TWO-SEGMENT CURVED FOLDING CONNECTING ROD

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a two-segment folding connecting rod system, one of these segments being curved. Such a connecting rod can be used, in particular, for openings, as a holding rod in the open position when unfolded and as a storage rod when folded.

[0002] In the aeronautical field in particular, cowlings and hatches are movable, opening parts of an aircraft's external structure that, when open, allow access to internal components or equipment—such as the landing gear or engine—for inspection and / or maintenance. To carry out these operations, the cowlings and hatches are attached to connecting rods that hold them open and prevent them from closing unexpectedly. When the cowlings and hatches are closed, the connecting rods fold in and move in conjunction with the closing mechanism.

[0003] Such connecting rods can be used in any other field that uses open-end retaining rods, such as the automotive, naval, or construction industries in particular. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Generally speaking, a connecting rod is a straight piece that connects two other parts that move relative to each other. The connecting rod transmits and / or blocks the movement of one of these parts. In the case of connecting rods for sashes or doors, their function is to lock the sash or door once it has reached the desired opening position.

[0005] Simple struts are commonly used in the automotive industry. They extend and typically hook onto a vehicle's hood to hold it open. These struts have the drawback of being sized to match the desired hood opening. Their overall size is therefore directly dependent on the hood's opening dimensions, and if this opening is larger than the hood's actual size, storing the strut when the hood is closed becomes problematic.

[0006] To reduce the size of these simple connecting rods, telescopic connecting rods are used. These consist of several segments that fit together and slide into one another to increase or decrease the size of the telescopic rod. However, these telescopic connecting rods are made of hollow segments to allow for their interlocking, and these hollow segments have less structural rigidity compared to solid segments. Telescopic connecting rods are therefore limited to light loads. Furthermore, the higher cost and longer assembly times of such telescopic connecting rods reduce their appeal.

[0007] Folding connecting rods reduce the longitudinal length of simple connecting rods. The longitudinal length of two-segment folding connecting rods depends directly on the bend angle between these segments: the closer the bend angle is to 90°, the smaller the longitudinal length. However, this reduction in longitudinal length is accompanied by an increase in transverse length.

[0008] Three-segment folding connecting rods are more commonly used: they feature a double articulation that is locked by a sliding pin when the rod is extended. Because this double articulation is located in the mid-section between the ends of the rod, the folded rod has a minimal longitudinal and transverse footprint. However, the double articulation mechanism and the kinematics of the locking sliding pin make the three-segment folding connecting rod fragile. If it is damaged, the operation of the opening mechanism is compromised.

[0009] A two-segment bendable connecting rod system, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, is disclosed in document US3563592A. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In order to remedy the disadvantages of the prior art described above, the main objective of the invention is to improve the size of two-segment bendable connecting rods without generating the inherent fragility of three-segment connecting rods.

[0011] To achieve this, the invention provides for a flexible connecting rod with two segments, one of which is curved, and which also includes a locking mechanism at the junction between the two segments. Advantageously, this mechanism allows for spontaneous locking of the segments by a restoring force when the connecting rod is extended. Furthermore, unlocking the mechanism is performed without the need for any special tools.

[0012] More specifically, the present invention relates to a two-segment folding connecting rod system between a frame and a sash. Each segment, a locking segment and a free segment, has a fixed end and a hinged end, the two segments being connected at their hinged ends by a pivot point. The fixed ends of the segments provide the connection between the folding rod and the frame, as well as between the folding rod and the sash.

[0013] The locking segment is straight and includes, in its central area, a means for locking a return mechanism, while the free segment has a straight portion extending from its hinge end. A locking slider is able to slide along the locking segment and the straight portion of the free segment between an unlocked position and a locked position, the return mechanism positioning the locking slider in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the locking slider is fully supported by the locking segment, and in the locked position, the locking slider covers the hinge ends.

[0014] More specifically, the free segment includes a curved portion in continuity with the straight portion, this curved portion providing a stop for the locking slide in the locked position and allowing for minimal bulk in the free segment.

[0015] Advantageously, the curved free segment allows for minimal bulk when the connecting rod is folded during the closing of the sash. This folding connecting rod can therefore be used in the opening / closing mechanism of a sash when it is installed in a confined space. In particular, the attachment points of the folding connecting rod can be very close together.

