Retaining part for one or more rotary assembly elements, in particular for a wheel of an aircraft landing gear

Abstract

The invention relates to a retaining part (20) comprising elastic bearing elements configured to secure rotary assembly elements (4). The invention also relates to a wheel of an aircraft landing gear, equipped with such a retaining part (20). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a retaining part (20).

Description

Retaining part for one or more rotating assembly elements, in particular for an aircraft landing gear wheel

[0001] The invention relates to the field of techniques for locking in rotation rotating assembly elements, such as screws and nuts.

[0002] The invention is of particular interest, in no way limiting, in the aeronautical sector, in particular for threaded landing gear assemblies. State of the prior art

[0003] The reliability of a threaded assembly generally depends on its ability to maintain a required level of tightening despite, in particular, shocks, vibrations and / or temperature variations to which it is subjected.

[0004] When the assembly forms a critical component, for example an aircraft landing gear wheel, the required level of reliability typically requires the implementation of securing elements, such as lock nuts, lock washers, or lock wires, in order to prevent accidental loosening or unscrewing.

[0005] In general, the invention aims to secure rotating assembly elements, for example threaded assembly elements of the screw or nut type.

[0006] The invention more specifically aims to provide a solution which makes it possible both to secure a rotating assembly element and to facilitate its disassembly and reassembly.

[0007] A particular aim is to provide a solution compatible with harsh environments, particularly in terms of vibrations and / or temperatures.

[0008] In a non-limiting manner, the invention also aims to provide a solution that can be implemented on an aeronautical component such as a landing gear wheel, in particular to reduce the risk of damage by debris, generally designated by the acronym "FOD" (from the English "Foreign Object Debris").

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a retaining member having a body forming support elements distributed around a central axis, the body being configured to be able to be placed in a locking configuration in which the support elements come to bear on respective support surfaces of an assembly element of the nut or screw type in order to oppose a rotation of the assembly element around the central axis. According to the invention, the body of the retaining member is configured to be able to pass from the locking configuration to an unlocking configuration by elastic deformation under the action of a movement of the assembly element in rotation around the central axis.

[0010] When the retaining member is placed in the locking configuration, the bearing elements of the retaining member are in contact with the bearing surfaces of the assembly element, generating friction which opposes the rotation of the assembly element.

[0011] The elastic deformability of the body of the retaining member allows it, when the assembly element exerts on the support elements a force capable of overcoming said friction and deforming the body, that is to say a force greater than a minimum threshold, to pass from the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration allowing movement of the assembly element in rotation around the central axis.

[0012] Such a force may typically result from a torque deliberately applied to the fastener in order to tighten or loosen it.

[0013] The minimum threshold mentioned above of course depends on the particular geometry of the retaining member and the assembly element as well as their material and coating, and can be easily determined experimentally and / or by modelling.

[0014] The body preferably comprises a support portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, each of the support members is connected to the support portion along a respective fold line allowing movement of the support member relative to the support portion between a first position and a second position.

[0016] Such a connection of the support elements and the support part constitutes a means of ensuring or contributing to the elastic deformation function of the body.

[0017] In particular, in the context of this embodiment, the support elements are preferably in the first position when the body is in the locking configuration and in the second position when the body is in the unlocking configuration.

[0018] In one embodiment, the support portion comprises legs.

[0019] The legs are preferably configured to extend radially outwardly of the assembly element, for example by forming elements which each extend generally along said central axis.

[0020] Without limitation, each of the support elements is connected to a respective one of the legs along said fold line.

[0021] In one embodiment, the support portion comprises a base.

[0022] According to a first variant embodiment, the base forms a ring extending around the central axis.

[0023] In other words, the base may have a geometry defining a closed curve extending circumferentially around the central axis.

[0024] According to a second embodiment, the base forms a segment comprising two circumferential ends facing each other so as to allow deformation of the base between: a first configuration, in which said circumferential ends are separated from each other by a first distance, a second configuration, in which said circumferential ends are separated from each other by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0025] Such geometry of the body base constitutes another means of ensuring or contributing to the elastic deformation function of the body.

[0026] In particular, in the context of this second variant, the base is preferably in the first configuration when the body is in the locking configuration and in the second configuration when the body is in the unlocking configuration.

[0027] In an embodiment in which said support portion comprises both the base and the aforementioned legs, each of the legs can be connected to the base along another fold line allowing movement of the leg relative to the base between a first position and a second position.

[0028] Such a connection of the legs and the base constitutes yet another means of ensuring or contributing to the elastic deformation function of the body.

[0029] In particular, in this embodiment, the legs are preferably in the first position when the body is in the locking configuration and in the second position when the body is in the unlocking configuration.

[0030] The various means described above for ensuring the elasticity of the body of the retaining member can be implemented in isolation or in combination.

[0031] For example, the body may include a base in the form of a ring or segment, as well as legs carrying the support elements in the manner described above.

