Hinged component and mechanical system comprising such a component

Abstract

To provide a hinge connection type component having excellent durability against abrasion and sticking and an improved service life.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a hinged component (1) having one degree of freedom, the hinged component comprising at least two concentric rings (10, 20) rotatable relative to each other about a central axis, wherein: These at least two concentric rings define a friction interface (40) between them and comprise an outer ring (10) having an inner friction surface (12) and an inner ring (20) having an outer friction surface (22) and an inner friction surface (24) intended to receive a movable member (2) guided in rotation, oscillation and / or translation by the component (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinged component comprising at least two concentric rings that are movable relative to one another and define a friction interface between them, as well as to a mechanical system comprising such a component. [Background technology]

[0002] The field of the invention is that in which guide members provide a guiding function in translation or in rotation, in a continuous or reciprocating motion.

[0003] Conventionally, such guide members comprise a ring and are designed to mount an element such as a shaft so that it can articulate and / or displace the element.

[0004] In practice, such mechanical systems are subjected to significant operating stresses such as high pressure, corrosion, abrasion, shocks, etc. To improve the service life of the mechanical system, a lubricant is provided between the ring and the shaft.

[0005] The ring may be provided with an arrangement that acts as a grease reservoir, as described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 5,629,999 to 5,729,999 by the applicant.

[0006] When the mechanical system is in operation, the grease gradually comes out of the arrangement to lubricate the friction interface between the ring and the shaft, thus allowing the arrangement to be lubricated only during assembly or for long lubrication intervals.

[0007] Applicant has significant expertise in the field of guide members and is continually seeking to improve existing systems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 0987456 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2014 / 091123 Brochure [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2014 / 091124 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinged component which has excellent resistance to wear and seizure and an improved service life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a hinged component with a single degree of freedom, comprising at least two concentric rings that are movable in rotation relative to one another about a central axis and that define a friction interface between them, the hinged component having an outer ring with an inner friction surface and an inner friction surface intended to receive a movable member that is guided by the component in rotation, oscillation and / or translation.

[0011] The present invention thus provides a durable, compact, and simple to implement component that has an improved service life compared to components consisting of a single ring and of similar size and volume.

[0012] The component has three friction surfaces forming three wear surfaces. Compared to a component consisting of a single ring with a single inner friction surface, the service life of the component according to the invention will be three times longer. Surprisingly, experience with the component's service life has been at least five times longer.

[0013] In the case of a single articulated ring, wear is primarily localized over an angular sector extending over one-third of the circumference, with the inner ring rotating relative to the outer ring, thereby greatly increasing the potential wear surface and therefore the service life of the component.

[0014] In practice, what can be seen is that the friction interface between the two rings takes precedence. Both friction surfaces perform the function of the main wear surface. If this interface sticks, the inner friction surface of the inner ring takes over as the wear surface.

[0015] Advantageously, the component has three friction surfaces which may be provided with a surface treatment or coating and / or an arrangement which may act as a reservoir for lubricant, thus providing greater control in the design of the component and allowing the wear resistance of the component to be tailored for each application.

