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 joining 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. 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 serve to connect two members in relative ball-and-socket motion by means of a ball joint interposed between said members and integral with the connecting part. This is the case, for example, of a fitting for attaching a thrust reverser cover on an aircraft turbine.

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

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

[0006] A mounting ring, interposed 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 ball jointing.

[0007] However, integrating the mounting ring is expensive, bulky and adds weight to 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 stresses then cause the plies to separate, 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 provide a lightweight and inexpensive connector, capable of withstanding radial and axial loads of tension and compression in order to eliminate the risks of delamination of the connector body.

[0011] A connector is therefore proposed for linking the first and second members, comprising:

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

[0013] a ball joint capable of moving by ball jointing in a housing of the body and comprising a bore for the attachment of 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 compactness and weight of connector compatible with an application in the field of aerospace while ensuring, on the one hand, sufficiently low friction properties for an efficient articulation of the ball joint without risk of delamination under an endurance load and, on the other hand, sufficiently high friction properties in order 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 lifespan is optimized.

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

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

[0020] By coating, we mean a layer applied by chemical treatment or a layer affixed to an external surface of the patella.

[0021] Preferably, the first fibrous strip or coating comprises lubricating particles including lubricating fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, and / or at least a 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.

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

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

[0024] Structuring fibers help to retain lubricating particles, such as fibers, which have lower mechanical performance and which could be torn off under stress during the relative movement between the ball joint and the connector body.

[0025] Advantageously, the second fibrous band may comprise structural fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, the structural fibers being selected from glass and / or carbon fibers. The structural fibers help to limit the risk of delamination of the connector body.

[0026] Preferably, the second fibrous band 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 band.

[0027] According to one feature, the reinforcing fibers of the body form, with the resin, folds extending perpendicularly to the axis of the housing, and the second fibrous band may have folds extending substantially perpendicularly 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 connector body during the jointing process.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first and second fiber bands can be fixed to the body such that the ball joint moves relative to the assembly formed by the body and the first and second fiber bands. Such an arrangement is particularly easy to implement, simplifying and reducing the manufacturing time of the connector. Furthermore, it allows any type of ball joint to be integrated into the connector body.

[0029] According to an alternative, the first fibrous strip or the coating can be fixed on the ball joint and the second fibrous strip can be fixed on the body so that the assembly formed by the ball joint and the first fibrous strip or the coating is in motion relative to the assembly formed by the body and the second fibrous strip.

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

[0031] Alternatively, the first and second fiber bands can be fixed to the body by impregnating the body's plastic matrix with resin. This facilitates the integration of the first and second fiber bands and consolidates the assembly formed by the body and the first and second fiber bands.

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

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

[0034] In another embodiment, the first and second fiber bands can be attached to the body by gluing. In this case, the second fiber band can be attached to the body housing, and the first fiber band can be attached to the second fiber band. Brief description of the figures

[0035] Other purposes, advantages and features will become apparent from the following description, given for illustrative purposes only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings on which:

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

[0037] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the fitting illustrated in [Fig.1]. Detailed description of the invention

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 represent 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 having 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 includes a fixing area for the first member to be connected which, in the illustrated example, takes the form of a base 5. Means for fixing the first member to the connector 1 may include screws or rivets.

[0043] The connector 1 also includes a ball joint 3 mounted in a housing 4, with axis XI, of the body 2. The housing 4 is delimited by an inner 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 able to move by pivoting in the housing 4 of the body 2. The connector 1 thus allows the first and second members to be rigidly connected while allowing a possibility of articulation between them, by pivoting the ball joint 3 in the housing 4.

[0047] The ball joint 3 can be formed of two parts that 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 an outer spherical 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 attachment of the second member.

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

[0050] The reinforcing fibers of the body 2 form, with the resin, folds or plies 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 the sake of manufacturing simplicity of the connector body 2 1, the folds 6a are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the folds 6a extend along the entire length of the body 2, except for the area of ​​the housing 4, in which they are partially interrupted in order to obtain the housing 4, for example by material removal.

[0052] In addition, the connector 1 includes 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 band 7 with a lubricating function helps 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 include lubricating particles comprising lubricating fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin.

[0055] The first fibrous band 7 may also include, in addition to or instead of lubricating fibers, at least one solid lubricant.

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

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

[0058] The structural fibers make it possible to reinforce the first fibrous band 7, by retaining 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 structural fibers also allow 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 structural fibers of the first fibrous strip 7 can be chosen from glass fibers, carbon fibers or a mixture thereof.

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

[0062] According to an alternative, the first fibrous band 7 can be replaced 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 can 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 including lubrication fibers brignants impregnated with a binder, such as a resin.

[0066] The coating may also include, in addition to or instead of lubricating fibers, at least one solid lubricant.

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

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

[0069] In addition, the connector 1 includes 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 illustrated example, the first and second fibrous bands 7 and 8 are positioned in contact with each other.

[0071] The first fibrous band 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 band 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 band 8.

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

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

[0077] The second fibrous band 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 band 8.

[0078] In the illustrated example, the reinforcing fibers of the body 2 form, with the resin, folds 6a extending perpendicularly to the axis XI of the housing 4, at least in the area 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 band 8 may also have folds. Preferably, the folds of the second fibrous band 8 extend transversely along the fibrous band 8, so as to extend substantially perpendicularly to the folds 6a of the body.

[0080] The first fibrous band 7 may also include 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 on the order of millimeters, between 0.5 and 5 mm.

[0082] For example, the first fibrous band 7 and the second fibrous band 8 have, respectively, a proportion of 10% and 90% of folds.

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

[0084] In one embodiment, the first and second fibrous bands 7 and 8 can be fixed on 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 bands.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment, the first fibrous strip 7, or the coating, 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 coating, is in motion relative to the assembly formed by the body 2 and the second fibrous strip 8.

[0086] Preferably, the attachment of the second fibrous band 8 or the attachment of the first and second fibrous bands 7 and 8 to the body 2 is carried out by impregnating 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 to the contact of the housing 4 by means of an adhesive, and the first fibrous strip 7 can be fixed to the contact of the second fibrous strip 8, also by means of an adhesive.

[0089] According to another example, the second fibrous strip 8 can be fixed to the 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 can 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

Demands

1. 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).

2. Connector according to claim 1, wherein the first fibrous strip (7) or the coating comprises lubricating particles comprising lubricating fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, and / or at least a 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, wherein the first fibrous band (7) comprises structural fibers selected from glass and / or carbon fibers.

4. Connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second fibrous band (8) comprises structural fibers impregnated with a binder, such as a resin, the structural fibers being selected from glass and / or carbon fibers.

5. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fibrous band (8) comprises a composite material identical to the composite material of the body (2).

6. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing fibers of the body (2) form, with the resin, folds (6a) extending perpendicularly to the axis of the housing (4), and the second fibrous band (8) having folds extending substantially perpendicularly to said folds (6a) of the body (2).

7. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second fibrous bands (7, 8) are positioned in contact with each other, or the coating and the second fibrous band (8) are positioned in contact with each other.

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

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

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