Device for assembling two tanks with one another

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for assembling a first tank (1) to a second tank (2) by respective surfaces (11, 21) that face each other in substantially parallel planes, using a mechanism (3) for blocking the movement of an element (12), which forms a projection and is supported by a first of the two surfaces (11, 21), in a receiving recess in a second of the two surfaces (11, 21).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Device for assembling two tanks together

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mechanisms for installing stacked tanks and more particularly to mechanisms for assembling and locking these tanks together.

[0002] Currently, a number of consumer products are transported and stored in a liquid state, such as water or gas in suitable tanks. As part of the marketing and use of these products, their tanks are required to be handled and moved for an installation that may be carried out in stacking. Similarly, in the context of a heat pump installation, different tanks and / or tanks made from respective storage volumes are particularly likely to be superimposed to meet space constraints.

[0003] A stacking of such tanks requires above all that these tanks are easy to handle for an installer, that is to say that they have gripping surfaces accessible to a user in order to be lifted and moved without this preventing their assembly or hindering or obstructing their installation.

[0004] Furthermore, to avoid accidental separation it is imperative that the assembly of the tanks is stabilized. Conventionally, this stabilization is obtained by involving cooperation by shape complementarity between the surfaces of the tanks positioned opposite each other and intended to be in contact, in association with a sufficient mass of these tanks to limit accidental tilting. However, when the connection between these tanks must be secured, in particular when they interact with fluid transfers as in the context of a heat pump, the installation of the stacked tanks must integrate a locking mechanism. However, in addition to the constraints of the positioning of such a locking mechanism by the size of any existing interconnections between these tanks, it is essential that this locking mechanism meets imperatives simplified implementation for an installer and which remains easy to access for a manipulator.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device for assembling two tanks together which allows easy handling for a user during installation and simplified locking of this assembly without impacting on the size imposed by the volumes of each of the two tanks and any interconnections present between these two tanks.

[0006] The invention thus relates to a device for assembling a first tank to a second tank at respective surfaces positioned opposite each other in substantially parallel planes, characterized in that the device comprises: - on the surface of the first tank, at least one element forming a projection relative to the surface of the first tank and carrying at least one shoulder oriented towards the periphery of the surface of the tank, - on the surface of the second reservoir, a receiving arrangement incorporating at least one housing comprising an orifice whose edge is arranged flush with the surface of the second reservoir, the at least one housing having at least a portion of sufficient width to allow insertion of the projecting part of the first reservoir along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the second reservoir, and in that the device comprises, structurally associated with the second reservoir, at least one mechanism for locking the movement of the projecting element in the at least one housing of the receiving arrangement, this locking mechanism comprising at least one element for interaction with the projecting element of the first reservoir inserted in the at least one housing, this interaction element comprising at least one shoulder arranged to cooperate with the shoulder of at least one projecting element carried by the first reservoir,the two shoulders being mounted to be movable relative to each other in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface of the second tank, between two positions:, - a first position in which the interaction element cooperates with the projecting element of the first reservoir so as to block at least the translational movement in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the second tank, - a second position in which the interaction element is separated from the projecting element to be free from any movement.

[0007] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to different preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0008] [Fig. 1] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a surface of a reservoir carrying receiving housings for a device incorporating a locking mechanism according to the invention,

[0009] [Fig. 2] represents a schematic illustration in section in a plane perpendicular to the surfaces of the cooperating reservoirs of an example of a device according to the invention associating two reservoir surfaces positioned opposite each other and integrating a locking mechanism.

[0010] [Fig. 3] represents a schematic illustration in section in a plane parallel to the surfaces of the cooperating reservoirs of an example of a surface of a reservoir carrying receiving housings for a device incorporating a locking mechanism according to the invention,

[0011] [Fig. 4] represents a schematic illustration of another example of a surface of a reservoir carrying receiving housings for a device incorporating a locking mechanism according to the invention,

[0012] [Fig. 5] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a device according to the invention associating two reservoir surfaces positioned opposite each other and integrating a locking mechanism, the reservoir associated with the projecting elements not being illustrated.

[0013] [Fig. 6] represents a detailed schematic illustration of the example device according to the invention illustrated in the previous figure.

[0014] It should be noted that, in this document, the surfaces 11, 21 of the tanks 1, 2 refer specifically to the surfaces 11, 21 of each of these tanks positioned opposite each other and / or intended to be positioned opposite each other, i.e. the surfaces 11, 21 of each of these tanks 1, 2 specifically adapted to be associated or connected together.

