Removable mounting device for equipment and corresponding equipment

Abstract

A removable mounting device for equipment (E) comprising, on the one hand, a base (200) and, on the other hand, a frame (100) to which the equipment is attached; the frame (100) having a first side (101) and a second side (102), opposite each other along a first axis (A1) of the frame (100), and a plate (103) extending between the sides (101, 102) parallel to the first axis (A1) to rest on an upper surface (203) of the base (200). The device includes at least one first stop (104) arranged on the frame (100) to be engaged under a hook (204) attached to the base (200), and a second stop (106) arranged on the frame (100) to cooperate with a tie rod (206) attached to the base (200). FIGURE FROM THE ABRIDGED: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for removable attachment of equipment and corresponding equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of removable fixing of equipment - in particular electronic, electromechanical, or optronic - such as for example inertial measurement units.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known to install such equipment in a vehicle by fixing a base in the vehicle and mounting the equipment in a chassis which will be fixed to the base. Often, several bases are joined together to form a rack allowing equipment to be grouped in the same part of the vehicle, such as an avionics bay in the case of an aircraft.

[0004] The chassis generally comprises a first side and a second side, opposite each other along a first axis of the chassis, and a sole extending between the sides parallel to the first axis to rest on an upper surface of the base. The base comprises, for example, pins parallel to the first axis and engaged in recesses of the chassis and a clamping system for positioning and holding the chassis on the base.

[0005] It is necessary that the fixing device formed by the base and the chassis does not include fragile parts or parts exposed to shocks before the assembly of the chassis on the base, is reliable and robust after assembly, and does not cause hyper-staticity which could hinder the operation of the equipment, in particular when said equipment is sensitive measuring equipment.

[0006] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention aims in particular to provide a fixing device meeting at least in part the above needs. Summary of the invention

[0008] To this end, according to the invention, there is provided a device for removable attachment of equipment, comprising on the one hand a base and on the other hand a chassis to which the equipment is secured; the chassis having a first side and a second side, opposite one another along a first axis of the chassis, and a sole extending between the sides parallel to the first axis to rest on an upper surface of the base. The device comprises at least: - a first stop arranged on the first side of the chassis to be engaged along the first axis under a hook secured to the base and projecting from the upper surface thereof, the hook and the first stop having first surfaces of which at least one is inclined to press the sole against the upper surface when the first surfaces are in contact with each other; - a second stop arranged on the second side (102) of the chassis, comprising a notch for receiving a portion of a tie rod having an end section bearing on the base, the second stop and the tie rod having second surfaces of which at least one is inclined and the tie rod being inclined to bear: the second surfaces against each other, the first surfaces against each other, and the sole against the upper surface of the base.

[0009] The inclination of the stop surfaces of the tie rod therefore contributes to the creation of intimate contact between the second stop surfaces, between the first stop surfaces, and between the sole and the upper surface of the base. Precise and reliable positioning and maintenance of the chassis on the base are thus obtained.

[0010] According to optional characteristics, usable individually or in whole or in part in combination: - the first stop is arranged on the first side of the chassis above the sole and / or the second stop is arranged on the second side of the chassis and above the sole; - the first stop is arranged in a recess on the first side; - the first inclined surface forms an angle of approximately 45° with the sole and the upper surface of the base and / or the second inclined surface forms an angle of approximately 45° with the sole and the upper surface of the base; - the tie rod forms an angle of approximately 45° with the sole and the upper surface of the base; - the second surface of the second stop is concave, curved around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to the sole, the second surface carried by the tie rod is convex and curved correspondingly to the second concave surface; - the second convex surface belongs to a plate inserted between a shoulder of the tie rod and the second concave surface; - the tie rod is a screw having a head forming the shoulder and an end articulated to the base around a third axis parallel to the second axis; - the upper surface of the base and the sole are provided with elements for relative centering of the chassis and the base; - the centering elements comprise at least one relief projecting from the upper surface of the base to define an alignment reference of the first axis and the sole comprises a groove parallel to the first axis for accommodate said relief; - there are two reliefs in the form of two pawns.

[0011] It is therefore possible to obtain an assembly of the fixing device formed by the base and the frame which is simplified, repeatable, and less dependent on the handling of an operator (tightening tension differs from one individual to another). The absence of a protruding part on the frame limits the risk of their deterioration and the risk of injury to the operator.

[0012] The invention also relates to equipment mounted on a chassis of such a fixing device.

