SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a retaining device (10) for at least one mechanical element (11) comprising: a support (12) and at least one clamping collar (15), wherein the support (12) has: at least one slot (17) adapted to allow, in particular, the passage of the clamping collar (15), and at least one locking tab (20) adapted to allow the clamping collar (15) to be locked in place, so as to hold the clamping collar (15) in position around the mechanical element (11). Figure 2a

Description

Title of the invention: SUPPORT DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a retaining 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 retaining the electrical harnesses of a turbomachine.

[0002] In a manner known per se, electrical harnesses consist of a set of electrical cables grouped into electrical bundles and running together to reach electrical connectors.

[0003] Electrical harnesses are conventionally held on various housings of a turbomachine by means of sheet metal supports. Such sheet metal supports are fitted with clamps or loops and are designed to be adapted to a given diameter of electrical harness.

[0004] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of electrical harnesses 1 held according to the prior art and illustrates a routing of the electrical harnesses 1 along a blower casing 2 of a turbomachine.

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

[0006] Electrical harnesses often require modifications to their internal composition, particularly by changing the number of cables following the removal or, more frequently, the addition of electrical equipment. This results in a new definition of electrical harnesses with modified diameters.

[0007] Consequently, the previously defined retaining devices, whose clamping flexibility is a few millimeters maximum, 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] In addition, the electrical harnesses are supported by several different types of retaining elements throughout their routing on the motor, which requires multiplying the number of references of such retaining elements.

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

[0011] More specifically, the support comprises: - at least one slot suitable for allowing passage of the hose clamp, and - at least one locking tab, suitable for allowing locking of the hose clamp, so as to hold the hose 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 retaining 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 additional tools or clamping elements (screws, nuts, etc.), which facilitates the assembly / disassembly phases of the mechanical element, in particular on development or test engines.

[0015] The invention also allows for 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 clamp is fixed to the support by means of a fastening 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 elastomeric material.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining device comprises at least one retaining tab, in particular extending in projection 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 including 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 disposed 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 having a plurality of adjustment notches,

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hose clamp comprises: a first portion capable of extending along the side of a first face of the support between a fixing point of the clamp 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 includes at least one fixing hole suitable for receiving a fixing member for fixing the retaining device onto a structural element.

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

[0026] The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying figures, presented by way of non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the explanation of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0027] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 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 front and rear views, respectively, of a holding device according to the invention; and

[0029] [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a support for a retaining 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 reference numerals. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

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

[0032] More particularly, figures 2a and 2b show the retaining 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 one embodiment, the mechanical element 11 can be an electrical harness.

[0034] More specifically on the embodiment shown in figures 2a and 2b, the retaining device 10 includes three clamps 15 for the maximum fixing of six electrical harnesses, i.e. two electrical harnesses per clamp 15.

[0035] Of course, the retaining device 10 can include more or less than three clamping collars 15 depending on the number of mechanical elements 11 to be retained in a given area, in particular of a turbomachine.

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

[0037] Alternatively, the support 12 may have a square, triangular, oval or any other shape suitable for the application to allow the integration of the support 12 into a motor 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 hose clamp 15 may include: - a first end fixed to 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 into a corresponding mounting hole 25 made in the support 12, as shown in [Fig. 3].

[0041] Alternatively, the clamp 15 can be screwed, glued or fixed by any other means of fixing 21 to the support 12.

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

[0043] Alternatively, in the case where the retaining device 10 is located near a hot area of ​​the engine, the clamping collar 15 can be made of a metallic material.

[0044] Support 12 comprises: - at least one slot 17 formed by a cutout 28 and suitable for allowing, in particular, the passage of the hose clamp 15, and - at least one locking tab 20 suitable for locking the clamp 15.

[0045] In particular, the locking tab 20 is intended to be inserted inside an adjustment notch 16 of the clamp 15 to ensure the clamp 15 is locked in position 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 clamp 15 has several adjustment notches 16 allows the length of the clamp 15 to be adapted 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 clamping collar 15 has 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 clamp 15, in this case the fixing means 21, and the slot 17. In addition, the clamp 15 may include 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 clamp 15 thus extends over 360 degrees with respect to the fixing point.

[0050] The hose clamp 15 can thus hold: - 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 clamp 15 extends over half a turn between the clamp attachment point 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 clamp 15, arranged on the side of the second face 13.2 of the support 12, extends over half a turn between the slot 17 and the locking tab 20 inserted inside the adjustment notch 16 of the clamp 15.

[0053] Advantageously, the support 12 includes at least one retaining tab 23. The retaining tab 23 can extend outward from the support 12. In particular, the retaining tab 23 extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the extension plane P in which the support 12 extends.

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

[0055] The retaining tab 23 ensures that the mechanical element 11 is held in place along the longitudinal extension direction D of the support 12.

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

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

[0058] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the support 12 may include at least one mixed zone 24 comprising a slot 17 and a locking tab 20. In such a configuration, at least a free end portion of the locking tab 20 of the mixed zone 24 partially 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 inside of the slot 17. In such a configuration, the cut 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 embodiment shown 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 made on a free upper 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 include at least one fixing hole 30, suitable for receiving a fixing element, such as screws, rivets or studs, for fixing the retaining device 10 on a structural element, such as for example a blower housing of a turbomachine.

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

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

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

[0067] First, the retaining device 10 is fixed to the structural element, such as a blower housing of a turbomachine, by means of fasteners inserted inside the fixing holes 30.

[0068] Consequently, two mechanical elements 11 can then be arranged on either side of the support 12. At least one mechanical element 11 rests against the retaining 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 clamp 15 is then disposed partly around the second mechanical element 11 via the second portion 15.2 of the clamp 15.

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

[0071] The clamp 15 thus put under tension around the mechanical elements 11 allows them to be held in position, in particular as electrical harnesses, along their path to electrical connectors.

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

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

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

[0075] Of course, the different features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various ways insofar as 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 a person skilled in the art may consider within the scope of the present invention, and in particular all combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

Demands

1. A retaining device (10) for at least one mechanical element (11), in particular an electrical harness, the retaining device (10) comprising at least: - a support (12) having a first face (13.1) and a second face (13.2), and - at least one hose clamp (15) having a first end fixed to the support (12) at a fixing point and a second end having a plurality of adjustment notches (16), characterized in that the support (12) has: - at least one slot (17), adapted to allow, in particular, passage of the hose clamp (15), and - at least one locking tab (20), adapted to allow locking of the hose clamp (15), so as to hold the hose clamp (15) in position around the mechanical element (11), - when an adjustment notch (16) cooperates with the locking tab (20), the hose clamp (15) has: - a first portion (15.1) extending from the side of a first face (13.1) of the support (12) between the fixing point of the clamp (15) and the slot (17), and - a second portion (15.2) extending from the side of a second face (13.2) of the support (12) between the slot (17) and the locking tab (20), - so that the clamp (15) extends over 360 degrees with respect to the fixing point in order to be able to hold a first mechanical element (11) arranged between the first face (13.1) of the support (12) and the first portion (15.1) of the clamp (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 clamp (15).

2. Retaining 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. Retaining device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one retaining tab (23), in particular extending in projection from the support (12).

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

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

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

8. Retaining device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (12) has at least one fixing hole (30), suitable for receiving a fixing member for fixing the retaining device (10) to a structural element.

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

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