Mechanism for the secure locking of a telescopic connecting rod

Abstract

Disclosed is a telescopic connecting rod equipped with a secure connecting-rod locking mechanism (4), the telescopic connecting rod comprising an inner section (2) sliding on an inner surface (3a) of an outer section (3), and a sliding sleeve (5) for locking / unlocking the inner section relative to the outer section, the locking mechanism comprising: • - at least one locking roller (6) between the sliding sleeve and the inner section; • - a circumferential channel (2b) with an entry ramp (2c) for the roller on the inner section; • - a circumferential groove (5c) with an escapement ramp (5d) for the roller on the sliding sleeve; • - one through-passage (3d) per roller in the outer section, and • - one locking recess (5e) per roller, each recess being located at the exit of the escapement ramp of the sliding sleeve.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SECURE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A

[0003] TELESCOPIC CONNECTING ROD

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The invention relates to a locking mechanism for a telescopic connecting rod. Such a telescopic connecting rod can be extended for use, in particular, as a support rod for an opening in the aeronautical, automotive, marine, or construction industries. When retracted, this telescopic connecting rod occupies less space and can therefore be easily stored.

[0006] STATE OF THE ART

[0007] In the aeronautical field, cowlings and hatches are movable, opening parts of an aircraft's external and / or internal structure that, when open, allow access to components or equipment—landing gear, engine—for inspection and / or maintenance. To carry out these operations, these cowlings and hatches are attached to connecting rods that hold them open and prevent them from closing unexpectedly.

[0008] Generally speaking, a connecting rod is a straight piece that connects two other parts, allowing the transmission and / or blocking of movement in one of these parts. In the case of connecting rods for opening mechanisms, their function is to lock the opening once it has reached the desired opening position.

[0009] To accommodate large openings and / or wide openings, long connecting rods are used. To reduce their footprint when the openings are closed, telescopic connecting rods are used because they offer the advantages of length adjustment and the ability to fold down to fit into tight spaces. These connecting rods are generally made up of two sections that slide inside each other. Telescopic connecting rods typically include a locking mechanism for their sections, which ensures the stability of the rods and maintains their adjusted length. Furthermore, joints at the ends of the rods allow them to be attached to the components they connect.

[0010] A simple and reliable locking mechanism relies on a pin inserted through aligned holes in the telescopic sections. However, aligning these holes can be difficult, making insertion and removal of the pin challenging.

[0011] Another type of locking mechanism uses a screw that is tightened to press against the sections and lock them in place. This type of locking offers a high locking force but has the disadvantages of being slow to adjust and requiring access to tighten and loosen the screw.

[0012] A push button can also be used to unlock an umbrella-type telescopic connecting rod. However, this push button is not secure, and accidental pressing of it can cause the telescopic connecting rod to unlock.

[0013] Alternatively, gas springs are used as telescopic rods with a first sealed section containing compressed gas and a second section connected to a piston moving within the first section. These sections are calibrated to varying degrees of resistance depending on the load the telescopic rod must withstand, in this case, the weight of the sash. Once calibrated, this telescopic rod is capable of holding the sash open. However, to close the sash, a greater opposing force must be applied to the telescopic rod, this force being greater than the weight of the sash. In the case of heavy sashes, the force required to close the sash is even greater.

[0014] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] To overcome the drawbacks of the prior art described above, the invention's main objective is to secure the unlocking of a telescopic connecting rod. To this end, the invention provides a telescopic connecting rod with an internal locking mechanism adapted to unlocking the sections of the telescopic connecting rod, this mechanism securing the telescopic connecting rod in its extended position.

[0016] More specifically, the present invention relates to a telescopic connecting rod equipped with a secure connecting rod locking mechanism, the telescopic connecting rod comprising:

[0017] - at least two sections, including an internal section sliding on an inner face of an external section, and

[0018] - a locking / unlocking slide of the inner section relative to the outer section, the slide being able to move on an outer face of a locking end of the outer section.

