System for locking / unlocking a tail assembly on a supporting structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for locking / unlocking a tail assembly (2) on a supporting structure comprising: - a support (6), - a tail assembly retention device (8) on the support, comprising a first retention element (82) and a second retention element (84) configured to cooperate with the tail assembly so as to retain the tail assembly on the support; - a drive device (14) configured to move the second retention element between an unlocked position and a locked position, the drive device (14) comprising a toggle mechanism including a first connecting rod (16) and a second connecting rod (18) articulated together and a drive lever (20). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Locking / unlocking system for a tail assembly on a supporting structure technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking / unlocking system for a tail assembly on a supporting structure.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tail assembly and such a locking / unlocking system. Previous technique

[0003] Prior art is known for methods of locking a tail assembly to a supporting structure. The supporting structure is generally a part of a vehicle, which uses this tail assembly for steering / stabilization. The tail assembly is generally locked to the supporting structure by means of fastening screws. For example, the tail assembly may be locked to said supporting structure by means of a plurality of fastening screws allowing the tail assembly to be screwed onto the supporting structure. To unlock the tail assembly from the supporting structure, it is necessary to unscrew said screws.

[0004] This locking / unlocking method has several drawbacks. First, to ensure good mechanical strength, a large number of screws must be used, which implies a considerable locking and unlocking time. Furthermore, the size / type of screws generally used for this type of fastening presents a risk of loss during transport and / or locking. Finally, this fastening method requires the use of specific tools, which complicates the locking procedure. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention aims in particular to overcome at least partially one of these drawbacks and relates, according to a first aspect, to a locking / unlocking system for a tail assembly on a supporting structure, the locking / unlocking system comprising:

[0006] a support configured to support the tail assembly, for example when the tail assembly is mounted on the support, the support being intended to be connected to the load-bearing structure,

[0007] a tail assembly retention device on the support, the retention device may comprise a first retention element and a second retention element configured to cooperate with the tail assembly so as to retain the tail assembly on the support, wherein the first retention element may be fixed relative to the support, and the second retaining element can be movable relative to the support, for example between a locked position in which the tail assembly cannot be removed from the support and an unlocked position in which the tail assembly can be removed from the support,

[0008] a drive device configured to move the second retaining element between the unlocking position and the locking position, the drive device comprising for example a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod articulated together and a drive lever.

[0009] For example, the system may include a toggle mechanism comprising the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod articulated between them and the drive lever.

[0010] Thanks to the locking / unlocking system according to the invention, locking the tail assembly onto the supporting structure is done quickly, without requiring any special tools, and ensures that the tail assembly remains securely attached to the supporting structure. The locking / unlocking system significantly reduces both assembly time (on the order of a few seconds compared to several minutes for the screw-based locking method) and disassembly time.

[0011] The locking / unlocking system according to the invention allows the tail assembly to be fixed quickly and easily to the supporting structure.

[0012] According to other features of the invention, the locking / unlocking system of the invention includes one or more of the following optional features.

[0013] The first retaining element is connected to the support, the first retaining element being formed in one piece with the support.

[0014] The second retaining element is connected to the support, the locking / unlocking system comprising a sliding link between the second retaining element and the support.

[0015] The first connecting rod is connected to the second retaining element and in the drive lever is configured to drive the movement of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, the movement of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod causing the movement of the second retaining element between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0016] The system includes a softening device configured to soften the locking / unlocking system.

[0017] The softening device comprises a helical spring arranged between the second connecting rod and the support, the helical spring comprising a first end portion connected to the second connecting rod and a second end portion connected to the support.

[0018] The softening device includes a spring blade, the first connecting rod of the drive device including the spring blade.

[0019] The system includes a centering device configured to center the tail assembly on the support, the centering device comprising at least one centering element arranged on the support.

[0020] The centering device includes at least a first and a second centering element projecting from the support.

[0021] According to one aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a tail assembly, and a locking / unlocking system as previously described.

[0022] The term "tail assembly" refers to any element configured to steer and / or stabilize a vehicle. A tail assembly can be, for example, a rudder, a wing, an aileron, or a sail.

