Retaining part for one or more rotating assembly elements, particularly for aircraft landing gear wheels

Abstract

Retaining element (20) comprising elastic support elements configured to secure rotating assembly members (4). Aircraft landing gear wheel equipped with such a retaining element (20). Method for manufacturing such a retaining element (20). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Retaining part for one or more rotating assembly elements, particularly for aircraft landing gear wheels technical field

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

[0002] The invention is of particular, but not limited, interest in the aeronautical sector, especially for threaded landing gear assemblies. Prior art

[0003] The reliability of a threaded assembly generally depends on its ability to maintain a required level of tightening despite, in particular, the 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 necessitates the implementation of locking elements, such as locknuts, locking washers, or locking wires, to prevent unintentional loosening or unscrewing. Description of the invention

[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 that both secures a rotating assembly element and facilitates its disassembly and reassembly.

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

[0008] Without limitation, 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 referred to 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 bearing elements distributed around a central axis, the body being configured to be able to be placed in a locking configuration in which the bearing elements bear against respective bearing surfaces of a nut or screw-type assembly element in order to oppose 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 move from the locking configuration to a release configuration rusting by elastic deformation under the action of a displacement of the assembly element rotating 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 move from the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration allowing a movement of the assembly element in rotation around the central axis.

[0012] Such a force can typically result from a torque voluntarily applied to the assembly element in order to tighten or loosen it.

[0013] The minimum threshold mentioned above depends of course 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 modeling.

[0014] The body preferably includes a support part.

[0015] In one embodiment, each of the support elements is connected to the support part along a respective bend line allowing a displacement of the support element relative to the support part between a first position and a second position.

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

[0017] In particular, in 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 part includes legs.

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

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

[0021] In one embodiment, the support part includes a base.

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

[0023] In other words, the base can 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 the said circumferential ends are separated from each other by a first distance, - a second configuration, in which the said circumferential ends are separated from each other by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0025] Such a geometry of the base of the body 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 part includes both the base and the aforementioned legs, each of the legs can be connected to the base along another fold line allowing a displacement 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 organ 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] For 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 piece.

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

[0035] In this first variant, the arm preferably includes 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 embodiment, the retaining piece comprises a connecting arm and two retaining members as defined above.

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

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

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

[0040] The retaining piece or retaining elements may be made of a metallic or plastic or other material.

[0041] In one embodiment, the retaining piece includes, for each retaining member, a sliding member such as a washer configured to be disposed axially between the body of this retaining member and the corresponding assembly element.

[0042] Such a sliding element makes it possible to reduce friction between the body of the retaining element and the assembly element and to reduce the risk of deformation of the retaining part, in particular under the action of a tightening torque exerted on the assembly element.

[0043] Another object relates to an assembly comprising a retaining piece as defined above and at least one assembly element of the nut or screw type.

[0044] More specifically, when the retaining part comprises a single retaining element according to the first variant mentioned above, the bearing elements of this retaining element are configured to bear on respective bearing surfaces of a single assembly element when the body of this retaining element is in the locking configuration.

[0045] When the retaining part comprises two retaining elements according to the second variant mentioned above, said assembly preferably comprises two assembly elements, the support elements of a first of said retaining elements being configured to bear on respective bearing surfaces of one of said assembly elements when the body of this first retaining element is in the locking configuration, the support elements of a second of said retaining elements being configured to bear on respective bearing surfaces of the other of said assembly elements when the body of this second retaining element is in the locking configuration.

[0046] In one embodiment, at least one assembly element comprises at least one nut having a base forming said bearing surfaces.

[0047] Alternatively, the bearing surfaces can be formed by another part of a nut provided or not with a base or by another type of assembly element, for example by a screw head.

[0048] The invention can be implemented in many application sectors, including the air, space, land or sea transport sector, or even the nuclear sector.

[0049] Thus, without limitation, the invention also relates to an aircraft landing gear wheel, comprising one or more assemblies as defined above and / or one or more retaining parts as defined above.

[0050] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a retaining device as defined above and / or a retaining part as defined above.

[0051] The process may include a step of shaping a plate, for example by stamping.

[0052] Without limitation, the plate may be metallic.

