CONFIRMATION OF THE LOCKING OF AN ELECTRICAL WIRE IN A CONNECTOR AND TOOL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF

Abstract

The invention relates to an insertion tool for an electrical connector, said tool comprising an elongated section, one end of which (distal end) is intended to be introduced into a connection port for a contact element of a wire of an electrical cable in the connector, the connection port being provided with a retention clip, the connector comprising one or more connection ports, characterised in that at least one portion of the elongated section is insulating and in that said insertion tool comprises: a first electrical contact arranged at the distal end of the elongated section; a second electrical contact electrically isolated from the first electrical contact; said first and second electrical contacts being adapted to enter into electrical communication and generate a signal when the distal end is inserted into the retention clip.

Claims

1. Method for confirming the locking of a contact element of a wire or of an electrical cable by a retention clip in an electrical connector, wherein: one end, distal, of an elongated section of an insertion tool is inserted between the retention clip and one end of the contact element, the insertion tool comprising a first electrical contact, disposed at said distal end, and a second electrical contact; and the first electrical contact is placed in electric communication with the second electrical contact via the retention clip when the contact element is locked in the retention clip, said first electrical contact being electrically insulated from said second electrical contact before the insertion of the insertion tool into said retention clip.

2. The method according to claim 1, carried out during a method for mounting the contact element in the retention clip of the electrical connector, wherein said contact element is inserted into said retention clip using the distal end (1113) of the elongated section of the insertion tool; and said contact element is moved forward in said clip using said insertion tool until the contact element is locked in the connector by the retention clip and the distal end of the insertion tool is disposed between the retention clip and the contact element.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising a method for checking the insertion tool, wherein: the electrical insulation of the first electrical contact of the insertion tool and of the second electrical contact of the insertion tool is checked; and the electrical continuity at the first electrical contact is confirmed.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method for checking the insertion tool comprises a step in which: an electrical circuit is closed via the first electrical contact of the insertion tool.

5. An insertion tool for an electrical connector, capable of implementing a confirmation method according to claim 1, said tool comprising an elongated section, one end of which, distal, is intended to be inserted into a connection port for a contact element of a wire of an electrical cable in the connector, the connection port being provided with a retention clip, the connector comprising one or more connection ports, and at least a part of the elongated section is insulated, said insertion tool comprising: a first electrical contact, disposed at the distal end of the elongated section; and a second electrical contact, electrically insulated from the first electrical contact; said first and second electrical contacts being capable of entering into electric communication with one another when the distal end is inserted into the retention clip.

6. The insertion tool for an electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein said first and second electrical contacts are capable of entering into electric communication with one another when the distal end is inserted into the connection port and the contact element of the wire is locked by the retention clip.

7. The insertion tool according to claim 5, wherein the first electrical contact is disposed in such a way as to come in contact with the retention clip during the insertion of the distal end.

8. The insertion tool according to claim 5, further comprising a first part comprising the first and second electrical contacts, and a second part comprising an electric system, connecting the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to a source of electric energy, the electric system comprising: a third electrical contact to enter into electric communication with the first electrical contact, and a fourth electrical contact, insulated from the third electrical contact, to enter into electric communication with the second electrical contact.

9. The insertion tool according to claim 8, wherein the electric system comprises: a means for detecting electric communication between the third and fourth electrical contacts; and a means for signalling said electric communication between the third and fourth electrical contacts.

10. The insertion tool according to claim 8, comprising a means for linking the elongated section to the second part.

11. The insertion tool according to claim 8, further comprising an additional member for indicating the proper locking of the contact in the clip.

12. The insertion tool according to claim 11, wherein the member is composed of an outer sheath mobile in translation along the case and enclosing: two pairs of secondary electrical contacts, a first pair belonging to said sheath and the other belonging to said case, and a compression spring located between the pen and the case, said spring being tared to a stiffness-coefficient value such that the pairs of secondary electrical contacts remain open as long as the spring is not stopped, and are closed when the spring is stopped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0137] Other advantages, goals and particular features of the present invention will be clear from the non-limiting description that follows of at least one specific embodiment of the devices forming objects of the present invention, with regard to the appended drawings, in which:

[0138] FIGS. 1a-c show insertion tools,

[0139] FIGS. 2-5 show transverse cross-sectional views of a connection port,

[0140] FIGS. 6a-b show views of an insertion tool in a checking tool, and

[0141] FIGS. 7a-b show an improvement of FIG. 1c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0142] The present description is given as non-limiting, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.

