Flexible interconnection cable tray

Abstract

The invention relates to an interconnection cable tray (1) comprising a central body (2) and located between at least two profiled cable trays (4) installed in a structure by at least one installation support (4a), each of the profiled cable trays (4) comprising two ends, a free end (4b) and an interconnection end (4c), and at least one path (4d) for guiding a wiring harness between these ends. This interconnection cable tray (1) is continuous and torsionally flexible, it connects the profiled cable trays (4) and it comprises a rigid attachment end (3) per connected profiled cable tray (4), each rigid attachment end (3) being rigidly attached to the interconnection end (4c) of one of the profiled cable trays (4). The central body (2) comprises at least one interconnection guide path (2c) formed by the bottom (2) and the walls (2b) perpendicular to this bottom (2) and opposite each guide path (4d) of the profiled cable trays (4).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTION CABLE TRAY

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to a flexible interconnecting cable tray forming a junction between two rigid cable trays. The cable trays make it possible to define the paths of the electrical wiring harnesses within a structure and more particularly aircraft structures. These wiring harnesses are thus guided and protected by the cable trays.

[0005] The invention also relates to a hybrid cable tray composed of rigid cable trays connected by flexible interconnecting cable trays.

[0006] In the aeronautics field, and particularly aircraft wing structures, cable trays extend throughout the entire wing. However, the wing houses a significant number of systems in a small space. However, rigid cable trays are installed linearly and continuously along the wing, which creates unusable spaces. In addition, any non-rigid guiding element is generally discarded to guide the wiring harnesses in the cable trays. Indeed, these elements do not provide sufficient protection when guiding the wiring harnesses. In addition, seeking to reduce the number of part references in assemblies is a constant, particularly in the aeronautics field, and the addition of cable tray sections of a different nature from the usual cable trays is not compatible with optimizing the number of parts.

[0007] STATE OF THE ART

[0008] Cable trays generally consist of sections of profile extending unidirectionally. These profiles are attached to the wing structure by hanging brackets. Each cable tray can have several channels and thus carry several wiring harnesses in parallel, these channels protecting and insulating the electrical wiring harnesses they carry. Traditionally, cable tray hanging brackets also support the junction between two consecutive sections of cable tray to extend the reach of the cable tray. However, the sections of profile have sharp edges that risk damaging the wiring harness during its installation and in service of the aircraft. It is therefore necessary to develop additional protective measures at each junction.Furthermore, adding a hanging bracket at the junction between two sections increases the number of elements fixed to the wing structure, which on the one hand is disadvantageous for the strength of the structure and on the other hand increases the installation time of the cable tray. Also, managing deviations of the cable tray is problematic because a non-linear assembly of the profiles is only possible with junction hanging brackets equipped with additional protection elements covering the gaps between the sections or by increasing the clearances around the junction at the expense of the structure and neighboring systems.

[0009] Another approach is to produce individually molded or machined cable trays to fit the installation environment, with installation brackets also being used. This approach results in increased tooling and machining complexity for each cable tray, as well as extended installation times. In addition, any structural changes require a complete modification of the cable tray. This approach is therefore not applicable to intensive cable tray manufacturing.

[0010] There are also cable trays with cable carrier chains made of modular, articulated, and openwork links, which allow a cable harness to follow the movement of a mobile system. However, these chain cable trays do not provide sufficient protection or electrical insulation for guided cable harnesses.

[0011] Document US 9,819,163 presents a flexible bridge installed between two mesh cable trays, this having a bottom and flexible tabs perpendicular to this bottom. However, this bridge is intended for cable trays intended for construction, these cable trays being immobile and subject to few external disturbances. This bridge therefore does not offer sufficient protection satisfactory to the aeronautical field. Document US 2022 / 0329054 also presents an interconnection intended to connect two cable trays in construction, this interconnection being closed and whose flexibility is adapted to withstand seismic shocks, the applicable standards being different from those of the aeronautical field.

[0012] WO 01 / 11743 shows an interconnection between two cable trays, this interconnection being composed of a multiple stack of rigid "U" sections glued to other foam sections. However, this structure is pseudo-continuous and manufactured by aligning and gluing each of the sections.

[0013] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art set out above, the main objective of the invention is to enable simplified and rapid installation of conventional cable trays in a structure.

