Removable device for hanging a panel on a supporting structure

Abstract

Device for removable attachment of a panel to a supporting structure The invention relates to a removable trim panel (2) intended to be attached to a supporting structure (3) of an aircraft comprising at least one magnetic fixing means (4) shaped to attach and fix said panel (2) to said supporting structure (3). Said means (4) is composed of a dormant element (5) comprising a first magnetic component (5c) having a first face (51) and a movable body (6) housed in the dormant element (5), capable of pivoting about an axis of rotation (6c) to pass from an unlocked position (P1) to a locked position (P2). Said movable body (6) comprises a second magnetic component (6b) having a first face (61).The first face (51) of the first component (5c) is positioned opposite the first face (61) of the second magnetic component (6b) and having a polarity identical to the polarity of the first face (61) of the second magnetic component (6b). Figure for abstract: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for removable attachment of a panel to a supporting structure Domain

[0001] The invention relates to a device for removably attaching a panel to a supporting structure, in particular an aesthetic panel in an aircraft cockpit.

[0002] As is known, an aircraft cabin comprises trim panels intended to dress the interior of a cabin or a cockpit. These panels have a first aesthetic function so that passengers, cabin crew and pilots are seated in a pleasant environment. The second function of these panels is to protect the various systems which pass along the fuselage of the aircraft: these systems can be, for example, electric cables for transporting the electrical energy necessary for the proper functioning of the aircraft. They can also be pipes transporting a fluid such as water, air or hydraulic fluid. The trim panels therefore make it possible to isolate these systems, necessary for the proper functioning of the aircraft from the cabin, the cabin crew, the passengers or the pilots.

[0003] However, during maintenance or repair operations, it may be necessary to dismantle these panels in order to access the area requiring intervention.

[0004] These panels can be secured using screws inserted into holes in the panel and screwed into the fuselage structure, so as to secure the panel to the structure. To remove them, simply unscrew these screws to access the desired area. However, the screws are visible, which detracts from the aesthetics of the cabin. In addition, by repeatedly screwing and unscrewing these screws, the thread of the panel can be damaged, which can degrade the structural integrity of the panel and therefore the quality of its attachment. In addition, it is necessary to use a tool such as a screwdriver which, if it slips, can damage the surface of the panel.

[0005] Finally, dust or other unwanted matter can accumulate on the screw heads, requiring regular and difficult cleaning.

[0006] Removable and invisible devices already exist in the prior art. We can cite document FR2671706 which describes a decorative covering provided with a Velcro® type strip on the face of the covering which must be in contact with the surface of the element on which it must be attached. This device, although removable, has the disadvantage of being able to be removed by anyone, including passengers.

[0007] Document FR2496748 presents a removable chassis with a magnetic frame. This configuration also has the disadvantage of being able to be unhooked by anyone, including passengers.

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art. SUMMARY

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a removable trim panel intended to be hung on a supporting structure of an aircraft in which an opening is provided, said panel being characterized in that it comprises at least one magnetic fixing means shaped to hang and fix said panel on said supporting structure, said means being fixed on an internal face of the trim panel, and being able to be inserted into the corresponding opening of the supporting structure, and being composed of: - a dormant element comprising a first magnetic component having a first face, - a mobile body housed in the dormant element, capable of pivoting around an axis of rotation to move from an unlocked position to a locked position, said mobile body comprising a hook capable of being inserted into said opening of the supporting structure and a second magnetic component having a first face, and - the first face of the first component being positioned opposite the first face of the second magnetic component and having a polarity identical to that of the first face of the second magnetic component.

[0010] The panel according to the invention therefore has the advantage of being able to be fixed to a supporting structure by fixings which are invisible to the public. In this way, it is not possible to dismantle this panel without using a suitable tool.

[0011] According to particular embodiments, the tool comprises other characteristics remarkable taken separately or in combination: - The hook of the mobile body has a beak capable of penetrating into said opening of the supporting structure. This beak allows, once the magnetic fixing means is locked, to securely attach the body to the supporting structure. - The sleeping element consists of two half-shells. - Each half-shell is hollowed out and has stiffening partitions forming different cells. These half-shells are lighter and only slightly weigh down the removable panel. - At least one of the cells present in the half-shells is shaped so as to be able to accommodate the mobile body. The presence of these cells forms a housing for the mobile body so that the sleeping element has an integrated form. - At least one of the cells present in the half-shells is shaped to house the first magnetic component. - The first and second magnetic components are capable of generating a repulsive magnetic field. - The rotation of the moving body is driven by the repulsive magnetic field. - In the locked position, the hook is stopped by the edge of the opening arranged in the supporting structure and is positioned in contact with said structure. - A tab is attached to the movable body, said tab being capable of triggering the rotation of said body around its axis of rotation.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the device according to the invention will become more apparent on reading the description given below, for informational but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0013] [Fig.l] represents a panel according to the invention, seen from inside the cabin of an aircraft.