[0053] The invention provides a solution for securing rotating assembly elements, particularly threaded and especially bolted assemblies, which can complement or replace other securing methods such as safety wire and is compatible with harsh environments. The invention also makes it possible, where applicable, to reduce the tightening torque required to secure an assembly. Among other advantages, the invention also reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, notably by facilitating assembly and disassembly operations and, specifically in the aeronautical context, by reducing the risk of damage from debris.

[0054] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed, non-limiting description. Brief description of the drawings

[0055] The detailed description that follows refers to the accompanying drawings on which: - [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of an aircraft landing gear wheel, the wheel including assembly nuts and retaining parts according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of part of the wheel of [Fig.1], forming an assembly comprising two of said nuts and one of said retaining pieces cooperating with the nuts so as to lock their position; - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly nut; - [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of the retaining piece of [Fig.2]; - ​​[Fig.5] is a schematic perspective view of a sliding washer; - [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a second embodiment; - [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a third embodiment; - [Fig.8] is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a fourth embodiment; - [Fig.9] is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a fifth embodiment; - [Fig. 10] is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a sixth embodiment; - [Fig. 11] is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to a seventh embodiment; - [Fig. 12] is a schematic perspective view of a retaining piece according to an eighth embodiment. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0056] Figure [Fig. 1] shows a wheel 1 of an aircraft landing gear.

[0057] 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 Al of the wheel 1 and which are connected to each other by bolt-type assembly members 4.

[0058] In this example, the assembly members 4 are distributed circumferentially in a uniform manner around the axis of rotation Al.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows an assembly 10 constituting part of the wheel 1, in the form of an enlargement of Fig. 1 centered on two adjacent assembly members 4.

[0060] In this example, each of the assembly members 4 includes a screw 5, which extends along a respective central axis A2, and a nut 6.

[0061] The central axes A2 are parallel to the axis of rotation Al of the wheel 1 and are spaced apart from each other by a distance Bl. In this non-limiting example, the distance B1 is approximately equal to 80 mm.

[0062] With reference to [Fig.3] which shows a nut 6 in isolation, this extends circumferentially around an axis A3 forming a radially internal threaded surface 11.

[0063] The thread formed by the internal surface 11 of the nut 6, also called the 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 coincident after assembly.

[0064] The nut 6 in this example comprises a base 12, an intermediate part 13 and an end part 14, each forming a respective axial part of the nut 6.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The intermediate part 13 of the nut 6 includes teeth designed to cooperate with a conventional tightening tool (not shown).

[0067] The end part 14 of the nut 6 forms a smooth radially external surface.

[0068] As shown in [Fig.3], the radial dimension of the base 12 is greater than the radial dimension of the intermediate part 13 and the radial dimension of the intermediate part 13 is greater than the radial dimension of the end part 14.

[0069] 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 ensures a safe locking function.

[0070] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, each of the assembly members 4 of the wheel 1 and of the assembly 10 includes a nut 6 similar to that of [Fig.3].

[0071] The assembly 10 of [Fig.2] includes a retaining piece 20 shown in isolation in [Fig.4].

[0072] In the embodiment of [Fig.4], the part 20 comprises two retaining members 21 and a connecting arm 22.

[0073] The retaining member 21 located towards the left of [Fig.4] 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 [Fig.4].

[0074] In general, the retaining member 21 has a body forming on the one hand a support part and, on the other hand, support elements 25.

[0075] The body support part in this example comprises a base 26 in the form of a ring extending circumferentially around an axis A4 and legs 27 attached to the ring 26.

[0076] The ring 26 has an upper surface 31 and a lower surface (not visible in [Fig. 4]) which define its thickness. Radially, the ring 26 comprises an inner surface or edge 32 and an outer surface or edge 33, both of which are generally circular and concentric.

[0077] 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 globally along the axis A4.

[0078] More specifically, each of the legs 27 includes 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, over a median portion of the leg 27.

[0079] For each of the legs 27, the cutouts also define a tab constituting one of the respective support elements 25, which is connected to the leg 27. along the L2 folding line.

[0080] In this example, the legs 27 also include an end part 29 connected to the main part 28 along a fold line L3.

[0081] For each of the legs 27, when the body is in the resting configuration of [Fig.4], the main part 28 extends in a plane substantially parallel to the axis A4 while the end part 29 extends obliquely with respect 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.

[0082] In this example, for each of the legs 27, the folding lines L1, L2 and L3 are parallel to each other.