[0023] The vehicle may be a vehicle intended to move in the air (such as a part, for example a body of an aircraft), space (spacecraft), sea (such as the board of a windsurf board) or land and configured to use the tail assembly for steering and / or stabilization.

[0024] The supporting structure can be any part or body of the vehicle to which the tail assembly is intended to be fixed.

[0025] In one example, the supporting structure may be a part of a drone, for example on which the tail assembly is intended to be locked and the tail assembly may be a rudder.

[0026] In one example, the supporting structure may include the locking / unlocking system as previously described. For example, the support for the locking / unlocking system may be fixed, for example permanently, to the supporting structure or be formed as a single piece with the supporting structure. Thanks to the compact design of the system according to the invention, the latter can blend into the aerodynamic profile of the supporting structure.

[0027] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a load-bearing structure, a tail assembly, and a locking / unlocking system as previously described. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a schematic illustration of an assembly comprising a tail assembly, a supporting structure and a locking / unlocking system according to the invention in an unlocked position.

[0029] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a schematic illustration of the assembly comprising the locking / unlocking system according to the invention in an intermediate position.

[0030] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic illustration of the assembly comprising the locking / unlocking system according to the invention in a locked position.

[0031] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a schematic side illustration of the assembly comprising the locking / unlocking system according to the invention in an intermediate position.

[0032] [Fig.5] Fig.5 illustrates the assembly comprising the tail assembly and the locking / unlocking system disassembled according to the invention in an unlocked position.

[0033] [Fig.6] Fig.6 illustrates the assembly comprising the tail assembly and the locking / unlocking system assembled according to the invention in an unlocked position.

[0034] [Fig.7] Fig.7 illustrates the assembly comprising the tail assembly and the locking / unlocking system assembled according to the invention in a locked position.

[0035] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is an exploded view of the assembly according to the invention.

[0036] [Fig.9] Fig.9 illustrates the locking / unlocking system according to the invention.

[0037] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] illustrates the assembly comprising the tail assembly and the locking / unlocking system according to the invention.

[0038] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] illustrates a vehicle comprising a load-bearing structure, a tail assembly, and a locking / unlocking system according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0039] In the description and claims, the expressions "upper", "above", and "lower", "below", and their derivatives shall be used without limitation with reference to the upper part, and the lower part, respectively, of Figures 4 to 7 and / or with respect to a normal use position of an assembly comprising a tail assembly and a tail assembly locking / unlocking system on a supporting structure.

[0040] In the following description of the tail assembly locking / unlocking system on the supporting structure and of the assembly comprising the tail assembly and said locking / unlocking system according to the invention, the same numerical references designate the same elements.

[0041] A locking / unlocking system 1 for the tail assembly 2 on a supporting structure according to the invention and an assembly 4 comprising a tail assembly 2 and said system 1 are illustrated in Figures 1 to 10.

[0042] By tail assembly 2, we mean, for example, a structural element used to stabilize a vehicle (such as an airplane, a drone, or a windsurf board). Such a tail assembly 2 is illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 and 10. The tail assembly 2 can be, for example, a wing, an aileron, or a rudder.

[0043] The vehicle may be a vehicle intended to move in the air (such as a part, for example a body of an aircraft), space (spacecraft), sea (such as the board of a windsurf board) or land and which may be configured to use the tail assembly for steering and / or stabilization.

[0044] The supporting structure can be any part or body of the vehicle, part or body on which the tail assembly 2 is intended to be locked.

[0045] The locking / unlocking system 1 allows the tail assembly 2 to be locked / unlocked on said supporting structure and can be applied in the military or civil field for example.

[0046] In one example, the tail assembly 2 can be a control surface and the supporting structure can be part of a drone.

[0047] More generally, the locking / unlocking system 1 according to the invention can be used for any assembly requiring a simple, quick-to-implement, self-locking and compact fastening system 1.

[0048] The locking / unlocking system 1 according to the present invention is configured to lock / unlock the tail assembly 2 quickly and easily onto the supporting structure. The locking / unlocking system 1 is configured to be self-locking.

