in a rest position galvanically isolated from said first conductive stage, and being movable in said support, to be pressed against said first conductive stage when pressed toward the inside of the contact in order that the two conductive stages are put in galvanic contact when said connector is in operation with said associated contact.

2. The device according to claim 1, comprising an isolating support that allows containment of a conductive capsule by a deformable membrane, said conductive capsule being a part of the said second conductive stage accessible from the exterior, whereby said conductive capsule is attached to said isolating support by said deformable membrane which is elastic and impervious, wherein said isolating support along with said conductive capsule and said deformable membrane define a cavity wherein a pole is fixed opposite to said conductive capsule, said pole forming the said first conductive stage conductor.

3. The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a third conductive stage being accessible from the exterior, movable in said support either to be pressed against said first conductive stage when pressed toward the inside of the contact, or to be moved in protrusion to the outside of the contact by the second conductive stage when the latter is pressed toward the inside of the contact.

4. The device according to claim 3 comprising a modified isolating support that allows containment of a modified conductive capsule on the exterior face by said deformable membrane, said modified capsule being a part of said conductive second stage, and further comprising on the opposite face a second conductive capsule also contained by said deformable membrane and thereby constituting the said third conductive stage conductor, said deformable membrane being elastic and impervious, wherein said deformable membrane, said modified isolating support and said modified capsule and second conductive capsule define a cavity including a modified pole.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said modified conductive capsule and said second conductive capsule are connected through a capsule spring which is conductive and ensures galvanic contact between these capsules, and separates them one from the other.

6. An assembly of a connector and one associated contact, comprising said connector designed to be permanently connected to a conductive wire from a first part and from a second part to realize a separate galvanic connection with said associated contact being accessible from the exterior of said connector and being movable and able to be pressed by said associated contact to make contact with said first part, whereas said associated contact comprises a conductive needle bound mechanically to a conductive support by an elastic spring element, said conductive needle and said conductive support being bound electrically and disposed in an isolating chamber outside of which the tip of said connector needle projects from said isolating chamber under the action of said elastic spring element and maintains electrical contact with said second part of said connector during normal operation.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said conductive needle is characterized in that it comprises a means for ensuring a rotational movement of the needle accompanying the translational movement when the tip of the conductive needle makes contact with said connector or said modified connector.