[0083] Furthermore, since the legs 27 are identical to each other in this example, the various fold lines L2 formed by the legs 27 all extend in the same plane perpendicular to the axis A4. The same is true in this case for the fold lines L3 formed by the legs 27, as well as for the fold lines L1 connecting the legs 27 to the ring 26.

[0084] In the rest configuration, the support elements 25 extend, from the bend line L2, axially towards the ring 26 and radially inwards. In other words, in the rest configuration, for each of the body's legs 27, the support element 25 extends substantially in a plane forming an angle with respect to said plane along which the main part 28 of that leg 27 extends, that is to say, in a plane oblique to the axis A4.

[0085] For each of the body's legs 27, the support element 25 is configured to be rotationally moved around the bend line L2 from the rest configuration shown in [Fig. 4] so as to reduce the aforementioned angle. By progressively reducing this angle, the support elements 25 can reach a position corresponding to a body locking configuration (illustrated in [Fig. 2]) and then a position corresponding to a body unlocking configuration (not shown; see below).

[0086] More specifically, in the resting configuration, the end of the support elements 25 opposite the bend line L2, which forms a contact area, is located at an initial distance from the axis A4. In the locking configuration, the contact area 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 area of ​​the support elements 25 is located at a second distance from the axis A4, greater than said first distance.

[0087] 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 bend line L2, so as to occupy different positions relative to this tab 27, including an initial position corresponding to the resting configuration of the body, a first position corresponding to said locking configuration and a second position corresponding to said unlocking configuration.

[0088] The change in position of the support elements 25 can 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).

[0089] In the absence of stress 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 rest configuration or, where applicable, to locking configuration.

[0090] The body is thus susceptible to elastic deformation, in this example by relative displacement of the support elements 25 with respect to the legs 27 around the bending line L2.

[0091] In this example, when the body transitions from one to another among the rest, locked, and unlocked configurations, concomitantly with the relative displacement of the support elements 25 with respect to the tabs 27, the tabs 27 themselves are displaced with respect to the ring 26, by rotation around their folding line LL

[0092] Thus, each of the legs 27 can occupy different positions relative to the ring 26, including an initial position corresponding to the resting configuration of the body, a first position corresponding to said locking configuration and a second position corresponding to said unlocking configuration.

[0093] 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.

[0094] In the embodiment of [Fig.4], the two retaining members 21 of the part 20 are connected to each other by the connecting arm 22.

[0095] In this example, the connecting arm 22 is generally in the form of a U-shaped piece comprising a central part 41 and two end parts 42.

[0096] The end parts 42 have an overall geometry similar to that of the legs 27 of the retaining members 21 - however being devoid of support elements - and are each connected on one side to the central part 41 of the connecting arm 22 along a folding line L4 and, on the other side, to the ring 26 of the corresponding retaining member 21 along a folding line L5.

[0097] In this example, the central part 41 of the connecting arm 22 is curved.

[0098] By way of non-limitation, the retaining piece 20 of [Fig. 4] can be manufactured by stamping of a metal plate which can have a thickness between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, for example a thickness of about 0.4 mm.

[0099] The assembly of the retaining piece 20 of [Fig.4] with the assembly members 4 of the assembly 10 of [Fig.2] can be carried out as follows.

[0100] The nuts 6 are initially separated from the screws 5.

[0101] With reference to Figures 2 and 4, the retaining piece 20 is disposed on the ex part outer 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 one of the respective screws 5 and axially in support, by its lower surface, on a corresponding bearing 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 with respect to the retaining members 21, make it possible to adapt to possible variations in center distance, i.e. of effective distance B1 between the central axes A2 of the screws 5 of the assembly 10.

[0102] 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 [Fig.3]).

[0103] 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.

[0104] For each of the nuts 6, when the base 12 reaches axially the level of the support elements 25 of the corresponding retaining member 21, sufficient tightening torque is required to deform the body of this member 21 in the manner described above, in order to move it from the rest configuration to the unlocking configuration (not shown).

[0105] In this example, a washer 50 as illustrated in [Fig.5] is previously placed on each of the retaining members 21 of the part 20, more precisely on the surface 31 of the ring 26 so that, for each of the retaining members 21, the washer 50 extends axially between the ring 26 and the bearing elements 25 of this member 21. Radially, the washer 50 is dimensioned here so that its external diameter is greater than the diameter formed by the lower end, or contact part, of the bearing elements 25 when the body is in rest configuration.