[0049] The locking / unlocking system 1 is configured such that:

[0050] - in a locked position, lock the tail assembly 2 onto the structure load-bearing structure so that the tail assembly 2 cannot be removed from the load-bearing structure and,

[0051] - in an unlocked position, unlock the tail assembly 2 from the structure load-bearing so that tail assembly 2 can be removed from the load-bearing structure.

[0052] In other words, the locking / unlocking system 1 is configured to, in the locked position, retain / hold the tail assembly 2 on the carrier structure so that the tail assembly 2 cannot be removed from the carrier structure and to, in the unlocked position, release the tail assembly 2 so that the tail assembly 2 can be removed from the carrier structure.

[0053] For this purpose, the locking / unlocking system 1 may include a support 6, for example a support for the load-bearing structure.

[0054] The support 6 is configured to support the tail assembly when the tail assembly is mounted on the supporting structure. The tail assembly can, for example, be mounted on the support 6 of the supporting structure. The support 6 can also be configured to support the tail assembly 2 when the tail assembly 2 is mounted on the support 6 of the supporting structure.

[0055] The support 6 is intended to be connected to the load-bearing structure.

[0056] For example, the support 6 can be fixed to the load-bearing structure, for example to remains on the supporting structure or by any other suitable means of attachment. For example, support 6 can be formed as a single piece with the supporting structure.

[0057] The support 6 may have a longitudinal axis "A", the longitudinal axis being a vertical axis connecting a center of the Earth to the center of gravity of the support 6, and, for example, a horizontal axis "B", for example, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "A" ([Fig. 9]). As illustrated in [Fig. 9], the support may have a shape adapted to the dimensions of the tail assembly, for example, to the portion of the tail assembly intended to be in contact with the support when the tail assembly is mounted on the support. For example, the support may have an elongated shape and may extend along the horizontal axis "B".

[0058] The locking / unlocking system 1 may include a retaining device 8, for example of the tail assembly 2 on the support 6.

[0059] The retaining device 8 may include a first retaining element 82 and a second retaining element 84 which may be configured to cooperate with the tail assembly 2, for example, to prevent the tail assembly from being removed from the support 6. As illustrated in the figures, the retaining elements 82 and 84 may be arranged at a distance from each other, for example, along the horizontal axis "B" of the support 6 ([Fig. 9]). For example, the retaining elements 82 and 84 may be arranged on the support 6, for example, on an upper surface 66 of the support 6 ([Fig. 8]). The support 6 may thus include the first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84.

[0060] The first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84 can be configured to cooperate respectively with additional retaining elements of the tail assembly 2. As illustrated in [Fig. 8], the tail assembly 2 can include a first additional retaining element 22 and a second additional retaining element 24. The additional retaining elements of the tail assembly 2 can be arranged at a distance from each other, for example along the horizontal axis "B" of the support 6, for example when the tail assembly 2 is mounted on the support 6 ([Fig. 8]). These additional retaining elements can be fixed relative to the tail assembly 2. For example, the additional retaining elements can be attached to the tail assembly 2 by any suitable fastening means or be formed as a single piece with the tail assembly 2.

[0061] The additional retaining elements 22, 24 of the tail assembly 2 can be arranged on a lower part of the tail assembly 2, for example on a lower surface 26 of the tail assembly 2. In the examples shown, when the tail assembly 2 is mounted on the support 6, the lower surface 26 of the tail assembly 2 which includes the additional retaining elements of the tail assembly 2 can be arranged opposite the upper surface 66 of the support 6 which includes the retaining elements 82, 84 of the retaining device 8 (Figures 5 and 8).

[0062] The first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84 of the retaining device 8 can be configured to cooperate with the complementary elements of the tail assembly 2 by contact of the respective surfaces between the retaining elements of the retaining device 8 and the complementary retaining elements 22, 24 of the tail assembly 2. For example, the first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84 of the retaining device 8 can have shapes complementary to those of the complementary retaining elements 22, 24 of the tail assembly 2. For example, the first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84 of the retaining device 8 and the complementary retaining elements 22, 24 of the tail assembly 2 can form hooks, for example be hooks or have a dovetail shape.