[0016] Advantageously, the curved portion of the free segment also allows the slide to be locked when it reaches the locking position without machining the free segment or adding an additional stop. The bendable connecting rod of the present invention is thus simplified and therefore faster to manufacture and easier to handle.

[0017] According to preferred forms of embodiment, taken alone or in combination: The means for returning the locking slide is a compression spring; the means for locking the compression spring is a circular stop arranged on the locking segment; the straight portion of the free segment is smaller than the locking slide that covers the axis of rotation in the locked position; the free segment includes a stop for the locking slide; the locking segment includes a mortise and the free segment a tenon joined by the axis of rotation or vice versa; the tenon includes at least one shoulder; at least one shoulder includes a stop for locking the free segment against rotation; at least one shoulder includes a bearing to stop the rotation of the free segment; at least one shoulder includes a chamfer; the mortise includes at least one right angle against the stop when the segments are aligned and at least one rounded angle that avoids the stop.The tenon has a wedge that butts against a flat surface between the mortise arms in the locking position, and a rounded edge that avoids the flat surface. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed embodiment, without limiting its scope, by reference to the accompanying figures which represent, respectively: there figure 1 , a perspective view of an example of a folding connecting rod system according to the invention holding a hatch in the closed position; the figure 2 , a perspective view of the system of the figure 1 when the hatch is in the open position; the figure 3 , an exploded view of the constituent elements of the bendable connecting rod from the previous figures; the figure 4 , a cross-sectional view of said folding connecting rod with the slide in the locked position; the figure 5 , a side view of this folding connecting rod with the slide in the locked position; the figure 6 , a side view of the same folding connecting rod with the slide in the unlocked position; the figure 7 , a side view of said folding connecting rod in a first folded position; the figure 8 , a side view of this folding connecting rod in a second folded position; the figure 9 , a side view of the same folding connecting rod in its final folded position, and the figure 10 , a perspective view of the articulation between the segments of said bendable connecting rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the figures, identical reference symbols refer to the same element as well as to the corresponding passages in the description.

[0020] There figure 1 This shows a perspective view of an example according to the invention of a system 1 with a two-segment folding connecting rod 2 between a frame 1a and an opening 1c, here an access hatch in the closed position. Each segment, a so-called locking segment 3 and a so-called free segment 4, has an attachment end 3a, 4a and a hinge end 3b, 4b, the two segments being connected to each other at their hinge ends 3b, 4b by a rotation axis 6. The attachment ends 3a, 4a of the locking segment 3 and of the free segment 4 respectively establish the connection between the folding connecting rod 2 and the frame 1a and between the folding connecting rod 2 and the opening 1c. Alternatively, the attachment ends 3a, 4a of the locking segment 3 and of the free segment 4 respectively make the connection between the folding rod 2 and the opening 1c as well as between the folding rod 2 and the frame 1a.

[0021] Each end of the attachment 3a, 4a is pivotally mounted in a fixing support 1b of the frame 1a and a support 1d of the sash 1c, respectively. These pivoting connections allow the folding connecting rod 2 to extend and retract in conjunction with the opening and closing of the sash 1c within its frame 1a. The locking segment 3 is straight and includes a locking slider 7 designed to slide along this locking segment 3. The locking slider 7 is in the so-called unlocked position and is entirely supported by the locking segment 3. The free segment 4, for its part, includes a straight portion 4c extending from its articulation end 4b.

[0022] With reference to the figure 2 The folding connecting rod 2 is illustrated in connection between the frame 1a and the opening 1c when the latter is in the fully open position. The segments of the folding connecting rod 2 are then in linear continuity with respect to each other and the locking slide 7, in the so-called locked position, also covers the straight portion 4c of the free segment 4, as well as the articulation ends 3b, 4b.

[0023] With the articulation ends 3b and 4b covered, the folding connecting rod 2 is locked in the deployed position, and consequently, the hatch is held open. The straight portion 4c of the free segment is advantageously smaller than the locking slide 7, which covers the rotation axis 6 in the locked position to secure this locking mechanism.

[0024] There figure 3 Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the bendable connecting rod. This rod consists of the locking segment 3, the free segment 4, the locking slide 7, the rotation axis 6, and a compression spring 5 as a return means for the locking slide 7. The locking segment 3 includes a means for locking the compression spring 7 in a mid-zone between its ends. The locking means is a circular stop 3c arranged on the locking segment 3. The assembly of the bendable connecting rod 2 is carried out according to the following steps: positioning of the compression spring 5 around the locking segment 3 and butting of the compression spring 5 against the locking means; positioning of the locking slide 7 on the compression spring 5; pulling on the locking slide 7 to compress the compression spring 5 and release the articulation end 3b of the locking segment 3; assembly of the articulation ends 3b, 4b of the locking segment 3 and the free segment 4 by the axis of rotation 6, and release of the locking slide 7.

