Device for detachably attaching apparatus and corresponding apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detachably attaching a device (E), comprising a base (200) and a frame (100) rigidly connected to the device; the frame (100) has a first side (101) and a second side (102) opposite each other with respect to a first axis (A1) of the frame (100), and a base plate (103) extending between the two sides (101, 102) in a direction parallel to the first axis (A1) so as to rest on an upper surface (203) of the base (200). The device comprises at least a first support (104) disposed on the frame (100) so as to engage under a hook (204) rigidly connected to the base (200); and a second support (106) disposed on the frame (100) for engagement with a tie rod (206) connected to the base (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of detachable attachment of devices, and more particularly to the field of detachable attachment of electronic, electromechanical or optoelectronic devices (e.g., inertial measurement units). Background Technology

[0002] Typically, such equipment is installed in a vehicle by attaching a base to it, mounting the equipment on a frame, and then attaching the frame to the base. Often, several bases are connected together to form a rack, allowing for centralized installation of equipment in the same area of ​​the vehicle, such as within the avionics bay of an aircraft.

[0003] The frame generally includes first and second sides disposed opposite to a first axis of the frame, and a base plate extending parallel to the first axis between the two sides for abutting against the upper surface of a base. The base includes, for example, a pin parallel to the first axis and engaged in a groove in the frame, and a clamping system for positioning and securing the frame to the base.

[0004] The fastening device formed by the base and frame should not contain any fragile parts or parts exposed to any impact before the frame is assembled to the base. After assembly, it should be reliable and robust, and should not cause a statically indeterminate state that may interfere with the operation of the equipment, especially when the equipment is a sensitive measuring device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A particular object of the present invention is to provide an attachment device that at least partially satisfies the above requirements.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention relates to a device for detachably attaching a device, the device comprising a base and a frame rigidly connected to the device; the frame having a first side and a second side opposite to each other relative to a first axis of the frame, and a base plate extending parallel to the first axis between the two sides to abut against an upper surface of the base. The device includes at least:

[0007] - A first support is disposed on a first side of the frame and engages with respect to a first axis below a hook integrally formed with and extending from the upper surface of the base; the hook and the first support have a first surface, wherein at least one of the first surfaces is inclined to press the substrate against the upper surface when the first surfaces abut against each other.

[0008] - A second support, disposed on a second side of the frame, includes a notch for receiving a portion of a pull rod having an end section abutting against the base; the second support and the pull rod have second surfaces, wherein at least one second surface is inclined and the pull rod is inclined such that: the second surfaces abut against each other, the first surfaces abut against each other, and the substrate abuts against the upper surface of the base.

[0009] Therefore, the inclination of the tie rod's support surface helps to form a tight contact between the second support surface, the first support surface, and between the base plate and the upper surface of the base. Consequently, the frame is precisely and reliably positioned and fixed on the base.

[0010] These features can be used individually or in combination, depending on the following optional features:

[0011] - The first support is disposed on the first side of the frame and above the substrate, and / or the second support is disposed on the second side of the frame and above the substrate;

[0012] - The first support is set in the groove on the first side;

[0013] - The first inclined surface forms an angle of about 45° with the upper surface of the substrate and the base, and / or the second inclined surface forms an angle of about 45° with the upper surface of the substrate and the base;

[0014] - The pull rod forms an angle of approximately 45° with the upper surface of the base plate and the base;

[0015] - The second surface of the second support is concave, which is bent around a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to the substrate. The second surface supported by the tie rod is convex and is bent accordingly with the second concave surface.

[0016] - The second convex surface is part of a plate inserted between the shoulder of the pull rod and the second concave surface;

[0017] - The pull rod is a screw, the head of the pull rod forms a shoulder, and the end of the pull rod is hinged to the base about a third axis parallel to the second axis;

[0018] - The upper surface of the base and the base plate are provided with elements for centering the frame relative to the base;

[0019] - The centering element includes at least one protrusion extending from the upper surface of the base to define an alignment reference for the first axis, and the substrate includes a groove parallel to the first axis to receive the protrusion.

[0020] - It has two protruding elements in the shape of two pins.

[0021] Therefore, it is possible to assemble attachment devices formed by the base and frame in a simpler, repeatable manner, with less reliance on operator technique (clamping force varies from person to person). The design without protruding parts on the frame reduces the risk of component damage and injury to the operator.

