Device for holding a cable bundle, cable tray equipped with at least one such device, and assembly method

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for retaining a bundle of cables in the channel of a cable tray, the cable tray comprising at least one channel equipped with at least one such retaining device, as well as a method for mounting this device in such a cable tray.

[0002] The cable bundles, or harnesses, used in a vehicle generating vibrations, particularly in aircraft, are generally arranged in channels of a cable tray, which may have several parallel tracks, each receiving a bundle that must be kept inside.

[0003] Each guided and fixed bundle in a channel is thus protected from other neighboring bundles as well as from the immediate environment, in particular against mechanical stresses such as friction which can cause wear to the cable coatings. State of the art

[0004] A known cable bundle retention device, notably presented in US document 4136257A, uses a cable channel forming a "U" open at the top, comprising on its two sides closely spaced vertical slots opening upwards, and which leave between them a regular succession of vertical tabs.

[0005] Each vertical tab can receive a clip comprising a contour that adjusts around the tab, equipped with a lip that extends into the channel to sit above the bundle. By sliding the clip's contour down the tab, its lip presses against the bundle to hold it at the bottom of the channel. At the end of the movement, the contour locks against bosses formed on the side of the tab to secure its height.

[0006] However, this support device requires cutting the sides of the channels to form the tabs distributed along the length, which complicates the construction of the cable tray.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of two parallel channels formed on the same cable tray, sharing a common wall that forms the sides of both channels, vertical slots must be cut into this wall to create the tabs. The outline of the clips surrounding a tab, which secures the support edge in one channel, partially extends into the adjacent channel, potentially causing clearance issues in the latter.

[0008] Other known retaining devices use drilled holes in the bottom of the channels to receive harness fixings, which also complicates the construction of the cable tray.

[0009] In particular, certain sensitive electrical beams, transmitting electrical signals or power currents, especially for aircraft, must have protection against the electromagnetic waves they emit to avoid transmitting them to nearby beams, or receiving them from these nearby beams.

[0010] Electrical cables must also be protected against the risk of electrical arcs that could form outside their channels, particularly due to drilling into these channels for cable attachment. Channels with openings such as slots on the sides or holes in the bottom provide less protection.

[0011] Other known retention devices involve supports fixed to the top of the channel, with an elastic support extending down inside to press on the bundle and hold it at the bottom of the channel. However, for bundles with varying diameters, the elastic supports will clamp the bundle differently depending on its diameter. This results in uneven clamping, which can lead to a risk of failure.

[0012] Alternatively, support devices with multiple brackets of varying dimensions, adapted to different beam diameters, can be used. This requires several bracket models, which complicates beam assembly during initial setup or maintenance, increases costs, and can lead to errors due to incorrect bracket size selection.

[0013] Such restraint devices are described, in particular, in documents US2938692A, FR2925781A1 and US2015 / 226354A1. Description of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art. To this end, it proposes to have a local means of reversibly locking the cable bundle in a channel capable of exerting adjustable pressure on this bundle.

[0015] More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for retaining a bundle of cables in a cable tray channel, such a channel comprising a bottom framed by two parallel sides. The retaining device includes a support having parallel upper and lower faces and, perpendicular to this upper face, two parallel and opposite lateral walls. These walls are equipped with retractable fasteners for attachment to the sides of the channel. This support has a central guide hole extending along an axis perpendicular to the upper face. A rod of a movable pusher is housed in this hole, the rod terminating in a base orthogonal to the rod, adapted to exert pressure on the bundle, and the hole includes a rod locking system that prevents the rod from retracting, allowing it to advance in a direction away from the base while preventing it from retracting in the opposite direction.

[0016] One advantage of this retaining device is that, in each channel of a cable tray that may have several parallel channels, after placing the cable bundle in that channel, the support can be individually secured by hooking it onto the inner sides of the channel. Then, with a simple, tool-free finger pressure movement, the pusher is lowered to position its base against the bundle. The pusher then maintains its position, with the base clamping the bundle thanks to its anti-return locking mechanism.