[0015] The invention thus relates to a device for assembling a first tank 1 to a second tank 2 at respective surfaces 11, 21 positioned opposite each other in substantially parallel planes, characterized in that the device comprises: - on the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1, at least one element 12 projecting relative to the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 and carrying at least one shoulder 121 oriented towards the periphery of the surface 11 of the reservoir 1, - on the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2, a receiving arrangement incorporating at least one housing 22 comprising an orifice 221 whose edge is arranged flush with the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2, the at least one housing 22 having at least a portion of sufficient width to allow insertion of the element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2, and in that the device comprises, structurally associated with the second reservoir 2, at least one locking mechanism 3 for the movement of the element 12 forming a projection in the at least one housing 22 of the receiving arrangement, this locking mechanism 3 comprising at least one interaction element 31 with the element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 inserted in the at least one housing 22,this interaction element 31 comprising at least one shoulder 31 1 arranged to cooperate with the shoulder 121 of at least one element 12 forming a projection carried by the first reservoir 1, the two shoulders 121, 31 1 being movable relative to each other in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2, between two positions:, - a first position in which the interaction element 31 cooperates with the element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 so as to block at least its translational movement in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2, - a second position in which the interaction element 31 is spaced from the protruding element 12 to be free from any movement.

[0016] The invention thus allows an assembly of two tanks 1, 2 thanks in particular to a cooperation of shape, at least partial, between, on the one hand, an element 12 forming a projection carried by a first tank 1 and, on the other hand, a housing 22 carried by the second tank 2. This assembly is completed by a locking mechanism 3 involving an interaction element 31 to block the projecting element 12 in position inside the housing 22. This interaction element 31 is configured to operate a cooperation between, on the one hand, the surface of a shoulder 31 1 which it carries and, on the other hand, that of the shoulder 121 carried by the element 12 forming a projection.

[0017] It should be noted that, when the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 carries several elements 12 forming a projection, each of these elements 12 is capable of being inserted into a respective housing 22. The distribution of the elements 12 forming a projection on the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 is then adapted to correspond to the distribution of the different housings 22 on the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2.

[0018] In the context of the mechanism according to the invention, the positioning of the two reservoirs 1, 2 in superposition takes place jointly with the insertion of an element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 inside a housing 22 carried by the second reservoir 2. This insertion is then completed by at least one locking of the assembly of the two reservoirs 1, 2 along at least one axis of movement perpendicular to the shoulders 121, 311. The locking mechanism 3 is also capable of integrating a locking of the element 12 forming a projection in the housing 22 along at least one additional axis of movement.

[0019] It should be noted that according to the construction variant envisaged, among the interaction element 31 and the element 12 forming a projection, only one of these two elements is capable of being moved relative to the second reservoir 2. Thus, according to a first variant, the interaction element 31 is fixedly mounted with the reservoir 2, so that the element 12 forming a projection is movable in the dedicated housing 22 to enter into cooperation via the shoulders 121, 31 1 with this interaction element 31. According to a second variant, the interaction element 31 is mounted to move relative to the reservoir 2 so as to cooperate with the element 12 forming a projection in the final position in its dedicated housing 22.

[0020] The respective surfaces 11, 22 of each of the reservoirs 1, 2 positioned opposite one another have substantially planar arrangements, at the level of at least one portion of the arrangement, and are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to one another when they are brought together for the assembly of the reservoirs together.

[0021] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention, the at least one element 12 forming a projection is produced by a circular arrangement of which an edge of the distal end relative to the surface 1 1 of the tank 1 comprises a shoulder 121 adapted to cooperate with a shoulder 31 1 carried by the interaction element 31 . According to this variant, the element 12 forming a projection has a substantially rectilinear arrangement arranged along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1, that is to say along the axis of the junction of the two reservoirs 1, 2 between them. The distal end of this arrangement comprises a surface forming a shoulder 121 in particular arranged in a plane substantially parallel to that of the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1. This shoulder 121 being configured to interact with a shoulder 311 of the interaction element 31, its positioning plane makes it possible to define a retaining, or even locking, plane, preventing any movement of the assembly of the two reservoirs 1, 2 between them along an axis perpendicular to the surfaces of the reservoirs 1, 2.The surfaces of the shoulders 121, 311 respectively carried by the element 12 forming a projection and the interaction element 31 are in abutment against each other in the plane of retention or locking of the assembly of the two reservoirs 1, 2 between them. According to a more specific example of construction of this variant, the shoulder 121 has a peripheral arrangement on the periphery of the distal end of the element 12 forming a projection. Such a construction of the shoulder 121 allows cooperation of the element 12 forming a projection with the interaction element 31 over the entire periphery of the element 12 forming a projection and therefore does not limit the positioning of the interaction element 31 to cooperate with the element 12 forming a projection at a particular face.