[0014] [Fig.2] represents a panel according to the invention, seen from a direction opposite to inside the cabin of an aircraft.

[0015] [Fig.3] represents a magnetic fixing means according to the invention.

[0016] [Fig.4] represents the locked and unlocked positions taken by the means of magnetic attachment according to the invention.

[0017] [Fig.5] represents an example of an assembly / disassembly tool capable of mounting and dismantle a panel according to the invention.

[0018] The cabin of an aircraft is equipped with trim panels 2 which provide a pleasant environment for passengers, cabin crew and pilots. In addition, these trim panels 2 protect the various systems which pass along the fuselage of the aircraft (electrical systems or pipes transporting fluids for example). These trim panels 2 therefore make it possible to isolate these systems, necessary for the proper functioning of the aircraft from the cabin, the cabin crew, the passengers or the pilots.

[0019] [Fig.l] shows, seen from inside the cabin of an aircraft, a trim panel 2 attached to a supporting structure 3 by magnetic fixing means 4. This panel 2 has a visible face 2a facing the cabin and an invisible face 2b, facing the fuselage and the exterior of the aircraft. The visible face is the face that passengers, cabin crew and pilots can see when they enter the cabin of the aircraft. As is apparent in this figure, the magnetic fixing means 4 are invisible because they are fixed to the face 2b of the panel 2.

[0020] The shape and dimensions of the panel 2 are adapted to the location on which it must be hung. The supporting structure 3 may, for example, be the frames or stringers constituting the fuselage of the aircraft.

[0021] [Fig. 2] shows, seen from an opposite direction inside the cabin, the trim panel 2 as well as the magnetic fixing means 4, 4 in number in this embodiment of the invention. The panel 2 is hooked and fixed, thanks to the magnetic fixing means 4 to the supporting structure 3, here two fuselage frames 3.

[0022] In [Fig. 3] is shown a magnetic fixing means 4 according to the invention. This magnetic fixing means 4 is composed of a dormant element 5 comprising two half-shells 5a, 5b (only the half-shell 5a is shown). To lighten the element 5, each half-shell 5a, 5b is hollowed out and includes stiffening partitions forming different cells. The dormant element 5 is fixed to the invisible face 2b of the panel 2 by any suitable adhesion means. These adhesion means must not pass through the panel 2 in order to remain invisible when looking at the panel 2 from the inside of the cabin.

[0023] In a cell of the half-shell 5a is housed a first magnetic component 5c comprising a first face 51.

[0024] At least one of the cells present in the half-shells 5a, 5b is shaped so as to be able to accommodate a mobile body 6. This mobile body 6 comprises a hook 6a and a second magnetic component 6b and can pivot around an axis of rotation 6c parallel to the invisible face 2b of the panel 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the body 6 is housed in the half-shell 5a of the dormant element 5. The second magnetic component 6b comprises a first face 61.

[0025] The first component 5c and the second magnetic component 6b are arranged such that the first face 51 of the first component 5c is positioned opposite the first face 61 of the second magnetic component 6b. The first face 51 of the first magnetic component 5c has a polarity identical to that of the first face 61 of the second magnetic component 6b. For example, when the first face 51 of the first magnetic component 5c is a south pole (respectively a north pole), the first face 61 of the second magnetic component 6b is a south pole (respectively a north pole). Thus, the two magnetic components 5c, 6b generate a repulsive magnetic field.

[0026] The first magnetic component is fixedly housed in the half-shell 5a while the second magnetic component 6b is integral with the mobile body 6 and moves like said body 6. Consequently, the creation of this repulsive field repels the second magnetic component 6b and thus initiates the rotation of the mobile body 6 around its axis of rotation 6c.