[0016] According to other advantageous features of the invention, which may be considered alone or in combination: - the friction surface defining the friction interface is cylindrical; - the friction surfaces that define the friction interface are slightly curved, and the absolute bending radius of each friction surface is entirely greater than the radius of the friction interface in question; - the friction interfaces between the rings receive a lubricant, the components being provided with sealing means designed to prevent leakage of the lubricant from the friction interfaces; - the lubricant is grease; - the component comprises side elements that limit the axial and angular movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring; the sealing means comprises a flange on a first side of the friction interface and a shoulder on a second side of the friction interface; the sealing means comprises a flange on each side of the friction interface; the sealing means comprise a washer interposed on each side of the friction interface between the inner ring and the flange or shoulder on the one hand; - the washer is PTFE; - at least one of the friction surfaces has a surface treatment or coating that has different physical properties than the base material of the ring; - the surface treatment or coating is multi-layer or single layer; - the coating is produced using physical vapor deposition (PVD); - the coating is produced using chemical vapor deposition (CVD); - the coating is formed by means of thermal spraying; - the coating is formed using cold spray; - the coating is sprayed in powder form; - the coating is sprayed in droplet form; -The coating is produced using thermal spraying of high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF); - the coating is produced using laser cladding; -The coating is anti-stick; the coating comprises an outer layer made of amorphous carbon, in particular of the DLC (diamond-like carbon) type, having a thickness of between 1 μm and 5 μm, for example 3 μm; the coating comprises an outer layer made of a self-lubricating composite material, in particular based on resin and / or woven or non-woven reinforcements containing fillers, for example of the PTFE, MoS2 or graphite type; - the coating comprises a polymeric lacquer; the treatment is nitriding, and the friction surface has a compound layer (oxide coating) with a thickness of between 5 μm and 50 μm, for example 20 μm; the treatment is to harden over a thickness of at least 0.5 μm and at most 4 mm, for example 2 mm; - at least one of the friction surfaces comprises an arrangement capable of acting as a reservoir for lubricant; - the array comprises cavities of circular or alveolar cross section; the cavities are microcavities, each having a diameter of 2 mm to 15 mm, for example 6 mm; the cavities are microcavities, each of which has a longer length of ≥ 15 μm and ≤ 100 μm and a depth of ≥ 50 nm and ≤ 100 μm; - the arrangement comprises circular or spiral grooves; - the array comprises a grid; - the array comprises a chevron pattern; The same surface may comprise an arrangement of several different types or only one type; - the arrays have a surface density of 5% to 65%, the surface density being the ratio between the total area covered by the arrays and the total area of ​​said region containing these arrays; - each of the friction surfaces has physical properties different from the base material of the ring and / or an arrangement operable to accumulate a lubricant; - at least one of the friction surfaces comprises a surface treatment or coating having physical properties different from those of the base material of the ring and an arrangement capable of accumulating a lubricant; the outer ring and / or the inner ring are metallic, for example steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper alloy, etc.; the outer ring and / or the inner ring are made of composite material; the component exclusively comprises two concentric rings, the friction interface being defined directly between the inner friction surface of the outer ring and the outer friction surface of the inner ring; - the hinge component comprises at least three concentric rings; the hinge component comprises three rings between which a single friction interface is defined, i.e. two rings are attached to each other, for example by gluing, welding or other techniques; the intermediate ring is self-lubricating, more particularly the outer and / or inner friction surface of the intermediate ring is self-lubricating; the intermediate ring may be made up of windings of fiber strips and resin containing fillers, the windings and the resin being mixed to implement an integral ring, the strips being crossed in several layers using the filament winding method; the hinge component comprises three rings, with a friction interface defined between each pair of rings, i.e. the three rings are movable relative to one another; -The intermediate ring is metal; - the intermediate ring is made of composite material; The hinge component comprises four or more rings.

[0017] The invention likewise relates to a mechanical system comprising a hinged component as described above and a movable member guided by the component in rotation, oscillation and / or translation.

[0018] The mechanical system has four friction surfaces, namely the outer surface of the shaft and the three surfaces of the hinged components. Compared to a shaft mounted in a single ring, the service life of the mechanical system is significantly improved.

[0019] The invention will be better understood from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mechanical system according to the invention, the mechanical system comprising a shaft and a hinged component consisting of two rings and a sealing means; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the components of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the components of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of detail V of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another mechanical system according to the present invention, the mechanical system including a shaft and an alternative hinged component. [Figure 7]2 with respect to the components of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 for the components of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 for the components of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 10] 5 for the components of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 11] 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of another modified component, the component comprising three rings defining two friction interfaces therebetween. [Figure 12] 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of another modified component, the component comprising three rings defining two friction interfaces therebetween. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of another modified component, the component comprising three rings defining a single friction interface therebetween. [Figure 14] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of another modified component, the component comprising three rings defining a single friction interface therebetween. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] 1 to 5 show a mechanical system according to the invention, which comprises a hinged component 1 also according to the invention, and an axial rod 2 mounted in component 1. The axial rod 2 is guided by the hinged component 1 in rotation (rotation in one direction, usually over several revolutions), oscillation (rotation in two alternating directions, usually over a portion of a revolution) and / or translation (movement in an axial direction).

[0022] The hinged component 1 comprises two concentric rings 10 and 20 which are rotatably movable relative to one another about a central axis X1. The two rings 10 and 20 define a friction interface 40 between them, which receives a lubricant L, preferably grease.

[0023] The two rings 10 and 20 are an outer ring 10 and an inner ring 20. The outer ring 10 has an inner cylindrical friction surface 12 and an outer cylindrical friction surface 14. The inner ring 20 has an outer cylindrical friction surface 22 and an inner cylindrical ring surface 24.

[0024] Surfaces 12 and 22 define a friction interface 40 therebetween that is radial with respect to central axis X1. Surface 14 is provided for mounting outer ring 10 in the borehole. A channel 42 is disposed radially about ring 10 between surfaces 12 and 14, thereby lubricating interface 40. Surface 24 is provided for receiving axial rod 2, more precisely outer cylindrical surface 4 of axial rod 2, so that axial rod 2 is guided by component 1 in rotation, oscillation and / or translation.

[0025] The component 1 is provided with sealing means 60 designed to prevent leakage of the lubricant L from the friction interface 40. The component 1 thus constitutes a sealed and lubricated structure. Relative rotation between the rings 10 and 20 is greatly facilitated, reducing the risk of sticking.