[0106] The nuts 6 are screwed in to the required tightening level, after which each of the washers 50 is axially clamped between the ring 26 of one of the retainers 21 and the corresponding nut 6, according to the configuration in [Fig. 2]. The washers 50 are configured to ensure relative sliding between a lower surface of the nuts 6 and the surface 31 of the body of the retainers 21, thus reducing friction and deformation of the retainer 20 under the action of the torque tightening.

[0107] 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.

[0108] More specifically, in the locking configuration, the support elements 25 of each of the retaining members 21 extend radially outside the corresponding nut 6, each bearing against one of the facets 15 of the base 12 of this nut 6.

[0109] For each of the retaining members 21 of the part 20, the arrangement of the bearing elements 25 on the bearing 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.

[0110] With reference to figures 2 and 4, the axes A4 of the retaining piece 20 coincide with the central axes A2 of the screws 5 in the locking configuration.

[0111] In the embodiment of [Fig.2], the retaining members 21 of the part 20 are mutually blocked from rotation around their respective central axis A2 by the connecting arm 22.

[0112] The retaining piece 20 thus provides an additional safety locking function to that provided by the self-locking nuts 6.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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 taking into account its elasticity.

[0115] In the wheel 1 of [Fig.1], the assembly members 4 are in pairs equipped with such a retaining piece 20, forming an assembly 10 as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0116] Of course, the preceding description is not limiting, the invention having many variants, including those described below, both in terms of geometry of the retaining piece 20 and in terms of field of application.

[0117] In particular, part 20 of [Fig. 4] may have a connecting arm 22 and / or retaining members 21 having a different geometry. By way of 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.

[0118] By way of further example, the legs 27 and / or the bearing elements 25 of the retaining members 21 may have a different geometry from that of [Fig. 4] and / or be present in different numbers. Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the body of the retaining members 21 may have one or more legs, each carrying several bearing elements. Furthermore, the legs may be connected to the base of the body by means of a joint rigid, not allowing any movement of the legs relative to the base as permitted by the L1 folding lines in the embodiment of [Fig.4].

[0119] Figures 6 to 11 illustrate non-limiting variants of retaining piece 20, described below solely in terms of their differences from the embodiment of [Fig. 4]. The preceding description applies by analogy to these different variants.

[0120] In the embodiment of [Fig.6], each of the retaining members 21 comprises support elements 25 in the form of curved tabs connected to the base 26 by a single folding line L10.

[0121] In the embodiment of [Fig. 7], each of the retaining members 21 comprises support elements 25 in the form of three-part arms 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 resting configuration of [Fig. 7], 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 portion located at the fold line L12. The orientation of the part 25C of the support elements 25 allows for the formation of a flared axial end of the body of each of the members 21, in the manner of the end portions 29 of the legs 27 in the embodiment of [Fig. 4].The body of the retaining members 21 is in this example configured to deform during its change of configuration by relative rotation of part 25B with respect to part 25A around the bend line L11 and by concomitant relative rotation of part 25A with respect to the base 26 around the bend line L10, this for each of the support elements 25. .

[0122] In the embodiment of [Fig.8], 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 bend line L11, the part 25A being connected to the corresponding base 26 by a bend line L10. In the rest configuration of [Fig.8], 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, being directed axially from the bend line L11 towards the base 26, so that the end of the part 25B opposite the bend 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 part 25B with respect to part 25A around the bend line L11 and concomitant relative rotation of part 25A with respect to the base 26 around the bend line L10, this for each of the support elements 25. .

[0123] In the embodiment of [Fig. 9], each of the retaining members 21 comprises support elements 25 in the form of two-part arms 25A and 25B connected to each other by a fold line L11, part 25A is connected to the base 26 by a fold line L10. In this example, the base 26 of the retaining elements 21 includes a star-shaped internal surface or edge 32 defined by recesses in the base 26 constituting part 25A of the support elements 25. The base 26 of the retaining elements 21 includes a circular external surface or edge 33. For each of the retaining elements 21, the support elements 25 are therefore connected to the base 26 along the fold line L10, at the internal edge 32.