[0143] It is noted, as of now, that the drawings are not to scale.

[0144] FIG. 5 shows an insertion tool according to the invention inserted into a connection port of a connector.

[0145] The connection port is provided with a retention clip 5555 for locking a wire 4446 of an electrical cable. For this purpose, and in a known manner, the wire 4446 carries, on its ending, a contact element 4444, the geometry of which corresponds to that of the retention clip 5555.

[0146] It is known in the art to connect and to lock a cable thus provided with a contact element to an electrical connector by inserting the contact element 4444 into the retention clip 5555, and by moving the contact element 4444 forward in the retention clip 5555 up to a certain insertion depth, at which one or more strips 5556 of the retention clip, deformed during the forward movement of the contact element 4444, extend towards the inside of the retention clip 5555, thus retaining the contact element 4444 by preventing its possible backward movement. That is to say, the strips 5556 extending towards the inside of the retention clip 5555 lock the contact element 4444 in the connection port. Accordingly, the wire of the electrical cable 4446 is locked to the electrical connector.

[0147] The confirmation method forming an object of the invention allows to confirm whether the contact element 4444 is locked by the retention clip 5555 using a signal that can be transmitted when a condition corresponding to the retention or to the locking is met. This condition can be, for example, an extension of a strip 5556, and/or access to the insertion depth by the contact element 4444. When the condition is met, a circuit is closed via the retention clip 5555. This circuit comes into play at an insertion tool, particularly an insertion tool according to the invention.

[0148] The insertion tool comprises a first electrical contact 1114 and a second electrical contact 1115. The first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts are electrically insulated, from one another, when the insertion tool is not inserted into the retention clip 5555. However, when the insertion tool is inserted into the retention clip 5555, and when the retention clip 5555 retains the contact element 4444, the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts of the insertion tool are placed in electric communication, with one another, via the retention clip 5555, and a signal is generated to indicate that the condition has been met. That is to say, when the insertion tool is inserted into the retention clip 5555 and when a contact element 4444 is locked by the retention clip 5555, a signal is generated between the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts of the insertion tool to indicate that the condition has been met.

[0149] It is noted that the locking of a contact element 4444 by a retention clip 5555 into which it is already inserted can be confirmed by inserting an insertion tool according to the invention between the contact element 4444 and the retention clip 5555. It is also noted that it can be determined, during the initial insertion of the contact element 4444 into a retention clip 5555, whether it is correctly inserted and thus locked. In both cases, the distal end 1113 of the insertion tool ends up disposed between the contact element 4444 and the retention clip 5555.

[0150] FIG. 1a shows an insertion tool according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1b shows an insertion tool according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0151] The insertion tool comprises an elongated section 1112 made for the most part from plastic or another insulating material.

[0152] The insertion tool comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, a first 1114 of which is disposed at a distal end 1113 of the insertion tool and electrically insulated from a second 1115.

[0153] During its use, whether it is to mount an electrical connector or whether it is to confirm the proper insertion of a contact element and/or its locking in the electrical connector, the distal end 1113 is inserted into a connection port in the electrical connector. For this purpose, the distal end 1113 is dimensioned according to the size of the connector and of its components, in particular a retention clip 5555 with which the connection port is provided, an electrical wire 4446 to be connected and a contact element 4444 disposed on its ending. In particular, the distal end 1113 is dimensioned to be inserted between the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555 disposed in the connection port and the proximal end of the contact element 4444 at the ending of the electrical wire 4446 to be connected, as visible in FIGS. 2-4.

[0154] It is understood that, when a wire 4446 of an electrical cable includes a contact element 4444 at its ending, the wire 4446 extends from a proximal end 4445 of the contact element 4444. It is also understood that, when a contact element 4444 is locked in a connector by a retention clip 5555 disposed in a connection port of the electrical connector, the contact element 4444 extends from the distal end of the retention clip 5555.

[0155] FIGS. 2-4 clearly show that the elongated section 1112 comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. When the distal end 1113 is positioned between the contact element 4444 and the retention clip 5555, an outer surface of the elongated section 1112 is disposed towards the retention clip, while an inner surface of the elongated section 1112 is disposed towards the contact element and/or towards the electrical wire 4446.

