HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device (10) for at least one mechanical element (11) comprising: a support (12) and at least one clamping collar (15), in which the support (12) comprises: at least one slot (17) capable of allowing in particular passage of the clamping collar (15), and at least one locking tab (20) capable of allowing locking of the clamping collar (15), so as to hold the clamping collar (15) in position around the mechanical element (11). Figure for abstract: Figure 2a

Description

Title of the invention: HOLDING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device, in particular for at least one electrical harness. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the field of aeronautics for holding the electrical harnesses of a turbomachine.

[0002] In a manner known per se, electrical harnesses are made up of a set of electrical cables grouped into electrical bundles and running together to end at electrical connectors.

[0003] Electrical harnesses are conventionally held on different casings of a turbomachine by means of sheet metal supports. Such sheet metal supports are provided with clamps or lyres and are designed to be adapted to a given diameter of electrical harness.

[0004] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of electrical harnesses 1 maintained according to the state of the art and illustrates a routing of the electrical harnesses 1 along a fan casing 2 of a turbomachine.

[0005] The electrical harnesses 1 are held by holding members 3 provided with lyres 4 having two elastically deformable arms 5 between which a part of the electrical harness 1 is arranged.

[0006] Electrical harnesses often require modification in their internal composition, in particular by modifying the number of cables following the removal or more frequently the addition of electrical equipment. This results in a new definition of electrical harnesses having modified diameters.

[0007] Consequently, the previously defined holding members, whose clamping flexibility is a maximum of a few millimeters, are no longer suitable for the new configuration of the electrical harnesses.

[0008] Such a problem is recurrent during the development phases of a new turbomachine.

[0009] Furthermore, the electrical harnesses are supported by several different types of holding members throughout their routing on the engine, which requires multiplying the number of references of such holding members.

[0010] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a holding device for at least one mechanical element, in particular an electrical harness, comprising: • a support, and • at least one hose clamp.

[0011] More particularly, the support comprises: • at least one slot capable of allowing the passage of the clamp collar, and • at least one locking tab, capable of allowing the clamp to be locked, so as to hold the clamp in position around the mechanical element.

[0012] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the clamping collar whose useful length extends around the mechanical element and is capable of adapting according to the mechanical element used, to hold the mechanical element independently of its diameter.

[0013] The invention thus makes it possible to avoid having to modify a definition of the holding device in order to correspond to new diameters of the mechanical element.

[0014] The invention also makes it possible to support any type of mechanical element without the use of tools or additional tightening elements (screws, nuts, etc.), which facilitates the assembly / disassembly phases of the mechanical element, in particular on development or test engines in particular.

[0015] The invention also allows standardization of the supports of the mechanical element with the use of a single support definition adapting to all mechanical element configurations.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping collar is fixed to the support by means of a fixing means, in particular a rivet.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping collar is made of a flexible material, such as an elastomer material.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device comprises at least one holding tab, in particular extending projecting relative to the support.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking tab extends in an extension plane of the support.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one mixed zone comprising the slot and the locking tab, at least one free end portion of the locking tab of the mixed zone partially delimiting the slot.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one mixed zone arranged between a slot and a locking tab.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping collar comprises a first end fixed to the support and a second end comprising a plurality of adjustment notches,

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping collar comprises: • a first portion capable of extending on the side of a first face of the support between a fixing point of the clamping collar and the slot, and • a second portion capable of extending on the side of a second face of the support between the slot and the locking tab.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one fixing hole capable of receiving a fixing member for fixing the holding device to a structural element.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support is made in a single piece, in particular obtained by laser cutting.

[0026] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of harnesses held by supports equipped with lyres according to the state of the art;

[0028] [Fig.2a][Fig.2b] Figures 2a and 2b are views, respectively front and rear, of a holding device according to the invention; and

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a support of a holding device according to the invention.

[0030] It should be noted that, in Figures 2a, 2b and 3, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0031] Figures 2a and 2b are views, respectively front and rear, of a holding device 10 according to the invention.

[0032] More particularly, figures 2a and 2b show the holding device 10, intended to provide support for at least one mechanical element 11, comprising: - a support 12, having a longitudinal extension direction D, and - at least one clamping collar 15.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical element 11 may be an electrical harness.

[0034] More specifically in the exemplary embodiment presented in figures 2a and 2b, the holding device 10 comprises three clamping collars 15 for the maximum fixing of six electrical harnesses, i.e. two electrical harnesses per clamping collar 15.

