Connector for linking first and second members

Abstract

[Title] Connector for joining first and second members Connector (1) for joining first and second members, comprising: a body (2) of composite material including reinforcing fibers embedded in a plastic matrix (6b) of resin, including a first member attachment area; a ball joint (3) capable of moving by ball jointing in a housing (4) of the body (2) and including a bore (3b) for the attachment of the second member; a first fibrous strip (7) or a coating having a coefficient of friction less than or equal to 0.1, positioned between the housing (4) and the ball joint (3), in contact with the ball joint (3); and a second fibrous strip (8) having a coefficient of friction greater than or equal to 0.2, positioned between the housing (4) and the ball joint (3), in contact with the housing (4).

Description

Title of the invention: Connector for connecting first and second members Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to connectors used to connect two members together.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a connector, such as a fitting or a shackle, comprising a body made of composite material and a ball joint mounted in the body. State of the prior art

[0003] Traditionally, in the aeronautical field, connectors such as metal fittings are used, made for example of aluminum, titanium or steel. Such connecting parts are used to connect two members in relative swivel movement by means of a ball joint interposed between said members and secured to the connecting part. This is the case, for example, of a fitting for attaching a thrust reverser cowl of an aircraft turbine.

[0004] The use of a connecting part formed at least partially from composite material, that is to say from polymer material reinforced with fibers such as carbon or glass fibers, is particularly interesting for fields where weight saving is essential, such as for example in aeronautics.

[0005] Document FR3067073 proposes a connecting part formed by a body made of composite material with reinforcing fibers embedded in a plastic resin matrix such that said reinforcing fibers form, with the resin, stacked plies in order to form a laminate.

[0006] A mounting ring, inserted between the ball joint and the housing of the body in which the ball joint is mounted, makes it possible to reduce the impact of repeated forces generated during the ball jointing.

[0007] However, the integration of the mounting ring is expensive, bulky and weighs down the structure.

[0008] Another embodiment described in document FR3067073 consists of replacing the mounting ring with a self-lubricating fabric.

[0009] However, in the event of significant axial and radial loads applied by the ball joint to the body, the resin between said plies at the interface with the ball joint is put under tension. Repeated forces then have the effect of separating the plies, leading to premature delamination of the composite material around the housing formed to receive the ball joint. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks and to propose a lightweight and inexpensive connector, capable of supporting radial and axial tension and compression loads in order to eliminate the risks of delamination of the connector body.

[0011] There is therefore provided a connector for connecting first and second members, comprising:

[0012] a body made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers embedded in a plastic resin matrix, comprising a zone for fixing the first member;

[0013] a ball joint capable of moving by ball jointing in a housing of the body and comprising a bore for fixing the second member;

[0014] a first fibrous strip or a coating having a coefficient of friction less than or equal to 0.1, positioned between the housing and the ball joint, in contact with the ball joint; and

[0015] a second fibrous strip having a coefficient of friction greater than or equal to 0.2, positioned between the housing and the ball joint, in contact with the housing.

[0016] Such a configuration makes it possible to maintain a connector compactness and weight compatible with an application in the aerospace field while ensuring, on the one hand, sufficiently low friction properties for effective articulation of the ball joint without risk of delamination under an endurance load and, on the other hand, sufficiently high friction properties to protect the body of the connector from any risk of delamination under axial and radial loads.

[0017] The connector according to the invention is reliable, inexpensive and its service life is optimized.

[0018] Advantageously, the first and second fibrous strips are positioned in contact with each other.

[0019] According to an alternative embodiment, in which the first fibrous web is replaced by a coating, the second fibrous web and the coating can be positioned in contact with each other.

[0020] By coating is meant a layer applied by chemical treatment or a layer affixed to an exterior surface of the ball joint.

[0021] Preferably, the first fibrous web or coating comprises lubricating particles comprising lubricating fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, and / or at least one solid lubricant, preferably the lubricating particles or solid lubricant comprising a fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluoropolymer, graphite, molybdenum sulfide, hexagonal boron nitride or a mixture thereof.

[0022] The lubricating particles make it possible to lower the coefficient of friction of the first fibrous strip and limit the friction between the body and the ball joint during the ball jointing.

[0023] Preferably, the first fibrous strip comprises structuring fibers chosen from glass and / or carbon fibers. The structuring fibers

[0024] The structuring fibers make it possible to maintain lubricating particles, such as fibers, whose mechanical performance is lower and which could be torn off under stress during relative movement between the ball joint and the body of the connector.