[0026] The sealing means 60 comprises transverse elements 62, 64, 66, and 68 that limit the axial displacement of the inner ring 20 relative to the outer ring 10. More specifically, the sealing means 60 comprises a flange 62 and a washer 66 on a first side of the interface 40, and a shoulder 64 and a washer 68 on a second side of the friction interface 40. The elements 62, 64, 66, and 68 are annular and centered on the axis X1. The shoulder 64 is part of the ring 10. The elements 62, 66, and 68 are separate from the rings 10 and 20. The washer 68 is mounted in a groove 67 formed in the ring 10 and abuts against the shoulder 64. The elements 62 and 66 are mounted in a housing 61 provided in the ring 10 for this purpose, opposite the shoulder 64.

[0027] Alternatively, the sealing means 60 may comprise two removable flanges attached to either side of the component 1 .

[0028] The component 1 is non-articulated, i.e. does not constitute a spherical joint. The assembled component 1 has only one degree of freedom, namely the pivotal connection between the rings 10 and 20 about the central axis X1. The rings 10 and 20 are freely movable relative to each other about the axis X1, but are not free to move according to the other degrees of freedom in translation and rotation.

[0029] The friction surfaces 12 and 22 may be cylindrical.

[0030] Alternatively, surfaces 12 and 22 may be slightly curved, i.e., surfaces 12 and 22 are surfaces of revolution, with a circular section and an elliptical or parabolic generating surface. The curvature of each of surfaces 12 and 22 (considered in a radial plane containing axis X1) always has a radius greater than the radius of friction interface 40 (considered in a plane transverse to axis X1).

[0031] Preferably, at least one of the friction surfaces 12 / 22 / 24 is provided with a surface treatment or coating having different physical properties than the base material of the corresponding ring 10 / 20.

[0032] More preferably, at least one of the friction surfaces 12 / 22 / 24 comprises an arrangement operable to store lubricant L.

[0033] Still preferably, each friction surface 12 / 22 / 24 is provided with a surface treatment or coating having different physical properties than the base material of the corresponding ring 10 / 20 and / or an arrangement capable of acting as a reservoir for lubricant L.

[0034] As a non-limiting example: the rings 10 and 20 are made of steel; face 12 has been subjected to a nitriding treatment and has an outer layer 16 of nitrided steel with a compound layer (oxide coating) of about 20 μm; the face 12 has an array 18 in the form of circular section cavities, which are uniformly distributed around the central axis X1 and which are capable of accumulating lubricant L at the interface 40 between the rings 10 and 20; face 22 is coated with an outer layer 26 of amorphous carbon of the DLC type, with or without a sub-layer (for example made of chromium or chromium nitride), having a thickness of the order of 3 μm; and The surface 24 has an array 28 in the form of circular grooves that wind around and are spaced apart along the central axis X1 and that can serve to accumulate lubricant L at the interface between the ring 20 and the shaft 2.

[0035] The present invention makes it possible to provide a hinged component that is resilient, compact and easy to implement. The component 1 having two rings 10 and 20 has an improved service life compared to a component of similar dimensions and volume consisting of a single ring.

[0036] In the case of a single articulated ring, wear is primarily localized over an angular sector extending over one-third of the circumference. In the present case, the inner ring 20 rotates relative to the outer ring 10, thereby significantly increasing the potential wear surfaces and therefore the service life of the components.

[0037] In practice, it can be seen that the friction interface 40 between the two rings 10 and 20 takes precedence. Both friction surfaces 12 and 22 perform the function of the main wear surface. If this interface 40 sticks, the inner friction surface 24 of the inner ring 20, which is in contact with the surface 4 of the axial rod 2, takes over the function as the wear surface.

[0038] Component 1 has three friction surfaces 12, 22 and 24 that form three wear surfaces, which may be provided with treatments, coatings and / or textures. Thus, the present invention provides greater control in the design of component 1, allowing the wear resistance of the component to be tailored for each application.

[0039] The mechanical system comprises four friction surfaces, namely the outer surface 4 of the shaft 2 and the three surfaces 12, 22 and 24 of the component 1. Compared to a shaft mounted in a single ring, the service life of the mechanical system is significantly improved.

[0040] Another embodiment of a hinged component 1 according to the invention is shown in Figures 6 to 14. Identical elements forming part of the component 1 are comparable to those of the first embodiment described above and, for the sake of simplicity, have the same reference numerals.

[0041] 6 to 10 show another mechanical system according to the invention, which comprises a modified component 1 and a shaft 2 mounted within the component 1. The friction surfaces 12 / 22 / 24 are free of any surface treatment or coating and no arrangement for storing lubricant L. The sealing means 60 comprises a flange 62 and a shoulder 64 on either side of the interface 40. This makes the component 1 simpler and less expensive to manufacture than in the first embodiment. Despite the absence of treatments, coatings or alignments, the component 1 comprising the two rings 10 and 20 has an improved service life compared to a component of similar dimensions and volume consisting of a single ring.