[0032] As another non-limiting example, the body may include a base in the form of a ring or segment, as well as support elements connected to the base directly rather than via legs.

[0033] The invention also relates to a retaining part.

[0034] According to a first variant embodiment, the retaining part comprises an arm and a single retaining member as defined above, the arm being integral with the body of the retaining member.

[0035] In the context of this first variant, the arm preferably comprises a free end configured to cooperate with an assembly part so as to prevent rotation of the body around the central axis.

[0036] According to a second variant embodiment, the retaining part comprises a connecting arm and two retaining members as defined above.

[0037] Such a retaining part makes it possible to ensure mutual locking of two assembly elements, without it being necessary to block the retaining part using an additional member.

[0038] In this second variant, the connecting arm preferably connects the retaining members to each other.

[0039] Preferably, the arm is curved, in order to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the retaining members that it connects, in particular as a function of an effective center distance between two assembly elements to be locked with the retaining part.

[0040] The retaining part or retaining member(s) may be made of a metallic or plastic or other material.

[0041] Another object relates to an assembly comprising a retaining part as defined above and at least one assembly element of the nut or screw type.

[0042] More specifically, when the retaining part comprises a single retaining member according to the first aforementioned variant, the support elements of this retaining member are configured to come into contact with respective support surfaces of a single assembly element when the body of this retaining member is in the locking configuration.

[0043] When the retaining part comprises two retaining members according to the second variant mentioned above, said assembly preferably comprises two assembly elements, the support elements of a first of said retaining members being configured to come to bear on respective support surfaces of one of said assembly elements when the body of this first retaining member is in the locking configuration, the support elements of a second of said retaining members being configured to come to bear on respective support surfaces of the other of said assembly elements when the body of this second retaining member is in the locking configuration.

[0044] In one embodiment, the at least one assembly element comprises at least one nut having a base forming said bearing surfaces.

[0045] Alternatively, the bearing surfaces may be formed by another part of a nut with or without a base or by another type of assembly element, for example a screw head.

[0046] In one embodiment, the assembly comprises at least one sliding and stop part which comprises:a sliding part configured to be arranged axially between the at least one assembly element and a support element in order to ensure a sliding function under the action of a tightening torque of the at least one assembly element,an axial stop configured to prevent movement of at least one retaining member of the retaining part along said central axis of this retaining member in the event of untimely loosening of the at least one assembly element.

[0047] The assembly formed by a retaining part and at least one sliding and stopping part is called the locking assembly.

[0048] In one embodiment, the axial stop of the sliding and stop part is integral with the sliding part rotating around the central axis.

[0049] In an embodiment in which the at least one retaining member comprises a base, the retaining part may be configured to define an axial clearance between the axial stop and the base of the at least one retaining member such that, during rotation of the sliding and stop part under the action of rotation of the assembly element around the central axis, the axial stop and the at least one retaining member are uncoupled in rotation around the central axis.

[0050] Such axial play prevents the tightening torque from being transmitted to the base of the retaining member, which prevents deformation of the retaining member and the retaining part.

[0051] The axial stop of the sliding and stop piece preferably extends around the central axis.

[0052] Preferably, the axial stop of the sliding and stop piece extends radially outside the sliding portion.

[0053] In one embodiment, the axial stop has a stop surface spaced from the sliding portion along the central axis.

[0054] In one embodiment, the sliding and stop part is a single piece.

[0055] Without limitation, the sliding and stop part may be in the form of a stepped washer, comprising a first stage which forms the sliding part and a second stage which forms the axial stop.

[0056] Thus, the first stage and the second stage of the sliding and stop part can be axially and / or radially offset relative to each other.

[0057] In one embodiment, the axial stop of the sliding and stopping part comprises legs circumferentially spaced about the central axis.

[0058] Such tabs may define between them openings, circumferentially spaced around the central axis, which are preferably configured to allow, during assembly, passage therethrough of parts of the retaining member, in particular said support elements.

[0059] In an embodiment in which the at least one retaining member comprises a base, the base of the at least one retaining member extends radially outside the sliding portion of the sliding and stop piece.

[0060] In one embodiment, the sliding portion of the sliding and abutment part comprises a radially internal portion which is oblique with respect to the central axis in order to be able to match a chamfer of the support element.

[0061] In one embodiment, the assembly comprises said support element.

[0062] In one embodiment, the support member comprises at least one assembly washer.

[0063] Such an assembly washer may form said chamfer of the support element.

[0064] The invention can be implemented in many application sectors, notably in the air, space, land or maritime transport sector, or even in the nuclear sector.

[0065] Thus, in a non-limiting manner, the invention also relates to a landing gear wheel for an aircraft, comprising one or more assemblies as defined above and / or one or more retaining parts as defined above.

[0066] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a retaining member as defined above and / or a retaining part as defined above and / or a sliding and stop part of an assembly as defined above.