[0156] The introduction of the distal end 1113 into the retention clip 5555 causes an entry into electric communication between the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts via a conductive material of the retention clip 5555, and the generation of a signal. This particular signal is not generated when the first electrical contact 1114 is not in electric communication with the second electrical contact 1115. The presence of this particular signal can therefore be considered as an indication that a condition is met. This condition depends on the positions of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts.

[0157] In FIG. 2a-d, the first electrical contact 1114 is disposed on the distal end 1113 in such a way as to enter into electric communication with the contact element 4444 without entering into electric communication with the retention clip 5555. That is to say, an insulating region separates the first electrical contact 1114 from the outer surface of the elongated section 1112.

[0158] In FIGS. 2a and 2d, the second electrical contact 1115 is also disposed on the distal end, but in such a way as to enter into electric communication with a strip 5556 of the retention clip 5555 without entering into electric communication with the contact element 4444. That is to say, an insulating region separates the second electrical contact 1115 from a surface of the insertion tool in contact with the contact element 4444. Once the contact element 4444 is locked in the connector by the retention clip, the strip 5556 enters into electric communication with the contact element 4444 and the second electrical contact 1115, thus placing the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts in electric communication. Thus, it is the extension of the strip 5556 towards the inside of the retention clip 5555, which is used to lock the contact element 4444 in the electrical connector, that is also used to place the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts in electric communication, with one another.

[0159] It is understood that, when an electrical wire 4446, including a contact element 4444 at its ending, is connected to an electrical connector via a retention clip 5555 disposed in a connection port of the electrical connector, a distal end of a strip 5556 of the retention clip 5555 extends towards the centre of the retention clip, in such a way as to make the internal geometry of the retention clip 5555 smaller than an external geometry of the contact element 4444.

[0160] In FIGS. 2b-c, the second electrical contact 1115 is disposed at the distal end 1113 in such a way as to enter into electric communication with the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555. That is to say, the second electrical contact 1115 is proximal to the first electrical contact 1114 and disposed on an outer surface of the elongated section 1112. Once the insertion tool accesses an insertion depth in the retention clip 5555 corresponding to a proper insertion of the contact element 4444, and thus to the locking of the latter in the connector, the second electrical contact 1115 enters into electric communication with the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555, and thus enters into electric communication with the first electrical contact 1114 as well.

[0161] In FIG. 3a-d, the first electrical contact 1114 is disposed on the distal end 1113 in such a way as to enter into electric communication with a strip 5556 of the retention clip 5555 without entering into electric communication with the contact element 4444. That is to say, an insulating region separates the first electrical contact 1114 from a surface of the insertion tool in contact with the contact element 4444.

[0162] In FIG. 3a, the second contact is also disposed on the distal end 1113 in such a way as to enter into electric communication with a strip 5556 of the retention clip 5555 without entering into electric communication with the contact element 4444. That is to say, an insulating region separates the second electrical contact 1115 from a surface of the insertion tool in contact with the contact element 4444. Once the contact element 4444 is properly inserted into the retention clip 5555, one or more strips 5556 extend towards the inside of the retention clip 5555, thus locking the contact element 4444 in the connection port. When the strip(s) 5556 extend towards the inside of the retention clip 5555, they enter into electric communication with the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts, thus placing the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts in electric communication with one another.

[0163] In FIGS. 3b-c, the second electrical contact 1115 is disposed at the distal end 1113 in such a way as to enter into electric communication with the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555. That is to say the second electrical contact 1115 is proximal to the first electrical contact 1114 and disposed on an outer surface of the elongated section 1112. Once the insertion tool accesses an insertion depth in the retention clip corresponding to the proper insertion of the contact element, and thus to the locking of the latter in a connection port by a retention clip, the second electrical contact 1115 enters into electric communication with the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555, and thus enters into electric communication with the first electrical contact 1114, in electric communication with the strip 5556.

[0164] In FIGS. 3d and 4b, the second electrical contact 1115 is disposed in such a way as to enter into electric communication with the conductor of the wire 4446. Once the insertion tool accesses an insertion depth in the retention clip 5555 corresponding to the proper insertion of the contact element, and thus to the locking of the latter in a connection port by a retention clip, the second electrical contact 1115 enters into electric communication with the retention clip 5555, and thus enters into electric communication with the contact element 4444 and the conductor of the electrical wire 4446 to which it is attached.

