Contactor with lever force reduction

Abstract

A contactor comprising a motor (1) and at least one beam (2) associated with a group comprising at least one input terminal (3) and at least one output terminal (4), the at least one beam (2) being designed to be driven by the motor (1) to move between an open and a closed position, each beam (2) being designed to electrically connect the input terminals (3) and the output terminals (4) of the associated group when in the closed position, while being electrically isolated from the rest of the contactor. Each beam (2) comprises a first rotating pivot (5) connecting the beam (2) to a mechanically fixed element of the contactor and a second rotating pivot (6) disposed at a first distance from the first rotating pivot (5), such that a lever effect is generated when a linear force generated by the motor (1) is applied via a connecting rod (7).

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates technically to electrical contactors and more particularly, aeronautical contactors. Previous techniques

[0002] The contactors commonly used in aircraft, both airplanes and helicopters, are typically direct-translation contactors. They consist of an input terminal, an output terminal, and a motor that drives a beam in translation. The beam's translation causes it to move between two positions: an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the conductive beam is in contact with both terminals of the contactor.

[0003] The beam's translation speed depends on the motor's actuation speed and dictates its dimensions. Therefore, a powerful motor is necessary to achieve a fast beam movement speed.

[0004] The motor is primarily sized according to the distance the beam must travel to establish contact and according to the permissible time to go from an open state to a closed state.

[0005] Furthermore, it is complicated for the beam to make contact with the input terminal and the output terminal at the same time.

[0006] One aim of the invention is to provide a contactor that reduces the time between the contact of the beam with the input terminal and the contact of the beam with the output terminal.

[0007] Another objective of the invention is to reduce the cost and weight of contactors compared to the prior art. Description of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a contactor comprising a motor and at least one beam associated with a group comprising at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal, the at least one beam being designed so as to be set in motion by the motor in order to pass from one to the other between an open position and a closed position, each beam being designed so as to electrically communicate at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal included in the group to which the beam is associated, when it is in the closed position, while being electrically isolated from the rest of the contactor.Each beam comprises a first rotating pivot and a second rotating pivot, the first rotating pivot connecting the beam to a mechanically fixed element of the contactor, such as a chassis or a casing, the second rotating pivot being disposed at a first distance from the first rotating pivot, so that a lever effect is generated when a linear force generated by the motor is applied via a connecting rod.

[0009] The second rotating pivot can be arranged on at least one beam so as to connect at least one beam to the connecting rod connected to the engine output.

[0010] The second rotating pivot can be formed by means of a crankshaft, whose crank is fixed to the first rotating pivot, the connecting rod connected to the output of the engine being fixed to the crank.

[0011] At least two beams can each be associated with their own first rotating pivot and their own second rotating pivot, the second rotating pivots being connected to the same connecting rod connected to the output of the engine, the at least two beams being rotated simultaneously and uniformly.

[0012] The first rotational pivots of at least two beams can be formed by the same axis, the at least two beams sharing the same second rotational pivot, the at least two beams being rotated simultaneously and uniformly.

[0013] The contactor may include a beam associated with a group comprising at least two input terminals and / or at least two output terminals, the beam having at least one end comprising several members, each member being designed to connect one terminal of the group associated with the beam, the at least one end comprising several members then being capable of connecting several terminals simultaneously.

[0014] Each terminal and each face of an end of the beam or of a member of the beam opposite a terminal may be provided with an electrical contact.

[0015] The invention also relates to an aircraft equipped with a contactor as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: the figure [ Fig 1 ] illustrates the main elements of a contactor according to the invention in an open position, the figure [ Fig 2 ] illustrates the main elements of a contactor according to the invention in a closed position, the figure [ Fig 3 ] illustrates the main elements of an alternative embodiment of the contactor according to the invention equipped with a crankshaft, the figure [ Fig 4 ] illustrates the main elements of another embodiment of the contactor according to the invention equipped with arms connected in series, in an open position, the figure [ Fig 5 ] illustrates the main elements of another embodiment of the contactor according to the invention equipped with arms connected in series, in a closed position, the figure [ Fig 6 ] illustrates the main elements of another embodiment of the contactor according to the invention equipped with arms connected in parallel, the figure [ Fig 7] illustrates the main elements of another embodiment of the contactor according to the invention equipped with arms connected in parallel, in a closed position, and the figure [ Fig 8 ] illustrates the main elements of another embodiment of the contactor according to the invention equipped with arms connected in parallel, in an open position. Detailed description

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the contactor according to the invention. The contactor comprises a motor 1, a beam 2, an input terminal 3, and an output terminal 4. The movement of the beam 2 between an open position illustrated by the figure 1 and a closed position illustrated by the figure 2 The transition from one position to the other allows the two terminals 3 and 4 to be electrically connected, or this contact to be broken when the reverse movement is performed.