[0019] Furthermore, the locking mechanism includes:

[0020] - at least one locking roller between the slide and the internal section;

[0021] - at least one circumferential groove with a roller entry ramp on an external surface of the inner section;

[0022] - a circumferential groove with a roller escape ramp on an inner surface of the slide;

[0023] - a roller through-passage in the locking end of the outer section, this through-passage allowing the roller to enter and exit the circumferential groove and

[0024] - a locking groove per roller, each groove being located at the outlet of the slide's exhaust ramp.

[0025] Advantageously, when the telescopic rod is extended and then compressed—that is, when the sash tends to close under its own weight or due to wind—the entry ramp of the circumferential groove of the inner section pushes each roller against its locking groove, thus causing automatic locking in both tension and compression of the telescopic rod sections. Furthermore, as long as the sash remains open and exerts pressure on the telescopic rod, the latter is under compression, which further reinforces the rod's locking mechanism. This can be achieved in preferred embodiments, used alone or in combination:

[0026] - the locking end of the outer section of the telescopic connecting rod has a stop for the slide;

[0027] - the stop is a shoulder;

[0028] - a means of return between the slide and the stop of the external section;

[0029] - the means of return is a helical spring;

[0030] - the locking mechanism has four rollers and four grooves on the slide;

[0031] - the slide has a cylindrical wall covering the return means;

[0032] - the slide has at least two holes, each accommodating a guide element for the slide;

[0033] - two holes are diametrically opposed;

[0034] - the locking end of the outer section has a notch for each guide screw of the slide;

[0035] - each notch has an "L" shape allowing on a first portion an axial translation of the slide and on a second portion a locking / unlocking rotation of the slide in translation;

[0036] - the internal section has at least two circumferential grooves, each defining an extension length of the telescopic connecting rod.

[0037] Advantageously, the four rollers are distributed around the inner section to balance the locking of the telescopic connecting rod.

[0038] Advantageously, the cylindrical cover wall also provides protection to the return mechanism, thus increasing the lifespan of the locking mechanism.

[0039] Advantageously, the L-shaped guide groove also provides a second level of locking for the telescopic rod, thus increasing the security of the opening mechanism. Indeed, the rollers can only be released, and therefore the rod unlocked, when the locking slide is retracted. When the locking slide is locked—that is, when the guide screw moves within the second portion of the guide groove—the locking slide cannot move axially or release the rollers. The invention also relates to a method for locking / unlocking a telescopic rod as defined above, the locking being carried out according to the following steps:

[0040] - deployment of the internal section relative to the external section;

[0041] - blocking the sliding joint in translation, and

[0042] - compression of the rollers on the slide; and unlocking is carried out according to the following steps:

[0043] - release of the compression of the rollers;

[0044] - unblocking the sliding joint by translation;

[0045] - axial translation of the slider, and

[0046] - folding of the inner section into the outer section.

[0047] Depending on certain preferred implementation methods, used alone or in combination:

[0048] - the step of locking the slide in translation is carried out by a rotation of the slide along the second portion of the notch;

[0049] PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0050] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed embodiment, without limiting its scope, by reference to the accompanying figures which represent, respectively:

[0051] - Figure 1, a perspective view of an example of a telescopic connecting rod according to the invention;

[0052] - Figure 2, an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the telescopic connecting rod according to Figure 1;

[0053] - Figure 3, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism when the telescopic connecting rod is retracted; - Figure 4, a cross-sectional view in plane A visualized in figure 3 of the locking mechanism according to figure 3;

[0054] - Figure 5a, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism when the telescopic connecting rod is deployed and under tension;

[0055] - figure 5b, an enlargement of the pebble in figure 5a;

[0056] - Figure 6, a cross-sectional view in plane A of the locking mechanism according to Figure 5a;

[0057] - Figure 7, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism when the telescopic connecting rod is deployed and locked in compression;

[0058] - Figure 8, a cross-sectional view in plane A of the locking mechanism according to Figure 7;

[0059] - Figure 9, a cross-sectional view in plane A of the locking mechanism when the telescopic connecting rod is unlocked.