[0017] This results in rapid, individual assembly of the cable bundle, which can be held and clamped at each point within a channel featuring a continuous bottom and sides. This allows for easy initial assembly with a single type of retaining device, and, if necessary, for individual and localized access to the bundle for maintenance operations. Furthermore, the channels' continuous contour, without any openings, simplifies manufacturing and provides good electrical and electromagnetic protection.

[0018] The holding device according to the invention may advantageously include one or more of the following preferred features, which may be combined with each other.

[0019] Advantageously, the locking system includes elastic pawls fixed in the bore of the support, these pawls being engaged in teeth linked to the pusher rod.

[0020] In this case, the guide hole preferably has two pawls, each pawl being engaged in one of the two teeth formed on two opposite surfaces of the rod.

[0021] Furthermore, advantageously, the guide hole includes at least one rib parallel to its axis which is engaged in a corresponding groove in the rod to guide it.

[0022] Advantageously, the side walls of the support have bosses extending from the upper face, which has a lower face intended to serve as a support on the sides of the channel.

[0023] In this case, one of the side walls has a central boss, and the other wall has two bosses forming between them a hollow complementary to the central boss.

[0024] Advantageously, the retractable fixings of the side walls of the support consist of at least one elastic hook, capable of engaging in a groove formed along each channel side.

[0025] Advantageously, each hook can have a projection that extends out of the side wall. This projection has a free end on the side of the upper face of the support and is attached to said wall by a bevel on the side of the lower face of the support.

[0026] In particular, the support may include at least one hook on each side wall, in order to maintain at least one grip on each side in the event of a hook becoming detached.

[0027] In addition, the free end of the advance of each hook can be in the form of a tongue disposed with play in a housing extending parallel to the axis of the drilling.

[0028] In this case, advantageously, the retaining device includes a release tool comprising, at one end, points capable of engaging along the housings of the hooks of the same side wall to push these hooks towards the central hole.

[0029] Furthermore, advantageously, the release tool has arms at another end which can engage in the central bore containing the elastic pawls to release these pawls from the teeth of the pusher.

[0030] The invention also relates to a cable tray comprising at least one channel in which a bundle of cables is guided, the bundle being held by one or more regularly spaced retaining devices.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method of mounting a retaining device as defined above in said cable tray, comprising a step of fixing the support on the sides of the channel by: introducing the device towards the bottom of the channel, the device being dimensioned so that the walls of the support come flush with the sides, the hooks then being retracted into the lateral walls of the support; stopping this introduction when the bosses rest on the upper edges of the channel sides and, simultaneously, the hooks come to be inserted into the groove formed in each channel side; then a step of tightening the cable bundle by pressing on the rod of the pusher.

[0032] This assembly process can be followed later by a step of detaching the retaining device by removing the hooks from the support using the release tool defined above by inserting the points along the housings of the hooks on each side wall to push them towards the central hole and thus remove the support from the sides of the channel, then a step of spreading the anti-return locking system and recoiling the pusher by engaging the arms of the release tool against the elastic pawls of the central hole to release these pawls from the teeth of the pusher.

[0033] In this text, the terms "upper" or "above," and "lower" or "below," respectively, refer to a portion of an element located, in its operating mode, furthest from or closest to the bottom of the corresponding channel. Furthermore, "horizontal" and "vertical," respectively, describe an element that, in its operating mode, extends in a plane parallel to or along a perpendicular axis to the bottom of the corresponding channel. Presentation of the figures

[0034] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent in detail upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which respectively represent: [ Fig. 1 ] a view of a retaining device according to the invention fixed in a channel of a cable tray; ] Fig. 2 ] a view of this support device alone; [ Fig. 3] a view of the support for this retaining device showing successively the underside and the top of said device; ] Fig. 4 ] a view of the push button of this retaining device; ] Fig. 5 ] a view showing the removal of the support from the channel; and [ Fig. 6 ] a view showing the release of the push button on this support. Detailed description

[0035] There figure 1 presents a cable path comprising several parallel channels 18, having a longitudinal direction L arranged along the length of this path, and a perpendicular transverse direction T.