[0165] In FIG. 3d, the electric communication is established between the first electrical contact 1114 and the second electrical contact 1115 via the strip 5556 of the retention clip 5555, then the contact element 4444 and then the conductor of the electrical wire 4446. The involvement of the strip 5556 in the electric communication between the first 1114 and second 1115 contacts allows the direct detection of the locking of the contact element 4444 by the retention clip 5555. However, in FIG. 4b, the electric communication is established between the first electrical contact 1114 and the second electrical contact 1115 via the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555, then the strip 5556 of the retention clip, then the contact element 4444 and then the conductor of the electrical wire 4446. This configuration allows the deduction of the locking of the contact element 4444 by the retention clip 5555 via the insertion depth reached by the insertion tool.

[0166] In FIGS. 4a-b, the first electrical contact 1114 is disposed at the distal end 1113 in such a way as to enter into electric communication with the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555. That is to say, the first electrical contact 1114 is disposed on an outer surface of the elongated section 1112.

[0167] In FIG. 4a, the second electrical contact 1115 is also at the distal end 1113, substantially at the same level of the first electrical contact 1114. The second electrical contact is also disposed on an outer surface of the elongated section 1112, in such a way as to enter into electric communication with the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555. Once the insertion tool accesses an insertion depth in the retention clip 5555 corresponding to the proper insertion of the contact element 4444, and thus to the locking of the latter by the retention clip, the first electrical contact 1114 enters into electric communication with the second electrical contact 1115 via the retention clip 5555.

[0168] As explained above, the signal generated when the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts have entered into electric communication can be considered to be an indication that a certain condition has been met, and it can be considered that the definition of this condition depends on the positioning of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts.

[0169] In FIGS. 2a, 2d, 3a and 3d, the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts are in electric communication when the flange of the contact element 4444 has gone beyond the strip 5556 of the retention clip 5555 and thus when the contact element 4444 is locked by the retention clip 5555. These arrangements of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts are suitable for a plurality of geometries of the retention clip 5555 because the electric communication is established at the mechanical interaction locking the contact element 4444 in the retention clip 5555.

[0170] In FIGS. 2b-c, 3b-c and 4a-b, the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts are in electric communication when the contact element 4444 reaches an insertion depth in the retention clip 5555 that corresponds to the flange of the contact element 4444 going beyond the strip 5556 and thus to the locking of the contact element 4444 by the retention clip 5555. These arrangements of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts each require a particular geometry of the conductive part of the retention clip 5555. If the distance between its proximal end 5557 and the distal end of its strip 5556 is too great, the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts enter into electric communication before the contact element 4444 is locked by the retention clip 5555. However, if the distance is too small, the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts do not enter into electric communication even if the contact element 4444 is locked by the retention clip 5555. On the other hand, when this distance is correct, the electric communication between the first 1114 and second 1115 is not established before the insertion tool reaches the insertion depth necessary to move the flange of the contact element 4444 forward beyond the distal end of the strip 5556 of the retention clip 5555. That is to say, when the arrangement of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts of the insertion tool correctly corresponds to the distance between the distal end of the strip 5556 and the proximal end 5557 of the retention clip, the electric communication between the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts is established when the contact element 4444 is locked by the retention clip 5555 and is not established when the contact element 4444 is not locked by the retention clip 5555.

[0171] The arrangements of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts shown in FIGS. 3d and 4b greatly reduce the risk of falsely indicating a proper connection of the wire 4446 of an electrical cable or locking of the contact element 4444 because the second contact 1115 is in electric communication with the wire 4446.

[0172] The arrangements of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts shown in FIGS. 2a-d greatly reduce the risk of falsely indicating a proper connection of the wire 4446 of the electrical cable or locking of the contact element 4444 because the first electrical contact 1114 is in electric communication with the contact element 4444 and the second electrical contact 1115 is in electric communication with the retention clip 5555.

[0173] The arrangements of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts shown in FIGS. 2a-d, 3a-c and 4a allow to simplify the structure and the use of the insertion tool because the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts are both disposed on the elongated section 1112.