[0060] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] In the figures, identical reference symbols refer to the same element as well as to the corresponding passages in the description.

[0062] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a telescopic connecting rod 1 according to the present invention, comprising two sections: an inner section 2 sliding within an outer section 3. This sliding motion allows the connecting rod to be extended or retracted. The outer section 3 is attached to a base structure (not shown) by a ball joint 1b. A hook 1a is installed at the end of the inner section 2 to attach and hold an opening (not shown) in its extended position. When the opening applies a load to the telescopic connecting rod 1, this load tending to retract the rod, the connecting rod is said to be compressed. The telescopic connecting rod 1 also includes a sliding mechanism 5 for locking / unlocking the inner section 2 relative to the outer section 3.

[0063] The telescopic connecting rod 1 is also equipped with a locking mechanism 4, detailed in the exploded view of Figure 2. This locking mechanism 4 is located at the junction of the sections and allows the telescopic connecting rod 1 to be locked in an extended configuration. This locking mechanism keeps the sash deployed by preventing compression and tension on the connecting rod. Thus, the sash is secured in the deployed position.

[0064] The locking mechanism 4 comprises:

[0065] - four locking rollers 6 between the slide 5 and the internal section 2 (also illustrated in figure 3);

[0066] - a circumferential groove 2b with an entry ramp 2c of pebble 6 on an external surface 2a of the internal section 2;

[0067] - a circumferential groove 5c with an escape ramp 5d of roller 6 on an inner surface 5b of the slide 5;

[0068] - a through passage 3d through roller 6 in the locking end 3b of the outer section 3, this through passage 3d allowing roller 6 to enter and exit the circumferential groove 2b, and

[0069] - a 5th locking groove by roller 6, each 5th groove being located at the outlet of the exhaust ramp 5d of the slide 5.

[0070] The exploded perspective view in Figure 2 represents three of the four pebbles 6, the fourth pebble being hidden and only its passage through 3d' being visible.

[0071] The locking end 3b of the external section 3 has an outer face 3c on which the slide 5 runs, this locking end 3b being located opposite the attachment ball joint 1b of the external section 3. The locking end 3b is here an additional part integral with the external section 3. Alternatively, the end 3b may be an extension of the external section 3.

[0072] The locking end 3b also has a shoulder 3e that acts as a stop for the slide 5. A return mechanism, a helical spring 7 in this example, bears against this shoulder 3e. The tip 7a of the helical spring 7 is folded back to fit into the notch 3i of the shoulder 3e. The helical spring 7 thus pushes the slide 5 out of the outer section 3. Alternatively, the helical spring can be inserted into a hole in the shoulder 3e.

[0073] The slide 5 has two holes 5g, each accommodating a guide element, here a guide screw 5h, for the slide 5 on the outer section 3. These two diametrically opposed holes 5g balance the guidance of the slide 5. These guide screws 5h pass through the thickness of the slide 5 to insert into the guide channels 3f in diametrically opposed positions on the outer face 3c of the locking end 3b of the outer section. Each notch 3f has an "L" shape, allowing, on a first longitudinal portion 3g, axial translation of the slide 5 and, on a second circumferential portion 3h, locking / unlocking rotation of the slide 5. Alternatively, a single hole can be used, as well as pins or dowels instead of guide screws.

[0074] In addition, the internal section 2 has a groove 2d in which is installed a sliding system to facilitate the rotation and sliding of the internal section 2 on the inner face 3a of the external section 3. Alternatively, this sliding system can be rolling.

[0075] Figure 3 shows more precisely a cross-section in the longitudinal direction of the locking mechanism 4 of the telescopic connecting rod 1, the telescopic connecting rod 1 being retracted, i.e. with the inner section 2 engaged in the outer section 3.

[0076] In this cross-sectional view, two rollers 6 are shown, each roller 6 being engaged in its through passage 3d of the outer section 3 and in the circumferential groove 5c of the slide 5. In addition, each roller 6 is supported on one side by the inner section 2 and on the other side by the escape ramp 5d of the slide 5.