[0067] The method may include a step of shaping one or more plates, for example by stamping.

[0068] Without limitation, the plate(s) may be metallic.

[0069] The invention provides a solution for securing rotating assembly elements, in particular threaded and especially bolted assemblies, which can supplement or replace other securing means such as lock wire and which is compatible with harsh environments. The invention also makes it possible to reduce, where appropriate, the tightening torque required to secure an assembly. Among other advantages, the invention also makes it possible to reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs, in particular by facilitating assembly-disassembly operations and, in the specific context of aeronautics, to reduce the risk of damage by debris.

[0070] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the detailed, non-limiting description which follows.

[0071] The following detailed description refers to the appended drawings in which:is a schematic perspective view of an aircraft landing gear wheel, the wheel comprising assembly nuts and retaining parts according to a first embodiment of the invention;is a schematic perspective view of a part of the wheel of the, forming an assembly comprising two of said nuts and one of said retaining parts cooperating with the nuts so as to lock their position;is a schematic perspective view of an assembly nut;is a schematic perspective view of the retaining part of the;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining part according to a second embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining part according to a third embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining part according to a fourth embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a fifth embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a sixth embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a seventh embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to an eighth embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a ninth embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a locking assembly comprising a retaining piece according to theand two sliding and retaining pieces according to the;is a schematic perspective view of a sliding and retaining piece according to a first embodiment;is a schematic perspective view of a sliding and retaining piece according to a second embodiment;is a schematic sectional view of a system comprising a locking assembly according to the invention, an assembly member and a support element.; Detailed description of embodiments

[0072] It is represented by wheel 1 of an aircraft landing gear.

[0073] In a manner known per se, the wheel 1 comprises an outer part 2 and an inner part 3 which extend concentrically around an axis of rotation A1 of the wheel 1 and which are connected to each other by bolt-type assembly members 4.

[0074] In this example, the assembly members 4 are distributed circumferentially in a uniform manner around the axis of rotation A1.

[0075] The show an assembly 10 constituting a part of the wheel 1, in the form of an enlargement of the centered on two adjacent assembly members 4.

[0076] In this example, each of the assembly members 4 comprises a screw 5, which extends along a respective central axis A2 as well as a nut 6.

[0077] The central axes A2 are parallel to the axis of rotation A1 of the wheel 1 and are spaced from each other by a distance B1. In this non-limiting example, the distance B1 is approximately equal to 80 mm.

[0078] With reference to which shows a nut 6 in isolation, the latter extends circumferentially around an axis A3 forming a radially internal threaded surface 11.

[0079] The thread formed by the internal surface 11 of the nut 6, also called internal thread, is intended to cooperate with an external thread of a corresponding screw 5 to form an assembly member 4, so that the axis A3 of the nut 6 and the axis A2 of the corresponding screw 5 are merged after assembly.

[0080] In this example, the nut 6 comprises a base 12, an intermediate part 13 and an end part 14, each forming a respective axial part of the nut 6.

[0081] The base 12 of the nut 6 forms facets 15, also called flats, constituting bearing surfaces. In this non-limiting example, the base 12 comprises twelve facets 15.

[0082] The intermediate part 13 of the nut 6 comprises a toothing intended to cooperate with a conventional tightening tool (not shown).

[0083] The end portion 14 of the nut 6 forms a smooth radially external surface.

[0084] As shown in the figure, the radial dimension of the base 12 is greater than the radial dimension of the intermediate portion 13 and the radial dimension of the intermediate portion 13 is greater than the radial dimension of the end portion 14.

[0085] In a manner known per se, the internal surface 11 of the nut 6 has in this example an oval-shaped section, forming a self-locking nut which provides a safety locking function.

[0086] In the example of figures 1 and 2, each of the assembly members 4 of the wheel 1 and of the assembly 10 comprises a nut 6 similar to that of the.

[0087] The assembly 10 of the comprises a retaining part 20 shown in isolation at.

[0088] In the embodiment of the, the part 20 comprises two retaining members 21 and a connecting arm 22.

[0089] The retaining member 21 located towards the left of the will now be described, it being understood that the following description applies by analogy to the other retaining member 21, located towards the right of the.

[0090] Generally, the retaining member 21 has a body forming on the one hand a support part and, on the other hand, support elements 25.

[0091] The support part of the body comprises in this example a base 26 in the form of a ring extending circumferentially around an axis A4 and legs 27 integral with the ring 26.

[0092] The ring 26 has an upper surface 31 and a lower surface (not visible in the) which define its thickness. Radially, the ring 26 comprises an inner surface or edge 32 and an outer surface or edge 33, both generally circular and concentric.

[0093] In this example, the body comprises six legs 27 distributed around the axis A4. Each of the legs 27 is connected by a lower axial end to the outer edge 33 of the ring 26 along a fold line L1 and extends generally along the axis A4.