[0174] The arrangements of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts shown in FIGS. 3a-c and 4a simplify the manufacturing of the insertion tool because each of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts is disposed on an outer surface of the elongated section 1112.

[0175] Any electrical contact disposed at the distal end 1113 of the insertion tool is substantially thin, in such a way as to not disturb the insertion of the distal end 1113 between the retention clip 5555 and the contact element 4444.

[0176] There are a plurality of methods for obtaining a thin electrical contact on the plastic material of the elongated section. For example, a metal layer can be deposited on the plastic. The geometry of this layer can be defined for example by a selective surface treatment, or by a rather general surface treatment followed by the removal of conductive material to define insulating regions.

[0177] A first electrical contact 1114 is disposed at the distal end 1113. The first electrical contact 1114 is electrically insulated from a second electrical contact 1115. There are numerous possible arrangements of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts. Some are presented in FIGS. 2-4. In general, the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts are disposed in such a way as to be in electric communication, with one another, via the retention clip 5555 when the retention clip locks a contact element 4444 and the distal end 1113 reaches an insertion depth in the retention clip corresponding to the proper insertion of the contact element 4444 in the retention clip 5555.

[0178] It is important to note that the insertion tool shown in FIGS. 2-4 can have a shape of the pen type, with a body having an elongated section 1112, a shape of the clamp type, with a plurality of bodies having an elongated section 1112, or another shape. In the case of a shape of the pen type, FIGS. 2a-b and 3b show the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts disposed substantially on the same side of the body, while FIGS. 2c-d, 3a, 3c and 4a show the first electrical contact 1114 disposed substantially on the other side of the body from the second electrical contact 1115. In the case of a shape of the clamp type, FIGS. 2a-b and 3b show the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts disposed on the same body, while FIGS. 2c-d, 3a, 3c and 4a show the first electrical contact 1114 disposed on another body than the second electrical contact 1115.

[0179] In FIG. 1a, an insertion tool according to the invention is visible, having a shape of the pen type, with a body having an elongated section 1112.

[0180] It has, at its distal end 1113, an opening capable of receiving a contact element 4444. The width or the diameter of the opening corresponds to the external geometry of the contact element 4444.

[0181] This opening opens onto a hollow at the bottom of a longitudinal groove. At the distal end, the width or the diameter of the hollow corresponds to the local size of the electrical wire 4446 attached to the contact element 4444. When a contact element 4444, mounted at the ending of an electrical wire 4446, is disposed in the distal end 1113, a part of the wire 4446 is disposed in the hollow, and extends from the longitudinal groove. According to one embodiment, at the distal end 1113, the width of the longitudinal groove is less than the width or the diameter of the opening and/or of the hollow. Via the flexibility of the elongated section, the insertion tool can clip onto the electric wire 4446, which facilitates the manipulation of the insertion tool. The insertion tool pushes on the contact element 4444 at a proximal end 4445 of the latter. Advantageously, the distal end 1113 of the insertion tool pushes on the interface between the contact element 4444 and the wire 4446 or on the proximal surface of a flange of the contact element 4444 disposed towards the proximal end 4445 of the contact element 4444. When the contact element is properly inserted, and thus locked by the retention clip 5555, the insertion tool can be removed by sliding the elongated section 1112 on the electric wire 4446 in such a way as to move it away from the contact element 4444. When it is desired to confirm the locking of a contact element 4444 that is already mounted in an electrical connector, the insertion tool can be guided to the connection port by sliding the elongated section 1112 on the wire 4446 towards the contact element 4444.

[0182] The distal end 1113 is intended to be inserted into a retention clip 5555. The width or the outer diameter of the distal end 1113 corresponds to the internal geometry of a proximal end 5557 of the retention clip 5555.

[0183] In FIG. 1b, an insertion tool according to the invention is visible, having a shape of the clamp type with a plurality of bodies having an elongated section 1112.

[0184] At the distal end 1113, each body is configured to be inserted between a contact element 4444 and the retention clip 5555. Each body is also configured to thus be inserted at the same time as another body of the same insertion tool. For example, if the insertion tool comprises two bodies, the two bodies are configured to be inserted between the contact element 4444 and the retention clip 5555 at the same time.