[0025] There figure 4 Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the bendable connecting rod 2 with the locking slide 7 in the locked position. In this cross-sectional view, the compression spring 5 abuts the locking means of the locking segment 3, and the locking slide 7 covers the articulation ends 3b, 4b of the locking segment 3 and the free segment 4. The bendable connecting rod 2 is then said to be in its deployed configuration. The locking slide 7 is able to slide along the locking segment 3 and the straight portion 4c of the free segment 4, between the unlocked and locked positions, the compression spring 5 then positioning the locking slide 7 in the locked position.Furthermore, the free segment 4 includes a curved portion 4d continuous with the straight portion 4c. This curved portion 4d provides a stop for the locking slide 7 in the locked position, thus minimizing the overall size of the free segment 4. Alternatively, the locking slide can be stopped in the locked position by means of a circlip or a retaining ring installed on the locking slide and bearing against the circular stop. In this way, the locking slide is held in the locked position even in the absence of a stop on the free segment.

[0026] The side view of the figure 5 represents the folding connecting rod 2 in its deployed configuration. In this configuration, also illustrated in figure 2 , the locking slide 7 is in the locked position and prevents the folding connecting rod 2 from folding by blocking the articulation ends, which can no longer pivot around the axis of rotation.

[0027] THE figures 6 à 9 illustrate the different stages of folding the bending connecting rod 2. In figure 6 An operator pulls on the locking slide 7 to bring it to the unlocked position, thus releasing the articulation ends 4b and 3b of the free segment 4 and the locking segment 3. The segments can then pivot relative to each other around the axis of rotation 6, as shown in figure 7 and in figure 8 which show different folding angles of the bendable connecting rod 2. In figure 9 The folding connecting rod 2 is folded to its maximum and then occupies a minimal amount of space.

[0028] The deployment and locking of the folding connecting rod 2 is illustrated by considering Figures 9 to 5 in reverse. The folding connecting rod 2 being initially folded ( figure 9 ), the free segment 4 and the locking segment 3 pivot relative to each other when the hatch opens ( figure 8 And figure 7 ) until aligned ( figure 6 ). Then the compression spring 5 positions the locking slide 7 in the locked position ( figure 5 ).

[0029] There figure 10 This shows a perspective view of the articulation ends 4b, 3b of the free segment 4 and the locking segment 3. In particular, the straight portion 4c and the curved portion 4d of the free segment 4 have different diameters. The curved portion 4d, being larger in diameter, acts as a stop 4e for the locking slide 7 when the latter moves along the straight portion 4c into the locked position.

[0030] Furthermore, the assembly of the free segment 4 and the locking segment 3 is of the mortise-tenon type, in which the locking segment 3 comprises the mortise 3d and the free segment 4 the tenon 4f, the mortise 3d and the tenon 4f being assembled by pivoting around the axis of rotation 6. Alternatively, the locking segment 3 may comprise the tenon and the free segment 4 the mortise, or each segment may comprise an asymmetrical mortise. The tenon 4f has two opposing faces 4g and the mortise 3d has two identical arms 3e, 3e'.

[0031] The tenon 4f on the free segment 4 has a shoulder 4h on each face 4g, each shoulder having a rotational locking stop 4i for the free segment 4 and a bearing 4j for the end of rotation of the free segment 4. The operation of the rotational locking stop 4i is detailed below with reference to the figure 6 and to the figure 7 .

[0032] Each branch 3e, 3e' of the mortise 3d has a right angle 3f against the rotation stop 4i when the segments are aligned ( figure 6 ). This right angle 3f helps to prevent counterclockwise rotation of the locking segment 3 around the rotation axis 6. The arms 3e, 3e' of the mortise 3d also have a rounded edge 3g which avoids the rotational blocking stop 4i and allows clockwise rotation of the locking segment 3 around the rotation axis 6 ( figure 7 ). The combination of the 4i rotation blocking stop and the 3d mortise geometry ensures that the segments only pivot relative to each other according to the predetermined folding kinematics.

