Swivelling cable fastener and dynamic cable guiding method

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener (2) for fastening at least one cable (6) to a structure (1), a portion of which is movable between an initial position and a final position, this fastener (2) comprising a base plate (4) defining a reference plane (H) and secured to the structure (1), as well as a cable clamping collar (3), this clamping collar (3) being inserted into the base plate (4), this fastener (2) comprising a return means which is arranged between the clamping collar (3) and the base plate (4) and holds the clamping collar (3) in a nominal position when the movable portion of the structure (1) is in the initial position. The clamping collar (3) swivels about a swivel pin (P), perpendicularly to the reference plane, in the base plate from this nominal position when at least one of the cables is biased in one direction (D) by the movement of the movable portion of the structure (1) and returns to the nominal position by the return of the return means when the cables are released.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Swivel cable fixing clip and dynamic cable guiding method.

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to a cable fixing clip enabling the effective length of this cable to be adjusted dynamically by pivoting, as well as to a method for guiding a cable using such a fixing clip. More generally, the present invention relates to means for attaching and adjusting a cable in a structure, one part of which is mobile, the cable extending over this mobile part and accompanying its movement. The cables covered by the invention are any type of signal or energy-carrying cable, these cables being individual or in bundles. In particular, vehicles - aircraft, automobiles, trains, ships - and buildings are intended to be equipped with fixing clips.

[0005] Such mounting clips are used to bring cables into constrained areas of a mobile structure with limited installation space. For example, in the aeronautical world, landing gear door panels are mobile structures that, when open, allow the landing gear to extend and, when closed, keep the fuselage closed. These panels have cables in their internal structure that must adjust to the open or closed position of the panels.

[0006] Structural optimization, particularly in the aeronautical world, leads to a reduction in the free space available for installing cables. It is therefore particularly appropriate that the mounting brackets for these cables are multifunctional and allow for adjustment of the cable length.

[0007] STATE OF THE ART

[0008] In aircraft structures, cable trays are generally used to route cables within the aircraft, particularly in the wings and cabin. These cable trays have the additional function of protecting and insulating the cables they route. However, they cannot be used in very narrow spaces such as the wingtips, as the available space is too narrow. In addition, cable trays do not allow for adjustment of the useful length of the routed cables.

[0009] Other common fastening methods, such as P-clips or clamps, do not allow adjustment of the cable length after installation: in fact, these clips are intended to fix and hold the cables.

[0010] Traditionally, cable length adjustment after installation is carried out using cable carriers. Such a device is used in particular as a mechanical element of machines to guide cables connected to a mobile structure. However, such a solution requires the installation of additional guide rails that frame the cable carriers and therefore take up a significant amount of space: such a solution is therefore not usable in narrow spaces.

[0011] Furthermore, the structure on which these cable carriers are installed is sized to support the additional weight of the guide rails and their installation requires labor and tools. This solution therefore does not meet the basic requirements relating to the lightening of structures and speed of installation.

[0012] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art set out above, the main objective of the invention is to enable a cable to be attached and its useful length to be adjusted within a structure, part of which is mobile, this structure offering a reduced space to fulfil these objectives.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to a fastener for attaching a cable to a structure, this fastener having a degree of freedom, particularly in rotation, allowing the length of the cable to be adjusted relative to the mobile part of the structure to which it is attached. This adjustment of the length of the cable is sought to avoid hindering the mobility of the structure and damaging the devices connected by the cable.

[0015] More specifically, the present invention relates to a fastener for fixing at least one cable to a structure, a part of which is movable between an initial position and a final position. This fixing fastener comprises a base plate defining a reference plane and secured to the structure, as well as a cable clamp, this clamp being inserted into the base plate. The fixing fastener also comprises a return means arranged between the clamp and the base plate, each of which has an anchoring mechanism in connection with this return means, the latter maintaining the clamp in a nominal position when the movable part of the structure is in the initial position.In addition, the clamping collar pivots along a pivot axis in the base plate from this nominal position when at least one of the cables is stressed in one direction by the movement of the movable part of the structure and returns to the nominal position by the return of the return means when the cables are released.

[0016] Advantageously, the fixing fasteners according to the invention adapt to mobile structures and allow the installation therein of devices and mechanisms requiring wiring such as locking or lighting systems, the useful length of these cables then adapting to the movement of the mobile structure.