[0036] Each channel 18 has a rectangular cross-section open upwards, formed by a flat bottom 18f and two parallel sides 14 each having a longitudinal groove 16 turned towards the axis X'X of this channel.

[0037] THE figures 1 and 2illustrate a retaining device clamping the bundle 12 to the bottom 18f of the channel 18. This device includes a support 2 fixed on each side in the longitudinal groove 16 of a flank 14, and this support 2 receives a rod 8 of a pusher 6 in a guide bore 4 formed in the center of the support 2.

[0038] A substantially flat base 10 is fixed to the lower end of the rod 8, below the support 2. This base has a generally rectangular shape, fitted between the sides of the channel 14, and extending beyond the support 2 in the longitudinal direction L of said channel. The lower face of the base 10 has an active surface with a convex curvature in the transverse direction, which fits onto the beam 12 to distribute the pressure while preventing excessive mechanical stress that could damage it.

[0039] Generally, a cable harness can contain one or more cables of any type, including, for example, electrical cables, optical fibers, or conduits, particularly harnesses or cable bundles used especially in the aerospace industry. In this example, the cable tray, without any openings along its length, is formed by a continuous extrusion process.

[0040] There figure 3presents the support 2 having a substantially parallelepiped shape elongated along the transverse direction T, with upper face 2a and lower face 2b and opposite lateral walls 2c and 2d, which extend perpendicularly to the transverse direction T. Along this direction T, the support 2 has, on the top of the edges 14b of the flanks 14, on one side a central boss 20 and, on the other side, two lateral bosses 22 leaving between them a hollow corresponding to the central boss of another support not shown, intended for a juxtaposed channel 18. These bosses 20, 22 have lower faces 24 arranged in the same plane, bearing on the top of the edges of flanks 14b.

[0041] The hollow between the lateral bosses 22 allows, in the case of two channels 18 juxtaposed on the same cable path, to have two supports 2 transversely aligned in these channels (according to the direction T), the central boss 20 of one support fitting into the hollow of the other support.

[0042] Bosses 20 and 22 are formed on the side walls 2c and 2d of support 2 while extending the upper face 2a of support 2.

[0043] Each side of the support 2, the side walls 2c and 2d, have under the bosses 20, 22, two retractable elastic hooks 26 extending transversely, projecting beyond the sides of the support 2 by means of a projection 26a on the side of the upper face 2a. This projection 26a, substantially flat and horizontal in use, extends by a free end 26s on the side of the upper face 2a of the support 2, and is attached to the wall 2c, 2d by means of a bevel 26b on the side of the lower face 2b of the support 2.

[0044] The bevels 26b form inclined faces allowing, during descent in the channel 18, the retraction of the hooks 26 by compression on the flanks 14, until the advances 26a reach the level of the longitudinal groove 16 arranged along each flank 14. The advances 26a of the hooks 26 then relax by fitting into the grooves 16, thus preventing the rise of the support 2.

[0045] Each hook 26 linked to the support 2 by the lower end of its bevel 26b, extends by the free end 26s of its advance 26a which arrives at the level of the upper face 2a of this support in a vertical housing 28 with a play, allowing a transverse movement of the hook 26 of small amplitude in this housing 28.

[0046] The guide hole 4 located in the center of the support 2 has a substantially rectangular horizontal section and extends along an axis Y'Y perpendicular to the parallel faces 2a and 2b. This hole 4 includes on each side, in the transverse direction, a vertical central guide rib 30.

[0047] The guide bore 4 also includes two elastic ratchets 32 which extend substantially transversely. Each ratchet 32 ​​is fixed to the support 2 by its upper end, and includes at its lower end a lug 32a facing towards the center of the bore 4.