[0025] Advantageously, the second fibrous strip may comprise structuring fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, the structuring fibers being chosen from glass and / or carbon fibers. The structuring fibers make it possible to limit the risk of delamination of the connector body.

[0026] Preferably, the second fibrous strip comprises a composite material identical to the composite material of the body in order to increase the compatibility between the body and the second fibrous strip.

[0027] According to one characteristic, the reinforcing fibers of the body form, with the resin, folds extending perpendicular to the axis of the housing, and the second fibrous strip may comprise folds extending substantially perpendicular to said folds of the body. This makes it possible to reinforce the structure of the connector and further limit the separation of the folds of the body of the connector during swiveling.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first and second fibrous strips can be fixed to the body so that the ball joint is in motion relative to the assembly formed by the body and the first and second fibrous strips. Such an arrangement is particularly easy to produce, facilitating and reducing the manufacturing time of the connector. This also makes it possible to integrate any type of ball joint into the body of the connector.

[0029] Alternatively, the first fibrous strip or covering may be attached to the ball joint and the second fibrous strip may be attached to the body such that the assembly formed by the ball joint and the first fibrous strip or covering is in motion relative to the assembly formed by the body and the second fibrous strip.

[0030] In another embodiment, the second fibrous strip may be attached to the body by impregnating the resin plastic matrix of the body.

[0031] According to an alternative, the first and second fibrous strips can be fixed to the body by impregnation of the plastic resin matrix of the body. This makes it possible to facilitate the integration of the first and second fibrous strips and to consolidate the assembly formed by the body and the first and second fibrous strips.

[0032] In another alternative embodiment, the first fibrous strip can be fixed to the patella by gluing.

[0033] In one embodiment, the second fibrous strip may be attached to the body by gluing.

[0034] In another embodiment, the first and second fibrous strips may be secured to the body by gluing. In this case, the second fibrous strip may be secured in contact with the housing of the body, and the first fibrous strip may be secured in contact with the second fibrous strip. Brief description of the figures

[0035] Other aims, advantages and characteristics will emerge from the description which follows, given purely for illustrative purposes and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0036] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a fitting according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0037] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the fitting illustrated in [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 show a connector 1 intended to connect first and second members (not shown).

[0039] In the illustrated example, the connector is a fitting intended for an application in the aerospace field.

[0040] The connector 1 comprises a body 2 made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers embedded in a plastic matrix 6b.

[0041] The fibers are advantageously made of carbon, but may be made of another material, such as glass. The plastic matrix 6b is made of thermosetting resin, for example epoxy, but other materials such as thermoplastic resins, for example PEEK, PEKK, PEAK, may be used.

[0042] The body 2 of the connector 1 comprises a zone for fixing the first member to be connected which, in the example illustrated, takes the form of a base 5. Means for fixing the first member to the connector 1 may comprise screws or rivets.

[0043] The connector 1 also comprises a ball joint 3 mounted in a housing 4, of axis XI, of the body 2. The housing 4 is delimited by an interior surface or bore of the body 2.

[0044] Advantageously, the ball joint 3 is metallic, for example made of titanium, steel, aluminum, bronze or an alloy thereof.

[0045] The bore of the housing 4 is spherical so as to cooperate with the ball joint 3.

[0046] The ball joint 3, with axis X2, is capable of moving by swivelling in the housing 4 of the body 2. The connector 1 thus makes it possible to rigidly connect the first and second members while allowing the possibility of articulation between them, by swivelling the ball joint 3 in the housing 4.

[0047] The ball joint 3 may be formed of two parts which can be separated in order to allow the ball joint 3 to be mounted in the housing 4.

[0048] Advantageously, the ball joint 3 has a spherical outer surface 3a intended to cooperate with the housing 4 for the articulation of the ball joint 3, and an inner surface or bore 3b for the fixing of the second member.

[0049] In the example illustrated, the bore 3b is cylindrical and has an axis X2.

[0050] The reinforcing fibers of the body 2 form, with the resin, folds or sheets 6a. These folds 6a are stacked so as to form a laminate, as illustrated in [Fig.2] representing a longitudinal section of the connector 1 along a plane passing through the axis XI and which is parallel to the folds 6a of the body 2.

[0051] Advantageously, for simplicity of manufacture of the body 2 of the connector 1, the folds 6a are parallel to each other. In addition, the folds 6a extend over the entire length of the body 2, with the exception of the area of ​​the housing 4, in which they are partially interrupted in order to obtain the housing 4, for example by removing material.