[0017] Advantageously, the fixing clip is also compact in size and operates independently of any additional installations such as guide rails or power sources. These compact dimensions allow the fixing clip to be installed in spaces constrained by reduced bulk.

[0018] Advantageously also, the operation of the fixing clip is purely mechanical with a dynamic return of the cables under the action of the return means, making it possible to dispense with the routing of power cables and additional actuation means, as well as to reduce the mass of the cable installation systems. Advantageously also, the anchoring mechanisms of the return means are integrated into the clamp and the base plate, thus simplifying the installation of the fixing clip.

[0019] Also advantageously, the clamp is only mobile in rotation: its size therefore hardly varies during the movement of the structure.

[0020] According to certain preferred embodiments taken alone or in combination:

[0021] - the base plate is fixed to the structure by at least two screws;

[0022] - the clamp is clipped onto the base plate;

[0023] - the clamp and base plate are made of molded plastic material;

[0024] - the cable clamp has a cable support closed by a cover;

[0025] - the cover is assembled by clipping onto the cable support;

[0026] - the cable support comprises a base plate perpendicular to the pivot axis and a cylindrical rod which extends along this axis under the base plate, this cylindrical rod having an end which is inserted into the base plate;

[0027] - the end of the cylindrical rod has at least two flexible teeth which pass through the base plate and which bear on a lower face of the base plate;

[0028] - the return means is a torsion spring along an axis coincident with the pivot axis of the clamping collar and comprises a body and two ends extending tangentially relative to this body;

[0029] - the base plate has a hollow cylinder around which the torsion spring is arranged and into which the cable holder of the cable clamp is inserted;

[0030] - each anchoring mechanism comprises at least one stop, perpendicular to the reference plane, on which a lateral portion of one end of the torsion spring rests;

[0031] - the clamp anchoring mechanism is integrated into the base plate, and

[0032] - the anchoring mechanism of the base plate comprises two parallel stops for locking the end of the torsion spring in rotation in connection with the base plate. Advantageously, the installation of such a fixing clip is quick and easy, without the need for specific tools. The use of plastic materials also makes it possible to provide electrical insulation, particularly when the cables are electrical.

[0033] The invention also relates to a method for dynamically adjusting a cable length in a structure, a part of which is mobile, moving back and forth between an initial position and a final position, this structure being equipped with at least one cable fixing clip, also the subject of the invention. A preliminary installation phase takes place according to the following steps:

[0034] - determination of the maximum cable length required;

[0035] - sizing of the recall means according to the characteristics of the cable;

[0036] - orientation of the base plate on the structure in order to orient the clamp in the direction of stress on the cable when the moving part of the structure is in the final position.

[0037] The forward adjustment takes place in the following steps:

[0038] - in the initial position of the moving part, the return means maintains the clamp in the nominal position in which the cable is bent and relaxed, creating a reserve of cable which can be pulled;

[0039] - movement of the mobile part of the structure between its initial position and its final position by exerting unwinding tension on the cable;

[0040] - rotation of the clamp from its nominal position which guides the unwinding of the previously bent cable;

[0041] - the moving part reaches its final position and the return means exerts a traction opposite to the unwinding tension on the cable by driving the clamp in reverse rotation.

[0042] And the return adjustment takes place according to the following steps:

[0043] - movement of the moving part of the structure between its final position and its initial position accompanied by a release of the tension in the cable;

[0044] - reverse rotation of the clamp until reaching the nominal position by action of the return means and traction of the cable. Advantageously, the installation method makes it possible to optimize the length of cable installed in the structure, resulting in a gain in mass and space within the structure. The return means makes it possible to order the cables when their entire length is not required by the structure, in particular in the initial position.

[0045] Also advantageously, this dynamic adjustment makes it possible to secure the management of cables and the operation of connected equipment when the mobile part of the structure makes several round trips between the initial position and the final position.

[0046] According to a preferred form of implementation:

[0047] - at least two fixing clips installed in parallel adjust at least two cables in the structure.

[0048] PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0049] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following reading of a detailed example of embodiment without limiting its scope, with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively:

[0050] - figure 1, a perspective view of a cable held by a fixing clip to a structure;

[0051] - figure 2, an exploded perspective view of the fixing clip;

[0052] - Figure 3, a sectional view of the fixing clip, and

[0053] - Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6, a view of the system according to different stages of the adjustment process.