[0022] According to an example relating to a particular construction variant of the element 12 forming a projection and capable of being combined with at least one of the variants detailed above, the element 12 forming a projection is produced by an annular arrangement of substantially similar shape and of dimensions smaller than those of the orifice 221 of the housing 22. The peripheral edge of the distal end of the element 12 forming a projection comprising a lip over at least one length of its portion, one surface of which forms the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection.

[0023] According to an example relating to an alternative construction variant of the element 12 forming a projection and capable of being combined with at least one of the variants detailed above, at least one element 12 forming a projection is produced by a pin whose end comprises a collar adapted to cooperate with a shoulder 31 1 carried by the interaction element 31. Thus, one of the surfaces of the collar and in particular the surface positioned opposite the surface 11 of the reservoir 1 produces the surface of the shoulder 121 intended to cooperate with the interaction element 31 .

[0024] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention and capable of being combined with one of the previously detailed variants, the shoulder 31 1 of the interaction element 31 is arranged so as to have a surface arranged in a plane substantially parallel to that of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2. This shoulder 31 1 is configured to interact with the surface of the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection relative to the surface 1 1 of the first reservoir 1 , so that its positioning plane also defines a retaining, or even locking, plane, preventing any movement of the assembly of the two reservoirs 1 , 2 between them along an axis perpendicular to the surfaces of the reservoirs 1 , 2.The surfaces of the shoulders 121, 311 respectively carried by the element 12 forming a projection and the interaction element 31 are in abutment against each other in the plane of retention or locking of the assembly of the two reservoirs 1, 2 between them.

[0025] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention and capable of being combined with one or more of the variants detailed above, the interaction element 31 is mounted to slide along an axial stroke arranged across the housing 22, in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2. According to this construction variant, the interaction element 31 participates in maintaining the element 12 forming a projection in position inside the housing 22 arranged on the surface of the second reservoir 2, in particular when the element 12 forming a projection is positioned in the housing 22 by insertion through the orifice 221 whose edge is arranged level with the surface 21 of the second reservoir 1. The housing 22 thus comprises at least one orifice 223 positioned at one of its side walls and capable of being crossed by at least a part of the interaction element 31 and in particular by the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 31.

[0026] According to an example relating to a specificity of the previously detailed variant, the interaction element 31 comprises at least one arrangement carrying a blocking stop 31 1 , 312 capable of being positioned across the housing 22, close to and / or against the element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 inserted in the housing 22. When it is arranged through a wall of the housing 22, the interaction element 31 positions the shoulder 31 1 inside the housing 22 between, on the one hand, the surface of the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22 and, on the other hand, the orifice 221 for insertion of the element 12 forming a projection in this housing 22. Under these conditions, the interaction element 31 , by means of its shoulder 31 1, provides a stop which forms an interface of blocking, inside the housing 22 by preventing the movement of the element 12 forming a projection to exit the insertion orifice 221.According to a preferred construction, the interaction element 31 positions the stop produced by the shoulder 311 inside the housing 22 so that the latter comes into contact against the surface of the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection when the latter is in maximum insertion inside the housing 22. In this way, the interaction element 31 operates, on the one hand, a locking of the element 12 forming a projection against its extraction from the housing 22 and, on the other hand, a blocking of any movement of the element 12 forming a projection inside the housing 22 along its axis of insertion in this housing 22. According to an example relating to an alternative or complementary construction to the construction previously detailed, the interaction element 31 also carries a stop 312 configured to limit, or even prevent, any movement of the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of. the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2. According to this example, the interaction element 31 which is positioned across the housing 22, passing in particular through an orifice 223 arranged at one of the side walls of the housing 22, is arranged to be positioned laterally relative to the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22. The interaction element 31 arranged laterally relative to the element 12 forming a projection installed inside the housing 22 thus carries a surface forming a stop 312 different from the surface of the shoulder 31 1 and against which a lateral surface of the element 12 forming a projection, that is to say a surface different from the shoulder 121, is capable of bearing.Also, when pressed against this lateral stop 312 carried by the interaction element 31, the element 12 forming a projection has a limited, if not prevented, stroke in at least one direction of the plane integrating the housing 22 and substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second reservoir.