[0185] The bodies are configured to receive an electrical contact element 4444 between their inner surfaces at the distal end 1113 of the elongated section 1112. When a contact element 4444 is disposed at the distal end 1113, a part of the electrical wire 4446 to which the contact element 4444 is attached is disposed between the inner surfaces of the bodies.

[0186] In FIG. 1c, an insertion tool according to the invention comprising two parts is visible. The first part 1111 comprises the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts. The second part 2222 comprises an electric system 3333 connecting the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts to a source of electric energy. For this purpose, the electric system 3333 comprises a third electrical contact 3331 and a fourth electrical contact 3332, for entering into electric communication with the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts, respectively.

[0187] Preferably, the electric system 3333 comprises a means for detecting electric communication between the third 3331 and fourth 3332 electrical contacts, as well as a signalling means 3335 for signalling the detection of the electric communication between the third 3331 and fourth 3332 electrical contacts. When the first part 1111 is attached to the second part, the establishment of electric communication between the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts also establishes an electric communication between the third 3331 and fourth 3332 electrical contacts.

[0188] Preferably, the signalling means comprises an emitter of a sensory and/or computer signal.

[0189] In FIG. 1c, the third 3331 and fourth 3332 electrical contacts are in electric communication with the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts via the second ending 1116 of the first conductive track and the second ending 1117 of the second conductive track, respectively. The endings 1116 and 1117 of the first and second conductive tracks are part of first part 1111 of the insertion tool, and are respectively in electric communication with the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts. Preferably, the second endings of the first 1116 and second 1117 conductive tracks are at a distance from the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts. Thus, the electrical connection between the first 1111 and second 2222 parts does not hide the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts. The first conductive track is electrically insulated from the second conductive track.

[0190] FIG. 1c shows that the elongated section 1112 is mechanically attached, by its proximal end 1118, to a case via a linking means 1122. Preferably, as visible in FIG. 1c, at least a part of the electric system 3333 is disposed in this case. FIG. 1c shows that the case has a light 2223 and a buzzer 2224. The insertion tool as shown in FIG. 1c is thus compact and easy to manipulate by hand.

[0191] Preferably, the linking means 1122 comprises a means 1133 for connecting the electrical contacts of the first part 1111 to electrical contacts of the electric system 3333. For example, in FIG. 1c, the third 3331 electrical contact and the second ending 1116 of the first conductive track are disposed on corresponding surfaces of the linking means 1122, and the fourth 3332 electrical contact and the second ending 1117 of the second conductive track are disposed on corresponding surfaces of the linking means 1122.

[0192] In FIG. 1c, the third 3331 and fourth 3332 electrical contacts are presented on surfaces of the case in contact with the distal end 1118 of the first part 1111, and the second endings of the first 1116 and second 1117 conductive tracks are presented on surfaces of the first part in contact with the case, in particular that or those having the third 3331 and fourth 3332 electrical contacts.

[0193] Preferably, the first 1111 and second 2222 parts are removably connected. Thus, if one of the parts is defective, it is easily replaceable.

[0194] In FIG. 1c, if the elongated section 1112 is separated from the case, the first 1114 and second 1115 contacts are also disconnected from the electric system 3333. Likewise, if the elongated section is mounted to the case, the first 1114 and second 1115 contacts are also connected to the electric system 3333.

[0195] To implement the confirmation method forming an object of the invention using the insertion tool forming an object of the invention, it is important for the latter to not be defective. For example, if the retention clip 5555 rubs a contact of the insertion tool, this rubbing can cause the removal or the migration of the conductive material, in this way the insertion tool will no longer be reliable. FIG. 6a shows a view of an insertion tool according to the invention in a checking tool 6666 during a checking method. The checking tool 6666 comprises at least two electrical contacts and an open circuit. The circuit is closed in the presence of an insertion tool according to the invention in a non-defective state. A signal is generated when the circuit of the checking tool is closed to indicate the proper operation of the insertion tool.

