Cable holder, in particular for a heat detection cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable holder (100) comprising: a base (1) attached to the infrastructure (200) and having a plate (11) provided with lugs (12) fastened to the infrastructure (200) and bordered transversely by a channel (13) aligned with the path (TC), and a plate spring (2), one end of which is inserted into the channel and which defines therein a cavity that receives the cable (Cd) and holds it in place when the support is tightened, and a cover (3) bordered transversely (Y) by an extension (32) in order to partially cover the corresponding channel (13) while bearing on the plate spring (2), and an assembly bolt (4).

Description

[0001] I

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Title: Cable support, particularly for fire wire

[0004] The invention relates to a cable support intended to be installed on a route in an installation to receive a cable, in particular a cable such as a temperature rise detection cable also called a "fire wire" whose structure varies, or even destroys itself when the ambient temperature exceeds even locally a threshold, in order to exploit this detection and trigger an action.

[0005] Such cable or fire-wire installations are used in very different fields, including mobile equipment such as aircraft, imposing very strict conditions of use and reliability, as well as regular and controlled maintenance. The installations must be very simple and efficient for inspections and maintenance.

[0006] Different types of fire wire support are known according to the following documents:

[0007] US 202100017909

[0008] US 20200064202

[0009] US 20220307909

[0010] The supports described in these three documents have numerous drawbacks. One of these, common to the first two documents, is the need to use an elastomer sleeve to hold the cables in position. This implies a safety risk such as component loss, the inability to operate at high temperatures, and a higher environmental cost. Another drawback of the solutions in the first and third documents is the significant fragility of the clamping element, resulting in low reliability and high maintenance costs.

[0011] Furthermore, cable support devices are complicated to manufacture, implement, and maintain when replacing a cable.

[0012] US2020 / 0149662 is also known to be a cable support designed for use in environments with very high temperatures. Besides its complex structure, this cable support has poor fire resistance.

[0013] The present invention aims to develop a cable support, particularly for fire-resistant wires, that offers greater fire resistance, notably by partially supporting the wire without damaging it. Furthermore, the support is simple to manufacture and use, allowing for easy access for cable replacement or maintenance, without risking the loss of support components during disassembly or reassembly, especially in hard-to-reach locations. The same support should be usable throughout an aircraft, including both "cold" and "hot" zones, whereas current supports are typically designed for specific areas.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a cable support parallel to a predefined path in an infrastructure to be protected, to which the support is fixed, comprising:

[0015] A base fixed securely to the infrastructure along the route, having

[0016] * a slab equipped with tabs fixed to the infrastructure and defining an assembly axis

[0017] * this slab being bordered transversely to the longitudinal direction of the layout by at least one channel aligned with the longitudinal direction of the layout,

[0018] B a leaf spring,

[0019] * transverse beam coming onto the slab,

[0020] * fixed in rotation to the slab,

[0021] * inserted at one end into the cable channel, creating a recess that receives the cable and locks it in place after the bracket is tightened,

[0022] It's a lid

[0023] * in the shape of a tray

[0024] * bordered transversely by at least one extension to partially cover the corresponding chute, supported by the leaf spring D; an assembly screw joining the cover to the base along the assembly axis with the leaf spring interposed between

[0025] * an open position depending on the tightening of the assembly of the cover and the leaf spring and

[0026] * a closed position in the respective chute for the retaining clamp compressing the leaf spring to bear on the cable and hold it in the housing formed in the chute.

[0027] The bracket is robust and its clamping is reliable; even in the event of spring failure or breakage, the geometry created by the cover and base prevents any cable from coming out, intentionally or unintentionally, as long as the screw remains tight. During installation, the cable "clips" into the bracket, indicating to the operator that the cable is correctly positioned. The design and associated operating procedure allow for one-handed cable assembly. Another feature is that the assembly screw is aligned in the assembly direction by entering the threaded hole in the base plate through a hole in the cover and a hole in the leaf spring.