[0027] An opening 3a is provided in the supporting structure 3. The hook 6a of the body mobile 6 has a beak 63 capable of penetrating into said opening 3a of the supporting structure 3. When installing the panel 2, the repulsion of the second magnetic component 6b under the influence of the repulsive magnetic field generated by the two magnetic components 5c, 6b, causes the rotation of the body 6 which pivots around its axis of rotation 6c (rotation symbolized by the arrow R of [Fig.4]: passage from the unlocked position PI to the locked position P2). In doing so, the beak 63 of the hook 6a enters the opening 3a provided in the supporting structure 3. Under the action of the repulsive magnetic field generated by the two magnetic components 5c, 6b, the movable body 6 continues to rotate until the beak 63 of the hook 6a is stopped by the edge of the opening 3a and is positioned in contact with the supporting structure 3, which locks the magnetic fixing means 4 on said structure 3 (locked position P2). In [Fig.4] the body 6 is shown in its unlocked position PI in which the beak 63 of the hook 6a, although engaged in the opening 3a, is not resting on the supporting structure 3. In this same figure the locked position P2 is shown: in this position, the beak 63 of the hook 6a is resting on the structure 3 and locks the magnetic fixing means 4, and therefore the panel 2, on said structure 3.

[0028] The panel 2 comprises several magnetic fixing means 4 each comprising a dormant element 5, a movable body 6 and a second magnetic component 5c. Each means 4 locks, thanks to the hooks 6a of the movable body 6, said panel 2 on the supporting structure 3. In this way, the panel 2 is securely hooked and fixed on the supporting structure 3 by the invisible magnetic fixing means 4.

[0029] In order to be able to install or dismantle the removable panel 2, it is necessary to neutralize and reverse the repulsive field generated by the two magnetic components 5c, 6b to cause the movable body 6 to pivot in the opposite direction to the locking direction. In other words, the movable body 6 must be able to be brought from the locked position P2 to the unlocked position PI, which will allow the covering panel 2 to be dismantled. To do this, it is advisable to use an assembly / disassembly tool 8 comprising a magnetic element 81 having a magnetic polarity opposite to the magnetic polarity of the first face 61 of the second magnetic component 6b ([Fig.5]). Thus, when the first face 61 of the second magnetic component 6b is a south pole (respectively a north pole), the magnetic pole of the magnetic element 81 of the tool 8 is a north pole (respectively a south pole).The proximity of the assembly / disassembly tool 8 to the second magnetic component 6b generates an attractive magnetic field which attracts the second magnetic component 6b towards the assembly / disassembly tool 8. To reverse the rotation of the mobile body 6, it is essential that the power of the attractive magnetic field is sufficient. greater than the power of the repulsive magnetic field generated by the two magnetic components 5c, 6b. Under this condition, the action of the attractive magnetic field causes the rotation of the mobile body 6: the mobile body 6 then leaves the locked position P2 to reach the unlocked position PI.

[0030] To disassemble the covering panel 2, it is necessary for all the magnetic fixing means 4 to be in the unlocked position PI. Consequently, the assembly / disassembly tool 8 comprises as many magnetic elements 81 as the covering panel 2 comprises magnetic fixing means 4.

[0031] Conversely, the assembly of a removable panel 2 is carried out in the following manner: an operator associates a tool 8 with the removable panel 2 so that the tool 8 can carry the panel 2 in front of the supporting structure 3 on which said panel 2 must be hooked and fixed. The tool 8 / panel 2 connection is ensured by the attractive magnetic field generated by the magnetic components 6b of each fixing means 4 and by the corresponding magnetic elements 81 of the tool 8. In order to improve the quality of adhesion, the tool 8 may comprise additional adhesion means, such as suction cups for example. The operator positions the covering panel 2 in its exact place on the supporting structure 3. Once this operation is carried out, he detaches the additional adhesion means, if the tool 8 comprises them, and detaches the tool 8 from the panel 2.The detachment and the moving away of the tool 8 removes the attractive magnetic field which had been generated by the magnetic elements 81 of the tool 8 and by the magnetic components 6b of the fixing means 4. The attractive magnetic field having been removed, the repulsive magnetic field generated by the two magnetic components 5c, 6b is put in place and causes the rotation of the movable body 6. The latter pivots around its axis of rotation 6c, causes the hook 6a to be introduced into the opening 3a formed in the supporting structure 3, until the beak 63 of the hook 6a is stopped by the edge of the opening 3a and is positioned in contact with the supporting structure 3. In this position, the magnetic fixing means 4 of the panel 2 are locked on the supporting structure 3 (locked position P2).