[0196] The electrical contacts of the checking tool correspond to key positions of the insertion tool and their arrangement determines the type of defect to be detected. For example, if the electrical contacts of the checking tool correspond to opposite ends of a single electrical contact of the insertion tool, the circuit of the checking tool is closed if there is conductive material connecting these ends. Likewise, if the electrical contacts of the checking tool correspond to points of the insertion tool that are in electric communication with one another permanently in the case of a non-defective insertion tool, the circuit of the checking tool is closed when there is conductive material connecting these points. According to one embodiment, the checking tool 6666 comprises at least four electrical contacts, corresponding to opposite ends of the first and second conductive tracks. That is to say two electrical contacts of the checking tool 6666 correspond to opposite ends of the first conductive track, and two other electrical contacts of the checking tool 6666 correspond to opposite ends of the second conductive track.

[0197] For example, the second ending can be considered to be an end of a conductive track, and an end of a contact can be considered to be an opposite end of this first end. Thus, one electrical contact of the checking tool corresponds to the distal end of the first electrical contact 1114, two electrical contacts of the checking tool correspond to the second endings of the first 1116 and second 1117 conductive tracks, and one electrical contact of the checking tool corresponds to the end of the second electrical contact 1115 opposite to the second ending 1117 of the second conductive track. In this embodiment, the circuit is closed when there is no break of continuity in the conductive material between the first 1114 electrical contact and the second ending 1116 of the first conductive track, nor in the conductive material between the second ending 1117 of the second conductive track and the end of the second electrical contact 1115 opposite to the second ending 1117 of the second conductive track.

[0198] According to one embodiment the checking tool comprises an open circuit having two electrical contacts in communication, with one another, said two contacts corresponding to opposite ends of the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts of the first part 1111 of the insertion tool. When the first part 1111 is inserted into the checking tool 6666, the first part 1111 being connected to the second part 2222, the electric system 3333 of the second part 2222 detects the electric communication between the third 3331 and fourth 3332 contacts via the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts, and emits a sensory and/or computer signal via the signalling means. In the context of such a checking method, this sensory and/or computer signal is considered to be an indication of the absence of breaks in the conductive material of the insertion tool.

[0199] According to one embodiment, the checking tool comprises an open circuit, having two electrical contacts in electric communication, with one another, said two contacts corresponding to the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts of the insertion tool. This circuit is closed if the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts of the insertion tool are electrically connected. This can occur, for example, if a conductive material migrates into an insulating region of the insertion tool in such a way as to connect its first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts. A signal is generated when this circuit is closed to indicate a defect in the insertion tool. Advantageously, the checking tool 6666 comprises this circuit as well as the circuit shown in FIG. 6a. FIG. 6b shows a view of an insertion tool according to the invention in a checking tool 6666, during a checking method, comprising two electrical circuits: a first circuit to detect a gap in the conductive material of the insertion tool (on the right, as visible in FIG. 6a), and a second circuit to detect an electrical continuity between the first 1114 and second 1115 electrical contacts through the insulating region separating them.

[0200] According to an improvement illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the checking tool includes an additional member 7777 for indicating the proper locking of the contact element 4444 in the clip 5555.

[0201] More precisely, this member 7777 includes an outer sheath 7778 mobile in translation in such a way as to be able to slide along the case 2222.

[0202] This outer sheath 7778 encloses first of all a first pair of secondary electrical contacts 1120 and 1121 and a second pair of secondary electrical contacts 7779 and 7780 connected to the electric system 3333 of the case 2222.

[0203] Finally, the outer sheath 7778 encloses a compression spring 7781 having a stiffness-coefficient value (taring) such that the pairs of secondary electrical contacts 1120 and 1121 and 7779 and 7780, respectively, remain open as long as the spring 7781 is not stopped (FIG. 7a), and are closed when the sheath 7778 has moved backward sufficiently (arrows F) along the case 2222 and the spring 7781 is stopped (FIG. 7b).

[0204] Of course the electrical continuity is always ensured between the first electrical contacts 1114 and 1115 of the pen and the third 3331 and fourth 3332 contacts of the electric system 3333, respectively.

[0205] This second condition related to the compression spring allows to guarantee the correct plugging of a contact element into its cell. Thus, when these two conditions are met, in particular continuity of the metallised tracks on the pen and insertion stress reached, then the contact can be considered to be locked in its cell. Since the stress to be applied for the secondary electrical contacts to be closed (in contact with one another) is defined by the spring, it is therefore a set value to be reached. When the stress is reached (compression of the spring up to the stop), the pairs of secondary electrical contacts installed on each part come into contact. This contact is achieved when the operator reaches a stop during the insertion with the tool, and only at that moment.