[0018] Unlike the contactor according to the prior art, the contactor according to the invention comprises a first rotating pivot 5 connecting the beam 2 to a mechanically fixed element of the contactor, for example a chassis or a housing not shown in this figure. A second rotating pivot 6 of the beam 2 is connected to a connecting rod 7 fixed to the output of the motor 1. Each face of one end of the beam 2 opposite a terminal 3, 4, and each terminal 3, 4, comprise electrical contacts 8.

[0019] On the figures 1 and 2 The motor 1 is illustrated as comprising a movable part 1a that can move along an axial direction of the motor 1 and is connected to a pusher 1b. The pusher 1b is connected to the connecting rod 7 by any suitable means. Alternatively, the connecting rod 7 is directly connected to the motor 1 and constitutes the axially moving element.

[0020] Still in relation to motor 1, it should be noted that pusher 1b is at a first distance D1 from motor 1 when the beam is in an open position, as illustrated by the figure 1 Pushbutton 1b, however, is at a second distance D2 from motor 1 when the beam is in an open position, as illustrated by the figure 1 The second distance D2 is greater than the first distance D1.

[0021] The second rotating pivot 6 is positioned on the beam 2 at a distance from the first rotating pivot 5. Thus, a linear displacement of the connecting rod 7 (moving from the first distance D1 to the second distance D2) applied at the second rotating pivot 6 is transformed into a rotation of the beam 2 around the first rotating pivot 5. The angular speed of the beam 2 then depends on the linear speed of the beam 2, the mass of the beam 2, and the initial distance between the rotating pivots. It can therefore be understood that the force of the motor 1 acts as a lever, allowing its effect on the rotational speed of the beam 2 to be increased or decreased. It is thus possible to use a variety of motors 1 by modifying the initial distance between the rotating pivots.This allows for the advantageous use of a motor with a reduced stroke, while also reducing the number of moving parts compared to existing designs. Mass and cost are also reduced.

[0022] There figure 3 illustrates a variant embodiment of the contactor according to the invention, in which the second rotating pivot 6 is formed not at the level of the beam 2 but at the level of a crankshaft fixed to the axis forming the first rotating pivot 5. In this variant, the length of the crankshaft governs the leverage effect generated.

[0023] In other embodiments, the contactor comprises at least two groups, each comprising at least one input terminal 3 and at least one output terminal 4.

[0024] The contactor then comprises as many beams 2 as there are groups of input 3 and output terminals. Each beam 2 is electrically conductive so as to be able to establish an electrical connection between at least one input 3 terminal and at least one output 4 terminal of its group, while being electrically isolated from the rest of the contactor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the beams 2 are connected in series, each beam 2 being associated with a first pivot in rotation 5 and a second pivot in rotation 6, which are specific to them.

[0026] The transmission axis then comprises a succession of lights, each cooperating with the second rotating pivot of one of the beams 2.

[0027] THE figures 4 And 5illustrate an embodiment in which three beams 2a, 2b, 2c are mechanically connected in series, each having its own first rotating pivot 5a, 5b, 5c and second rotating pivot 6a, 6b, 6c. On the figures 4 And 5 The rotating pivots 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c are formed directly on the beams 2a, 2b, 2c. Alternatively, the rotating pivots 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c could be formed on a crankshaft fixed to the housing or chassis of the contactor by a support receiving a shaft, the shaft forming the first rotating pivot 5a, 5b, 5c of each of the arms 2a, 2b, 2c, in a manner similar to the formation of the rotating pivots 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c illustrated by the figure 3 It will be understood that in such an alternative embodiment, each beam 2a,2b,2c is associated with its own crankshaft, the three crankshafts being connected to the same connecting rod 7.

[0028] Each of the three beams 2a, 2b, 2c moves from an open position illustrated by the figure 4 to a closed position illustrated by the figure 5 depending on the displacement of a single connecting rod 7 connected to each of the second rotating pivots 6a, 6b, 6c and at the output of the engine 1.

[0029] In the closed position, each beam 2a,2b,2c electrically connects an input terminal 3a,3b,3c and an output terminal 4a,4b,4c.

[0030] In another embodiment, the beams 2 are connected in parallel, that is to say that all the beams 2 are connected to the same axis forming the first pivot in rotation 5.

[0031] THE figures 6 to 8 illustrate an embodiment in which two beams 2a,2b are mechanically connected in parallel, each having a first common rotational pivot 5 formed by an axis.