[0063] The hook or dovetail shape ensures cooperation between the retaining elements of the retaining device 8 and the complementary retaining elements of the tail assembly 2, preventing in particular the retaining elements of the retaining device 8 and the complementary retaining elements of the tail assembly 2 from moving relative to each other and becoming detached.

[0064] As illustrated in [Fig.9], the first retaining element 82 of the retaining device 8 can be fixed, for example fixed relative to the support 6 and the second retaining element 84 can be mobile, for example mobile relative to the support 6, for example mobile relative to the first retaining element 82.

[0065] The second retaining element 84 can be movable between a locking position in which the retaining device 8 prevents the tail assembly 2 from being removed from the support 6, and an unlocking position in which the retaining device 8 allows the tail assembly to be removed from the support 6.

[0066] The retaining device can be configured so that when the second retaining element 84 is in the locking position, the first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84 cooperate respectively with the tail assembly 2, thus preventing the tail assembly 2 from being removed from the support 6.

[0067] In this locking position, the first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84 can be arranged to butt respectively on the complementary retaining elements of the tail assembly 2 so that the tail assembly cannot be removed from the retaining device and therefore from the support.

[0068] The retaining device can be configured so that when the second retaining element 84 is in the unlocked position, the second retaining element 84 is intended to be positioned at a distance from the second complementary retaining element 84 of the tail assembly 2. In this position, the second retaining element 84 no longer cooperates with the tail assembly 2. This allows the tail assembly 2 to be removed from the supporting structure.

[0069] For example, when the tail assembly 2 is mounted on the support 6, the first retaining element and the second retaining element 82, 84 of the retaining device 8 can be arranged between the additional retaining elements of the tail assembly 2.

[0070] Also the locking / unlocking system 1 can be configured so that when the second retaining element 84 moves from the unlocking position to the locking position, the second retaining element 84 of the retaining device 8 moves away from the first retaining element 82, for example so as to approach the second complementary retaining element 24 of the tail assembly until it is against said second complementary retaining element 24 of the tail assembly 2 when the locking position is reached.Conversely, when the second retaining element 84 moves from the locking position to the unlocking position, the second retaining element 84 moves closer to the first retaining element 82 and away from the second complementary retaining element 24 of the tail assembly 2, for example so as to no longer be in contact with the second complementary retaining element 24 of the tail assembly 2 and thus allow the tail assembly to be released.

[0071] In the illustrated examples, the first retaining element 82, for example fixed relative to the support 6, can be connected to the support 6. For example, the first retaining element can be fixed to the support 6, for example by any suitable fastening means. In the illustrated examples, the first retaining element is formed in one piece, i.e., as a single piece with the support 6. The first retaining element can extend beyond the support 6, for example from the upper surface 66 of the support 6.

[0072] For example the second retaining element 84, for example movable relative to the support, can be connected to the support 6. For example the locking / unlocking system 1 can include a sliding link 10 ([Fig.6]) between the second retaining element 84 and the support 6.

[0073] The locking / unlocking system 1 can thus be configured so that the second retaining element 84 can be moved between the locking and unlocking position, for example relative to the first retaining element 82 and / or relative to the support 6, for example by translation, for example along the horizontal axis "B" of the support 6.

[0074] For example, the system 1 may include a rail 12 configured to allow movement, for example, by translation, of the second retaining element relative to the support 6. The rail 12 may be formed as a single piece with the support 6. For example, the second retaining element 84 may be configured to move, for example, by translation within said rail 12, for example, by translation, for example, along the axis horizontal “B” of support 6 ([Fig.9]). Rail 12 and the second retaining element 84 can be arranged on the upper part 66 of support 6.

[0075] The locking / unlocking system 1 may include a drive device 14 configured to move the second retaining element 84, for example, between the locked position and the unlocked position. The drive device 14 may include a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes a first connecting rod 16 and a second connecting rod 18 articulated with each other and may include a drive lever 20 configured to drive / move the connecting rods.

[0076] The toggle mechanism allows the second retaining element to be held in the locked position, when the second retaining element is in the locked position.

[0077] The toggle mechanism is a mechanism enabling the locking / unlocking system to hold the tail assembly on the support by mechanical clamping, for example via the retaining device, for example when the second retaining element is in the locking position.