[0052] Furthermore, the connector 1 comprises a first fibrous strip 7 having a coefficient of friction less than or equal to 0.1, positioned between the housing 4 and the ball joint 3, in contact with the ball joint 3.

[0053] The first fibrous strip 7 with a lubricating function makes it possible to maintain an endurance load between the body 2 and the ball joint 2 by reducing friction at the interface with the ball joint 3, which also reduces the risks of delamination.

[0054] The first fibrous strip 7 may comprise lubricating particles comprising lubricating fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin.

[0055] The first fibrous strip 7 may also comprise, in addition to or as a replacement for the lubricating fibers, at least one solid lubricant.

[0056] For example, the lubricating particles or solid lubricant may comprise a fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluoropolymer, graphite, molybdenum sulfide, hexagonal boron nitride, or a mixture thereof.

[0057] Preferably, the first fibrous strip 7 further comprises structuring fibers, in particular in addition to the lubricating particles, in particular lubricating fibers.

[0058] The structuring fibers make it possible to reinforce the first fibrous strip 7, by maintaining the lubricating particles, such as fibers, whose mechanical performance is lower and which could be torn off under stress during the relative movement between the ball joint 3 and the body 2 of the connector 1.

[0059] The structuring fibers also make it possible to support the opening loads transmitted to the body 2 of the connector 1 during the pivoting of the ball joint 3 carrying the second member and tending to separate the folds 6a of the body 2.

[0060] The structuring fibers of the first fibrous strip 7 can be chosen from glass fibers, carbon fibers or a mixture thereof.

[0061] Advantageously, the first fibrous strip 7 may be a self-lubricating fabric.

[0062] According to an alternative, the first fibrous strip 7 can be substituted by a coating, applied at least partially to the outer surface 3a of the ball joint 3, having a coefficient of friction less than or equal to 0.1.

[0063] The coating may be a layer obtained by chemical treatment of the outer surface of the ball joint 3, or a layer applied to the outer surface of the ball joint 3, such as forming a liner.

[0064] Preferably, the coating is applied to the entire outer surface 3a of the ball joint 3.

[0065] The coating may comprise lubricating particles comprising lu fibers abrasives impregnated with a binder, such as a resin.

[0066] The coating may also comprise, in addition to or as a replacement for the lubricating fibers, at least one solid lubricant.

[0067] For example, the lubricating particles or solid lubricant may comprise a fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluoropolymer, graphite, molybdenum sulfide, hexagonal boron nitride, or a mixture thereof.

[0068] Preferably, the coating further comprises structuring particles, such as fibers, for example made of carbon, glass or a mixture thereof.

[0069] In addition, the connector 1 comprises a second fibrous strip 8 having a coefficient of friction greater than or equal to 0.2, positioned between the housing 4 and the ball joint 3, in contact with the housing 4.

[0070] In the example illustrated, the first and second fibrous strips 7 and 8 are positioned in contact with each other.

[0071] The first fibrous strip 7 comprises an inner surface in contact with the outer surface 3a of the ball joint 3 and an opposite outer surface in contact with an inner surface of the second fibrous strip 8.

[0072] The second fibrous strip 8 comprises an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the first fibrous strip 7, or of the coating, and an outer surface in contact with the housing 4.

[0073] According to an alternative embodiment, in which the first fibrous strip 7 is replaced by a coating, the second fibrous strip 8 and the coating can be positioned in contact with each other.

[0074] The coating comprises an inner surface in contact with the outer surface 3a of the ball joint 3 and an opposite outer surface in contact with an inner surface of the second fibrous strip 8.

[0075] The second fibrous strip 8 comprises an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the covering and an outer surface in contact with the housing 4.

[0076] Preferably, the second fibrous strip 8 comprises structuring fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin. The structuring fibers can be chosen among glass fibers, carbon fibers or a mixture thereof.

[0077] The second fibrous strip 8 may, advantageously, comprise a composite material identical to the composite material of the body 2 in order to improve the compatibility between the body 2 and the second fibrous strip 8.

[0078] In the example illustrated, the reinforcing fibers of the body 2 form, with the resin, folds 6a extending perpendicular to the axis XI of the housing 4, at least in the zone of the body 2 around the housing 4 extending over a few millimeters or tens of millimeters, which makes it possible to increase the tensile and compressive strength.