[0027] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention and capable of being combined with at least one of the previously detailed variants, the interaction element 31 comprises at least one arrangement carrying two locking stops 312 forming two faces respectively positioned opposite one another and capable of being positioned across the housing 22, on either side of the element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 inserted in the housing, close to and / or against this projecting element 12. According to this construction example, the interaction element 31 comprises a pair of arms each carrying a respective stop 312 configured to be positioned opposite two opposite lateral faces of the element 12 forming a projection.Also, the interaction element 31 comprises two portions of its structure carrying respective stops 312 positioned across the housing 22 on either side of the projecting element 12 inserted in the housing 22, so that the projecting element 12 is constrained to move between the two stops 312 of the interaction element 31 in the plane integrating the housing 22 and substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second reservoir. Furthermore,. 11 It should be noted that, when positioning the interaction element 31 across the housing 22, when the two stops 312 of the interaction element 31 are simultaneously in abutment against two opposite lateral surfaces of the element 12 projecting inserted into the housing 22, this projecting element 12 is located immobilized in translation along at least one axis of the plane integrating the housing 22 and substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second reservoir.

[0028] According to an example relating to a specificity of the previously detailed variant, in a sectional plane corresponding substantially to the sliding plane of the interaction element 31, the arrangement of this interaction element 31 has a notch bordered on either side by locking stops 312, so as to have a “U” or “V” shape. This notch is thus positioned between two arms of the structure of the interaction element 31, each of which carries a locking stop 312.

[0029] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention and capable of being combined with at least one of the previously detailed variants, the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 is slidably mounted in a guide duct 32 carried by one end of the second reservoir 2, this duct 32 having a complementarity of shape in section in a plane perpendicular to the sliding, with at least a portion of the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3. Thus, according to this construction example, the duct 32 and the part of the interaction element 31 have substantially identical arrangements so that the interaction element 31 is able to slide easily inside the guide duct 32.Preferably, the conduit 32 and the part of the interaction element 31 have substantially rectilinear arrangements so as to allow a perfectly guided rectilinear stroke of the interaction element 31. This axial stroke is in particular positioned in a substantially radial orientation in a plane parallel to or coincident with that of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2.

[0030] According to an example relating to a specificity of the previously detailed variant, the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 is mounted to slide along an axis comprising at least one radial component relative to the barycenter of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2 which carries the housing 22. Thus, the translation of the interaction element 31 along a substantially rectilinear stroke corresponds to a displacement between the periphery of the reservoirs 1, 2 and the central or interior part of the surfaces 11, 21 of the reservoirs 1, 2. According to an example relating to a preferred construction variant, the element interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 is slidably mounted along an axis oriented radially relative to the barycenter of the surface of the second reservoir 2 which carries the housing 22. Also, the stroke of the interaction element 31 corresponds to a radial orientation which radiates from the barycenter of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2. It should be noted that this construction allows the positioning of one end of the interaction element 31 on the periphery of the surface 21 of the reservoir 2 and allows actuation or manipulation thereof from the periphery of the reservoir 2 and in particular from a portion of the peripheral surface of the second reservoir 2, in particular a portion of the peripheral surface positioned close to the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2 intended to be positioned opposite the corresponding surface 11 of the first reservoir 1.Thus, by acting on the peripheral surface of the second reservoir 2, a manipulator is able to act on one end of the interaction element 31 arranged on the periphery of the reservoir 2 to actuate a movement of this interaction element 31 in the direction of a central part of the surface 21 of the reservoir 2 or from this central part in the direction of the periphery of this surface 21. The radial movement of the interaction element 31 allows the positioning of its end which carries a shoulder 31 1 through the dedicated orifice 223 of the housing 22 as well as any stops 312 intended to be positioned laterally relative to the element 12 forming a projection, so as to allow retention of the element 12 forming a projection inside the housing 22.Likewise, this radial displacement of the interaction element 31 allows a release of the shoulder 311 and any stops 312 as well as a release of the element 12 forming a projection retained inside the housing 22.

[0031] According to an example relating to a specificity of the previously detailed variant, the end of the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 positioned at a lateral and / or peripheral surface of the second reservoir 2 comprises a gripping interface 34 for a manipulator. By way of example, this gripping interface 34 is produced by a handle. According to this construction variant, the peripheral surface of the second reservoir 2 is used for the positioning of one or more gripping interfaces 34, so that these allow manipulation of the reservoir 2 without the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2 is not impacted by the size of a gripping interface 34. Thus, the positioning of a gripping interface 34 projecting from the peripheral surface of the second reservoir 2 makes it possible to manipulate the reservoir 2 independently of any particular arrangement at the level of the surface 21 intended to interact with a first reservoir 1 which is superimposed thereon. The integration of a gripping interface 34 at a peripheral end of an interaction element 31 then makes it possible to position such a gripping interface 34 at the level of the peripheral surface of a reservoir 2 near an edge of the surface 21 of the reservoir 2 intended to cooperate with the surface 11 of another reservoir 1 positioned opposite for assembly.