[0078] The first connecting rod 16 of the drive device 14 and the second connecting rod 18 can each include a first end portion connected to each other for example by a first articulation axis 30.

[0079] The first connecting rod 16 may include a second end portion, for example opposite to the first end portion, which may be connected for example directly connected to the second retaining element 84 for example by a second articulation axis 32, for example so as to drive the second retaining element 84 in movement.

[0080] The second connecting rod 18 of the drive device 14 may include a second end portion, for example opposite the first end portion, which may be connected, for example directly, to the support 6 by means of a third pivot axis 36. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the second connecting rod 18 of the drive device 14 may include the second end portion, which may be connected to a flexibility device 40, for example, by means of the third pivot axis 36, which will be described in more detail later. In this example, the second connecting rod 18 of the drive device 14 may include the second end portion, which may be connected to the support 6 via the flexibility device 40.Depending on the configurations described above, the second connecting rod 18 or the softening device 40 can be connected to a portion of the support 6 comprising the first retaining element 82.

[0081] The movement of the connecting rods, for example in particular of the first connecting rod 16, makes it possible to move the second retaining element 84, between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0082] The connecting rods are configured to be moved, for example manually by a user, for example via the drive lever 20. The drive lever 20 can be connected to the first connecting rod 16 and the second connecting rod 18 of the drive device 14 via the first pivot pin 30 of the connecting rods. In an embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the lever 20 and the second connecting rod 18 can be formed as a single piece.

[0083] The locking / unlocking system 1 is configured so that the movement of the second retaining element 84 from the unlocked position to the locked position is achieved by applying a pressure force to the drive lever 20. The movement of the drive lever 20 causes the connecting rods to move, and thus the second retaining element 84 to move from the unlocked position to the locked position. Thanks to the toggle mechanism, the retaining device 8 can hold / retain the tail assembly 2 on the supporting structure by clamping the tail assembly 2 with the retaining elements, for example, by a clamping force applied by the first and second retaining elements 84 on the tail assembly 2.

[0084] In the locked position, the lever can be configured so as to be flush with the support 6 and / or the tail assembly 2. This configuration makes the locking / unlocking system compact and able to blend into the aerodynamic profile.

[0085] The locking / unlocking system 1 is configured so that the transition from the locked position to the unlocked position is achieved by applying a pulling force to the drive lever 20. The movement of the drive lever 20 causes the connecting rods to move, and thus the second retaining element 84 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. The lever 20 may include a gripping area allowing the user to apply traction and pressure to the lever 20.

[0086] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the drive device is configured so that the passage of the second retaining element between the unlocking position and the locking position and vice versa, includes crossing an inflection point 38 corresponding to an intermediate position ([Fig.2]) in which the three articulation axes, for example balls, are aligned.

[0087] As illustrated in the figures, the locking / unlocking system 1 may include a release device 40, for example of system 1 of locking / unlocking. The soft-release device 40 is configured to soften the locking / unlocking system 1.

[0088] The softening device 40 is designed to absorb the stresses induced by the compression of the system 1 components during the transition of the second retaining element from the unlocked position to the locked position. The softening device 40 is designed to prevent plastic deformation of the system 1 components during the unlocking / unlocking process.

[0089] Furthermore, the release device 40 is designed to ensure that the lever 20 remains in the locked position, for example by applying force to the lever 20, so that the lever 20 remains pressed against the tail assembly 2 in the locked position. This prevents accidental unlocking of the locking / unlocking system 1.

[0090] The softening device 40 may include an elastic element, for example a return element, for example a spring 42.

[0091] The softening device 40 is configured to present a first state, for example a rest state, in the unlocked position and to present a second state, for example a compressed state, in the locked position.

[0092] The locking / unlocking system 1 is configured so that the loosening system 1 compresses when moving from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0093] In the examples described in figures 1 to 6, the spring 42 can be a helical spring 420.

[0094] The spring can be arranged between the second connecting rod 18 and the support 6. For example, the spring can include a first end portion connected 422 to the second connecting rod 18 and a second end portion 424, opposite the first end portion, connected to the support 6.