[0054] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In the figures, identical reference signs refer to the same element as well as to the corresponding passages of the description. In aeronautical structures and in particular in aircraft, at least one part of said structure is movable between an initial position and a final position such as landing gear doors or the end of the wings. These parts movable in rotation or translation are cabled like the rest of the structure of the aircraft, the installation of these cables having to be adapted to this mobility to allow the proper functioning of the structure and not to hinder this mobility.

[0056] To do this, Figure 1 shows a cable 6 held in a fixing clip 2 secured to an aircraft wingtip structure 1. A part of the structure 1, a support 1a, is fixed in a given frame of reference, and another part 1b is movable in this frame of reference. The fixed 1a and movable 1b parts of the structure 1 are connected by articulation means 1c, schematically represented, for example hinges.

[0057] This fixing clip 2 comprises a base plate 4 defining a reference plane H. This base plate 4 has three holes 4a which each house a screw 4b fixing the base plate 4 to the support 1a of the structure 1. Alternatively, the base plate 4 can be fixed by clipping, glued, welded or riveted to the fixed part 1a. The fixing clip 2 also comprises a clamping collar 3 inserted in the base plate 4 as well as a return means, here a torsion spring 5. The torsion spring 5 is arranged between the clamping collar 3 and the base plate 4 which each have an anchoring mechanism 5a, 5b in connection with the torsion spring 5. The latter maintains the clamping collar 3 in a nominal position when the movable part of the structure 1 is in the initial position.

[0058] In the final position, the movable part 1b is in an intermediate position between the initial position and an alignment position in the extension of the fixed part in the reference plane H.

[0059] Furthermore, the clamping collar 3 pivots in the base plate 4 along a pivot axis P, perpendicular to the reference plane H, from said nominal position when the cable 6, also integral with this movable part, is stressed in the direction D by the movement of the movable part of the structure 1. During this rotation, the torsion spring 5 accumulates energy by deformation. The clamping collar 3 returns to the nominal position by the return of the torsion spring 5 when the cable 6 is released - by mechanical release of the energy accumulated by deformation - in particular when the movable part of the structure 1 returns to its initial position. Alternatively and depending on the configuration of the structure 1, the pivot axis P may, in particular embodiments, not be perpendicular to the reference plane H.

[0060] The constituent elements of the fixing clip 2 are illustrated in the exploded perspective view of Figure 2: the clamp 3 comprises a cable support 3a closed by a cover 3b, here clipped laterally on either side of the cable support 3a. To do this, the cover 3b has two lateral edges 3c, each pierced with two openings 3d which clip onto tenons 3e arranged on either side of the cable support 3a. The cover 3b is here assembled by two clips on each lateral edge 3c to improve safety and remain held in place in the event of breakage of one of the tenon 3e - opening 3d junctions: in other embodiments, the cover 3b can be simply clipped and / or comprise a locking means. Alternatively, the cover 3b can be connected by a cord on one side of the cable support 3a and clipped on the other side, the cable support 3a and the cover 3b then forming a single piece.Other embodiments may assemble the cable clamp by fasteners and / or flanges. A set of grooves and ribs disposed on the cover and the cable support and then locked may also achieve the assembly of the cable clamp.

[0061] The cable support 3a has three superimposed functional members: a U-shaped block 3f, a base plate 3g perpendicular to the pivot axis P, and a cylindrical rod 3h which extends along this pivot axis P under the base plate 3g. This cylindrical rod 3h has an end 3i which is inserted into the base plate 3g. In addition, the block 3f supports the cable 6 and has at its ends the tenons 3e.

[0062] In the embodiment, the base plate 4 comprises a hollow cylinder 4c around which the torsion spring 5 is arranged and into which the cable support 3a of the clamp 3 is inserted via the cylindrical rod 3h. The connection between the hollow cylinder 4c and the cylindrical rod 3h allows the clamp 3 to pivot in the base plate 4 along the pivot axis P perpendicular to the reference plane H. The return means here is a torsion spring 5 along an axis coinciding with the pivot axis P of the clamp 3. This torsion spring 5 comprises a body 5c as well as two ends 5d, 5e extending tangentially relative to this body 5c. The ends 5d, 5e remain in connection with the anchoring means 5a, 5b of the clamp 3 and the base plate 4 respectively.

