Upper lock with holding detection device

Abstract

Disclosed is an upper lock for a capture pin (200) for holding a movable element (201), comprising: a hook (3) movable between a release position and a holding position; a locking element (10) interacting with the hook and movable between a locking position and an unlocking position; and a detection device. The detection device comprises a first sensor (20) and a second sensor (30), the first sensor being used to detect whether the hook is in the holding position, and the second sensor being used to detect the presence of a movable element in the vicinity of the upper lock at a position occupied by the movable element when the capture pin is present in the hook.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an uplock, for example for use on an aircraft, for holding an aircraft landing gear or a cargo door in a retracted position and, more generally, for holding any movable element of an aircraft in one of its positions. Background Art

[0002] In a manner known per se, an uplock of this type comprises a hook pivotally mounted on the uplock between a holding position and a release position, and a member for locking the hook, which member is pushed into position for locking the hook when the hook is brought into the holding position and which member is pushed back towards the unlocking position by an unlocking actuator so that the hook can be swung towards the release position, thereby releasing the movable element.

[0003] The hook cooperates with the catch pin of the movable element and, when the element reaches the position in which it is held, pushes the hook into the holding position in which it is automatically locked by the locking member. The catch pin of the movable element is then captured in the hook and cannot be released therefrom. In order to enable the movable element to be released, the locking member must be pushed back into the unlocking position, for example by means of an unlocking actuator. The movable element is then free to leave the position in which it is held, the catch pin driving the hook from the holding position towards the release position.

[0004] The upper lock is usually provided with a proximity sensor to detect the position of the locking member. To this end, the locking member is equipped with a movable target part between a position away from the proximity sensor and a position close to the proximity sensor, each position of the target part is associated with one of the positions of the locking member, so that when the locking member moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the electrical signal generated by the proximity sensor changes, and vice versa. Detection that the locking member is in the locked position means that the capture pin has pushed the hook to its automatically locked holding position, so that this detection also corresponds to the indirect detection of the holding movable element.

[0005] However, sometimes the hook is correctly detected in its holding position, but the capture pin is not actually held by the hook because part of the hook is broken, preventing it from holding the capture pin. In these abnormal cases, detecting that the hook is in the holding position does not guarantee that the movable element is actually held.

[0006] Document WO2018 / 189299 proposes to provide the housing with a second proximity sensor to detect whether the capture pin is actually present in the hook when the hook is in its holding position. To this end, the second target portion is carried by an indicator rod, which is pushed back by the capture pin itself and which places the second target portion in a position away from the sensor if the capture pin is not in the hook, and in a position close to the second sensor if the capture pin is in the hook in the holding position. Thus, the movable element is considered to be effectively held if the first sensor indicates that the locking member is in the locking position and if the second sensor indicates that the capture pin is actually present in the hook. However, the provision of an indicator rod cooperating with the capture pin may prove difficult, given that the bulky presence of the hook obscures a large part of the capture pin when the movable element is held in place. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to propose an uplock which enables simple detection of the hook in the holding position and of the catch pin present in the hook.

[0008] In order to achieve this object, an uplock for selectively retaining a capture pin of a movable element is proposed, the uplock comprising:

[0009] - a hook movable between a release position and a holding position for the catch pin of the movable element;

[0010] a locking member interacting with the hook and movable between a locked position, in which it fixes the hook in the retaining position, and an unlocked position, in which the hook is free to displace under the thrust of the capture pin of the movable element;

[0011] - Detection means adapted to detect a situation in which the hook is in the holding position and whether the capture pin is present in the hook.

[0012] According to the invention, the detection device comprises a first sensor cooperating with the hook or the locking member to detect whether the hook is in the holding position, and a second sensor arranged to cooperating with a portion of the movable element different from the capture pin to detect the presence of the movable element in the vicinity of the uplock in the position which the movable element occupies when the capture pin is present in the hook.

[0013] The second sensor is therefore used to confirm that, when the hook is in the holding position, the movable element is actually in the position it should occupy when the capture pin is present in the hook, without detecting the presence of the capture pin itself in the hook. Therefore, a simple digital processing of the signals from the two sensors means that it is easy to verify that the hook is actually in the holding position and that the movable element is actually in the position it should occupy when the capture pin is held by the hook.

[0014] According to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the second sensor is suitable for detecting, directly in the vicinity of the uplock, the presence of the movable element in the position which the movable element occupies when the capturing pin is present in the hook.