[0124] The embodiment of [Fig. 10] differs essentially from that of [Fig. 9] in that, for each of the retaining members 21, the support elements 25, which have a shape similar to those of [Fig. 9], are connected to the base 26 at the level of the outer edge 33 of the base 26, and in that the outer edge 33 also has a star shape similar to the inner edge 32.

[0125] In the embodiment of [Fig. 11], 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 resting configuration of [Fig. 11], the ends 26A and 26B of each of the retaining members 21 are separated from each other by a distance B2. The bearing elements 25 of each of the retaining members 21, which are in the same shape as those of [Fig. 10], are connected to the base 26 at the outer edge 33 of the base 26, the outer edge 33 having a circular shape in this example. 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 in the [Fig.[l 1] when the body is in the locked configuration and an even greater distance when the body is in the unlocked configuration.

[0126] In the various embodiments described above, the retaining piece 20 comprises two symmetrical retaining members 21 connected to each other by a connecting arm 22.

[0127] Of course, the retaining piece 20 can include two different retaining elements 21 in relation to each other.

[0128] In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in [Fig. 12], the retaining member 20B is formed of a single retaining element 21 attached to an arm 60 having a free end 60A. In this non-limiting example, the retaining element 21 is similar to those of the retaining member 20 in [Fig. 4]. 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 element 21 about the axis A4 around which it extends.

[0129] By way of non-limitation, other variants can be obtained by combining the different embodiments described above. For example, the retaining member 21 of the embodiment in [Fig. 12] can be substituted by any of the retaining members illustrated in Figures 6 to 11. As another example, the body of the retaining member(s) 21 of the embodiments in Figures 4 to 10 and 12 can have a base 26 similar to that illustrated in [Fig. 11] in order to define an additional deformation mode.

[0130] More generally, one or more retaining parts 20 according to any of the variants described above can be fitted to a wheel 1 as illustrated in [Fig. 1] or other structures, in order to lock in rotation one or more assembly elements which may be different from the nut 6 of [Fig. 3]. For example, the invention can be implemented to retain in rotation an assembly element of the type nut without a flange and / or non-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 [Fig. 3], for example a non-planar geometry, in particular concave or convex.

[0131] Furthermore, the retaining part 20 and / or one or more retaining elements 21 described above may be made of a non-metallic material, for example of a plastic material and / or using a different process, for example by additive manufacturing.

Claims

Demands

1. Retaining member (21) having a body forming bearing 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 bearing elements (25) bear on respective bearing surfaces (15) of a nut or screw type assembly element (6) in order to oppose a rotation of the assembly element (6) about the central axis (A2), the body of the retaining member (21) being characterized in that it is configured to be able to transition from the locking configuration to an unlocking configuration by elastic deformation under the action of a displacement of the assembly element (6) in rotation about the central axis (A2), the body of the retaining member (21) comprising a support portion (26, 27) which includes tabs (27),each of the support elements (25) being connected to one of the respective tabs (27) along a respective fold line (L2) allowing a displacement of the support element (25) relative to said support part (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 locked configuration and in the second position when the body is in the unlocked configuration, each of the tabs (27) being provided with cutouts defining an opening and a tab which constitutes one of said support elements (25) and which is connected to the tab (27) along said fold line (L2).

2. Retaining member (21) according to claim 1, 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 separated 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 separated 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 unlocked configuration.

3. Retaining member (21) according to claim 2, wherein each of the tabs (27) is connected to the base (26) along another bend line (L1) permitting a displacement 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.

4. Retaining member (20B) comprising an arm (60) and a retaining member (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 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 piece so as to prevent rotation of the body about the central axis (A4).

5. Retaining piece (20) comprising a connecting arm (22) and two retaining members (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the connecting arm (22) connecting the retaining members (21) to each other.

6. Assembly (10) comprising a retaining piece (20, 20B) according to claim 4 or 5 and at least one assembly element of the nut or screw type, for example a nut (6) having a base (12) forming said bearing surfaces (15).

7. Aircraft landing gear wheel (1), comprising one or more assemblies according to claim 6 and / or one or more retaining parts according to claim 4 or 5.

8. Method of manufacturing a retaining device (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and / or a retaining part (20, 20B) according to claim 4 or 5, comprising a step of shaping a metal plate, for example by stamping.