[0032] Likewise, such a gripping interface 34 makes it possible to produce an actuation interface for manipulating the movement of the interaction element 31 at the surface 21 of the reservoir 2 and therefore the locking of the element 12 forming a projection in the housing 22 carried by the second reservoir 22. Thus, preferably, the gripping interface 34 is mounted movably and displaceably with the interaction element 31 to actuate the latter. According to an example relating to a specific variant of this construction variant, the peripheral surface of the reservoir 2 comprises a housing 33 of dimensions adapted to receive the gripping interface 34 when the interaction element 31 is translated towards the central part which carries the barycenter of the surface 21 of the reservoir 2.According to another specific variant, the insertion of the gripping interface 34 into this housing 33 makes it possible to eliminate the projecting positioning of the gripping interface 34 relative to the peripheral surface of the reservoir 2 and therefore the bulk of the gripping interface 34 at the level of this peripheral surface of the reservoir 2. According to a particular example of construction, the housing 33 has a dimensioning substantially complementary to the gripping interface 34, likewise the peripheral surface of the gripping interface 34 is adapted to be substantially level with the peripheral surface of the reservoir 2 when the gripping interface 34 is inserted into the housing 33. Also, when the gripping interface 34 is inserted into the housing 33, the peripheral surface of the reservoir 2 has a homogeneity of the surface. It should also be noted that the housing 33 and. the conduit 32 inside which the interaction element 31 is slidably mounted are arranged to communicate with each other and arranged in the extension of one another, so that the interaction element 31 passes through the housing 33 when the associated gripping interface 34 is extracted from the housing 33.

[0033] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention and capable of being combined with at least one of the previously detailed variants, the slidingly mounted interaction element 31 has a substantially planar structural arrangement arranged in a plane parallel to the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2 which carries the housing 22. Such a planar arrangement makes it possible to obtain an interaction element 31 whose geometry is optimized for positioning at least a portion of this element 31 across the depth of the housing 22 intended to receive an element 12 forming a projection carried by the first reservoir 1.The planar arrangement of the interaction element 31, in particular of its end, thus allows a construction which is capable of partially closing the housing 22 in section at a depth of the housing 22, so as to block the withdrawal of the element 12 forming a projection when inserted inside the housing 22. Furthermore, the planar arrangement of the interaction element 31 allows the production of a gripping interface 34 of the reservoir 2 in the form of a handle arranged in a plane parallel to the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2. In addition, the production of a planar handle 32 at the peripheral end of the interaction element 31 makes it possible to obtain a construction whose shape complementarity with a housing 33 carried by a peripheral face of the reservoir 2 presents an ease of design.

[0034] According to another example corresponding to a particular variant in the construction of the housing 22 of the receiving arrangement carried by the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2, this housing 22 corresponds to a grooved arrangement integrating at least one groove 224 comprising an edge arranged level with the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2. This edge arranged level with the surface 21 of the reservoir 2 defines the periphery of an orifice 221 across which the element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 is intended to be positioned.

[0035] According to another example corresponding to a particular variant in the construction of the housing 22 according to a grooved arrangement, this grooved arrangement comprises an annular portion 2241 substantially centered on the barycenter of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2. Thus, according to a particular example, the housing 22 has the shape of an annular grooved arrangement 2241. This construction is advantageously adapted to be coupled with the surface 11 of a first reservoir 1 which comprises several elements 12 forming a projection whose distribution is carried out along an annular line identical to the annular arrangement 2241 of the housing 22 to be inserted therein. Preferably, the annular arrangement 2241 has a circular construction. Thanks to such an annular construction, no orientation along the axis of superposition of these reservoirs 1, 2 is imposed to assemble these reservoirs 1, 2, so that the different elements 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 are capable of being positioned at all points of the circular housing 22.Also, the insertion of the protruding elements 12 is facilitated compared to a construction according to which each of the protruding elements 12 is inserted into a respectively dedicated housing 22. Furthermore, once the different protruding elements 12 of the first tank 1 are inserted into the circular housing 22, the tank 1 is capable of being pivoted around the axis of superposition of the tanks 1, 2 to adopt a possible required orientation, the different protruding elements 12 sliding in the circular housing 22.