[0094] More precisely, each of the tabs 27 comprises a main part 28 provided with cutouts which define on the one hand an opening extending axially from the fold line L1 to a fold line L2 and, circumferentially, on a median portion of the tab 27.

[0095] For each of the tabs 27, the cutouts also define a tab constituting a respective one of said support elements 25, which is connected to the tab 27 along the folding line L2.

[0096] In this example, the legs 27 also include an end portion 29 connected to the main portion 28 along a fold line L3.

[0097] For each of the legs 27, when the body is in the rest configuration of the, the main part 28 extends in a plane substantially parallel to the axis A4 while the end part 29 extends obliquely relative to the axis A4, so that the end parts 29 of the legs 27 together form an axial end of the body which is flared.

[0098] In this example, for each of the legs 27, the fold lines L1, L2 and L3 are parallel to each other.

[0099] Furthermore, since the tabs 27 are identical to each other in this example, the different folding lines L2 formed by the tabs 27 all extend in the same plane perpendicular to the axis A4. The same applies in this case to the folding lines L3 formed by the tabs 27, as well as to the folding lines L1 connecting the tabs 27 to the ring 26.

[0100] In the rest configuration, the support elements 25 extend, from the fold line L2, axially in the direction of the ring 26 and radially inwards. In other words, in the rest configuration, for each of the legs 27 of the body, the support element 25 extends substantially in a plane forming an angle with respect to said plane along which the main part 28 of this leg 27 extends, that is to say in a plane oblique with respect to the axis A4.

[0101] For each of the legs 27 of the body, the support element 25 is thus configured to be able to be moved in rotation around the folding line L2 from the rest configuration illustrated in the so as to reduce the aforementioned angle. By gradually reducing this angle, the support elements 25 can reach a position corresponding to a locking configuration of the body (illustrated in the) then a position corresponding to an unlocking configuration of the body (not shown; see further below).

[0102] More particularly, in the rest configuration, the end of the support elements 25 opposite the folding line L2, which forms a contact portion, is located at an initial distance from the axis A4. In the locking configuration, the contact portion of the support elements 25 is located at a first distance from the axis A4, greater than said initial distance. In the unlocking configuration, the contact portion of the support elements 25 is located at a second distance from the axis A4, greater than said first distance.

[0103] In other words, each of the support elements 25 can be moved relative to the tab 27 to which it is connected, by rotation around the folding line L2, so as to occupy different positions relative to this tab 27, including an initial position corresponding to the rest configuration of the body, a first position corresponding to said locking configuration and a second position corresponding to said unlocking configuration.

[0104] The change in position of the support elements 25 may in this example result from an action exerted by a nut 6 subjected to a sufficient loosening torque, thus exerting on the support elements 25 a force greater than or equal to a minimum threshold (see further below).

[0105] In the absence of stresses or when the force exerted by the nut 6 on the support elements 25 is less than the aforementioned threshold, the support elements 25 return to the rest configuration or, where appropriate, to the locking configuration.

[0106] The body is thus susceptible to elastic deformation, in this example by relative displacement of the support elements 25 relative to the legs 27 around the folding line L2.

[0107] In this example, when the body passes from one of the rest, locking and unlocking configurations to the other, concomitantly with the relative movement of the support elements 25 with respect to the legs 27, the legs 27 themselves are moved with respect to the ring 26, by rotation around their folding line L1.

[0108] Thus, each of the legs 27 can occupy different positions relative to the ring 26, including an initial position corresponding to the rest configuration of the body, a first position corresponding to said locking configuration and a second position corresponding to said unlocking configuration.

[0109] The retaining member 21 is therefore in this example configured so that the elastic deformation of the body during its change of configuration, in particular between the rest, locking and unlocking configurations, results both from a displacement of the support elements 25 relative to the tabs 27 and from a displacement of the tabs 27 relative to the ring 26.

[0110] In the embodiment of the, the two retaining members 21 of the part 20 are connected to each other by the connecting arm 22.

[0111] In this example, the connecting arm 22 is generally in the form of a U-shaped part comprising a central part 41 and two end parts 42.

[0112] The end portions 42 have an overall geometry similar to that of the tabs 27 of the retaining members 21 – but are devoid of support elements – and are each connected on the one hand to the central portion 41 of the connecting arm 22 along a folding line L4 and, on the other hand, to the ring 26 of the corresponding retaining member 21 along a folding line L5.

[0113] In this example, the central portion 41 of the connecting arm 22 is curved.

[0114] In a non-limiting manner, the retaining part 20 of the can be manufactured by stamping a metal plate which can have a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, for example a thickness of approximately 0.4 mm.

[0115] The assembly of the retaining part 20 of the with the assembly members 4 of the assembly 10 of the can be carried out as follows.

[0116] Nuts 6 are initially separated from screws 5.