[0063] Furthermore, each anchoring means 5a, 5b comprises at least one stop - 5f for the anchoring means 5a and 5g, 5h for the anchoring means 5b - perpendicular to the reference plane H, and on which a lateral portion 5i, 5j of one end 5d, 5e of the torsion spring 5 bears.

[0064] In addition, the anchoring means 5a of the clamping collar is integrated into the base plate 3g, the stop 5f forming a right angle with the base plate 3g.

[0065] Furthermore, the anchoring means 5b of the base plate 4 comprises two parallel stops 5g, 5h for locking the end 5e of the torsion spring 5 in rotation in connection with the base plate 4. This end 5e being locked in rotation about the pivot axis P, only the end 5d is movable in rotation during the torsion of the torsion spring 5: thus the traction of the cable 6 causes the formation of a rotation pivot of the clamping collar 3 about the axis P to align the direction of the cable 6 with the traction direction. During this rotation, the stop 5f of the anchoring means 5a rotates the end 5d of the torsion spring 5. When the tension of the cable 6 is released, the torsion spring 5 is free to exert a restoring force on the stop 5f, causing the formation of a return rotation pivot of the clamping collar 3.

[0066] Preferably, the clamp 3 and the base plate 4 are made of a molded plastic material, this material providing electrical insulation. Alternatively, when electrical insulation is not required, the clamp 3 and the base plate 4 may be molded and / or machined from a metallic material, or made from composite materials.

[0067] The sectional view shown in Figure 3 details the connections between the clamp 3 and the base plate 4. The cylindrical rod 3h of the clamp 3 pivots in the hollow cylinder 4c. Furthermore, the base plate 4 has an opening 4d in continuity with the hollow cylinder 4c, through which the end 3i of the clamp is inserted. This end 3i has two flexible teeth 3j which pass through the base plate 4 through the opening 4d and which bear on the lower face 4e of the base plate 4. These flexible teeth 3j make it possible to clip the clamp 3 onto the base plate 4.

[0068] Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 illustrate the different steps of an example of a method for dynamically adjusting a length of cable in structure 1, a moving part of which moves back and forth - between an initial position and a final position

[0069] - this structure 1 being equipped with two cable fixing clips. In this embodiment, two cables 6 and 6a are each attached to the structure 1 by a fixing clip 2 and 2a installed in parallel. Alternatively, a single fixing clip can be used for two cables.

[0070] A preliminary stage of installation of cables 6 and 6a takes place according to the following steps:

[0071] - determination for each cable of the maximum cable length allowing the mobile part of the structure to move;

[0072] - dimensioning of the torsion spring according to the mechanical characteristics of the cable;

[0073] - orientation of the base plate 4, 4a on the structure 1 in order to orient the clamp 3, 3k in the direction of stress D of the cable 6 when the movable part of the structure is in the final position.

[0074] Following this installation of the cables, they are bent and relaxed in order to create a reserve of cable near the fixing clip which unfolds in a controlled manner by the fixing clip when the cables are under tension. The return means, here the torsion spring, allows the fixing clip to pivot in order to reconstitute this reserve when the cables are no longer under tension.

[0075] The forward adjustment process takes place in the following steps:

[0076] - in the initial position of the mobile part illustrated in figure 4, the torsion spring 5 maintains the clamp 3, 3k in the nominal position in which the cable 6, 6a is bent and relaxed, creating a reserve of cable which can be used;

[0077] - movement of the mobile part of the structure between its initial position and its final position by exerting an unwinding tension on the cable 6, 6a;

[0078] - rotation of the clamp 3, 3k from its nominal position which guides the unwinding of the previously bent cable 6, 6a;

[0079] - the moving part reaches its final position in figure 5 and the torsion spring 5 exerts a traction opposite to the unwinding tension on the cable 6, 6a by driving the clamp 3, 3k in reverse rotation.

[0080] And the return adjustment process takes place in the following steps:

[0081] - movement of the mobile part of the structure between its final position (figure 6) and its initial position (figure 4) accompanied by a release of the tension in the cable 6, 6a;

[0082] - reverse rotation of the clamp 3, 3k until reaching the nominal position by action of the torsion spring 5 and traction of the cable 6, 6a.

[0083] The invention is not limited to the embodiments and implementations described and shown. Thus, the base plate of the fixing clip can be an integral part of the structure, the clamping collar then being fixed and pivoting directly on the structure. The return means can also be achieved by any type of spring (leaf, tension, compression) or by more complex mechanisms with jacks: the hollow cylinder of the base plate is then no longer necessary, the clamping collar being able to pivot directly relative to the base plate.