[0015] To do this, the invention provides for creating a junction between two sections of cable trays via an adaptable interconnection, while eliminating the need for a junction support.

[0016] More specifically, the present invention relates to an interconnection cable tray comprising a central body formed by a bottom and at least two walls perpendicular to this bottom and located between at least two profiled cable trays installed in a structure by at least one installation support, each of the profiled cable trays comprising two ends, a free end and an interconnection end, and at least one guide path for a wiring harness between these ends.

[0017] The central body of the interconnecting cable tray is continuous and torsionally flexible, connects the profiled cable trays and has a rigid attachment end for each connected profiled cable tray. Each rigid attachment end is secured to the interconnecting end of one of the profiled cable trays. The central body has at least one interconnecting guideway formed by the bottom and the walls perpendicular to this bottom and facing each guideway of the profiled cable trays.

[0018] Advantageously, the interconnecting cable tray performs the same guiding, protecting and insulating functions as a profiled cable tray, providing continuity in the resulting hybrid and continuous cable tray. In addition, each guide channel in the rigid cable tray corresponds to a guide channel in the interconnecting cable tray.

[0019] Advantageously also, the interconnecting cable tray connects portions of profiled cable trays arranged in a non-continuous and non-linear manner in the structure. Thus, these portions of profiled cable trays can be inserted into the spaces left free by the other elements installed on the structure and be connected by the interconnecting cable tray, providing an optimization of the arrangement of these elements.

[0020] Advantageously also, the junction between the profiled cable trays does away with the use of hanging brackets, the rigid attachment end securing the junction between the profiled cable tray and the interconnecting cable tray, achieving a saving in mass, in elements installed on the structure and in installation time of the junction.

[0021] According to preferred embodiments taken alone or in combination:

[0022] - the central body is self-supporting;

[0023] - the rigid attachment ends have a base parallel to the bottom of the central body and at least two partitions in the extension of the walls;

[0024] - the partitions and the base comprise “U”-shaped cavities into which are inserted on the one hand the bottom and the walls of the central body of the interconnection cable tray and on the other hand the interconnection end of the profiled cable tray connected by the rigid attachment end;

[0025] - the rigid attachment ends are secured by clipping to the interconnection ends;

[0026] - clipping is carried out at 3 locking points of the interconnection ends;

[0027] - the central body has a reinforcing frame made of plastic material molded into the bottom and walls; - the central body has an articulated structure;

[0028] - the base and walls have a honeycomb structure;

[0029] - the central body has at least one rigid intermediate section.

[0030] Advantageously, the clip-on connection of the interconnecting cable tray to the profiled cable trays allows for quick and easy installation of the junction between the cable trays.

[0031] Advantageously also, the reinforcing frame, the articulated structure or the honeycomb structure provide additional rigidity to the flexible central body, allowing better support of the wiring harnesses transported by the interconnection cable tray.

[0032] Also advantageously, the rigid intermediate section of the central body allows the interconnecting cable tray to be fixed to a support in order to reinforce the installation of the junction between the profiled cable trays.

[0033] The subject matter of the invention also relates to a hybrid cable tray installed in the structure comprising at least two profiled cable trays connected by at least one interconnecting cable tray.

[0034] PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0035] 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:

[0036] - figure 1, a perspective view of two rigid cable trays connected by an interconnecting cable tray according to the invention;

[0037] - Figure 2, a side view of the rigid cable trays and the interconnecting cable tray of Figure 1;

[0038] - Figure 3, a sectional view in plane A of the rigid cable trays and the interconnecting cable tray of Figure 2, and - Figure 4, a view of the interconnecting cable tray parallel to plane A of Figure 2.

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In the figures, identical reference signs refer to the same element as well as to the corresponding passages of the description.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of an interconnecting cable tray 1 according to the invention, located between two neighboring profiled cable trays 4. These profiled cable trays 4 are individually installed in a structure by four installation supports 4a. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the profiled cable trays 4 are closely opposite each other and in parallel directions, one of the ends of a first profiled cable tray faces one end of the second cable tray: these two ends are called interconnecting ends 4c, the other ends being called free ends 4b. This arrangement is representative of the configurations encountered in the structures which accommodate the cable trays in which linear guidance of the wiring harnesses is not achievable.