[0036] According to an example corresponding to a specific variant of the grooved housing 22 previously detailed, at least a portion of the edge of the grooved annular portion 2241 of the housing 22 comprises a shoulder 311 arranged so that the width of the groove at this portion of the edge is less than the internal width of the groove. Such a construction makes it possible to integrate at least a portion of the locking mechanism, in particular the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 3, into a portion of the housing 22. The edge of the orifice 221 of the housing 22 intended to be crossed by a portion of an element 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 when this element 12 has a pin shape, comprises a shoulder 311 arranged to cooperate with the shoulder 121 carried by the element 12 forming a projection.Also, at the level of the interior of the groove of the housing 22, the width of the groove is sufficiently large to position there the end of the element 12 forming a projection which carries the shoulder 121. Similarly, at the level of the edge of the orifice 221 of the housing 22 positioned level with the surface 21 of the reservoir 2, the width of the groove is restricted by the shoulder 311 of the element. interaction 3, so that the end of the element 12 forming a projection which carries the shoulder 121 is retained inside the groove. The cooperation between the two shoulders 121, 311 preventing, or even limiting, a movement along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the groove of the housing 22 or of the surface 21 of the second reservoir.It should be noted that, in the context of a grooved arrangement of the housing 22, a part of which has such a construction, the positioning of the end of the projecting element 12 which carries the shoulder 121 in the housing 22 so as to cooperate with the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 3 carried by the edge of the orifice 221 of the housing 22, is carried out, in a first step, by an insertion of the projecting element 12 at the level of a part of the housing 22 of which the edge of the orifice 221 does not comprise an interaction element 3, and in particular a shoulder 311, then, in a second step, by a sliding of the projecting element 12 inside the housing 22 along a portion of the groove.

[0037] According to an example corresponding to a specific variant of the grooved housing 22 detailed above, the grooved arrangement of the housing 22 comprises at least one rectilinear portion 2242, a first end of which is open to communicate with an annular portion 2241 of the arrangement and a second end of which is open on the peripheral edge of the second reservoir 2. According to this construction variant, the rectilinear portion 2242 which forms the junction between the annular portion 2241 and the edge of the reservoir 2 comprises an orifice 2243 at its end at the periphery of the reservoir 2. This orifice 2243 has a dimensioning sufficient to allow the insertion of the end of the element 12 forming a projection which carries the shoulder 121 when this element 12 has a pin shape, along an axis substantially coaxial with the axis of the rectilinear portion 2242 of the grooved arrangement of the housing 22.This orifice 2243 is thus positioned on the peripheral surface of the reservoir 2, near or at the junction of the edge of the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2 which carries the grooved housing 22. Also, the first reservoir 1 is capable of being positioned on the second reservoir 2 by sliding their respective surfaces 11, 21 relative to each other, together with an insertion of the end of the element 12 forming a projection which carries the shoulder 121 into the groove of the housing 22 at the orifice 2243 positioned on the periphery of the reservoir 2. The end of the element. 12 protruding from the first reservoir 1 is then translated inside the grooved arrangement by sliding the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 onto the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2.

[0038] According to an example corresponding to a specific variant of the grooved housing 22 incorporating a rectilinear portion 2242 as previously detailed, the grooved arrangement of the housing 22 comprises at least two rectilinear portions 2242 parallel to each other, a first end of which is open to communicate with an annular portion 2241 of the arrangement and a second end is open on the peripheral edge of the second reservoir 2, so that the spacing between these rectilinear portions 2242 corresponds substantially to the spacing between the projections of each of the at least two elements 12 carried by the first reservoir 1 on at least one axial component parallel to the plane of the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1.According to this construction variant, the first reservoir 1, the surface 12 of which comprises two elements 12 forming a projection in the form of pins, is capable of being positioned on the second reservoir 2 by sliding their respective surfaces 11, 21 relative to each other, together with an insertion of the respective ends of each of the elements 12 forming a projection carrying a shoulder 121 inside respective rectilinear grooves 2242 of the housing 22. These insertions are carried out at the level of orifices 2243 specific to each of these grooves 2242 positioned on the periphery of the reservoir 2. The elements 12 forming a projection of the first reservoir 1 are then translated along the grooved arrangement along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of each of the rectilinear portions 2242 of the grooved arrangement.Ideally, this sliding translation of the surface 11 of the first tank 1 onto the surface 21 of the second tank 2 is carried out until the ends of the projecting elements 12 are positioned inside the annular portion 2241 of the grooved arrangement, so that the first tank 1 can be pivotally oriented around the superposition axis, the pins corresponding to the projecting elements 12 then sliding in the circular portion 2241 of the grooved arrangement. In the context of a construction variant comprising three or more mutually parallel rectilinear portions 2242, the principle of assembly and installation of the first tank 1 onto the second tank 2 is carried out in a similar manner. It should be noted that the different. rectilinear portions 2242 parallel to each other have spacings between them adapted to the respective positions of each of the pins forming elements 12 forming a projection on the surface 1 1 of the first reservoir 2. By way of example, the distances which separate each of the rectilinear portions 2242 from each other are determined to correspond to the spacings between the respective projections of each of the elements 22 forming a projection from the first reservoir 1 on an axial component parallel to the plane of the surface 1 1 of the first reservoir 1.