[0084] Alternatively, the anchoring mechanism can be achieved by any holding of the spring ends using clip rings, locks or perforation of the base plate and base plate into which the spring ends are folded.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A fastening attachment (2) for securing at least one cable (6) to a structure (1) a part of which is movable between an initial position and a final position, this fastening attachment (2) comprising a base plate (4) defining a reference plane (H) and integral with the structure (1), and a cable clamp (3), this clamp (2) being inserted into the base plate (4), this fastening attachment (2) being characterized in that it comprises a return means arranged between the clamp (3) and the base plate (4), each of which has an anchoring mechanism (5a, 5b) in connection with this return means, the latter maintaining the clamp (3) in a nominal position when the movable part of the structure (1) is in the initial position,and in that the clamp (3) pivots about a pivot axis (P) in the base plate from this nominal position when at least one of the cables is stressed in a direction (D) by the movement of the moving part of the structure (1) and returns to the nominal position by the return of the retracting means when the cables are released.

2. Fixing attachment (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the base plate (4) is fixed to the structure (1) by at least two screws (4b).

3. Fixing attachment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping collar (3) is clipped onto the base plate (4) 4. Fixing attachment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp (3) and the base plate (4) are made of molded plastic material.

5. Fixing attachment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp includes a cable support (3a) closed by a cover (3b).

6. Fixing attachment (2) according to claim 5, in which the cover (3b) is assembled by clipping onto the cable support (3a).

7. A fastening attachment (2) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the cable support (3a) comprises a base plate (3g) perpendicular to the pivot axis (P) and a cylindrical rod (3h) extending along from this axis under the base plate (3g), this cylindrical rod (3h) having an end which fits into the base plate (4).

8. Fixing attachment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the return means is a torsion spring (5) about an axis coinciding with the pivot axis (P) of the clamping collar (3) and comprises a body (5c) and two ends (5d, 5e) extending tangentially with respect to this body (5c).

9. Fixing attachment (2) according to claim 8, in which the base plate (4) has a hollow cylinder (4c) around which the torsion spring (5) is arranged and in which the cable support (3a) of the clamp (3) is inserted.

10. Fixing attachment (2) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein each anchoring mechanism (5a, 5b) comprises at least one stop (5f, 5g, 5h), perpendicular to the reference plane (H), on which rests a lateral portion (5i, 5j) of an end (5d, 5e) of the torsion spring (5).

11. Fixing attachment (2) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 7, wherein the anchoring mechanism (5a) of the clamping collar (3) is integrated into the base plate (3g).

12. Fixing attachment (2) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the anchoring mechanism (5b) of the base plate (4) comprises two parallel stops (5g, 5h) for rotationally blocking the end (5e) of the torsion spring (5) in connection with the base plate (4).

13. Method for dynamically adjusting a cable length in a structure (1) a part of which is movable, making back-and-forth movements between an initial position and a final position, this structure (1) being equipped with at least one cable fixing attachment (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a preliminary installation phase takes place according to the following steps: - determination of the maximum cable length (6) required; - dimensioning of the means of retrieval according to the characteristics of the cable (6); - orientation of the means of the base plate (4) on the structure (1) in order to orient the clamp (3) in the direction of stress (D) of the cable (6) when the moving part of the structure is in the final position; in that the forward adjustment takes place according to the following steps: - in the initial position of the moving part, the return means maintains the collar of clamping (3) in nominal position in which cable (6) is bent and relaxed, creating a reserve of cable that can be pulled; - displacement of the moving part of the structure between its initial position and its final position by exerting an unwinding tension on the cable; - rotation of the clamping collar (3) from its nominal position which guides the unwinding of the previously bent cable (6); - the moving part reaches its final position and the return means exerts a pull opposite to the unwinding tension on the cable (6) by driving the clamp in reverse rotation; and in that the return adjustment takes place according to the following steps: - displacement of the moving part of structure 1 between its final position and its initial position accompanied by a release of tension in the cable; - reverse rotation of the clamping collar (3) until the nominal position is reached by action of the return means and traction of the cable (6).

14. Method for dynamically adjusting a cable length according to the preceding claim in which at least two fixing clips (2, 2a) installed in parallel adjust at least two cables (6, 6a) in the structure 1.

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