[0042] Each of the profiled cable trays 4 therefore has two ends, a free end 4b and an interconnection end 4c, as well as four guide ways 4d for wiring harnesses between these ends. The interconnection cable tray 1 has a central body 2 that is continuous and torsionally flexible and connects the profiled cable trays 4, this central body 2 having a rigid attachment end 3 for each connected profiled cable tray. Each rigid attachment end 3 is secured to the interconnection end 4c of one of the profiled cable trays 4. The central body 2 has four interconnection guide ways 2c opposite each guide way 4d of the profiled cable trays 4.

[0043] The central body 2 of the interconnection cable tray 4 is self-supporting: it is flexible but sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape without using external support. The material of the central body may be, for example, silicone-based, synthetic rubber, or any other plastic material having a certain flexibility allowing deformations while maintaining a certain rigidity. In addition, the material used is compatible with the constraints of the aeronautical field, in particular with regard to flammability and toxicity.

[0044] In the side view of Figure 2, the interconnection cable tray 1 being connected to the two profiled cable trays 4, the rigid ends of fasteners 3 appear secured by clipping to the interconnection ends 4c. The lateral clipping tabs 3d of the interconnection cable tray 1 are also illustrated in Figure 2. This clipping solution makes it possible to dispense with the use of installation supports for the interconnection cable tray 1, thus providing in particular a saving in installation time. In addition, the size of the interconnection cable tray 1 is similar to the size of the profiled cable trays 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the two profiled cable trays 4 are located in the same plane. However, the flexibility of the central body 2 provides interconnection solutions even when the profiled cable trays 4 are located in different planes, parallel or intersecting.

[0045] In the sectional view of Figure 3, section along plane A defined in Figure 2, the central body 2 of the interconnection cable tray 1 is formed by a base 2a and by five walls 2b perpendicular to this base 2a. Two consecutive walls 2b form with the base 2a an interconnection guideway 2c. The five walls 2b therefore form in this example four interconnection guideways 2c which are opposite the four guideways 4d of the profiled cable trays 4.

[0046] The rigid attachment ends 3 at the end of the central body 2 of the interconnection cable tray 1 comprise a structure similar to this central body 2: a base 3a parallel to the bottom 2a of the central body 2 and five partitions 3b, two external partitions 3g and three internal partitions 3h, perpendicular to this base and in the extension of the walls 2b.

[0047] These rigid attachment ends 3 then provide a continuous connection between the guideways 4d of the profiled cable trays 4 and the interconnection guideways 2c of the interconnection cable tray 1. In order to achieve this objective, the rigid attachment ends 3 comprise cavities 3c in the partitions 3b and the base 3a, these cavities 3c being U-shaped into which are inserted, on the one hand, the bottom 2a and the walls 2b of the central body 2 of the interconnection cable tray 1 and, on the other hand, the interconnection end 4c of the profiled cable tray 4 connected by the rigid attachment end 3. Preferably, the bottom 2a and the walls 2b of the central body 2 are inserted into the cavities 3c respectively of the base 3a and the partitions 3b of the rigid attachment end 3.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the external partitions 3g each have a flexible lateral clipping tab 3d and the enlargement in Figure 3 shows more precisely these tabs which have a lug 3f at the end. This lug 3f engages on a bearing 4e of the profiled cable trays 4 to lock the clipping.

[0049] Figure 4 illustrates a top view along a plane parallel to plane A of the interconnection cable tray 1 (see figure 2) and in particular of the rigid attachment ends 3. The base 3a of the rigid attachment ends 3 has two portions: the portion comprising the cavities 3c for inserting the profiled cable tray 4 and a portion without a cavity forming a base 3i.

[0050] This sole 3i advantageously stabilizes the insertion of the profiled cable tray 4 by increasing the contact area between this profiled cable tray 4 and the rigid attachment end 3 of the interconnection cable tray 1. This sole 3i also includes a flexible clipping tab: the so-called bottom tab. Thus the clipping of a profiled cable tray 4 with the interconnection cable tray 1 is carried out at three locking points by two lateral tabs 3d and a bottom tab 3e.