[0095] The second end portion of the second connecting rod 18 of the drive device 14 can be connected to the support 6 via the spring, for example by the third pivot axis 36.

[0096] In the examples described in figures 8 to 10, the spring may be a leaf spring 440.

[0097] In these examples, the first connecting rod 16 may include the leaf spring 440. For example, the first connecting rod 16 may consist of a leaf spring.

[0098] In these examples, the second connecting rod 18 can be directly connected to the support 6, for example to a portion of the support 6 comprising the first retaining element 82.

[0099] As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the locking / unlocking system 1 may include a centering device 50 configured to center the tail assembly 2 on the supporting structure, for example when the tail assembly 2 is mounted on the supporting structure, for example in order to lock it onto the supporting structure. For example The centering device 50 is configured to center the tail assembly 2 on the support 6 of the supporting structure.

[0100] The centering device 50 may include at least one centering element, for example a first centering element 52 and a second centering element 54, which may be arranged on the upper surface of the support 6. The first centering element 52 and the second centering element may be arranged at a distance from each other, for example along the horizontal axis "B" of the support 6.

[0101] In the examples shown, the first centering element 52 can be proximal to the first retaining element 82 and the second centering element 54 can be proximal to the second retaining element 84.

[0102] For example, the support 6 may include the centering device 50.

[0103] The first centering element 52 and the second centering element 54 can be formed in one piece with the support 6.

[0104] In the illustrated examples, the centering elements may protrude from the support 6.

[0105] For example, said at least one centering element may be a centering stud. Centering elements may have particular shapes, such as a triangular shape for example.

[0106] The centering elements can be configured to cooperate with complementary centering elements of the tail assembly.

[0107] The tail assembly 2, for example the lower surface of the tail assembly 2 may have additional centering elements, for example two grooves of complementary shape intended to receive respectively the centering elements 52, 54 of the centering device 50.

[0108] In the system just described, the retaining device comprises a pair of retaining elements (a fixed retaining element and a movable retaining element), but the retaining device could comprise several pairs of retaining elements and as many drive devices in order to assemble long parts, for example. The system could, for example, comprise a single lever actuating the movable retaining elements.

[0109] Fig. 11 illustrates a vehicle 100 comprising a load-bearing structure 60, the tail assembly 2, and the locking / unlocking system as previously described.

[0110] In this example, vehicle 100 can be a drone.

[0111] The operation is described below.

[0112] The tail assembly 2 can be mounted on the support 6 of the supporting structure. The support 6 may, for example, have been previously fixed to the supporting structure, for example permanently.

[0113] The centering device ensures precise positioning of the tail assembly 2 on the support 6 and the supporting structure.

[0114] When the tail assembly 2 is mounted on the supporting structure via the support 6 in order to lock it onto the supporting structure, the first retaining element 82 and the second retaining element 84 are arranged between the additional retaining elements 22, 24 of the tail assembly 2.

[0115] In the unlocked position, the first retaining element 82 can be in contact with the first complementary retaining element 22 of the tail assembly 2. The second retaining element 84 is, for its part, at a distance from the second complementary retaining element 44 of the tail assembly 2.

[0116] To lock the tail assembly onto the supporting structure, a pressure force can be applied to the lever 20. When the lever 20 is pushed, its movement causes the connecting rods to move, thus moving the second retaining element 84 towards the locking position. The second retaining element 84 is moved until it contacts the second complementary retaining element 24 of the tail assembly 2 and is pressed against it. During this step, the contact of the second retaining element 84 with the second complementary retaining element 24 of the tail assembly 2 and its pressing against the tail assembly causes the tail assembly 2 to move so that the first retaining element 82 is also pressed against the first complementary retaining element 22 of the tail assembly 2.