[0039] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention and capable of being combined with at least one of the previously detailed variants, the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 is associated with at least two elements 12 forming a projection in the form of pins substantially positioned at an equal distance from the barycenter of the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1. This construction allows the production of a distribution of several elements 12 forming a projection along a circular line and capable of being adapted to an assembly with the annular arrangement 2241 of the housing 22 carried by the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2.Furthermore, this annular or circular arrangement makes it possible to limit, or even prevent, any obstruction of the central part of the surfaces 11, 22 of each of the two reservoirs 1, 2 so as to make a space of these surfaces 11, 22 available for a junction or communication device between the two assembled reservoirs 1, 2. The positioning of the elements 12 forming a projection around the barycenter of the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 makes it possible to obtain a circular distribution of the elements 12 forming a projection centered on the surface 11 of the reservoir 1 independently of the shape of this reservoir 1 and / or surface 11 of the reservoir 1.

[0040] According to an example corresponding to a specific construction of the previously detailed variant, the surface of the first reservoir 1 comprises three protruding elements 12 in the form of pins arranged at an equal distance from the barycenter of the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 and at an equal distance from each other, the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2 comprising a receiving arrangement associated with a similar distribution of the locking mechanism 3. This example of distribution of the protruding elements 12 according to a geometric distribution in the form of an equilateral triangle makes it possible to obtain a balanced locking of the assembly of tanks 1, 2 together, it is a homogeneous locking around a widened zone, from a limited number of locking points.

[0041] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention and capable of being combined with at least one of the previously detailed variants, at least one element 12 forming a projection relative to the surface 11 of the first reservoir 1 and / or the housing 22 of the receiving arrangement and / or the locking mechanism 3 at the surface 21 of the second reservoir 2, are integrated into a structural interface 4 forming a support mounted / fixed on the respective reservoir 1, 2. According to this construction example, the various elements mentioned are not individually mounted directly on the surface 11, 21 of a reservoir 1, 2 but, on the contrary, fixed to the surface 11, 21 of a reservoir 1, 2 by means of a structural interface 4 on which one or more of the elements mentioned are mounted / fixed.This structural interface 4 which forms a support structure for one or more of the elements stated is mounted / fixed on one of the tanks 1, 2 at the surface 11, 21 of the tank 1, 2 intended for the assembly and locking of these tanks 1, 2. It should be noted that the different elements stated are capable of being mounted / fixed by means of several structural interfaces 4 forming respective support structures for one or more of these elements stated.

[0042] It should also be noted that, according to an example relating to a first variant, the mounting and / or fixing of a structural interface 4 on the tank 1, 2 is carried out so that the surface 11, 21 of the tank 1, 2 which carries the stated elements is formed by the surface of the structural interface 4 which the thickness of the structural interface 4 separates from the surface specific to the tank 1, 2 and on which the structural interface 4 is mounted and fixed. According to another example relating to a second variant, the mounting and / or fixing of a structural interface 4 on the tank 1, 2 is carried out at the level of a housing adapted to receive the structural interface 4 and positioned on the surface specific to the tank 1, 2. The structural interface 4 is then mounted fixed inside this housing so that, ideally, the surface of the structural interface 4 is positioned level with the surface 11, 21 of the tank 1, 2.

[0043] According to an example corresponding to a specific variant of the structural interface 4 as detailed in one or other of the preceding examples, at least one structural interface 4 forming a support mounted / integrated on the surface 11, 21 of a reservoir 1, 2 has a substantially circular arrangement.

[0044] According to another example corresponding to another specific variant of the structural interface 4 as detailed in one or other of the preceding examples and capable of being combined with at least one of the previously detailed variants, the structural interfaces 4 forming a support have substantially circular and / or annular arrangements and are mounted / integrated on the respective surfaces 11, 21 of each of the reservoirs 1, 2 so as to produce a concentric arrangement of these structural interfaces 4 when positioning the surfaces 11, 21 of the reservoirs 1, 2 opposite each other. This concentric annular arrangement contributes to limiting, or even preventing, any obstruction of the central part of the surfaces 11, 22 of each of the two reservoirs 1, 2.Furthermore, taking into account the size linked to the respective thicknesses of each of the structural interfaces 4, this concentric arrangement of two annular structural interfaces 4 of similar shapes but of different dimensions allows a greater approximation of the surfaces 11, 21 of reservoirs 1, 2 positioned opposite one another.