[0117] With reference to figures 2 and 4, the retaining part 20 is arranged on the outer part 2 of the wheel 1 so that the ring 26 of each of the retaining members 21 of the part 20 is arranged radially around a respective one of the screws 5 and axially supported, by its lower surface, on a corresponding support surface of the outer part 2 of the wheel 1. The curved geometry of the central part 41 of the connecting arm 22, as well as the folding lines L4 and L5 which allow a slight deformation of the connecting arm 22 relative to the retaining members 21, make it possible to adapt to any variations in center distance, that is to say in the effective distance B1 between the central axes A2 of the screws 5 of the assembly 10.

[0118] Each of the nuts 6 is then screwed onto the corresponding screw 5 using a tightening tool (not shown) cooperating with the teeth of the intermediate part 13 of the nut 6 (see).

[0119] During screwing, the flare formed by the end parts 29 of the lugs 27 of the retaining members 21 promotes the engagement of the base 12 of the nut 6 radially between the lugs 27 of the corresponding retaining member 21.

[0120] For each of the nuts 6, when the base 12 arrives axially at the level of the support elements 25 of the corresponding retaining member 21, a sufficient tightening torque is necessary to deform the body of this member 21 in the manner described above, in order to make it pass from the rest configuration to the unlocking configuration (not shown).

[0121] When the assembly 10 is thus assembled, the body of each of the retaining members 21 of the part 20 is in said locking configuration.

[0122] More precisely, in the locking configuration, the support elements 25 of each of the retaining members 21 extend radially outside the corresponding nut 6, each coming to bear on one of the facets 15 of the base 12 of this nut 6.

[0123] For each of the retaining members 21 of the part 20, the arrangement of the support elements 25 on the support surfaces 15 of the corresponding nut 6 opposes a rotation of the nut 6 around the central axis A2 of the screw 5 to which it is assembled.

[0124] With reference to figures 2 and 4, the axes A4 of the retaining part 20 are merged with the central axes A2 of the screws 5 in the locking configuration.

[0125] In the embodiment of the, the retaining members 21 of the part 20 are mutually blocked in rotation around their respective central axis A2 by the connecting arm 22.

[0126] The retaining part 20 thus provides a safety locking function in addition to that provided by the self-locking nuts 6.

[0127] To disassemble the assembly 10, for example as part of a maintenance operation, the nuts 6 can be unscrewed by applying sufficient torque to deform the body of the retaining members 21 of the part 20 in order to move it from the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration.

[0128] After removal of the nuts 6, more precisely as soon as their bearing surfaces 15 are no longer in contact with the retaining members 21, the body of the latter returns to its rest configuration given its elasticity.

[0129] In the wheel 1 of the, the assembly members 4 are equipped two by two with such a retaining part 20 forming an assembly 10 as illustrated in the.

[0130] Of course, the preceding description is not limiting, the invention having numerous variants, including those described below, both in terms of geometry of the retaining part 20 and field of application.

[0131] In particular, the part 20 of the may have a connecting arm 22 and / or retaining members 21 having a different geometry. For example, the connecting arm 22 may have a non-curved central portion 41 and / or be devoid of fold lines L4 between the central portion 41 and the end portions 42.

[0132] For another example, the legs 27 and / or the support elements 25 of the retaining members 21 may have a geometry different from that of the and / or be of a different number. Thus, in a variant not shown, the body of the retaining members 21 may have one or more legs each carrying several support elements. In addition, the legs may be connected to the base of the body according to a rigid connection, not allowing any movement of the legs relative to the base as is permitted by the fold lines L1 in the embodiment of the.

[0133] Figures 5 to 11 illustrate non-limiting variants of retaining part 20, described below only according to their differences from the embodiment of the. The preceding description applies by analogy to these different variants.

[0134] In the embodiment of the, each of the retaining members 21 comprises support elements 25 in the form of curved tabs connected to the base 26 by a single fold line L10.

[0135] In the embodiment of the, each of the retaining members 21 comprises support elements 25 in the form of arms in three parts 25A, 25B and 25C connected to each other and to the base 26 of the corresponding member 21 by fold lines L10, L11 and L12. In the rest configuration of the, for each of the support elements 25, the parts 25A, 25B and 25C extend in respective planes oblique to each other so as to form a contact part located at the fold line L12. The orientation of the part 25C of the support elements 25 makes it possible to form a flared axial end of the body of each of the members 21, in the manner of the end parts 29 of the legs 27 in the embodiment of the.The body of the retaining members 21 is in this example configured to deform during its change of configuration by relative rotation of the part 25B with respect to the part 25A around the folding line L11 and by concomitant relative rotation of the part 25A with respect to the base 26 around the folding line L10, this for each of the support elements 25.

