FR2704987A1 - Hermaphrodite multipoint connector - Google Patents

Abstract

Multipoint connector for electronic and computer equipment. The invention relates to a multipoint connector of the hermaphrodite type, that is to say it has both a male and female shape, allowing it to be able to be mated with another connector of the same shape. It also has the qualities required of an electronic connector, namely: - good mechanical guiding when fitting - continuity of the electrical screen when connecting - its shape makes all polarisation systems unnecessary - it can be used on a rack (chassis) or as a trailing plug - it possesses pin (male) contacts and socket (female) contacts. According to the invention, this connector is particularly intended for multiwire connections for electronic and computer equipment.

Description

 The present invention relates to a hermaphrodid type multipoint connector for electronics and computers.

 Interconnections between electronic devices traditionally use male type connectors associated with female type connectors. Most of these connections are not standardized, manufacturers use the two types interchangeably on their devices.

 For the user, the drawback of such a system is that it has to systematically have two types of connectors or gender converters in order to cope with all cases.

 The connector, object of this invention, makes it possible to remedy this drawback. It is, according to a first claim, of the hermaphrodite type. That is to say that it has a shape which allows it to be both male and female. , therefore being able to mate with another connector of the same shape.

This connector also has, according to the following claims, all the qualities required of an electronic connector, namely
- possibility of being manufactured with a number of contacts
variable.

 - possibility of being manufactured in different forms.

 - mechanical guidance without stress on the contacts.

 - continuity of the shielding at the junction.

- the same model can be used as a base on a chassis
or on a flyer.

- the male contacts are protected by an envelope
metallic.

 - the shape makes all polarizing systems useless.

- for bidirectional links, possibility of
choose the male contacts for the incoming currents and
female contacts for outgoing currents.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention
Figures 1,2 and 3 show, under different views,
an example of the invention.

Figures 4 and 5 show other shapes
achievable under the same principle.

Technical description with reference to figure 1
- The general shape (1) consists of an envelope
metal (2) integral with the support plate (12).
envelope (2) contains an insulating material (3) in
which are embedded electrical contacts of the type
female (4).

- The general shape (8) consists of an envelope
metal (7) integral with the support plate (12).
casing (7) protects the electrical contacts of the type
male (5).

- The electrical contacts (4) and (5) pass through the plate
support (12) through an insulating material and are
accessible at the rear to be connected to circuits.

- The connection outputs (10) and (11) can be
different types: straight or angled pins for circuits
printed, soldered on wire, crimped on flat cable.

- The support plate (12) has two orifices (13) which
can serve
to fix the connector on a chassis,
to fix a protective cover for connections (lO) and (ll),
to fix the connectors between them in the case
use as an extension.

- The envelope (2) must have external dimensions
allowing it a precise fitting inside
the envelope (7).

- The number and location of the female contacts (4) must
match the number and location of contacts
males (5).

Principle of coupling of these connectors.

- Put two connectors of the same type face to face, with the
shape (1) of one, facing shape (8) of the other.

- Slide them in relation to the next one
the axis (6) until complete fitting.

- During coupling, guidance is provided by
the envelope (2) which begins to slide inside
of the envelope (7) before the contacts (4) and (5)
fit into each other.

- The continuity of the shielding, at the connections, is
provided by the metal envelopes (2) and (7) which
are perfectly fitted into each other.

It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, which constitute only a few examples to which numerous modifications can be made.

Claims (7)

 1) Multipoint connector for electronics, characterized by the fact that it is of the hermaphrodite type, that is to say that it has a shape which allows it to be able to mate with another connector of the same shape. 2) Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a metallic guide system for fitting which does not use the contacts, but to the casing (2) which fits perfectly into the envelope ( 7). 3) Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the interlocking of the metal envelopes (2) and (7) ensure good continuity of the electrical shielding at the junction 4) Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the same model can be used as a base on a chassis or as a flying plug. 5) Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the male contacts (5) are protected by a metal envelope (7). 6) A connector according to claim 1, characterized in that its shape makes all connection key systems useless. 7) Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it has male contacts (5) and female contacts (4), thus offering a better choice to the user in the case of bidirectional connections.