[0032] There figure 6illustrates in particular the securing of the axis forming the first rotational pivot 5 to the chassis of the contactor by means of a support 10.

[0033] THE figures 7 And 8 are other views of the contactor illustrated by the figure 6 The same elements are identified by the same references.

[0034] There figure 7 illustrates beams 2a, 2b in the closed position, while the figure 8 illustrates these same beams 2a,2b in the open position.

[0035] On the figures 7 And 8 The second rotating pivot 6 is formed at a crankshaft. Alternatively, the second rotating pivot 6 could be formed on one of the arms 2a, 2b in a manner similar to the formation of the second rotating pivot on the figure 1 .

[0036] In other embodiments, the different beams 2 are connected either in parallel, or in series, or according to a parallel / series combination.

[0037] In such embodiments, the movement of the transmission axis results in a simultaneous and identical movement of all the beams 2.

[0038] In another embodiment, the contactor comprises at least one multiple group including at least two input terminals 3 and one output terminal 4, or one input terminal 3 and at least two output terminals 4. Each multiple group is associated with a beam 2 having several members at one end so as to be able to contact both input terminals or both output terminals simultaneously. When the group includes two input terminals or two output terminals to be connected to another output or input terminal, respectively, the beam then has a Y shape. In a particular case, the two rotating pivots are arranged on the simple part of the Y, so as to avoid the creation of torsional moments resulting from a non-uniform application of the force generated by the motor 1.

[0039] It will be understood that this embodiment can be generalized to a multiple group comprising a first number of input terminals 3 and a second number of output terminals 4, the beam 2 associated with the multiple group then comprising a first number of members opposite the input terminals 3, and a second number of members opposite the output terminals 4, so that the set of input terminals 3 and the output terminals 4 are connected together when the beam 2 is in the closed position, the set of input terminals 3 and the output terminals 4 being disconnected from each other when the beam 2 is in the open position.

Claims

1. A contactor comprising a linear motor (1) and at least one beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) associated with a group comprising at least one input terminal (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) and at least one output terminal (4, 4a, 4b, 4c), the at least one beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) being designed to be set in motion by a linear force generated by the linear motor (1) in order to move from one to the other between an open position and a closed position, each beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) being designed to electrically connect the at least one input terminal (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) and the at least one output terminal (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) included in the group to which the beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) is associated, when it is in the closed position, while being electrically isolated from the rest of the contactor, the contactor being characterized by the fact thatEach beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) comprises a first rotating pivot (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) and a second rotating pivot (6, 6a, 6b, 6c), the first rotating pivot (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) connecting the beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) to a mechanically fixed element of the contactor, such as a chassis or housing, the second rotating pivot (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) being disposed at a first distance from the first rotating pivot (5, 5a, 5b, 5c), so that a lever effect is generated when a linear force generated by the linear motor (1) is applied via the element (7), the second rotating pivot (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) being disposed on at least one beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) so as to connect at least one beam (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) to the element (7) connected to the output of the linear motor (1).

2. Contactor according to claim 1, in which at least two beams (2,2a,2b,2c) are each associated with their own first rotating pivot (5,5a,5b,5c) and their own second rotating pivot (6,6a,6b,6c), the second rotating pivots (6,6a,6b,6c) being connected to the same element (7) connected to the output of the linear motor (1), the at least two beams (2,2a,2b,2c) being rotated simultaneously and uniformly.

3. Contactor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pivots in rotation (5,5a,5b,5c) of at least two beams (2,2a,2b,2c) are formed by the same axis, the at least two beams (2,2a,2b,2c) sharing the same second pivot in rotation (6,6a,6b,6c), the at least two beams (2,2a,2b,2c) being rotated simultaneously and uniformly.

4. Contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a beam (2,2a,2b,2c) associated with a group comprising at least two input terminals (3,3a,3b,3c) and / or at least two output terminals (4,4a,4b,4c), the beam (2,2a,2b,2c) having at least one end comprising several members, each member being designed to connect a terminal (3,3a,3b,3c,4,4a,4b,4c) of the group associated with the beam, the at least one end comprising several members then being able to connect several terminals (3,3a,3b,3c,4,4a,4b,4c) simultaneously.

5. Contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each terminal (3,3a,3b,3c,4,4a,4b,4c) and each face of an end of the beam (2,2a,2b,2c) or of a member of the beam (2,2a,2b,2c) opposite a terminal (3,3a,3b,3c,4,4a,4b,4c) is provided with an electrical contact (8).

6. Aircraft equipped with a contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images