[0136] In the embodiment of the, each of the retaining members 21 comprises support elements 25 in the form of arms in two parts 25A and 25B connected to each other by a fold line L11, the part 25A being connected to the corresponding base 26 by a fold line L10. In the rest configuration of the, for each of the support elements 25 of each of the members 21, the part 25A extends in a plane substantially parallel to the axis A4 and the part 25B extends radially inwards while being directed axially from the fold line L11 towards the base 26, so that the end of the part 25B opposite the fold line L11 forms the contact part.The body of the retaining members 21 is in this example configured to deform during its change of configuration by relative rotation of the part 25B with respect to the part 25A around the folding line L11 and concomitant relative rotation of the part 25A with respect to the base 26 around the folding line L10, this for each of the support elements 25.

[0137] In the embodiment of the, each of the retaining members 21 comprises support elements 25 in the form of arms in two parts 25A and 25B connected to each other by a fold line L11, the part 25A being connected to the base 26 by a fold line L10. In this example, the base 26 of the retaining members 21 comprises an internal surface or edge 32 of star shape defined by recesses of the base 26 constituting the part 25A of the support elements 25. The base 26 of the retaining members 21 comprises a circular external surface or edge 33. For each of the retaining members 21, the support elements 25 are therefore here connected to the base 26 along the fold line L10, at the level of the internal edge 32.

[0138] The embodiment of the essentially differs from that of the in that, for each of the retaining members 21, the support elements 25, which have a shape similar to those of the, are connected to the base 26 at the level of the external edge 33 of the base 26, and in that the external edge 33 also has a star shape similar to the internal edge 32.

[0139] In the embodiment of the, the base 26 of each of the retaining members 21 forms not a ring but a segment having two circumferential ends 26A and 26B facing each other. In the rest configuration of the, the ends 26A and 26B of each of the retaining members 21 are spaced apart from each other by a distance B2. The support elements 25 of each of the retaining members 21, which have the same shape as those of the, are connected to the base 26 at the external edge 33 of the base 26, the external edge 33 having in this example a circular shape.Thus, the base 26 of each of the retaining members 21 can be elastically deformed, concomitantly with the support elements 25, so as to modify the distance B2 between the ends 26A and 26B, in particular so that this distance is greater than that illustrated when the body is in the locking configuration and an even greater distance when the body is in the unlocking configuration.

[0140] The embodiment of the essentially differs from that of the in that, for each of the retaining members 21, the tabs 27 are devoid of an end portion (referenced 29 in the) and by the relative dimensions of the base 26 and the support elements 25.

[0141] In the various embodiments described above, the retaining part 20 comprises two symmetrical retaining members 21 connected to each other by a connecting arm 22.

[0142] Of course, the retaining part 20 can comprise two retaining members 21 which are different from each other.

[0143] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the, the retaining part 20B is formed of a single retaining member 21 secured to an arm 60 having a free end 60A. In this non-limiting example, the retaining member 21 is similar to those of the retaining part 20 of the. The free end 60A of the arm 60 is configured to cooperate with a fixed locking member so as to prevent rotation of the body of the retaining member 21 around the axis A4 around which it extends.

[0144] In a non-limiting manner, other variants may be obtained by combining the different embodiments described above. For example, the retaining member 21 of the embodiment of the may be substituted by any of the retaining members illustrated in Figures 5 to 11. For another example, the body of the retaining member(s) 21 of the embodiments of Figures 4 to 9, 11 and 12 may have a base 26 similar to that illustrated in the in order to define an additional deformation mode.

[0145] The show an assembly 90 comprising the retaining part 20 in which each of the retaining members 21 is equipped with a sliding and stop part 50 as illustrated in isolation in the.

[0146] With reference to the, part 50 is in the form of a generally annular part with axis A5.

[0147] The part 50 comprises a central part 51, also called a “sliding part”, and a peripheral part 52, also called an “axial stop”, which extends radially outside the central part 51.

[0148] The central part 51 and the peripheral part 52 of the part 50 are connected to each other by a connecting part 53.

[0149] In this example, the central part 51 extends around the axis A5, forming an annular element, of the washer type.

[0150] In a non-limiting manner, the peripheral part 52 is in the form of tabs, in this example six tabs, circumferentially distributed around the axis A5, defining openings 54 between them. The openings 54 are therefore also circumferentially distributed around the axis A5.

[0151] Thus, the peripheral part 52 also extends around the axis A5, forming in this example a discontinuous ring.

[0152] Still with reference to the, the central portion 51 of the part 50 comprises an upper surface 55 and a lower surface (not visible in the) which define its thickness. Radially, the central portion 51 comprises an internal surface or edge 56 and an external surface or edge 57 radially delimiting said openings 54 of the peripheral portion 52. The edges 56 and 57 of the part 50 of the are generally circular and concentric.

[0153] Similarly, concerning the peripheral portion 52 of the part 50 of the, each of the legs that it forms comprises an upper surface 61 and a lower surface (not visible in the) which define its thickness. Radially, each of the legs 52 comprises an internal edge 62 by which it is connected to the connecting portion 53 and an external edge 63. The edges 62 and 63 of the part 50 of the are generally circular and concentric.