[0035] Of course, the holding device 10 may comprise more or less than three clamping collars 15 depending on the number of mechanical elements 11 to be held in a given zone, in particular of a turbomachine.

[0036] More particularly, the support 12 may have the shape of a flat plate. extending in an extension plane P. In this case, the support 12 has the shape of a substantially rectangular plate having a flared end.

[0037] Alternatively, the support 12 may have a square, triangular, oval shape or any other shape suitable for the application to allow the integration of the support 12 into an engine environment.

[0038] According to the embodiment shown, the support 12 comprises a first face 13.1 and a second face 13.2 opposite each other. The faces 13.1, 13.2 extend in the plane P or parallel to the plane P.

[0039] The clamping collar 15 may comprise: - a first end fixed on the support 12 at a fixing point and - a second end comprising a plurality of adjustment notches 16. An adjustment notch 16 is constituted by a slot made in the clamping collar 15.

[0040] The clamping collar 15 is fixed to the support 12, at the fixing point, by means of a fixing means 21, in particular a rivet. For this purpose, the fixing means 21 can in particular be inserted inside a corresponding mounting hole 25 made in the support 12, as shown in [Fig. 3].

[0041] Alternatively, the clamping collar 15 can be screwed, glued or fixed by any other fixing means 21 on the support 12.

[0042] The clamping collar 15 is made of a flexible material, such as an elastomeric material.

[0043] Alternatively, in the case where the holding device 10 is arranged near a hot zone of the engine, the clamping collar 15 can be made of a metallic material.

[0044] The support 12 comprises: - at least one slot 17 formed by a cutout 28 and capable of allowing in particular passage of the clamping collar 15, and - at least one locking tab 20 capable of allowing locking of the clamp 15.

[0045] In particular, the locking tab 20 is intended to be inserted inside an adjustment notch 16 of the clamping collar 15 to ensure the locking in position of the clamping collar 15 around at least one mechanical element 11 to be held.

[0046] In particular, the locking tab 20 preferably extends in the extension plane P of the support 12.

[0047] The fact that the clamping collar 15 comprises several adjustment notches 16 makes it possible to adapt a length of the clamping collar 15 to the diameter of the mechanical element(s) 11 to be held in position.

[0048] When the adjustment notch 16 cooperates with the locking tab 20, the collar of clamping 15 comprises at least a first portion 15.1 capable of extending on the side of the first face 13.1 of the support 12 between the fixing point of the clamping collar 15, in this case the fixing means 21, and the slot 17. In addition, the clamping collar 15 may comprise a second portion 15.2 capable of extending on the side of the second face 13.2 of the support 12 between the slot 17 and the locking tab 20.

[0049] In such a configuration, the clamping collar 15 thus extends over 360 degrees relative to the fixing point.

[0050] The clamping collar 15 can thus maintain: - a first mechanical element 11 arranged between the first face 13.1 of the support 12 and the first portion 15.1 of the clamping collar 15, and - a second mechanical element 11 arranged between the second face 13.2 of the support 12 and the second portion 15.2 of the clamping collar 15.

[0051] The first portion 15.1 of the clamping collar 15 extends over a half turn between the fixing point of the clamping collar 15 and the slot 17 on the side of the first face 13.1 of the support 12.

[0052] The second portion 15.2 of the clamping collar 15 arranged on the side of the second face 13.2 of the support 12 extends over a half-turn between the slot 17 and the locking tab 20 inserted inside the adjustment notch 16 of the clamping collar 15.

[0053] Advantageously, the support 12 comprises at least one holding tab 23. The holding tab 23 can project relative to the support 12. In particular, the holding tab 23 projects in a direction perpendicular to the extension plane P in which the support 12 extends.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the holding tab 23 extends on the side of the second face 13.2 of the support 12. In particular, the holding tab 23 extends on the side opposite that of the fixing means 21 corresponding to the fixing point of the clamping collar 15.

[0055] The holding tab 23 makes it possible to ensure retention of the mechanical element 11 in the longitudinal extension direction D of the support 12.

[0056] Preferably, two holding tabs 23 may be provided for each clamp 15. Alternatively, it is possible to provide one or more than two holding tabs 23 for each clamp 15.

[0057] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of the support 12 of the holding device 10 according to the invention.

[0058] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the support 12 may comprise at least one mixed zone 24 comprising a slot 17 and a locking tab 20. In such a configuration, at least one free end portion of the locking tab 20 of the mixed zone 24 partly delimits the slot 17.