[0015] The term "directly" means that the detection is performed without a movable intermediate part operated by the movable element. This arrangement therefore does not require any additional movable parts on the uplock. It is sufficient to mount a target on the movable element, which is suitable for cooperating with the second sensor so as to cause a change in the signal from it when the target is in the vicinity of the second sensor, or to use a second sensor which is only sensitive to the presence of the movable element in the vicinity of the sensor, such as a micro switch or an optical sensor, so that the movable element constitutes the target for the sensor.

[0016] Preferably therefore, the second sensor is a proximity sensor and the part of the movable element co-operating with the second sensor forms the target portion.

[0017] According to a second particular embodiment of the invention, the second sensor cooperates indirectly with the portion of the movable element via an indicator rod movably mounted on the uplock, this portion of the movable element causing the rod to displace between a position in which the indicator rod is close to the second sensor and a position in which the indicator rod is distant from the second sensor, one of said positions corresponding to the presence of the movable element in the vicinity of the uplock, the position occupied by the movable element when the capture pin is present in the hook.

[0018] In this embodiment, the detection is indirect but still aims at detecting the presence of the movable element in the vicinity of the uplock in the position it occupies when the capture pin is present in the hook, without directly cooperating with the capture pin.

[0019] Preferably therefore, the second sensor is a proximity sensor and the part of the movable element co-operating with the second sensor forms the target portion.

[0020] Advantageously, at least one sensor is mounted on the fixed part.

[0021] The present invention also provides a landing gear assembly comprising an element movable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a capture pin fixed to the movable element is received in a hook of an uplock according to the present invention, and a second sensor is positioned to extend near a portion that is integral with the movable element and different from the capture pin so as to detect the presence of the movable element near the uplock.

[0022] According to two embodiments: the movable element is a landing gear, and the movable element is a cargo door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be better understood in view of the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an uplock with direct detection according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention, showing the capture pin of the movable element approaching the hook when the hook is in the release position;

[0025] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 , showing the hook in the locked position with the capture pin actually held by the hook;

[0026] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 is similar to Figure 1 , showing the hook in a locked position with the capture pin released from the hook after a portion of the hook has broken off;

[0027] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of an uplock with indirect detection of an indicator rod according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention, showing the capture pin of the movable element approaching the hook when the hook is in the release position;

[0028] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 , showing the hook in the locked position with the capture pin actually held by the hook;

[0029] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 is Figure 5 A schematic diagram in the direction of arrow G of , showing a first possible arrangement of the second sensor relative to the target portion carried by the indicator rod;

[0030] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 is Figure 5 A schematic diagram in the direction of arrow G shows a second possible arrangement of the second sensor relative to the target portion carried by the indicator rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] refer to Figures 1 to 3 And according to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the uplock comprises a plate 100 carrying a first pivot 1 and a second pivot 2 defining parallel pivot axes X1 and X2. A hook 3 is mounted on the first pivot 1 around the axis X1 so as to Figure 1 Release position shown and Figure 2 and Figure 3The hook 3 is pivoted between the holding positions shown, the hook being urged towards the release position by a spring (not shown). The hook 3 comprises a hook portion 5, in which a capture pin 200 of a movable element 201 (e.g. an aircraft landing gear or a cargo door) is intended to be retained by an uplock in order to fix the movable element 201 (e.g. in the retracted position of the landing gear, or in the closed position of the cargo door). To this end, the movable element is displaced by a maneuvering actuator and the capture pin 200 follows a trajectory F which pushes the hook 3 towards a locking position in which it retains the capture pin 200. For this purpose, the locking member 10 is pivotally mounted on a second pivot 2 about the axis X2 and comprises a roller 11 which is permanently carried on a cam profile 6 of the hook 3. The locking member 10 is Figure 1 Unlocked position shown and Figure 2 and 3 The locking member 10 pivots between the locking position shown, where it is automatically returned by a spring (not shown), and it automatically reaches the holding position when the hook 3 reaches it. In the locking position, the locking member 10 locks the hook 3 in the holding position. To release the catch pin 200, an unlocking actuator (not shown) pushes the locking member 10 toward the unlocking position, which enables the hook 3 to pivot toward the release position and thus enables the catch pin 200 to leave the hook 3.