[0022] The invention also relates to a device mounted on a frame of such an attachment.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the following description of specific, non-limiting embodiments of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Please refer to the attached diagram, in which:

[0025] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the base of the device of the present invention;

[0026] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 This is a kinematic diagram of the attachment device according to the invention after the frame has been attached to the base;

[0027] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the frame as seen from below;

[0028] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the attachment device being assembled, with particular emphasis on the first side of the frame;

[0029] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 This is a view taken after the frame has been slightly moved relative to the base, and this view is... Figure 4 The view shown is similar, but it is a magnified view of a portion of the view.

[0030] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 This is the view after the frame has been fully moved relative to the base, and the view is... Figure 5 The view shown is similar.

[0031] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 This is a partial sectional view along the longitudinal direction, showing the assembly of the frame and base in the attachment device according to a variant embodiment;

[0032] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 This is a partial perspective view of the attachment device being assembled, with particular attention to the second side of the frame;

[0033] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 This is a view of the attachment device after the frame is assembled to the base, and this view is consistent with... Figure 8 The view shown is similar.

[0034] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 This is a partial perspective view of the assembled attachment device as seen from below. Detailed Implementation

[0035] In one embodiment, the invention is described as being applied to attaching a device E to a vehicle: in this case, the device E is an inertial measurement unit (IMU). It should be noted that the IMU includes: a linear inertial sensor, i.e., an accelerometer, positioned axially on a measurement reference frame; an angular inertial sensor, i.e., a gyroscope or angular velocity meter, configured to measure the angular motion of the measurement reference frame relative to the inertial reference frame; and an electronic processing unit connected to the inertial sensor to provide signals characterizing the attitude and motion of the IMU within the inertial reference frame. This is an example of a device that can be used with the invention, and the attachment device can be used with any type of device, particularly electronic, electromechanical, or optoelectronic devices.

[0036] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the detachable attachment device of the present invention mainly comprises two parts: a frame 100 and a base 200.

[0037] In this case, the frame 100 is in the shape of a parallelepiped, accommodates the device E, and includes a first side 101 and a second side 102 that are opposite each other relative to the first axis A1 of the frame 100, and a substrate 103 that extends between the first side 101 and the second side 102 and is parallel to the first axis A1.

[0038] The first side 101 includes a groove near the substrate 103, in which a heel 104 protrudes, the heel having a slightly spherically convex upper surface forming a first support surface 105. The heel 104 extends above the substrate 103, and the first surface of the support 105 is inclined relative to the substrate 103, forming an acute angle with the substrate, in this case, the acute angle is 45°.

[0039] The second side 102 includes a latch 106 near the substrate 103 (e.g., ... Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the latch protrudes from the second side 102 relative to the first axis A1. The latch 106 has a slightly cylindrical concave upper surface that forms a second support surface 107. This second support surface 107 is curved about a second axis A2, which is perpendicular to the first axis A1 and parallel to the substrate 103. The latch 106 extends generally above the substrate 103 (its lower surface is flush with the substrate 103), and the second support surface 107 is inclined, forming an acute angle with the substrate 103, in this case, 45°. The latch 106 is provided with a vertical notch 108 parallel to the first axis A1, dividing the second support surface 107 into two parts.

[0040] A groove 109, parallel to the first axis A1, extends in the substrate 103 and has an opening at one end of the first side 101 and an opposite blind end. A recess 110 is also formed on the substrate 103, allowing the substrate 103 to be placed on the support surface primarily through its corners.

[0041] In this example, the base 200 is in the shape of a parallelepiped and includes: a first side 201 and a second side 202, which are opposite to each other with respect to the first axis A1' of the base 200; and an upper surface 203 that extends between the two sides 201 and 202 and is parallel to the first axis A1'.

[0042] A hook 204 is attached to the edge of the upper surface 203 adjacent to the first side 201, protruding from the upper surface 203, and a first support surface 205 is included on the side opposite to the upper surface 203. The first support surface is inclined to form an acute angle with the upper surface 203, in this case, the acute angle is 45°.

[0043] A pull rod 206 is mounted near the second side 202. A first end section 206.1 of the pull rod is hinged to the base 200, and a second end section 206.2 of the pull rod forms a shouldered head that abuts against the second support surface 107 of the frame 100 via the second support surface 207. More specifically, the first end section is threaded and screwed into a cylinder 211 mounted in a lower recess 212 of the base 200 to pivot about a third axis A3 parallel to the second axis A2 and located between the first side 201 and the second side 202, but closer to the latter. It must be noted that a pin passes through the first end section 206.1, thereby confining the pull rod 206 within the cylinder 211. The second support surface 207 is, in this case, part of a plate 213, on which the shoulder of the second end section 206.2 abuts via an anti-loosening washer 214.