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the following description of particular and non-limiting embodiments of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0015] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a base of a device according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a kinematic diagram of the fixing device according to the invention after fixing a chassis on this base;

[0017] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view from below of this chassis;

[0018] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the fixing device in progress assembly, showing more particularly a first side of the chassis;

[0019] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4], but partial and enlarged, after a slight movement of the chassis relative to the base;

[0020] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5], after a displacement complete chassis in relation to the base;

[0021] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a partial longitudinal sectional view, showing the assembly of the chassis with the base of a fixing device according to an alternative embodiment;

[0022] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a partial perspective view of the fixing device during assembly, showing more particularly a second side of the chassis;

[0023] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8], of the fixing device after assembly of the chassis on the base;

[0024] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a partial perspective view of the assembled fixing device, from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention is described here, according to an exemplary implementation, in application to the fixing of equipment E in a vehicle: the equipment E is here an inertial measurement unit. It is simply recalled for the record that an inertial measurement unit comprises: linear inertial sensors, namely accelerometers, arranged along the axes of a measurement frame; angular inertial sensors, namely gyroscopes or gyrometers, arranged to measure angular movements of the measurement frame relative to an inertial frame; and an electronic processing unit connected to the inertial sensors to provide signals representative of an attitude and a movement of the inertial measurement unit in the inertial frame. This is an example of equipment that can be used with the invention, the fixing device being able to be used with any type of equipment, in particular electronic, electromechanical, or optronic.

[0026] With reference to the figures, the removable fixing device according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, a frame 100 and, on the other hand, a base 200.

[0027] The chassis 100 is here in the form of a parallelepiped containing the equipment E and comprising a first side 101 and a second side 102, opposite each other along a first axis A1 of the chassis 100, and a sole 103 extending between the sides 101, 102 parallel to the first axis A1.

[0028] The first side 101 comprises, in the vicinity of the sole 103, a recess in which a heel 104 projects, having a slightly spherical convex upper surface forming a first stop surface 105. The heel 104 extends above the sole 103 and the first surface of the stop 105 is inclined to form an acute angle with the sole 103, here 45°.

[0029] The second side 102 comprises in the vicinity of the sole 103 a beak 106 (visible in FIGS. 8 to 10) extending projecting from the second side 102 along the first axis AL. The beak 106 has a slightly cylindrical concave upper surface forming a second abutment surface 107: the second abutment surface 107 is here curved around a second axis A2 perpendicular to the first axis Al and parallel to the sole 103. The beak 106 extends substantially above the sole 103 (its lower surface is flush with the sole 103) and the second abutment surface 107 is inclined to form an acute angle with the sole 103, here 45°. The beak 106 is provided with a notch 108 vertical and parallel to the first axis A1 dividing the second stop surface 107 into two parts.

[0030] A groove 109 parallel to the first axis A1 extends in the sole 103 and has one end opening onto the first side 101 and an opposite blind end. Depressions 110 have also been formed in the sole 103 so that the sole 103 can rest on a support surface essentially by its corners.

[0031] The base 200 is here in the form of a parallelepiped comprising a first side 201 and a second side 202, opposite each other along a first axis Al' of the base 200, and an upper surface 203 extending between the sides 201, 202 parallel to the first axis Al'.

[0032] On an edge of the upper surface 203 adjacent to the first side 201 is fixed a hook 204 extending in projection from the upper surface 203 and comprising, opposite the upper surface 203, a first abutment surface 205 inclined to form with the upper surface 203 an acute angle, here 45°.

[0033] A tie rod 206 is mounted in the vicinity of the second side 202 and has a first end section 206.1 articulated to the base 200 and a second end section 206.2 forming a head having a shoulder to bear via a second stop surface 207 on the second stop surface 107 of the chassis 100. More precisely, the first end section is threaded and screwed into a barrel 211 mounted in a lower recess 212 of the base 200 to pivot about a third axis A3 parallel to the second axis A2 and positioned between the first side 201 and the second side 202 but closer to the latter. It is noted that the first end section 206.1 is crossed by a pin so that the tie rod 206 is captive in the barrel 211. The second stop surface 207 here belongs to a plate 213 on which the shoulder of the second end section 206.2 bears via an anti-loosening washer 214.

[0034] The upper surface 203 comprises elements for relative centering of the chassis 100 and the base 200 on the first axes Al, Al'. The relative centering elements extend projecting from the upper surface 203 and here comprise two pins 209.1, 209.2 between which a tab 209.3 extends to define an alignment reference of the first axis Al, Al'. A depression 210 has also been formed in a central strip of the upper surface 203 so that only two lateral strips of the upper surface 203 can support the sole 103.