[0154] In this example, the lower surface and the upper surface 55 of the central portion 51 of the part 50, as well as the lower surface and the upper surface 61 of the peripheral portion 52 extend substantially parallel to a plane orthogonal to the axis A5.

[0155] The connecting portion 53 of the part 50 is configured so that the central portion 51 and the peripheral portion 52 are axially spaced from each other, in this case so that the lower surface of the peripheral portion 52 is spaced from the lower surface of the central portion 51 by a distance B3 along the axis A5.

[0156] In a non-limiting manner, the part 50 is preferably manufactured in a single piece, for example by stamping a metal plate.

[0157] The central part 51 and the peripheral part 52 of the part 50 are integral with each other, in particular in rotation around the axis A5. Thus, a rotation of the central part 51 around the axis A5 causes a corresponding rotation of the peripheral part 52 around the axis A5.

[0158] With reference to the, each of the retaining members 21 of the part 20 is equipped with such a part 50.

[0159] For each retaining member 21 and corresponding part 50, the axis A5 of the part 50 and the axis A4 of the retaining member 21 are merged after assembly and the part 50 is dimensioned so that its central part 51 extends radially inside the base 26 of the member 21 and that its peripheral part 52 extends radially between the internal edge and the external edge of the base 26 of the member 21.

[0160] In this example, for each of the retaining members 21 of the part 20, the peripheral part 52 of the part 50 is also dimensioned so that the openings 54 that it forms can be aligned with the support elements 25 of the retaining member 21, in particular in order to allow assembly of the member 21 and the part 50 without deformation thereof.

[0161] Lamontre shows another example of a sliding and stop part 50 which differs from that of la in that it comprises a radially internal part 70 oblique with respect to the axis A5, this part 70 being intended to come to bear on a chamfer of an assembly washer (see below).

[0162] Lamontre an assembly or system 100 which includes a locking assembly 90 similar to that of the, an assembly member 4 having a screw 5 and a nut 6 similar to that illustrated in the, as well as an assembly washer 72.

[0163] The assembly washer 72 forms, with a structure such as the wheel part 2 of the, a so-called support element.

[0164] In the example of the, said part of the assembly 90 shown in this figure comprises on the one hand one of the retaining members 21 of the retaining part 20 and a sliding and stop part 50 similar to that of the.

[0165] The retaining member 21 of the is in said locking configuration, its support elements 25 coming to bear on the surfaces 15 of the nut 6, in the manner described above.

[0166] In this configuration, the central part 51 of the part 50 is axially clamped between the nut 6 and the assembly washer 72, while the base 26 of the retaining member 21 extends axially between the peripheral part 52 of the part 50 and the assembly washer 72.

[0167] With reference to figures 14 and 16, the part 50 is here dimensioned so that the distance B3 between the lower surface of its peripheral part 52, also called “stop surface”, and the lower surface of the central part 51 is greater than the thickness of the base 26 of the retaining member 21, so as to define an axial clearance J1 between the peripheral part 52 of the part 50 and the base 26 of the retaining member 21.

[0168] On the one hand, the central part 51 of the part 50 makes it possible to ensure a sliding function when tightening the nut 6 as a conventional washer would do.

[0169] During such tightening, the central part 51 of the part 50, and consequently its peripheral part 52, are thus subjected to a tightening torque causing them to rotate around the axis A2 of the assembly member 4. The axial clearance J1 makes it possible not to transmit this tightening torque to the base 26 of the retaining member 21, in other words, it makes it possible to uncouple the peripheral part 52 of the part 50 and the base 26 of the retaining member 21 in rotation around the axis A2.

[0170] Part 70 of part 50 makes it possible to position the latter in relation to the other elements of the assembly during tightening, in particular to ensure its centering in relation to axis A2.

[0171] On the other hand, the peripheral part 52 of the part 50 makes it possible to ensure an axial stop function with respect to the retaining member 21. Indeed, this peripheral part 52, or axial stop, prevents a displacement of the base 26 of the retaining member 21 in an axial direction going away from the support element 72, that is to say towards the top of the, which makes it possible to avoid a detachment of the retaining member 21.

[0172] Of course, each retaining member 21 formed by a retaining part 20 or 20B according to any one of the variants described above can be equipped with such a sliding and stop part 50, for example in accordance with the embodiment of one of FIGS. 14 and 15. In other words, the locking assembly of the invention can comprise a retaining part 20 or 20B according to any one of the variants described above and one or more sliding and stop parts 50 according to any one of the variants described above.

[0173] More generally, one or more locking assemblies according to any one of the variants described above may equip a wheel 1 as illustrated in la or other structures, in order to lock in rotation one or more assembly elements which may be different from the nut 6 of the. For example, the invention may be implemented to retain in rotation an assembly element of the nut type without base and / or not self-locking and / or another type of threaded element such as a screw and / or an assembly element whose bearing surfaces have a geometry different from that of the surfaces 15 illustrated in the, for example a non-planar geometry, in particular concave or convex.