[0079] The second fibrous strip 8 may also comprise folds. Preferably, the folds of the second fibrous strip 8 extend transversely along the fibrous strip 8, so as to extend substantially perpendicular to the folds 6a of the body.

[0080] The first fibrous strip 7 may also comprise at least one fold.

[0081] The thickness of the first fibrous strip 7, the thickness of the coating and the thickness of the second fibrous strip 8 are preferably of the order of millimeters, between 0.5 and 5 mm.

[0082] For example, the first fibrous strip 7 and the second fibrous strip 8 comprise, respectively, a proportion of 10% and 90% of plies.

[0083] This ratio can be adjusted according to the required endurance stress ratio in rotation and static load.

[0084] In one embodiment, the first and second fibrous strips 7 and 8 can be fixed to the body 2. In this way, the ball joint 3 is in motion relative to the assembly formed by the body 2 and the first and second fibrous strips.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment, the first fibrous strip 7, or the covering, can be fixed on the ball joint 3, while the second fibrous strip 8 can be fixed on the body 2. In this way, the assembly formed by the ball joint 3 and the first fibrous strip 7, or the covering, is in movement relative to the assembly formed by the body 2 and the second fibrous strip 8.

[0086] Preferably, the fixing of the second fibrous strip 8 or the fixing of the first and second fibrous strips 7 and 8 on the body 2 is carried out by impregnation of the plastic matrix 6b with resin of the body 2.

[0087] Alternatively, the first fibrous strip 7, the second fibrous strip 8 or the first and second fibrous strips 7, 8 can be fixed by gluing.

[0088] According to one example, the second fibrous strip 8 can be fixed in contact with the housing 4 by means of an adhesive, and the first fibrous strip 7 can be fixed in contact with the second fibrous strip 8, also by means of adhesive.

[0089] According to another example, the second fibrous strip 8 can be fixed in contact with the housing 4 by means of an adhesive, and the first fibrous strip 7 can be fixed to the contact of the ball joint 3, also by means of glue.

[0090] In the illustrated example, connector 1 is configured to connect two members.

[0091] Alternatively, connector 1 may be implemented to connect three or more members together.

[0092] Furthermore, the invention can be applied to another type of connector than a fitting, for example a connecting rod end or a shackle, for example also for an application in the aerospace field or any other technical field.

Claims

Claims

1. Connector (1) for connecting first and second members, comprising: a body (2) made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers embedded in a plastic matrix (6b) made of resin, comprising a zone for fixing the first member; a ball joint (3) capable of moving by rotating in a housing (4) of the body (2) and comprising a bore (3b) for fixing the second member; a first fibrous strip (7) or a coating having a coefficient of friction less than or equal to 0.1, positioned between the housing (4) and the ball joint (3), in contact with the ball joint (3); and a second fibrous strip (8) having a coefficient of friction greater than or equal to 0.2, positioned between the housing (4) and the ball joint (3), in contact with the housing (4).

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the first fibrous web (7) or coating comprises lubricating particles comprising lubricating fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, and / or at least one solid lubricant, preferably the lubricating particles or the solid lubricant comprising a fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluoropolymer, graphite, molybdenum sulfide, hexagonal boron nitride or a mixture thereof.

3. Connector according to claim 2, in which the first fibrous strip (7) comprises structuring fibers chosen from glass and / or carbon fibers.

4. Connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the second fibrous strip (8) comprises structuring fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, the structuring fibers being chosen from glass and / or carbon fibers.

5. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the second fibrous strip (8) comprises a composite material identical to the composite material of the body (2).

6. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the reinforcing fibers of the body (2) form, with the resin, folds (6a) extending perpendicular to the axis of the housing (4), and the second fibrous strip (8) comprising folds extending substantially perpendicular to said folds (6a) of the body (2).

7. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second fibrous strips (7, 8) are positioned in contact with each other, or the coating and the second fibrous strip (8) are positioned in contact with each other.

8. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second fibrous strips (7, 8) are fixed on the body (2) so that the ball joint (3) is in movement relative to the assembly formed by the body (2) and the first and second fibrous strips (7, 8).

9. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the second fibrous strip (8) or the first and second fibrous strips (7, 8) are fixed to the body (2) by impregnating the plastic matrix (6b) with resin of the body (2).

10. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fibrous strip (7) and / or the second fibrous strip (8) are fixed to the body (2) or to the ball joint (3) by an adhesive.

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