[0035] In use, the base 200 is previously fixed in the vehicle, for example by means of screws passing through the holes 215 provided in the base 200 perpendicular to the upper surface 203.

[0036] The fixing of the chassis 100 begins by placing the sole 103 in the vicinity of the first side 101 in abutment against the upper surface 203 in the vicinity of the second side 202 ([Fig.4]), the tie rod 206 being in a low position in which it extends substantially horizontally at a level lower than the upper surface 203.

[0037] The chassis 100 is then moved towards the first side 201 of the base 200 by introducing the pin 209.1 ([Fig.5]) into the groove 109, then the tongue 209.3 and then the pin 209.2 ([Fig.6]). The first stop surfaces 105, 205 are then in contact with each other. It can be seen in [Fig.6] that the hook 204 remains outside the heel 104. Alternatively, as shown in [Fig.7], it is possible to have a heel 104 having a greater depth to allow it to accommodate the hook 204 in its entirety, the first side 101 of the chassis then extending in the extension of the first side 201 of the base when the chassis 100 and the base 200 are assembled.

[0038] The tie rod 206, in the low position for the installation of the chassis 100 ([Fig.8]) is then folded towards the chassis 100 to insert it into the notch 108 and place the second abutment surfaces 107, 207 opposite each other. The tie rod 206 is then screwed to tighten the second abutment surfaces 107, 207 against each other (see figures 9 and 10). It can be seen that the tie rod 206 in this position forms an angle of approximately 45° with the upper surface 203 of the base 200 and the sole 103.

[0039] Thus, when the chassis and the base are assembled: - the heel 104 forming the first stop of the chassis is engaged under the hook 204 secured to the base 200 and projecting from the upper surface thereof, and the first stop surfaces 105, 205 bear against each other so as to oppose axial movement of the chassis 100 relative to the base 200 and to press the sole 103 against the upper surface 203 of the base 200; - the tie rod 206 exerts a force on the beak 106 and the second abutment surfaces bear against each other so as to oppose an axial movement of the chassis 100 relative to the base 200 and to place the second abutment surfaces 107, 207 against each other, and the sole 103 against the upper surface 203 of the base 200; - the pins 209.1, 209.2 are received in a fitted manner in two sections of the groove 109 and ensure the alignment of the axes Al, Al'. Preferably, the pin 209.2 has a diameter greater than the pin 209.1 so that the groove section receiving the pin 209.2 is wider than the pin 209.1 (here by one millimeter): there is therefore no risk of the pin 209.1 damaging the groove section receiving the pin 209.2, or vice versa, when the pin 209.1 is engaged in the groove 109. The open end of the groove 109 is flared and the tongue 209.3 only serves to roughly guide the chassis 100 during its movement along the base 200 so as to keep the flared end opposite the pin 209.2. This prevents the first side 101 from hitting the pin 209.2.

[0040] We therefore understand that, in the case of an inertial measurement unit: - the heading orientation of the inertial measurement unit is provided by the tracking line defined by pins 209.1, 209.2; - the roll and pitch orientation is provided by the plane contact of the sole 103 against the upper surface 203 of the base 200.

[0041] It is also understood that the plane contact is forced by the inclined clamping on the second side and the inclined support on the first side.

[0042] It is noted that the chassis 100 does not include any element projecting from the sole 103: it is therefore possible to place the chassis flat on any flat support, without risk of damaging such projecting elements.

[0043] It is also noted that only the second side has a protruding part, which facilitates handling of the chassis and limits the risk of breakage of protruding elements.

[0044] The depressions of the sole 103 and the upper surface 203 make it possible to limit the areas of the sole 103 in contact with the upper surface 203 of the base 200 when the chassis 100 rests on the base 200. This makes it possible to have a plane contact.

[0045] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0046] In particular, the fixing device may have a structure different from that described.

[0047] The stop surfaces may be in one piece with the heel 104 and the beak 106 when the latter are made of hard materials (such as steel for example) or belong to a part added to the heel 104 and the beak 106 when the latter are made of softer materials (such as aluminum for example). The hook 204 is preferably made of steel, as is the plate 213.