[0051] Figure 4 also illustrates a securing of the assembly between the central body 2 and the rigid attachment ends 3 of the interconnecting cable tray 1. The central body 2 is first inserted into the cavities 3c of the rigid attachment ends 3, then secured by screws 2d which secure the walls 2b of the central body 2 with the partitions 3b of the rigid attachment ends 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the screws 2d are inserted perpendicular to the base 3a, thus limiting the risks of contact with the wiring harnesses. Alternatively, any other securing means, such as glue or clamps or equivalent, can be used. The assembly obtained in Figure 1 of two profiled cable trays 4 with an interconnecting cable tray 1 results in a hybrid cable tray 5 installed in the structure.This hybrid 5 cable tray is expandable by adding other profiled cable trays connected by interconnecting cable trays, the free end at the end of the profiled cable tray becoming an interconnecting end for another interconnecting cable tray.

[0052] To improve the protection provided by the interconnection cable tray 1, the present invention proposes reinforcement means which stiffen the central body 2, in particular when the length of the interconnection cable tray 1 risks weakening the self-supporting capacity of the central body 2.

[0053] Thus, in a first advantageous variant, the flexible central body comprises a rigid intermediate section which provides increased stability and reinforces self-support when the length of the interconnection cable tray is such that the central body deforms under the mass of the wiring harnesses which it guides.

[0054] According to another variant, the central body comprises a reinforcing frame made of PEEK-type plastic material or any other thermoplastic plastic suitable for aeronautical constraints, particularly with regard to flammability and toxicity, around which the base and walls are molded. This frame is in the form of parallel rigid hoops which are molded into the base and walls of the central body in order to stiffen it. Preferably, the hoops encompass the walls that are furthest apart. These hoops are connected to each other along a flexible spine which contributes to the desired flexibility of the interconnection cable tray. Alternatively, the frame has an articulated structure.

[0055] In another variant, additional rigidity of the central body is achieved by providing a honeycomb structure to the bottom and walls, this solution providing greater rigidity at the expense of greater space occupation and less flexibility. This honeycomb structure can be achieved by molding or 3D printing.

[0056] In this embodiment, the profiled cable trays are arranged offset but parallel. The flexibility of the interconnecting cable tray allows the connection of profiled cable trays arranged indifferently and with different angular orientations.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Interconnection cable tray (1) comprising a central body (2) formed by a bottom (2a) and by at least two walls (2b) perpendicular to this bottom (2) and located between at least two profiled cable trays (4) installed in a structure by at least one installation support (4a), each of the profiled cable trays (4) comprising two ends, a free end (4b) and an interconnection end (4c), and at least one guide track (4d) for a wiring harness between these ends, this interconnection cable tray (1) being characterized in that: - that it is continuous and flexible in torsion, - that it connects the profiled cable trays (4) and - that it comprises a rigid attachment end (3) per connected profiled cable tray (4), each rigid attachment end (3) being integral with the interconnection end (4c) of one of the profiled cable trays (4) and comprising a base (3a) parallel to the bottom (2a) of the central body (2), at least two partitions (3b) extending the walls (2b) and cavities (3c) in the shape of a “U” into which are inserted on the one hand the bottom (2a) and the walls (2b) of the central body (2) of the interconnection cable tray (1) and on the other hand the interconnection end (4c) of the profiled cable tray (4) connected by the rigid attachment end (3), and characterized in that the central body (2) comprises at least one interconnection guide track (2c) formed by the bottom (2a) and the walls (2b) perpendicular to this bottom (2a) and opposite each guide track (4d) profiled cable trays (4).

2. Interconnection cable tray (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the central body (2) is self-supporting.

3. Interconnection cable tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rigid attachment ends (3) are secured by clipping to the interconnection ends (4c).

4. Interconnection cable tray (1) according to claim 3, in which the clipping is carried out at 3 locking points of the interconnection ends (4c).

5. Interconnection cable tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the central body (2) comprises a reinforcing frame made of plastic material molded into the bottom (2a) and the walls (2b).

6. Interconnecting cable tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in the central body (2) comprises an articulated structure.

7. Interconnection cable tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bottom (2a) and the walls (2b) comprise a honeycomb structure.

8. Interconnecting cable tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the central body (2) comprises at least one rigid intermediate section.

Images