[0045] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for assembling a first tank (1) to a second tank (2) at respective surfaces (11, 21) positioned opposite each other in substantially parallel planes, characterized in that the device comprises: - on the surface (11) of the first tank (1), at least one element (12) projecting relative to the surface (11) of the first tank (1) and carrying at least one shoulder (121) oriented towards the periphery of the surface (11) of the tank (1), - on the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2), a receiving arrangement incorporating at least one housing (22) comprising an orifice (221) whose edge is arranged flush with the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2), the at least one housing (22) having at least a portion of sufficient width to allow insertion therein of the element (12) forming a projection of the first reservoir (1) along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2), and in that the device comprises, structurally associated with the second reservoir (2), at least one locking mechanism (3) for the movement of the element (12) forming a projection in the at least one housing of the receiving arrangement, this locking mechanism (3) comprising at least one interaction element (31) with the element (12) projecting from the first reservoir (1) inserted in the at least one housing (22),this interaction element (31) comprising at least one shoulder (31 1 ) arranged to cooperate with the shoulder (121 ) of at least one element (12) forming a projection carried by the first reservoir (1 ), the two shoulders (121 , 31 1 ) being mounted to be movable relative to each other in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface (21 ) of the second reservoir (2), between two positions:, - a first position in which the interaction element (31) cooperates with the element (12) forming a projection of the first reservoir (1) so as to block at least its translational movement in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2), - a second position in which the interaction element (31) is spaced from the projecting element (12) to be free from any movement.

2. Assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one element (12) forming a projection is produced by a circular arrangement of which an edge of the distal end relative to the surface (11) of the reservoir (1) comprises a shoulder (121) adapted to cooperate with a shoulder (311) carried by the interaction element (31).

3. Assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one element (12) forming a projection is produced by a pin whose end comprises a collar adapted to cooperate with a shoulder (31 1 ) carried by the interaction element (31 ).

4. Assembly device according to claim 3, characterized in that the interaction element (31) is mounted to slide along an axial travel arranged across the housing (22), in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2).

5. Assembly device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the interaction element (31) comprises at least one arrangement carrying a locking stop (311, 312) capable of being positioned across the housing (22), close to and / or against the element (12) forming a projection of the first reservoir (1) inserted in the housing (22).

6. Assembly device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the interaction element (31) comprises at least one arrangement carrying two blocking stops (312) forming two faces respectively positioned opposite one another and capable of being positioned across the housing (22), on either side of the element (12) forming a projection of the first reservoir (1) inserted in the housing, close to and / or against this projecting element (12).

7. Assembly device according to claim 6, characterized in that, in a sectional plane corresponding substantially to the sliding plane of the interaction element (31), the arrangement of this interaction element (31) has a notch bordered on either side by locking stops (312) so as to present a “U” or “V” shape.

8. Assembly device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interaction element (31) of the locking mechanism (3) is slidably mounted in a guide duct (32) carried by one end of the second reservoir (2), this duct (32) having a complementary shape in section in a plane perpendicular to the sliding, with at least a portion of the interaction element (31) of the locking mechanism (3).

9. Assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the interaction element (31) of the locking mechanism (3) is slidably mounted along an axis comprising at least one radial component relative to the barycenter of the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2) which carries the housing (22).

10. Assembly device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end of the interaction element (31) of the locking mechanism (3) positioned at a lateral surface of the second reservoir (2) comprises a gripping interface (34) for a manipulator. [Claim 1 1] Assembly device according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing (22) of the receiving arrangement carried by the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2) corresponds to a grooved arrangement integrating at least one groove (224) comprising an edge arranged level with the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2).

12. Assembly device according to claim 11, characterized in that the grooved arrangement comprises an annular portion (2241) substantially centered on the barycenter of the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2).

13. Assembly device according to claim 12, characterized in that at least a part of the edge of the grooved annular portion (2241) of the housing (22) comprises a shoulder (311) arranged in so that the width of the groove at its edge is less than the inside width of the groove.

14. Assembly device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the grooved arrangement of the housing (22) comprises at least one rectilinear portion (2242) of which a first end is open to communicate with an annular portion (2241) of the arrangement and a second end is open on the peripheral edge of the second reservoir (2).

15. Assembly device according to at least claim 3, characterized in that the surface (1 1 ) of the first reservoir (1 ) is associated with at least two elements (12) forming a projection in the form of pins substantially positioned at an equal distance from the barycenter of the surface (1 1 ) of the first reservoir (1 ) and in that the surface (21 ) of the second reservoir (2) comprises a receiving arrangement associated with a similar distribution of locking mechanisms (3).

16. Assembly device according to at least claim 3, characterized in that at least one element (12) protruding from the surface (11) of the first reservoir and / or the housing (22) of the receiving arrangement and / or the locking mechanism (3) at the surface (21) of the second reservoir (2), are integrated into a structural interface (4) forming a support mounted / fixed on the respective reservoir (1, 2).

Images