[0032] Here, the upper lock is provided with a first proximity sensor 20, which cooperates with a first target portion 21 carried by the locking member 10, so that the first proximity sensor 20 can be used in the following manner: Figure 1 The position shown is far from the first proximity sensor 20 and Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first proximity sensor 20 is shown in Figure 1. The signal from the first proximity sensor 20 changes when the associated first target portion 21 changes from one position to another, which makes it possible to detect whether the locking member 10 is in the locked position, and therefore the hook is in the holding position, or to detect whether the locking member 10 is in the unlocked position, and therefore the hook is in the release position. In a variant, the first target portion 21 can also be carried by the hook 3, and the first proximity sensor 20 is then firmly fixed to the upper lock to cooperate with the first target portion carried by the hook 3.

[0033] The uplock further comprises a second proximity sensor 30 disposed on the plate 100 to cooperate with a second target portion 31 carried by the movable element 201 so that the target portion can be moved at Figure 1 and 3 Visible distant locations and Figure 23, which corresponds to the position of the movable element 201 that it occupies when the capture pin 200 is present in the hook 3. When the second target portion 31 is displaced from one position to another, the signal from the second sensor 30 changes, which makes it possible to determine whether the movable element occupies the correct position when the capture pin 200 is correctly held by the hook. The second sensor directly detects the proximity of the movable element 201 to the uplock 100.

[0034] The functions of the upper lock of the present invention are as follows. Figure 1 An initial situation is shown in , in which the hook 3 is in its release position and the locking member 10 is in its unlocked position. In this position, the first proximity sensor 20 and the first target portion 21 are spaced apart from each other, and the second proximity sensor 30 and the second target portion 31 are spaced apart from each other. The movable element 201 is then manipulated to approach its fixed position. The capture pin 200 is then displaced in direction F and pushes the hook 3 towards the holding position. When the hook 3 reaches the holding position, the locking member 10 automatically moves to its locking position to lock the hook 3 in the holding position. Figure 2 In the position shown, the first proximity sensor 20 and the first target portion 21 are close to each other, so that the signal from the first proximity sensor 20 changes. Similarly, the second proximity sensor 30 and the second target portion 31 are close to each other, so that the signal from the second proximity sensor 30 changes, which makes it possible to determine that the capture pin 200 is actually present in the hook 3.

[0035] It may happen that the hook 3 breaks and no longer holds the capture pin 200. Figure 3 In this case shown, the movable element 201 has been displaced and the capture pin 200 has left the hook 3 (e.g., under the effect of gravity), while the hook 3 is still fixed in the holding position. In doing so, the second target portion 31 has moved away from the second proximity sensor 30. The signal from the second proximity sensor changes, indicating that the capture pin 200 is no longer held by the hook 3, although the hook 3 remains fixed in the holding position.

[0036] The combination of the signals from the two sensors therefore enables four situations to be distinguished:

[0037] [Table 1]

[0038] First sensor / first target keep away near near keep away Second sensor / second target keep away near keep away near Condition: Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 There is a problem with the locking hook

[0039] In particular, this combination enables the identification of Figure 3 , in which the hook 3 is indicated as locked, but the movable element 201 is not held by the hook.

[0040] exist Figure 4 and 5In a second particular embodiment shown in , the uplock 100 is equipped with an indicator lever 40 pivotally mounted on the uplock about an axis X3 parallel to the axes X1 and X2. The indicator lever 40 comprises a branch intended to be displaced by a pusher 42 of the movable element 201 and a second branch carrying a second target portion 41 intended to cooperate with the second sensor 30. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , when the movable element 201 moves away from the uplock 100 , the indicator rod 40 returns to the position shown in which the second target portion 41 moves away from the second sensor 30 . Figure 5 In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the movable element 201 is in close proximity to the uplock 100 and the indicator rod 40 is pushed back by a pusher 42 of the movable element which is different from the catch pin 200, so that the second target portion 41 is brought into a position close to the second sensor 30. This is an indirect detection of a part of the movable element, in this case the pusher 42, by means of the indicator rod. The indicator rod 40 does not cooperate with the catch pin 200, but with a part of a different movable element, making the installation of the indicator rod 40 simpler. However, as in the previous embodiment, this detection makes it possible to ensure that the catch pin 200 is actually present in the hook, but without directly detecting the catch pin 200.