[0044] The upper surface 203 includes elements for relative centering of the frame 100 and the base 200 along the first axes A1, A1'. The centering elements protrude from the upper surface 203 and, in this case, include two pins 209.1, 209.2, with a tab 209.3 extending between them to define an alignment reference for the first axes A1, A1'. A recess 210 is also formed in the central strip region of the upper surface 203, allowing only two side strip regions of the upper surface 203 to support the substrate 103.

[0045] In use, the base 200 is pre-attached to the vehicle by screws, for example, the screws pass through holes 215 made in the base 200 perpendicular to the upper surface 203.

[0046] First, the frame 100 is attached by abutting the substrate 103 against the upper surface 203 near the second side 202 of the frame on the first side 101 of the frame. Figure 4 At this point, the lever 206 is in a low position, extending substantially horizontally and located below the upper surface 203.

[0047] Then by inserting pin 209.1 into groove 109 ( Figure 5Next, insert the protrusion 209.3, and then insert the pin 209.2. Figure 6 This causes the frame 100 to move toward the first side 201 of the base 200. The first support surfaces 105 and 205 then come into contact with each other. Figure 6 As can be seen, hook 204 is still located outside the heel portion 104. In one variant, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the heel portion 104 can be made to have a greater depth to allow it to fully accommodate the hook 204, and when the frame 100 is assembled with the base 200, the first side 101 of the frame extends in the extension of the first side 201 of the base.

[0048] Next, the pull rod 206, which is in the lower position for positioning frame 100, is... Figure 8 Fold it downwards toward frame 100 so that it can be inserted into recess 108 and the second support surfaces 107 and 207 are positioned opposite each other. Then tighten the pull rod 206 so that the second support surfaces 107 and 207 abut against each other (see...). Figure 9 and Figure 10 As can be seen, the pull rod 206 forms an angle of approximately 45° with the upper surface 203 of the base 200 and the substrate 103 at this position.

[0049] Therefore, when assembling the frame and the base:

[0050] - The heel 104 of the first support forming the frame engages below the hook 204 which is integrally formed with the base 200 and protrudes from the upper surface of the base, and the surfaces 105, 205 of the first support abut against each other, thereby resisting axial movement of the frame 100 relative to the base 200 and pressing the base plate 103 against the upper surface 203 of the base 200.

[0051] - The pull rod 206 applies a force to the latch 106, and the second support surfaces abut against each other, thereby resisting the axial movement of the frame 100 relative to the base 200 and causing the second support surfaces 107 and 207 to abut against each other, while the base plate 103 abuts against the upper surface 203 of the base 200.

[0052] Pins 209.1 and 209.2 are received in an adjustable manner in two sections of groove 109, ensuring alignment of axes A1 and A1'. Preferably, the diameter of pin 209.2 is larger than that of pin 209.1, such that the width of the groove section receiving pin 209.2 is larger than that of pin 209.1 (by one millimeter in this case): this eliminates the risk of pin 209.1 damaging the groove section receiving pin 209.2, or vice versa, when pin 209.1 engages in groove 109. The open end of groove 109 expands in a flared shape, and tab 209.3 is used only to generally guide frame 100 so that its expanded end faces pin 209.2 during movement of frame 100 along base 200. This prevents first side 101 from impacting pin 209.2.

[0053] Therefore, it can be understood that, in the case of an inertial measurement unit:

[0054] - The head orientation of the inertial measurement unit is provided by the travel line defined by pins 209.1 and 209.2;

[0055] Roll and pitch orientations are provided by planar contact between the substrate 103 and the upper surface 203 of the base 200.

[0056] It is also understandable that this planar contact is forced through the tilted clamping on the second side and the tilted support on the first side.

[0057] It should be noted that the frame 100 does not include any elements protruding from the substrate 103: therefore the frame can be placed flat on any flat support without the risk of damaging such protruding elements.

[0058] It should also be noted that the protruding part is only on the second side, which facilitates various operations on the frame and limits the risk of damaging the protruding element.

[0059] The recesses on the substrate 103 and the upper surface 203 reduce the contact area between the substrate 103 and the upper surface 203 of the base 200 when the frame 100 is placed on the base 200. This makes planar contact possible.

[0060] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but covers any variations included within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0061] Specifically, the structure of the attachment device may differ from that described.

[0062] When the heel 104 and latch 106 are made of a hard material (e.g., steel), the support surface may be integrally formed therewith; when they are made of a softer material (e.g., aluminum), the support surface may be part of the assembly connected to the heel 104 and latch 106. The hook 204 is preferably made of steel, as is the plate 213.