[0028] In particular, the bracket is supplied with the screw engaged in the tapping and, even when fully loosened, the screw remains engaged, which facilitates the assembly / tightening of the bracket by the operator.

[0029] According to another characteristic, the leaf spring includes a flat segment coming onto the slab and continuing with at least one hairpin end coming above a transverse channel, the loop of which is raised relative to the flat segment forming a support surface for the lateral extension and ends with a descending branch, intended to come to rest in the channel and delimit the longitudinal housing open to the outside, with the free side of the channel to receive a cable and which will then be closed on the cable by the deformation of the loop compressed by the tightening of the cover against the slab of the base.

[0030] This structure ensures cable clamping, with a spring that is easy to manufacture and therefore economical. Furthermore, a slight modification to the spring's shape allows the entire support to be adapted to different cable sizes without altering any other component parts.

[0031] According to another characteristic, the slab in the shape of an inverted bowl, the top of which is formed by the bottom of the bowl, rectangular, the peripheral edge of which is extended transversely by at least one gutter and longitudinally by a pair of tabs for fixing to the infrastructure, the top being crossed by an assembly hole aligned with the assembly axis.

[0032] The stamped support is rigid and economical; it allows secure cable clamping, with an easy-to-make spring.

[0033] According to another feature, the peripheral edge forming one side of the cable tray has, along part of its length, a stiffening deformation that truncates the edge of the slab. The cable tray is equipped with a longitudinal slot aligned with this deformation. The end of the descending arm of the leaf spring continues as a tongue of reduced width compared to that of the descending arm, forming a shoulder on either side. The width of the tongue is less than the length of the slot in the cable tray so that it can be engaged. The shoulders bear against the bottom of the cable tray beyond the slot. This allows complete release of the spring, without loss of its angular position, for free and easy installation of the cable in the cable tray.

[0034] According to another characteristic, the top of the slab is connected to its peripheral edge by a rounded edge.

[0035] According to another feature, the edges of the end of the chute, as well as the edges of the spring, are worked in such a way as not to mark or damage the cable when tightening it.

[0036] According to another characteristic, the lid's platform extends on each side of the pair of sides other than the extensions by a pair of splayed feet, each ending in a recessed return.

[0037] - the two parts of the peripheral edge of the base other than those of the extensions are fitted with tabs of reduced width compared to the length of the edge from which they originate in order to leave two free edges on the respective edge forming stops,

[0038] - During assembly, each pair of feet overlaps a respective leg, and the inward returns come under the stops of the slab.

[0039] - the length of the feet defining the travel of the lid relative to the base between:

[0040] * the high waiting position, leaving the chute open, limited by the return of the inward-entering sections coming to a stop against the stops and

[0041] * the low, tight position, closing the chute by tightening the cover against the base.

[0042] After factory assembly, the bracket is a complete unit with no loose parts. Furthermore, this eliminates the need to remove the screw from the base housing (drilling and tapping). This design also allows, for maintenance purposes, the tabs to be opened to release the screw / spring / cover assembly from the base.

[0043] According to another feature, the extension of the cover is curved downwards to come beyond the location of the leaf spring loop, above the rim on the free side, folded flat on the free side of the respective chute without coming into contact with this rim in the tight state of the support.

[0044] Thus the cable cannot come out of the chute, even with a destroyed spring, because after tightening, the space available between the end of the cover and the base is smaller than the diameter of the cable.

[0045] According to another feature, - the base has an assembly hole extended on the underside of the base by a threaded sleeve,

[0046] - the leaf spring and the cover have respective holes, which are aligned with the assembly axis defined by the base,

[0047] - The assembly screw rests against the cover and screws into the threaded sleeve of the base, between a high standby or open position, and a low tightened position. This reduces the number of parts in the assembly and facilitates assembly.