[0048] The hook 204 is here attached to the base 200, more precisely fixed by screws 216 passing through the base 200 from below, a pin 217 itself being engaged in the base 200 and the hook 204 parallel to the screws 216 to take up the shear forces and the forces parallel to the axis AL. Other methods of fixing, for example without a pin or by welding, are conceivable. In addition, the hook 204 can be in one piece with the base 200.

[0049] The tie rod 206 may have, instead of a threaded end, a shouldered end connected to the barrel 211 by a stop segment. The tie rod may be an eye bolt or comprise a clamping system by means of a grasshopper type buttressing. The tie rod may be an element which is separate from the base and which is screwed into the base at the end of the assembly.

[0050] It has been indicated that the abutment surfaces form an angle of 45° with the sole 103 and the upper surface 203 of the base 200. This angle includes the precise value of 45° which is ideal but also values ​​within a few degrees.

[0051] Preferably, the tie rod 206 forms an angle of approximately 45° with the sole 103 and the upper surface 203 of the base 200. An angle greater or less than 45° is obviously possible.

[0052] The relative centering elements of the chassis 100 and the base 200 may have any suitable shape and for example be produced in the form of one or more cubic reliefs...

[0053] Preferably, there are two reliefs in the form of two pawns, but a different number and / or a different shape are possible.

[0054] The abutment surfaces may have planar or non-planar shapes to ensure between them a plane contact, a linear contact or a point contact.

[0055] The housings for the pins in the chassis can be inserts, made of steel for example, fixed under the chassis.

[0056] The tab 209.3 may be replaced by one or two lateral edges extending projecting from the upper surface 203 to guide the movement of the chassis 100 parallel to the first axis AL

[0057] Two heels 104 and two beaks 106 can be provided on the chassis 100, and two hooks 204 and two tie rods 206 on the base 200.

Claims

1.

2.

3.

4. Claims Device for removable attachment of equipment (E), comprising on the one hand a base (200) and on the other hand a chassis (100) with which the equipment is secured; the chassis (100) having a first side (101) and a second side (102), opposite each other along a first axis (Al) of the chassis (100), and a sole (103) extending between the sides (101, 102) parallel to the first axis (Al) to rest on an upper surface (203) of the base (200); the device being characterized in that it comprises at least: - a first stop (104) arranged on the first side (101) of the chassis (100) to be engaged along the first axis (Al) under a hook (204) secured to the base (200) and projecting from the upper surface (203) thereof, the hook (204) and the first stop (104) having first surfaces (105, 205) of which at least one is inclined to press the sole (103) against the upper surface (203) when the first surfaces (105, 205) are in abutment against each other; - a second stop (106) arranged on the second side (102) of the chassis (100), comprising a notch (108) for receiving a portion of a tie rod (206) having an end section (206.1) bearing on the base (200), the second stop (106) and the tie rod (206) having second surfaces (107, 207) of which at least one is inclined and the tie rod (206) being inclined to bear: the second surfaces (107, 207) against each other, the first surfaces (105, 205) against each other, and the sole (103) against the upper surface (203) of the base (200). Device according to claim 1, wherein the first stop (104) is arranged on the first side (101) of the frame above the sole (103) and / or the second stop (106) is arranged on the second side (102) of the frame (100) and above the sole (103). Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first stop (104) is arranged in a recess in the first side (101). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first inclined surface (105, 205) forms an angle of 45°. approximately with the sole (103) and the upper surface (203) of the base (200) and / or the second inclined surface (107, 207) forms an angle of approximately 45° with the sole (103) and the upper surface (203) of the base (200).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second surface (107) of the second stop (106) is concave, curved around a second axis (A2) perpendicular to the first axis (A1) and parallel to the sole (103), the second surface (207) carried by the tie rod (206) is convex and curved correspondingly to the second concave surface.

6. Device according to claim 6, in which the second convex surface (207) belongs to a plate (213) interposed between a shoulder of the tie rod (206) and the second concave surface (107).

7. Device according to claim 7, in which the tie rod (206) is a screw having a head forming the shoulder and an end (206.1) articulated to the base (200) around a third axis (A3) parallel to the second axis (A2).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper surface (203) of the base (200) and the sole (103) are provided with elements for relative centering of the chassis (100) and the base (200).

9. Device according to claim 8, in which the centering elements comprise at least one relief (209.1, 209.2) projecting from the upper surface (203) of the base (200) to define an alignment reference of the first axis (Al) and the sole (103) comprises a groove (109) parallel to the first axis to accommodate said relief.

10. Equipment (E) mounted on a chassis (100) of a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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