[0063] In this configuration, hook 204 is attached to base 200, more specifically, by screw 216 passing through base 200 from below. Pin 217 itself engages parallel to screw 216 in both base 200 and hook 204 to withstand shear forces and forces parallel to the first axis A1. Other attachment methods are possible, such as not using a pin or welding. Furthermore, hook 204 may be integrally formed with base 200.

[0064] The tie rod 206 may have a shouldered end instead of a threaded end, and is connected to the cylinder 211 via a support section. The tie rod may be a double-ended bolt or have a quick-clamping system. The tie rod may be a separate component from the base and screwed into the base at the end of assembly.

[0065] The support surface forms a 45° angle with the upper surface 203 of the substrate 103 and the base 200. This angle includes an ideal, precise value of 45°, as well as values ​​within a range that differ from this value by a few degrees.

[0066] Preferably, the pull rod 206 forms an angle of approximately 45° with the upper surface 203 of the substrate 103 and the base 200. Obviously, angles greater than or less than 45° are also feasible.

[0067] The centering elements of the frame 100 and the base 200 can have any suitable shape, such as being constructed as one or more cubic protrusions.

[0068] Preferably, two pin-shaped protrusions are provided, but different numbers and / or different shapes are also possible.

[0069] The support surfaces may have planar or non-planar shapes to achieve planar contact, line contact, or point contact between them.

[0070] The housing of the pin in the frame can be an insert, for example, made of steel, and attached to the bottom of the frame.

[0071] The tab 209.3 can be replaced with one or two sides that project outward from the upper surface 203 to guide any movement of the frame 100 parallel to the first axis A1.

[0072] Two heels 104 and two latches 106 may be provided on the frame 100, and two hooks 204 and two levers 206 may be provided on the base 200.

Claims

1. A device for detachably attaching a device (E), comprising a base (200) on one side and a frame (100) rigidly connected to said device on the other side; said frame (100) having a first side (101) and a second side (102) opposite each other with respect to a first axis (A1) of said frame (100), and a substrate (103) extending parallel to the first axis (A1) between said two sides (101, 102) to abut against an upper surface (203) of said base (200); characterized in that, The device includes at least: - A first support (104) is disposed on the first side (101) of the frame (100) and engages with respect to the first axis (A1) below a hook (204) integrally formed with the base (200) and extending from the upper surface (203) of the base. The hook (204) and the first support (104) have first surfaces (105, 205), wherein at least one of the first surfaces is inclined to press the substrate (103) against the upper surface (203) when the first surfaces (105, 205) abut against each other. - A second support (106) is disposed on the second side (102) of the frame (100) and includes a notch (108) to receive a portion of a pull rod (206) having an end section (206.1) abutting against the base (200). The second support (106) and the pull rod (206) have second surfaces (107, 207), wherein at least one of the second surfaces is inclined and the pull rod (206) is inclined such that the second surfaces (107, 207) abut against each other, the first surfaces (105, 205) abut against each other, and the base plate (103) abuts against the upper surface (203) of the base (200).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first support (104) is disposed on the first side (101) of the frame and above the substrate (103), and / or the second support (106) is disposed on the second side (102) of the frame (100) and above the substrate (103).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, The first support (104) is disposed in the groove of the first side (101).

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first inclined surface (105, 205) forms an angle of about 45° with the substrate (103) and the upper surface (203) of the base (200), and / or the second inclined surface (107, 207) forms an angle of about 45° with the substrate (103) and the upper surface (203) of the base (200).

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The second surface (107) of the second support (106) is concave and bends around the second axis (A2) that is perpendicular to the first axis (A1) and parallel to the substrate (103). The second surface (207) carried by the pull rod (206) is convex and bends accordingly to match the second concave surface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second convex surface (207) is part of a plate (213) inserted between the shoulder (206) of the pull rod and the second concave surface (107).

7. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pull rod (206) is a screw, the head of the pull rod forms the shoulder, and the end (206.1) of the pull rod is hinged to the base (200) about a third axis (A3) parallel to the second axis (A2).

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The upper surface (203) of the base (200) and the substrate (103) are provided with elements for centering the frame (100) relative to the base (200).

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The centering element includes at least one protrusion (209.1, 209.2) protruding from the upper surface (203) of the base (200) to define an alignment reference for the first axis (A1), and the substrate (103) includes a groove (109) parallel to the first axis to receive the protrusion.

10. Device (E) mounted on the frame (100) of the apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

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