[0032] In some cases, it may be possible for an operator to directly access the fixing means 4. This may, for example, be the case when the sides of the covering panel 2 are accessible by the operator who can pass his hand behind the panel and easily reach the fixing means 4. This would be the case in particular when one or more panels adjacent to a covering panel 2 have already been dismantled or are not yet mounted. For this particular case, provision is made to add a tab 6d to the movable body 6. This tab 6d may be fixed to the movable body 6 once said body has been manufactured or be integrated into the body 6 during the manufacturing process.

[0033] It is then possible for the operator to manually operate the means(s) of fixing 4 by means of the tab 6d, whether for assembly or for disassembly of the removable panel 2. By manipulating the tab 6d, the operator triggers the rotation of the movable body 6. More precisely, in the example shown in [Fig.3], when the operator actuates the tab 6d upwards, he causes the rotation of the movable body 6. The latter pivots around its axis of rotation 6c, causes the hook 6a to be introduced into the opening 3a made in the supporting structure, until the beak 63 of the hook 6a is stopped by the edge of the opening 3a and is positioned in contact with the supporting structure 3. In this position, the magnetic fixing means 4 is locked on the supporting structure 3 (locked position P2).

[0034] Conversely, when the operator lowers the tab 6d, he causes the rotation of the movable body 6 in the opposite direction to the mounting of the panel 2. The movable body 6 pivots around its axis of rotation 6c, the beak 63 of the hook 6a disengages from the edge of the opening 3a, the hook 6a disengages from the opening 3a formed in the supporting structure 3. In this position, the magnetic fixing means 4 is unlocked from the supporting structure 3 (unlocked position PI).

[0035] The advantages of such a hanging device 4 are numerous: - They are invisible to the cabin crew, passengers or pilots, the aesthetics of the trim panels remain preserved, - Installation of the cladding panels is made easy because operators do not need to access hard-to-reach areas, - They can be mounted or dismounted as many times as necessary without losing their grip performance, - For their assembly or disassembly, they require specific tools which are only accessible to operators in charge of aircraft maintenance, which prevents any unwanted act of access to the various systems and pipes which pass along the aircraft fuselage.

Claims

Claims

1. Removable trim panel (2) intended to be hung on a supporting structure (3) of an aircraft in which an opening (3a) is provided, said panel (2) being characterized in that it comprises at least one magnetic fixing means (4) shaped to hang and fix said panel (2) on said supporting structure (3), said means (4) being fixed on an internal face (2b) of the trim panel (2), and being able to be inserted into the corresponding opening (3a) of the supporting structure (3), and being composed of: - a sleeping element (5) comprising a first magnetic component (5c) having a first face (51), - a movable body (6) housed in the sleeping element (5), able to pivot about an axis of rotation (6c) to pass from an unlocked position (PI) to a locked position (P2),said mobile body (6) comprising a hook (6a) capable of being introduced into said opening (3a) of the supporting structure (3) and a second magnetic component (6b) having a first face (61), and - the first face (51) of the first component (5c) being positioned opposite the first face (61) of the second magnetic component (6b) and having a polarity identical to the polarity of the first face (61) of the second magnetic component (6b).,

2. Removable cladding panel (2) according to claim 1 characterized in that the hook (6a) of the movable body (6) has a beak (63) capable of penetrating into said opening (3a) of the supporting structure (3).

3. Removable cladding panel (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the sleeping element (5) comprises two half-shells (5a, 5b).

4. Removable cladding panel (2) according to claim 3 characterized in that each half-shell (5a, 5b) is hollowed out and comprises stiffening partitions forming different cells.

5. Removable covering panel (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the cells present in the half-shells (5a, 5b) is shaped so as to be able to accommodate the body mobile (6).

6. Removable covering panel (2) according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that at least one of the cells present in the half-shells (5a, 5b) is shaped to house the first magnetic component (5c).

7. Removable cladding panel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second magnetic components (5c, 6b) are capable of generating a repulsive magnetic field.

8. Removable cladding panel (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rotation of the mobile body (6) is driven by the repulsive magnetic field.

9. Removable cladding panel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the locked position (P2), the hook (6a) is stopped by the edge of the opening (3a) provided in the supporting structure (3) and is positioned in contact with said structure (3).

10. Removable cladding panel (2) according to claim 2 characterized in that in the locked position (P2), the beak (63) of the hook (6a) is stopped by the edge of the opening (3a) and is positioned in contact with the supporting structure (3).

11. Removable cladding panel (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tab (6d) is attached to the movable body (6), said tab (6d) being capable of triggering the rotation of said body (6) around its axis of rotation (6c).

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