[0174] Furthermore, the retaining part 20 and / or one or more retaining members 21 and / or one or more sliding and stop parts 50 described above may be manufactured from a non-metallic material, for example from a plastic material and / or using a different method, for example by additive manufacturing.

Claims

Retaining member (21) having a body forming support elements (25) distributed around a central axis (A2, A4), the body being configured to be able to be placed in a locking configuration in which the support elements (25) come to bear on respective support surfaces (15) of an assembly element (6) of the nut or screw type in order to oppose a rotation of the assembly element (6) around the central axis (A2), the body of the retaining member (21) being characterized in that it is configured to be able to pass from the locking configuration to an unlocking configuration by elastic deformation under the action of a movement of the assembly element (6) in rotation around the central axis (A2). A retaining member (21) according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a support portion (26, 27), each of the support elements (25) being connected to the support portion (26, 27) along a respective fold line (L2) allowing movement of the support element (25) relative to the support portion (26, 27) between a first position and a second position, the support elements (25) being in the first position when the body is in the locking configuration and in the second position when the body is in the unlocking configuration. A retaining member (21) according to claim 2, wherein the support portion (26, 27) comprises legs (27), each of the support members (25) being connected to a respective one of the legs (27) along said fold line (L2). A retaining member (21) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the support portion (26, 27) comprises a base (26), the base (26) preferably forming: a ring extending around the central axis (A2, A4), or a segment comprising two circumferential ends (26A, 26B) facing each other so as to allow deformation of the base (26) between: a first configuration, in which said circumferential ends (26A, 26B) are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, the base (26) being in the first configuration when the body is in the locking configuration, a second configuration, in which said circumferential ends (26A, 26B) are spaced apart from each other by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance, the base (26) being in the second configuration when the body is in unlock configuration. Retaining member (21) according to claims 3 and 4, in which each of the tabs (27) is connected to the base (26) along another fold line (L1) allowing movement of the tab (27) relative to the base (26) between a first position and a second position, the tabs (27) being in the first position when the body is in the locking configuration and in the second position when the body is in the unlocking configuration. Retaining part (20B) comprising an arm (60) and a retaining member (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the arm (60) being integral with the body of the retaining member (21), the arm (60) comprising a free end (60A) configured to cooperate with an assembly part so as to prevent rotation of the body around the central axis (A4). A retaining part (20) comprising a connecting arm (22) and two retaining members (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the connecting arm (22) connecting the retaining members (21) to each other. Assembly (10) comprising a retaining part (20, 20B) according to claim 6 or 7 and at least one nut or screw type assembly element, for example a nut (6) having a base (12) forming said bearing surfaces (15). Assembly (10) according to claim 8, comprising at least one sliding and stop part (50) which comprises: a sliding part (51) configured to be arranged axially between the at least one assembly element (6) and a support element (2, 72) in order to ensure a sliding function under the action of a tightening torque of the at least one assembly element (6), an axial stop (52) configured to prevent movement of at least one retaining member (21) of the retaining part (20, 20B) along said central axis (A2, A4, A5) of this retaining member (21) in the event of untimely loosening of the at least one assembly element (6). Assembly (10) according to claim 9, in which the axial stop (52) of the sliding and stop part (50) is integral with the sliding part (51) in rotation about the central axis (A2, A4, A5), the retaining part (20, 20B) being configured to define an axial clearance (J1) between the axial stop (52) and a base (26) of the at least one retaining member (21) so that, during a rotation of the sliding and stop part (50) under the action of a rotation of the assembly element (6) about the central axis (A2, A4, A5), the axial stop (52) and the at least one retaining member (21) are uncoupled in rotation about the central axis (A2, A4, A5), the axial stop (52) of the sliding part (50) and stop extending preferably around the central axis (A2, A4, A5), radially outside the sliding part (51),the axial stop (52) preferably having a stop surface spaced from the sliding portion (51) along the central axis (A2, A4, A5), the axial stop of the sliding and stop part (50) preferably comprising legs (52) circumferentially spaced around the central axis (A2, A4, A5)., Assembly (10) according to claim 9 or 10, in which a base (26) of the at least one retaining member (21) extends radially outside the sliding portion (51) of the sliding and stop part (50). Assembly (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the sliding portion (51) of the sliding and stop piece (50) comprises a radially internal portion (70) which is oblique relative to the central axis (A2, A4, A5) in order to be able to match a chamfer of the support element (72). An assembly (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising said support element (2, 72), the support element (2, 72) preferably comprising at least one assembly washer (72). Landing gear wheel (1) for an aircraft, comprising one or more assemblies according to any one of claims 8 to 13 and / or one or more retaining parts according to claim 6 or 7. Method of manufacturing a retaining member (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and / or a retaining part (20, 20B) according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a step of shaping a metal plate, for example by stamping.

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