[0048] According to another characteristic,

[0049] - the sleeve has:

[0050] * a diameter slightly smaller than that of the screw,

[0051] * a lower end bordered by a collar

[0052] - the sleeve engaged in the hole of the leaf spring and that of the plate, the leaf spring and the plate being held by the collar, and being fitted, tightened on the screw.

[0053] According to another feature, an anti-loosening washer is engaged on the sleeve to hook onto the lid plate under the screw head.

[0054] According to another feature, the tray has a recess around its hole to stiffen it and absorb part of the thickness of the assembly formed by the support.

[0055] According to another feature, the sleeve rests against the underside of the screw head and on the top of the base so that its length limits the tightening of the leaf spring by the support of the extension of the cover on the loop of the leaf spring, this loop itself being butted by its shoulders in the channel, which allows control of the tightening sufficient to hold the wire, without being excessive to avoid any damage.

[0056] According to another favorable aspect of the invention, independent of the first aspect, but which can be favorably combined with it, a cable support according to claim 1 is aimed at, with improvements and favorable embodiments being defined in the subclaims.

[0057] The present invention also relates to an infrastructure to be protected to which is fixed a cable support according to the invention, in particular by the base, at least one cable, in particular fire wire, being received in the respective housing by being tightened against the wall of the duct by the leaf spring, in particular two cables left and right, received in the respective left and right ducts and tightened each against a wall of the respective duct by the leaf spring.

[0058] The present invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of an example of a fire wire cable support, shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0059] [Fig. 1] Perspective view of the support

[0060] [Fig. 2] Top view of the support

[0061] [Fig. 3] Side view of the support

[0062] [Fig. 4] Exploded view of the support along its assembly axis

[0063] [Fig. 5] Perspective view of the two separable assemblies of the support in the closed position

[0064] [Fig. 6] Cross-sectional view of the support in the closed position

[0065] [Fig. 7] Axial cross-sectional perspective view of the support in the closed position

[0066] By convention, to facilitate and simplify the description of support 100, the following orientation conventions will be used:

[0067] - the longitudinal axis X is that of the local direction of the cable Cd

[0068] - the transverse axis Y is transverse to the direction X.

[0069] The X, Y directions are, with few exceptions, perpendicular and the assembly axis Z is perpendicular to the X, Y directions.

[0070] The vertical orientation of support 100 and its components is that of the figures: the top H and the bottom B are indicated on the exploded view of figure 4.

[0071] These horizontal and vertical orientations, used in the description, are not necessarily those of the support in the state installed in the infrastructure.

[0072] Figures 1-3 show an embodiment of support 100 for a cable such as a fire wire in an infrastructure 200 to maintain the cable Cd locally along an imposed TC path but which at the support 100 locally follows the X direction.

[0073] The support 100 consists of a base 1 fixed to the infrastructure and a leaf spring 2 surmounted by a cover 3. The assembly 1, 2, 3 is joined by a screw 4 which, depending on the degree of tightening in the base 1, allows free access to the Cd cable's housing LL for insertion or removal, and a tightened position in which the Cd cable is retained in its housing LL. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the support 100 in its assembled state but not fixed to an infrastructure and without the Cd cable.

[0074] The embodiment of support 100 has a symmetrical shape both with respect to the longitudinal direction X, which is the local direction of the TC trace, and a symmetry with respect to the transverse direction Y, which is perpendicular to the direction X.

[0075] In this assembled state, the base 1 appears by the leg 12 of a pair of legs oriented in the longitudinal direction X, local, of the TC trace and its two transverse channels 13 receiving the descending branches 222 of the ends of the leaf spring 2.

[0076] The leaf spring 2 is capped by a plate-shaped cover 31 with two lateral extensions 32 coming onto the arms 222 and the channels 13 which leave an access gap for the cable Cd relative to the rim 1321 on the free side 132 of the respective channel 13.