[0042] 11 and 12 show a modified hinged component 1 comprising three concentric rings 10, 20 and 30 which are movable relative to one another. Ring 30 is located between rings 10 and 20. A first friction interface 40 is defined between rings 10 and 30. A second friction interface 50 is defined between rings 20 and 30. Component 1 has five friction surfaces 12, 22, 24, 32 and 34 which form five wear surfaces, which may be provided with treatments, coatings and / or textures.

[0043] 13 and 14 show a modified hinged component 1, which comprises three concentric rings 10, 20, and 30. Ring 30 is located between rings 10 and 20. Rings 20 and 30 are movable relative to each other, defining a friction interface 50 between them. Ring 30 is attached to ring 10, for example by gluing. Ring 30 may be composed of wound fiber strips and a resin containing fillers, which are mixed to form a unitary ring, and the strips are crossed in multiple layers using a filament winding method. Component 1 has three friction surfaces 22, 24, and 32 that form three wear surfaces, which may be provided with treatments, coatings, and / or textures.

[0044] In practice, the hinged component 1 may be configured differently from that shown in Figures 1 to 14 without going beyond the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the technical features of the various embodiments described above may be combined with one another in whole or in part, so that the component 1 may be tailored in terms of cost, functionality and performance.

[0045] Tables 1 to 5 below show a series of tests that allow comparing two reference rings (a single ring receiving a shaft) with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] [Table 1]

[0047] [Table 2]

[0048] [Table 3]

[0049] [Table 4]

[0050] [Table 5]

[0051] The results of the series of tests allowed the following observations to be made: The -C-BH1 component completed 4.6 times the number of cycles as the B1 ring. The -C-BH2 component completed 3.6 times the number of cycles as the B2 ring. The C-BH3 component completed four times the number of cycles as the B2 ring. The C-B4 component completed 4.6 times the number of cycles as the B2 ring. - Tests carried out on C-BH5 type components spontaneously stopped at 500,000 cycles. The service life of C-BH5 type components is much greater than that of B2 type rings.

[0052] The present invention thus provides a durable, compact and simple to implement hinged component 1. A component 1 comprising multiple rings has an improved service life compared to a component of similar size and volume consisting of a single ring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 hinged component, 2 axial rod, movable member, 10 outer ring, concentric ring, 12 inner cylindrical friction surface, 16 coating, outer layer, 18 arrangement, 20 inner ring, concentric ring, 22 outer cylindrical friction surface, 24 inner cylindrical ring surface, 26 coating, outer layer, 28 arrangement, 30 concentric ring, 40, 50 friction interface, 60 sealing means, 62 flange, transverse member, element, 64 shoulder, transverse member, element, 66, 68 washer, transverse member, element, L lubricant, X1 central axis

Claims

1. A hinged component having one degree of freedom, comprising at least two concentric rings (10, 20; 10, 20, 30), said concentric rings being rotatable relative to one another about a central axis (X1) and defining a friction interface (40; 40, 50) between said concentric rings; an outer ring (10) with an inner friction surface (12); an inner ring (20) with an outer friction surface (22) and an inner friction surface (24) intended to receive a movable member (2) guided by said member (1) in rotation, oscillation and / or translation; 1. A hinged component comprising:

2. the friction interface (40; 40, 50) between the rings (10, 20; 10, 20, 30) receives a lubricant (L); 2. A hinged component according to claim 1, characterized in that the component (1) comprises sealing means (60) designed to prevent leakage of lubricant (L) from the friction interface (40).

3. 3. A hinged component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises elements (62, 64, 66, 68) limiting the axial and angular displacement of the inner ring (20) relative to the outer ring (10).

4. 4. A hinged component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the friction surfaces (12; 22; 24) is provided with a surface treatment or coating (16; 26) having physical properties different from those of the base material of the ring (10; 20; 30).

5. 5. A hinged component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the friction surfaces (12; 22; 24) comprises an arrangement (18; 28) capable of acting as a reservoir for a lubricant (L).

6. 6. A hinged component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the friction surfaces (12; 22; 24) each comprise a surface treatment or coating (16; 26) having physical properties different from those of the base material of the ring (10; 20; 30) and / or an arrangement (18; 28) capable of acting as a reservoir for a lubricant (L).

7. 7. A hinged component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outer ring (10) and the inner ring (20) are metallic.

8. comprising only two of said concentric rings (10, 20), 8. A hinged component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the friction interface (40) is defined directly between the inner friction surface (12) of the outer ring (10) and the outer friction surface (22) of the inner ring (20).

9. 8. A hinged component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least three of said concentric rings (10, 20, 30).

10. A mechanical system comprising a hinged component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a movable member (2) guided by said component in rotation, oscillation and / or translation.

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