[0033] The 4j bearing at the end of rotation of the free segment 4 creates a flat surface in contact with the mortise 3d and defines the maximum folding position of the bending connecting rod 2. As illustrated in figure 9 When the folding connecting rod 2 is folded and the access hatch is closed, the folding connecting rod 2 does not reach its maximum folded position, and some play remains between the bearing 4j and the mortise 3d. Indeed, closing the access hatch limits the final folded position of the folding connecting rod 2. Furthermore, each shoulder 4h also has a chamfer 4k at the end of the bearing 4j at the end of rotation of the free segment 4. This chamfer 4k is in contact with the locking slide 7, as also illustrated in figure 9 and helps to minimize damage to the locking slide 7 during successive deployments and foldings of the folding connecting rod 2.

[0034] The tenon 4f also includes a wedge 4l and a rounded edge 4m. The wedge 4l abuts against the flat surface 3h between the arms 3e and 3e' of the mortise 3d in the locked position. During the folding of the connecting rod 2, the wedge 4l prevents clockwise rotation of the free segment 3 around the axis of rotation 6. Counterclockwise rotation, and therefore the folding of the connecting rod 2, is permitted by the rounded edge 4m of the tenon 4f, which avoids the flat surface 3h. This rounded edge 4m also allows the slide 7 to slide on the tenon 4f, which advantageously facilitates the folding and unfolding of the connecting rod 2 by limiting friction between the slide 7 and the tenon 4f.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated. Other return means, such as a gas spring or elastic bands, could be considered. Furthermore, any means of locking the return means can be incorporated into the mechanism: in the case of a compression spring, a rod, whether through or not, or any type of non-circular stop can lock the compression spring. In the case of a gas spring, any means of securing it (fastening, welding, bonding, etc.) provides a locking mechanism.

Claims

1. System (1) with a foldable connecting rod (2) with two segments connecting a frame (1a) and a leaf (1c), wherein: - each segment, a so-called locking segment (3) and a so-called free segment (4) has an attachment end (3a, 4a) and a hinge end (3b, 4b), the two segments being connected to each other at their hinge end (3b, 4b) by an axis of rotation (6), the attachment ends (3a, 4a) providing the connection between the foldable connecting rod (2) and the frame (1a) as well as between the foldable connecting rod (2) and the leaf (1c); - the locking segment (3) is rectilinear and comprises in a central area a blocking means of a return means ; - the free segment (4) comprises a rectilinear portion (4c) extending from its hinge end (4b); - a locking slider (7) capable of sliding along the locking segment (3) and the rectilinear portion (4c) of the free segment (4) between an unlocking position wherein the locking slider (7) is carried in its entirety by the locking segment (3) and a locking position wherein the locking slider (7) covers the hinge ends (3b, 4b), the return means positioning the locking slider (7) in the locking position; the free segment (4) comprises a curved portion (4d) in continuity with the rectilinear portion (4c), the foldable connecting rod system being characterized in that this curved portion (4d) provides a stop for the locking slider (7) in the locking position and allows a minimum space requirement of the free segment (4).

2. A system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the return means of the locking slider (7) is a compression spring (5).

3. A system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the blocking means of the compression spring (5) is a circular stop (3c) arranged on the locking segment (3).

4. A system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rectilinear portion (4c) of the free segment (4) is smaller than the locking slider (7) which covers the axis of rotation (6) in the locking position.

5. A system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the free segment (4) comprises a stop (4e) of the locking slider (7).

6. A system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking segment (3) comprises a mortise (3d) and the free segment (4) comprises a tenon (4f) joined by the axis of rotation (6) or vice versa.

7. A system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the tenon (4f) comprises at least one shoulder (4h).

8. A system (1) according to claim 7, wherein at least one shoulder (4h) comprises a rotation-blocking stop (4i) of the free segment (4).

9. A system (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein at least one shoulder (4h) comprises an end-of-rotation bearing surface (4j) of the free segment (4).

10. A system (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein at least one shoulder (4h) comprises a chamfer (4k).

11. A system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 10 in combination with claim 8, wherein the mortise (3d) comprises at least one right angle (3f) against the rotation-blocking stop (4i) when the segments are aligned and at least one rounded angle (3g) which avoids the rotation-blocking stop (4i).

12. A system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the tenon (4f) comprises a corner (4l) abutting against a flat (3h) between the branches (3e, 3e') of the mortise (3d) in the locking position and a rounded portion (4m) avoiding the flat (3h).