[0077] The descending branch 222 of the leaf spring 2 forms with the free side 132 of the chute, a volume of triangular section constituting the longitudinal housing LL receiving the cable Cd.

[0078] The lid plate 31 has a rectangular recess 311 which stiffens the plate and allows the overall thickness / height of the support 100 to be reduced to absorb the relief shape of part of the leaf spring 2 relative to the base 1.

[0079] The top view of Figure 2 highlights the overall shape of the support 100, emphasizing its symmetrical organization in the longitudinal direction X and in the transverse direction Y. The TC cable path passes under the extensions 32 covering the hidden cable trays 13.

[0080] The side view of figure 3 highlights the overlap of the cover 3 on the leaf spring 2, 22, 23 in the transverse direction and the overlap of the feet 33 showing the gap that remains between the re-entrant returns 331 of the feet 33 and the stops 1121 of the peripheral edge 112 of the slab 11.

[0081] The embodiment of the support 100 is symmetrical and, in this example, comprises two cable trays 13, thus forming two LL housings for two Cd cables. However, this embodiment can also be used for a single Cd cable or reduced to a single cable tray if necessary for space reasons. The embodiment nevertheless retains its overall shape.

[0082] The exploded view in Figure 4 shows in detail the structure of all the components of support 100:

[0083] The base 1, composed of a rectangular slab 11, has a top 111 and a peripheral edge 112 with a rounded edge 115.

[0084] The peripheral edge 112 extends on a pair of sides by the legs 12 occupying only part of the length of the side and leaving on either side an edge forming a stop 1121.

[0085] On the other pair of sides, the peripheral edge 112 continues as a channel 13 whose free side 132 ends with a rim 1321.

[0086] This side of the peripheral edge 112 has its rounded edge 115 interrupted by a stiffening deformation 114 which reinforces the side of the peripheral edge.

[0087] The bottom of the chute 13 is provided with a longitudinal slot 131 in the extension of the deformation 114 to receive the tongue 23 of the leaf spring 2.

[0088] The slab 11 is provided with an assembly hole 113 extended under the slab (figure 6, 7) by a threaded boss for the assembly screw 4.

[0089] The leaf spring 2 consists of a flat segment 21 forming its middle part around the assembly axis Z and provided with a hole 25 for the screw 4.

[0090] The flat segment 21 rests on the top 111 of the slab 11 while the hairpin ends 22 have a loop 221 raised relative to this segment 21 to return by the descending branch 222 and extend with a fold by the reduced width tongue 23 forming the two shoulders 24.

[0091] The width of the tongue 23 is slightly less than the length of the slot 131 so that the descending branch 222 rests by its shoulders against the bottom of the chute 13.

[0092] The lid 3 appears in its entirety, highlighting the shape of its tray 31 with its recess 311 and its hole 34. The curved shape of the extensions 32 is highlighted, as well as the interval 332 between the feet 33a, 33b of each pair of feet 33 on one side and the other of the tray 31.

[0093] The inward returns 331 to come against the pairs of stops 1121 of the base 1 on either side of each leg 12 of the base and limit the lifting of the cover 3 relative to the base 1, also serve to maintain the orientation of the cover 3 relative to the base 1 and avoid any pivoting; the movement of the cover is thus limited to a translation along the direction of the assembly Z.

[0094] The structure of the assembly screw 4 appears with its head 1 and its body 42 having a manufacturing groove 421 separating the threaded part 422 and the unthreaded part without the head 41.

[0095] The assembly screw 4 joins the cover 3 to the base 1 with the interposition of the leaf spring 2 by means of a sleeve 5. The sleeve 5 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than that of the screw 4 and a collar 51 at its lower end.

[0096] The assembly is completed, if necessary, with an anti-loosening washer 6.

[0097] Figure 5 shows the two sub-assemblies A, B of the support 100, part A comprising the base 1 and the detachable part B consisting of the leaf spring 2 joined to the cover 3 by the screw 4 engaged in the sleeve 5 through the leaf spring 2.