[0048] There figure 4 relates in particular to the rod 8 of the pusher 6 comprising a section fitting into the guide hole 4 of the support 2, having on each side in the transverse direction a groove 40 receiving a rib 30 of the hole to ensure the centering of the rod in this hole.

[0049] Each opposite surface of the rod 8, rotated along the longitudinal direction in its operating position, has a toothed section 42 equipped with a series of teeth 42a comprising an inclined lower face and a horizontal upper face in its operating position. Each toothed section 42 receives the lug 32a of one of the pawls 32 of the support 2, which can thus, during the descent of the pusher 6, slide on the inclined lower faces of this toothed section with elastic recoil. At the end of its descent, the lug 32a of each pawl 32 locks against the horizontal upper face of one of the teeth 42a of the toothed section 42, thus preventing the pusher 8 from rising.

[0050] In this way, from a high position of the pusher 6 in the support 2 - that is to say with the base 10 disposed against or near the lower face 2b of the support 2 (cf. figure 2 ) - a simple and rapid P thrust (cf. figure 1), exerted without tools by a finger pressing on the upper end of the rod 8, lowers this pusher to put the base 10 in contact with the beam 12. After releasing the finger, the pusher 6 can no longer rise, the beam 12 then being wedged in position at the bottom of the channel 18f.

[0051] There figure 5 presents a release tool 50 which can advantageously form part of the retaining device. This tool 50 has a flat surface, which includes in its lower part a plate 52a ending in two spaced points 52 facing downwards.

[0052] Each point 52 descends into a vertical housing 28 of a free end 26s of hook 26, taking support from the side of the hooks 26 that is furthest from the central hole 4. A manual push on the release tool 50 then allows each of the two hooks 26 to be moved back towards the center of the support 6, which frees them from the longitudinal groove 16 of the side of the channel 14.

[0053] One side of the support 2 formed by one of the side walls 2c or 2d can thus be lifted, after releasing its hooks 26, and then the same procedure can be followed simultaneously on the other side to release the other two hooks. The entire support device is then freed from the cable tray.

[0054] There figure 6illustrates the release tool 50 in the reversed position, comprising two parallel arms 54 turned downwards and extending in a parallel plane offset inwards from the channel 18 relative to the plate 52a comprising the points 52, in order to move this plate away from the rod 8. In this position, the tool 50 allows the pusher 6 to be released as described below.

[0055] Each parallel arm 54 is inserted into the bore of the support 4 against one face of the push rod 8, in the longitudinal direction L, more precisely between a ratchet 32 ​​and this rod 8. Then, by lowering the release tool 50, each end of arm 54 presses on a ratchet 32 ​​to push it back in the longitudinal direction in the opposite direction to the central bore 4, which makes it possible to release the lug 32a of this ratchet 32 ​​from the teeth 42 of the push rod 8.

[0056] By pulling on the upper end of the pushrod 8, the pushrod 6 is raised and released. The pushrod is thus returned to its upper position, and the entire retaining device, which is in its initial position, can then be reused, thereby reducing costs.

[0057] Advantageously, the support 2 and the pusher 6 are each formed from a single piece by a plastic molding, which makes it possible to economically produce the complex shapes of these parts.

[0058] The invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated. The anti-return locking system may consist of rack and pinion elements or a retractable extension disposed within the walls of the bore and capable of reversibly engaging with the teeth of the pusher rod. Furthermore, the retractable hooks may consist of balls or slides made removable by pressure exerted by a return spring. In addition, in the embodiment shown, the free end recesses may be open, and the bosses may be optional or present only on one side. Moreover, the central bore may be offset transversely to one side or the other of the support.