[0041] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 The relative arrangement of the second sensor 30 and the target portion 41 in the second embodiment is shown in . It can be seen that the target portion 41 and the second sensor 30 have intersecting relative trajectories. In practice, the target portion 41 is mounted at the end of the indicator rod 40, which is pivoted about an axis parallel to the front surface of the second sensor 30, so that at the terminal part of its movement towards the second sensor 30, the target portion 41 approaches the second sensor 30 following a trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to the front surface of the second sensor 30. Such an arrangement is satisfactory if it can be ensured that in all cases the movable element 201 does not approach the upper lock and there is no risk of collision between the target portion 41 and the second sensor. If such a risk exists, it is preferably used. Figure 7 The arrangement shown, in which the target portion 41 and the second sensor 30 have tangential trajectories, eliminates any risk of collision between these two elements. In practice, the target portion 41 is then mounted at the end of an indicator stem 40 which pivots about an axis orthogonal to the front surface of the second sensor 30, so that over the terminal part of its movement towards the second sensor 30, the target portion 41 approaches the second sensor 30 following a trajectory parallel to the front surface of the second sensor 30. Depending on the final position of the movable element 201 relative to the plate 100, the target portion 41 will be more or less facing the front surface of the second sensor 30, but at the same distance from said front surface.

[0042] The invention is not limited to the above description but on the contrary covers any variant coming within the scope of the claims.

[0043] In particular, although the use of proximity sensors in conjunction with dedicated target parts has been described herein, other technologies, such as micro switches or optical sensors, may also be used. In this case, the target part would be the locking member or hook directly for the first sensor, and the movable element itself or indicator rod for the second sensor.

[0044] The sensors are preferably mounted on the fixed part, but at least one of them may be mounted on the movable part.

Claims

1. An uplock for selectively retaining a capture pin (200) of a movable element (201), the uplock comprising: - a hook (3) movable between a release position and a retaining position for the catch pin of the movable element; - a locking member (10) which interacts with the hook and is movable between a locked position, in which it fixes the hook in the retaining position, and an unlocked position, in which the hook is free to displace under the force of the capture pin of the movable element; - detection means adapted to detect a situation in which the hook is in the holding position and the capture pin is present in the hook, The invention is characterized in that the detection device comprises a first sensor (20) and a second sensor (30), the first sensor cooperating with the hook or the locking member to detect whether the hook is in the holding position, and the second sensor being arranged to cooperate with a portion of the movable element (201) different from the capture pin to detect the presence of the movable element in the vicinity of the upper lock at a position occupied by the movable element when the capture pin is present in the hook.

2. The upper lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second sensor is suitable for cooperating directly with the first portion (31) of the movable element (201) to detect the presence of the movable element in the vicinity of the uplock in the position it occupies when the capture pin is present in the hook.

3. The upper lock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second sensor (30) is a proximity sensor, and the first portion (31) of the movable element cooperating with the second sensor forms a target portion.

4. The upper lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second sensor (30) cooperates indirectly with a second portion (42) of the movable element via an indicator rod movably mounted on the uplock, the second portion of the movable element causing the rod to displace between a position in which the indicator rod is close to the second sensor and a position in which the indicator rod is remote from the second sensor, one of the positions corresponding to the position occupied by the movable element when the capture pin is present in the hook in the vicinity of the uplock.

5. The upper lock according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second sensor (30) is a proximity sensor which cooperates with a portion of the indicator stem forming a target portion (41) for the second sensor.

6. The upper lock according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second sensor (30) and the target portion (41) are mounted relative to each other to have intersecting relative trajectories.

7. The upper lock according to claim 5, characterized in that: The target portion (41) is mounted on the indicator rod (40) to follow a trajectory parallel to the front surface of the second sensor (30), so that the second sensor (30) and the target portion (41) have tangentially relative trajectories.

8. The upper lock according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: At least one of the sensors (20, 30) is a proximity sensor.

9. The upper lock according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: At least one of the sensors (20, 30) is mounted on a fixed part.

10. A landing gear assembly comprising a movable element (201) between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a catch pin (200) integral with the movable element (201) is received in a hook (3) of an uplock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the second sensor (30) being positioned to extend adjacent a portion integral with the movable element (201) and distinct from the catch pin (200) to detect the presence of the movable element (201) in the vicinity of the uplock.

11. The landing gear assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: The movable element (201) is a landing gear.

12. The landing gear assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: The movable element (201) is a cargo door.

Images