[0098] Figure 6, which is the cross-sectional view through a transverse median plane passing through the assembly axis Z, shows the support 100 assembled and tightened to retain the two cables Cd in the respective housing LL of each cable tray 13.

[0099] In this tight position, the cables Cd previously engaged in the housing LL of the two cable trays 13 are tightened each in its housing LL by the descending arm 222 of the hairpin of the end 22 in the loop 221 pushed by the respective lateral extension 32 of the cover 3.

[0100] In this position, the sleeve 5 rests between the underside of the head 41 and the top of the loop 221, which limits the clamping force of the leaf spring 2 against the cable Cd. This tight position also shows that the edge 321 of the extension 32 does not bear against the rim 1321 on the side 132 of the channel, but that the gap left is smaller than the cross-section of the cable Cd. Thus, even if the leaf spring 2 breaks, the cable Cd remains trapped in its housing LL in the support 100.

[0101] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cross-section of Figure 6.

[0102] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0103] 100 Cable support (fire wire)

[0104] 200 Infrastructure

[0105] X Longitudinal direction

[0106] Y Cross-cutting direction

[0107] Z Assembly Direction

[0108] H Top

[0109] B Bas

[0110] TC Cable Tracing

[0111] CD Cable / Firewire

[0112] LL Longitudinal Housing

[0113] 1 Base

[0114] 11 Slab

[0115] 111 Above

[0116] 112 Peripheral edge

[0117] 1121 Stop

[0118] 113 Assembly drilling

[0119] 1131 Threaded sleeve

[0120] 114 Stiffening deformation

[0121] 13 Rounded edge

[0122] 12 Paw

[0123] 13 Gutter

[0124] 131 Longitudinal slot

[0125] 132 Free side

[0126] 1321 Edge

[0127] 2 Transverse leaf spring

[0128] 21 Flat segment

[0129] 22 Hairpin end

[0130] 221 Loop

[0131] 222 Descending branch

[0132] 23 Tongue

[0133] 24 Shoulder

[0134] 25 Drilling

[0135] 3. Lid

[0136] 31 Plateau

[0137] 311 Sinking

[0138] 32 Lateral extension

[0139] 321 Extension edge

[0140] 33 a, b Foot

[0141] 331 Return

[0142] 332 Interval

[0143] 34 Drilling

[0144] 4 Assembly screws

[0145] 41 Head 42 Body

[0146] 421 Gorge

[0147] 422 Threaded end

[0148] 423 Unthreaded end 5 Sleeve

[0149] 51 Collar

[0150] 6 Washers

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Cable support, including fire wire, comprising: - a base (1) comprising at least one channel (13), in particular two lateral channels, left and right, - a leaf spring (2), disposed on the base (1) and partially received in at least one channel to delimit a respective housing (22) intended to receive a cable, and - a cover (3), the base, the leaf spring and the cover being assembled so that the leaf spring is interposed between the cover and the base, in particular by an assembly screw (4) and a sleeve (5), characterized in that the respective housing (22) for the cable is delimited on one side by a wall of the duct and on the other side by the leaf spring.

2. Support (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base comprises a central slab (11) bordered transversely by at least one channel.

3. Support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed in the at least one channel a slot receiving a respective end of the leaf spring.

4. Support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover extends above the d_' of at least one chute 5. Support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an assembly screw (4) is received in a tapping of the base (1) through a hole in the cover (3) and a hole in the leaf spring (2).

6. Support(lOO) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the leaf spring (2) includes a flat segment (21) coming onto the base and continuing with at least one hairpin end (22) coming above the transverse channel (13), the loop (221) of which is raised relative to the flat segment (21) forming a bearing surface for the lateral extension (32) and terminates with a descending branch (222), intended to come to rest in the channel (13) and there to delimit the housing (22) with the free side (132) of the channel to receive a cable (Cd) and which will then be closed on the cable by the deformation of the loop (221) compressed by the tightening of the cover (3) against the base (1).

7. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base is extended longitudinally by a pair of tabs (12) for fixing to an infrastructure.

8. Support (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the peripheral edge (112) forming one side of the channel (13) has over part of its length a stiffening deformation (114) truncating the edge of the slab (11) and the channel (13) is provided with a longitudinal slot (131) aligned with the deformation (114), - the end of the descending arm (222) of the leaf spring (2) continues with a tongue (23) of reduced width compared to that of the descending arm (222) to form on either side a shoulder (24), the width of the tongue (23) being less than the length of the slot (131) of the chute to be engaged in it, the shoulders (24) bearing against the bottom of the chute (13) beyond the slot (131).

9. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a plate (31) of the cover (3) extends on the pair of sides other than that of extensions (32) by a pair of feet (33a, b) spaced apart and each ending by a re-entrant return (331), - the two parts of the peripheral edge (112) of the base (1) other than those of the extensions (32) are provided with tabs (12) of reduced width compared to the length of the edge from which they originate in order to leave two free edges on the respective edge forming stops (1121), - during assembly, each pair of feet (33) overlaps a respective leg (12) and the inward returns (331) come under the stops (1121) of the slab (11), - the length of the feet (33) defining the stroke of the lid (3) relative to the base (1) between: * a high waiting position, leaving the chute (13) open, limited by the coming to rest of the re-entrant returns (331) against the stops (1121) and * a low, tight position, covering the chute (13) by tightening the cover (3) against the base (1).

10. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the extension (32) of the cover (3) is curved downwards to come beyond the location of the loop (221) of the leaf spring (2), above the rim (1321) of the free side (132), folded flat on the free side (132) of the respective chute (13) without coming into contact with this rim (1321) in the tightened state of the support.

11. Support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that - the base (1) has an assembly hole (113) extended on the underside of the base by a threaded boss, - the leaf spring (2) and the cover (3) have a respective bore (25-34), which are aligned on the assembly axis (Z) defined by the base (1), - the assembly screw (4) resting on the cover (3) and screwing into the threaded boss of the base (1), between a high standby or open position, and a low tightened position.

12. Support (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises - a sleeve (5) having: * a diameter slightly smaller than that of the screw (4), * a lower end bordered by a collar (51) - the sleeve (5) engaged in the bore (25) of the leaf spring (2) and that (34) of the plate (31), the leaf spring (2) and the plate (31) being held by the collar (51), and fitted tightly onto the screw (4).

13. Support (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises: - an anti-loosening washer (6) engaged on the sleeve (5) to hook onto the plate (31) of the cover (3) under the head (41) of the screw (4).

14. Support (100) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the sleeve (5) bears against the underside of the screw head (41) and on the top (11) of the base (1), its length limiting the tightening of the leaf spring (2) by the support of the extension (32) of the cover (3) on the loop (221) of the leaf spring (2), this loop itself being butted by its shoulders (24) in the channel (13).

15. Infrastructure to be protected to which a cable support is attached, in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in particular a fire wire, the support comprising a base (1) fixed to the infrastructure, including at least one chute (13), in particular two lateral chutes left and right, - a leaf spring (2), disposed on the base (1) and partially received in at least one channel to delimit a respective housing (22) intended to receive a cable, and - a cover (3), the base, the leaf spring and the cover being assembled so that the leaf spring is interposed between the cover and the base, in particular by an assembly screw (4) and a sleeve (5), characterized in that the respective housing (22) for the cable is delimited on one side by a wall of the duct and on the other side by the leaf spring, at least one cable, in particular fire wire, being received in the respective housing by being clamped against the wall of the duct by the leaf spring, in particular two cables left and right, received in the respective left and right ducts and each clamped against a wall of the respective duct by the leaf spring.

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