[0117] In parallel, during the movement of the lever 20, the softening device 40 is compressed up to the inflection point (where the compression is maximum) ([Fig.2]) reached by the drive device 14. In the locking position, the lever 20 is naturally pressed against the tail assembly 2 by a slight relaxation of the softening system 1 ([Fig.3]) allowed after passing the inflection point. In the locked position the retaining elements 82, 84 cooperate with the complementary retaining elements 22, 24 of the tail assembly 2 and it therefore becomes necessary to apply a pulling force, for example by pulling on the lever 20 to pass the inflection point, move the second retaining element 84 so as to move it away from the second complementary retaining element 24 of the tail assembly 2 and thus release the tail assembly 2 in order to be able to remove the tail assembly from the supporting structure.

[0118] Thanks to the locking / unlocking system 1 as previously described, the assembly / locking and disassembly / unlocking of the tail assembly 2 does not require any special tools. If a specific requirement exists, the locking / unlocking system 1 may include a captive screw or a ball pin (additional operational safety requirements).

[0119] Moreover, because the supporting structure includes system 1 and the components of system 1 are fixed to the supporting structure, there is no risk of loss (as can occur with a screwed assembly).

[0120] Furthermore, system 1 offers excellent, play-free assembly stability to withstand high stresses. System 1 also allows the clamping force of the tail assembly 2 on the supporting structure to be managed by means of the flexibility device 40, which may include a helical spring or for which the stiffness may be directly provided by the first connecting rod 16 in the form of a leaf spring (or any other spring device).

[0121] Finally, system 1 is compact and aerodynamic because it can be perfectly integrated into very compact spaces. Once locked, the aerodynamic profile is even better than that of a screw-fixing system 1, which can leave some aerodynamic irregularities at the screw holes.

Claims

Demands

1. A locking / unlocking system (1) for a tail assembly (2) on a supporting structure, the locking / unlocking system comprising: - a support (6) configured to support the tail assembly when the tail assembly is mounted on the support, the support being intended to be connected to the supporting structure, - a retaining device (8) for the tail assembly on the support, the retaining device comprising a first retaining element (82) and a second retaining element (84) configured to cooperate with the tail assembly so as to retain the tail assembly on the support: • the first retaining element (82) being fixed relative to the support (6), and • the second retaining element (84) being movable relative to the support (6) between a locking position in which the tail assembly (2) cannot be removed from the support (6) and an unlocking position in which the tail assembly can be removed from the support (6),- a drive device (14) configured to move the second retaining element (84) between the unlocked position and the locked position, the drive device (14) comprising a toggle mechanism including a first connecting rod (16) and a second connecting rod (18) articulated with each other and a drive lever (20).

2. Locking / unlocking system (1) according to claim 1 wherein the first retaining element (82) is connected to the support (6), the first retaining element being formed in one piece with the support (6).

3. Locking / unlocking system (1) according to claim 1 wherein the second retaining element (84) is connected to the support (6), the locking / unlocking system comprising a sliding link (10) between the second retaining element (84) and the support (6).

4. Locking / unlocking system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first connecting rod (16) is connected to the second retaining element (84) and wherein the drive lever (20) is configured to drive the movement of the first connecting rod (16) and the second connecting rod (18), the movement of the first connecting rod (16) and the second connecting rod (18) causing the second retaining element (84) to move between the locking position and the unlocking position.

5. Locking / unlocking system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the system comprises a softening device (40) configured to soften the locking / unlocking system.

6. Locking / unlocking system (1) claim 5 wherein the softening device (40) comprises a helical spring (420) arranged between the second connecting rod (18) and the support (6), the helical spring (420) comprising a first end portion (422) connected to the second connecting rod (18) and a second end portion connected (424) to the support (6).

7. Locking / unlocking system (1) according to claim 5 wherein the softening device (40) comprises a spring blade (440), the first connecting rod (16) of the drive device comprising the spring blade (440).

8. Locking / unlocking system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the system comprising a centering device (50) configured to center the tail assembly (2) on the support, the centering device (50) comprising at least one centering element (52, 54) arranged on the support (6).

9. Assembly (4) comprising a tail assembly (2) and the locking / unlocking system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tail assembly (2) comprises a first complementary retaining element (22) and a second complementary retaining element (24) configured to cooperate respectively with the first complementary retaining element (82) and the second retaining element (84) of the system's retaining device.

10. Vehicle (100) comprising a load-bearing structure (60), a tail assembly (2), and a locking / unlocking system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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