[0077] This slide 5 is formed by a body 5a having the circumferential groove 5c and the escapement ramp 5d on the inner surface 5b, the helical spring 7 being positioned between the body 5a of the slide 5 and the shoulder 3e of the outer section 3. Advantageously, a cylindrical wall 5f extends from the body 5a of the slide 5 to cover and protect the helical spring 7.

[0078] Thus, during operation, the helical spring 7 pushes the slide 5 against the rollers 6, which are then in contact with the escapement ramp 5d of the slide 5. The escapement ramp 5d is oriented so as to constantly press the rollers 6 against the inner section 2, and in particular, when the inner section 2 slides within the outer section 3. To facilitate this pressure, the edges of the rollers 6 are chamfered to adapt to the orientation of the escapement ramp 5d. Furthermore, a gap E is provided between the roller 6 and the circumferential groove 5c of the slide. To visualize the arrangement of the components from a complementary perspective, Figure 4 shows the connecting rod of Figure 3 in cross-section along plane A, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting rod 1.In this plan, the internal section 2, the external section 3, the slide 5, the gap E as well as the circumferential portions 3h of the screw guide channels 3f are visible, the four rollers 6 being supported on the internal section 2.

[0079] Figure 5a shows the configuration of the locking mechanism 4 when the telescopic connecting rod 1 is fully extended, with the wall 2e of the groove 2d of the inner section 2 acting as a stop for the locking end 3b of the outer section 3. During the sliding of the inner section 2 to reach full extension of the connecting rod, the entry ramp 2c and then the circumferential groove 2b of the inner section 2 pass over the rollers 6 and their through passages 3d. The helical spring 7 then exerts a force on the slide 5, which is supported by the rollers 6, allowing them to follow the entry ramp 2c and insert into the circumferential groove 2b.

[0080] Figure 5b details an enlargement of a roller 6 from figure 5a to illustrate the locking groove 5e which then remains out of contact with roller 6.

[0081] Figure 6 shows the connecting rod of Figure 5a in the complementary view of plane A, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting rod. In this plane, the inner section 2, the outer section 3, the slide 5, the locking grooves 5e, the circumferential portions 3h of the guide channels 3f, and the screws 5h are visible in cross-section. The screws 5h pass through the slide 5 and are inserted into the guide channels 3f of the outer section 3.

[0082] In Figure 7, the telescopic connecting rod 1 is compressed, meaning that the rod is shortened relative to its fully extended position in Figure 5a, and the groove 2d is no longer abutted against the locking end 3b. Furthermore, this movement of the inner section 2 drives the rollers 6 onto the inlet ramp 2c, pushing them back into the locking grooves 5e of the slide 5. Thus, in the cross-sectional view of Figure 8, which shows the connecting rod of Figure 7 along plane A, the rollers 6 occupy the locking grooves 5e and are in contact with the slide 5. Unlocking the telescopic connecting rod 1 is achieved by rotating the slide 5, as illustrated in Figure 9. This rotation is guided by the guide screws 5h in the circumferential portions 3h of the guide channels 3f of the outer section 3.During this rotation, the rollers 6 come out of the locking grooves 5e to insert into the circumferential groove 5c of the slide.

[0083] In operation, the implementation of the present invention relates to a method for locking / unlocking a telescopic connecting rod 1, the locking being carried out according to the following steps:

[0084] - deployment of the internal section 2 relative to the external section 3;

[0085] - blocking the translation of the slider 5, and

[0086] - compression of the rollers 6 on the slide 5.

[0087] And the unlocking process is carried out according to the following steps:

[0088] - release of the compression of rollers 6;

[0089] - unblocking by translation of the slider 5;

[0090] - axial translation of the slider 5, and

[0091] - folding of the internal section 2 into the external section 3.

[0092] The compression of the rollers 6 on the slide 5 is achieved by the action exerted by the weight of the opening on the telescopic rod 1. In addition, any further compression of the rod increases the action of the rollers 6 on the slide 5 and reinforces the locking of the opening.