Claims

1. Device for holding a bundle of cables (12) in a channel (18) of a cable tray comprising a bottom (18f) framed by two parallel sides (14), the device comprising a support (2) having parallel upper (2a) and lower (2b) faces and, perpendicular to these faces, two parallel and opposite side walls (2c, 2d), provided with retractable fasteners (26) intended to be fastened to the sides (14) of the channel (18) and comprising projections adapted to expand by fitting into grooves (16) formed along each side (14) of the channel (18), said support (2) having a central guide hole (4) extending along an axis (Y'Y) perpendicular to the upper face (2a), and in which is housed a rod (8) of a movable push rod (6), the rod ending in an orthogonal base (10) protruding from the lower face (2b) of the support (2) and capable of exerting pressure on said beam (12), said hole comprising a system for locking the push rod (6) against return, allowing it to advance in a direction away from said base (10) from the lower face (2b) while preventing its backward movement in the opposite direction, characterized in that the locking system consists of elastic pawls (32) fixed in the hole (4) of the support (2), these pawls being engaged in teeth (42) connected to the push rod (6).

2. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the central guide hole (4) comprises two pawls (32) which are engaged in two teeth (42) formed on two opposite surfaces of the rod (8).

3. A holding device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central guide hole (4) comprises at least one rib (30) parallel to its axis (Y'Y) which is engaged in a corresponding groove (40) in the rod (8) to guide it.

4. A holding device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (2c, 2d) comprise bosses (20, 22) extending from the upper face (2a) and having a lower face (24) intended to serve as a support on the sides of the channel (14).

5. Holding device according to claim 4, in which one of the side walls (2c) has a central boss (20), and the other wall (2d) has two bosses (22) forming between them a recess (24) complementary to the central boss (20).

6. Holding device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retractable fasteners (26) of the side walls (2c, 2d) of the support (2) consist of at least one elastic hook (26) capable of engaging in one of said grooves (16).

7. Holding device according to claim 6, in which each hook (26) has a projection (26a) that protrudes from the side wall (2c, 2d), this projection (26a) has a free end (26s) on the side of the upper support face (2a) and is attached to said wall (2c, 2d) by a bevel (26b) on the side of the lower support face (2b).

8. Holding device according to claim 7, wherein the support (2) comprises at least one hook (26) on each side wall (2c, 2d).

9. Holding device according to any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the upper free end (26s) of the projection (26a) of each hook (26) is in the form of a tongue disposed with clearance in a housing (28) extending parallel to the drilling axis (Y'Y).

10. Holding device according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises two hooks (26) and two housings (28) on each side wall, and in that it comprises a release tool (50) comprising, at one end, tips (52) capable of engaging along the housings (28) of the hooks (26) of the same side wall (2c; 2d) to push these hooks towards the central hole (2).

11. Holding device according to claim 10, in which the release tool (50) further comprises arms (54) at another end which can engage in the central hole (4) comprising the elastic pawls (32) to release these pawls (32) from the teeth (42) of the push rod (6).

12. Cable tray comprising at least one channel (18) in which a cable bundle (12) is guided, characterized in that said bundle (12) is held by at least one holding device according to any of claims 1 to 11.

13. Method of mounting a holding device according to claim 6 combined with claim 4 in a cable tray according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a step of fixing the support (2) to the sides (14) of the channel (18) by: - introducing the device towards the bottom of the channel (18f), the device being dimensioned so that the side walls (2c, 2d) of the support are flush with the sides (14), the hooks (26) then being retracted into the side walls of the support; - stopping this insertion when the bosses (20, 22) rest on the upper edges (14b) of the channel sides (14) and, at the same time, the hooks (26) engage in the groove (16) formed along each channel side (14);14. then a step of tightening the cable bundle (12) by the push rod base (10) by pressing on the rod (8) of the push rod (6).Method for dismantling a holding device according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that, after implementing the method according to claim 13, this device is subsequently detached by a step of removing the hooks (26) from the support (2) of the channel sides (14) using the release tool (50) by inserting the tips (52) along the hook housings (28) to push them towards the central hole (4) and thus remove the support (2) from the channel sides (14), followed by a step of spreading the anti-return locking system and retracting the push rod (6) by engaging the arms (54) of the release tool (50) against the elastic pawls (32) of the central hole (4) to release these pawls from the pusher teeth (42).