[0059] In particular, according to a particular embodiment, two notches 27 can be arranged on either side of the locking tab 20.

[0060] In particular, the two notches 27 open into the slot 17. In such a configuration, the cutout 28 forming the slot 17 and the two notches 27 have the shape of two adjacent Ts connected to each other by the upper bar of the T.

[0061] According to the exemplary embodiment presented in [Fig. 3], the support 12 comprises two mixed zones 24 arranged between a slot 17, in particular arranged in the lower part of the support 12, and a locking tab 20, in particular produced on an upper free end edge of the support 12.

[0062] In particular, the mixed zones 24, the slot 17 and the locking tab 20 are aligned with each other along the longitudinal extension direction D.

[0063] The support 12 may also comprise at least one fixing hole 30, capable of receiving a fixing member, such as screws, rivets or studs, for fixing the holding device 10 to a structural element, such as for example a fan casing of a turbomachine.

[0064] Advantageously, the support 12 is made in a single piece, in particular obtained by laser cutting. It is thus possible to produce, in a single operation by laser cutting, the mounting holes 25 of the fixing means 21, the slots 17, the locking tabs 20, the mixed zones 24, the holding tabs 23 and the fixing holes 30.

[0065] In particular, the holding tabs 23 can then be obtained by folding so as to obtain their orientation projecting relative to the second face 13.2 of the support 12.

[0066] The installation of the holding device 10 for at least one mechanical element 11 according to the present invention is described below.

[0067] First, the holding device 10 is fixed to the structural element, such as a fan casing of a turbomachine, by means of fixing members inserted inside the fixing holes 30.

[0068] As a result, two mechanical elements 11 can then be arranged on either side of the support 12. At least one mechanical element 11 comes to bear against the holding tabs 23. The clamping collar 15 is arranged partly around the first mechanical element 11 via the first portion 15.1 of the clamping collar 15 and is then inserted inside the slot 17.

[0069] The clamping collar 15 is then arranged partly around the second mechanical element 11 via the second portion 15.2 of the clamping collar 15.

[0070] Finally, the clamping collar 15 is pulled so that the locking tab 20 is inserted inside the adjustment notch 16.

[0071] The clamping collar 15 thus tensioned around the mechanical elements 11 makes it possible to hold them in position, in particular as electrical harnesses, along their path towards electrical connectors.

[0072] Alternatively, the clamp 15 may be used to hold a single mechanical element 11 arranged on one side or the other of the support 12.

[0073] The operations of holding a single mechanical element 11 or two mechanical elements 11 are repeated for all of the clamping collars 15 of the holding device 10.

[0074] The mechanical element 11 can be easily dismantled by pulling on the clamping collar 15 so as to release the adjustment notch 16 relative to the locking tab 20. This has the effect of loosening the clamping collar 15 and releasing the mechanical element 11.

[0075] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0076] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the framework of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in association.

Claims

Claims

1. Holding device (10) for at least one mechanical element (11), in particular an electrical harness, the holding device (10) comprising at least: - a support (12), and - at least one clamp (15), characterized in that the support (12) comprises - at least one slot (17), capable of allowing in particular passage of the clamp (15), and - at least one locking tab (20), capable of allowing locking of the clamp (15), so as to hold the clamp (15) in position around the mechanical element (11).

2. Holding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping collar (15) is made of a flexible material, such as an elastomeric material.

3. Holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one holding tab (23), in particular extending projecting relative to the support (12).

4. Holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking tab (20) extends in an extension plane (P) of the support (12).

5. Holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (12) comprises at least one mixed zone (24) comprising the slot (17) and the locking tab (20), at least one free end portion of the locking tab (20) of the mixed zone (24) partly delimiting the slot (17).

6. Holding device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the support (12) comprises at least one mixed zone (24) arranged between a slot (17) and a locking tab (20).

7. Holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping collar (15) comprises a first end fixed to the support (12) and a second end comprising at least one adjustment notch (16).

8. Holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping collar (15) comprises: - a first portion (15.1) capable of extending on the side of a first face (13.1) of the support (12) between a fixing point of the clamping collar (15) and the slot (17), and - a second portion (15.2) capable of extending on the side of a second face (13.2) of the support (12) between the slot (17) and the locking tab (20).

9. Holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (12) comprises at least one fixing hole (30), capable of receiving a fixing member for fixing the holding device (10) to a structural element.

10. Holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (12) is made in a single piece, in particular obtained by laser cutting.

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