[0093] The telescopic connecting rod is locked during a translational locking step of the slide 5, which is advantageously achieved by rotating said slide 5 along the circumferential portions 3h of the screw guide channels 3f. Since these circumferential portions 3h are, on the one hand, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting rod and, on the other hand, occupied by the guide screws 5h, the translation of the slide 5 is thereby blocked. The rotation of the slide 5 is itself secured by the action of the rollers 6 in the locking grooves 5e to prevent unintentional rotation of the slide that could lead to unlocking the connecting rod.

[0094] To unlock the telescopic connecting rod 1, the release of the compression of the rollers is achieved by relieving the opening (here by lifting it) and bringing the connecting rod into an extension position. The slide 5 is then released during a slide translation release step following the release step of the compression of the rollers 6 and can be brought towards the shoulder 3e of the outer section 3 to place the circumferential groove 5c of the slide 5 parallel to the circumferential groove 2b of the inner section 2. The space thus created between the circumferential groove 5c and the circumferential groove 2b allows, during the retraction and by axial translation of the inner section 2, to guide the rollers 6 along the entry ramp 2c and out of the circumferential groove 2b to return to the folded state of the inner section 2 in the outer section 3, as illustrated in figure 3.

[0095] The invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated. The inner section may have several circumferential grooves, each defining an extension length of the telescopic rod. Furthermore, the outer section's stop can be achieved by a pin, a ramp, or the rollers themselves. Other return means, such as a leaf spring or a gas spring, are also possible. The number of rollers can be adjusted according to the rod material, the sash mass, and the extension range of the telescopic rod.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Telescopic connecting rod (1) equipped with a secure connecting rod locking mechanism (4), the telescopic connecting rod (1) comprising: - at least two sections, including an internal section (2) sliding on an inner face (3a) of an external section (3), and - a locking / unlocking slide (5) of the inner section (2) relative to the outer section (3), the slide (5) being able to move on an outer face (3c) of a locking end (3b) of the outer section (3), the locking mechanism (4) being characterized in that it comprises: - at least one locking roller (6) between the slide (5) and the internal section (2), the roller (6) having chamfered edges; - at least one circumferential groove (2b) with an entry ramp (2c) for the roller (6) on an external surface (2a) of the internal section (2); - a circumferential groove (5c) with an escape ramp (5d) of the roller (6) on an inner surface (5b) of the slide (5); - a through passage (3d) for roller (6) in the locking end (3b) of the outer section (3), this through passage (3d) allowing the roller (6) to enter and exit the circumferential groove (2b) and - a locking groove (5e) by roller (6), each groove (5e) being located at the outlet of the exhaust ramp (5d) of the slide (5).

2. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking end (3b) of the outer section (3) of the telescopic connecting rod (1) has a stop for the slide (5).

3. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to claim 2, wherein the stop is a shoulder (3e).

4. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism (4) includes a return means between the slide (5) and the stop of the outer section (3).

5. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to claim 4, wherein the return means is a helical spring (7).

6. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism (4) comprises four rollers (6) and four grooves (5e) on the slide (5).

7. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6 in combination with claim 4, wherein the slide (5) comprises a cylindrical wall (5f) covering the return means.

8. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to any one of claim 1 to claim 7, in which the slide (5) has at least two holes (5g) each accommodating a guide element for the slide (5).

9. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to claim 8, in which two bores (5g) are diametrically opposed.

10. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to any one of claims 8 to claim 9, wherein the locking end (3b) of the outer section (3) has a notch (3f) for each guide element of the slide (5).

11. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to claim 10, in which each notch (3f) has an "L" shape allowing on a first portion (3g) an axial translation of the slide (5) and on a second portion (3h) a locking / unlocking rotation of the slide (5) in translation.

12. Telescopic connecting rod (1) according to any one of claims 1 to claim 11, wherein the inner section (2) has at least two circumferential grooves (2b) each defining an extension length of the telescopic connecting rod (1).

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