Flexible extruded modular cable tray

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular cable tray (1) intended for routing cable bundles in an aircraft wing structure, the modular cable tray (1) comprising: - a routing module (2) extending linearly; - at least two flexible, extruded, parallel and adjacent routing channels (2a) forming the routing module (2), each routing channel (2a) comprising two side walls parallel to one another and perpendicular to a bottom, the side walls and the bottom defining an interior; - at least one rigid support module (3) for the routing module (2), each support module (3) comprising a jaw referred to as an upper jaw (3a) and means for reversible assembly with the routing module (2).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Modular extruded and flexible cable tray.

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to a modular and flexible cable tray composed of extruded and adjacent modules. Cable trays allow for the organization and management of cables (electrical or data transmission) and / or connections (hydraulic or pneumatic) that pass through a structure, particularly aircraft structures. Furthermore, cable assemblies can be grouped to form cable bundles or harnesses, which are then supported by the cable trays, this grouping facilitating cable installation.

[0005] In the aeronautical field, and particularly in aircraft wing structures, cable trays extend throughout the wing to supply power to its components (flaps, ailerons, fuel tanks, etc.), systems (transmission, distribution, storage, etc.), and sensors, thus ensuring the aircraft's safety and reliability. Cables are grouped into bundles according to the type of signals they carry. A cable tray can have several paths, each isolating one or more cable bundles and applying segregation rules to each bundle from neighboring paths. This segregation protects the cable bundles from electrical and external interference, ensuring aircraft safety. Indeed, the wing constitutes an unstable environment subject to significant vibrations, variations in temperature and humidity, as well as the risk of exposure to chemicals such as fuel or lubricant.

[0006] Furthermore, for safety reasons, the wiring and therefore the cable trays are redundant and separate to allow the aircraft to function in the event of a cable break, thus minimizing the risk of simultaneous failure. An aircraft wing incorporates numerous elements such as fuel tanks, hydraulic systems for actuating flaps, and the wing's own structure; consequently, the number and volume of cables to be managed is significant. STATE OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0007] The study and design of cable routing begins at the very start of wing development. Because space is limited within the wing, optimizing its use is essential for routing all the cables. Consequently, some cable trays are integrated into the wing structure. However, such cable trays often present the disadvantage of being difficult to access, particularly for maintenance operations.

[0008] Other cable trays are installed using mounting brackets on the wing structure. This routing optimizes the cable trays by adapting them to the wing structure and its various systems. Typically, cable trays made of unidirectionally extending mechanical profiles are used. However, these profiles must be cut and adjusted for precise installation on the wing structure during aircraft assembly, making this installation particularly complex and time-consuming.

[0009] To reduce installation time, cable trays can be manufactured individually to suit the routing, with installation supports also being used. This approach leads to increased complexity in terms of tooling and machining to accommodate the manufacturing of each cable tray. Therefore, this approach is not applicable to high-volume cable tray production.

[0010] These cable trays also have the disadvantage of complicating maintenance operations when a section of the cable tray needs to be replaced due to damage or a reconfiguration of the wiring. Indeed, manufacturing the replacement section of the cable tray leads to delays in the maintenance operation and prolonged aircraft downtime.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] To overcome the drawbacks of the prior art described above, the invention's main objective is to enable the simplified and rapid installation of cable trays within a structure. To this end, the invention provides for modular cable trays composed of extruded and flexible routing elements in conjunction with rigid support elements.

[0013] More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular cable tray for routing cable bundles within an aircraft wing structure. This cable tray comprises:

[0014] - a flexible routing module that extends linearly;

[0015] - at least two parallel and adjacent routing paths forming the routing module, each routing path being extruded according to a "U" profile and having two parallel side walls perpendicular to a bottom, the side walls and the bottom defining an interior;

[0016] - at least one rigid support module for the routing module.

[0017] In addition, each support module includes:

[0018] - an upper jaw which continuously covers the inside of each routing path and,

[0019] - means of reversible assembly of the support module to the routing module.

[0020] Advantageously, this modular cable tray allows for the rapid installation of cable harness routing elements within the aircraft wing structure. Because the support modules are mass-produced in advance of installation, they are readily available and usable. Furthermore, since the routing channels are manufactured by extrusion, the routing module can be quickly and easily cut to the required length. The flexibility of the routing module allows the cable tray to be adapted to the available space within the aircraft wing structure.

[0021] Advantageously, the modular cable tray construction is carried out quickly by reversible assembly of the support modules to the routing module, this reversible assembly allowing for simplified disassembly of the cable tray as well as the rapid replacement of any support module, which is particularly desirable during maintenance operations.

[0022] Advantageously, the separation gap between two adjacent routing paths optimizes the flexibility of the sidewalls of each path, as each sidewall is brought closer to the neutral fiber of each path. Furthermore, this separation gap also provides structural isolation for each routing path. Therefore, if a routing path is damaged, it can be replaced, as the adjacent routing path can maintain its structural integrity and continue to protect the cable bundle(s) it contains.

[0023] According to preferred embodiments taken alone or in combination: - the routing module includes a separation gap between two adjacent routing paths;

[0024] - the upper jaw has two outer framing walls for the routing module;

[0025] - each support module has a so-called lower jaw which, in combination with the upper jaw, completely encloses the routing module;

[0026] - each lower jaw has a base in contact with the bottom of the routing channels as well as two secondary framing walls covering the outer framing walls;

[0027] - the secondary framing walls include attachment interfaces for mounting a modular cable tray fixing plate to the wing structure;

[0028] - each lower jaw has at least one intermediate partition, an intermediate partition extending into each separation gap of the routing module; - each upper jaw has at least one insertion slot into which an intermediate partition is inserted;

[0029] - each support module includes at least one means of reversible assembly via routing;

[0030] - when a support module has two means of reversible assembly via routing, this support module can perform a junction between a first and a second routing module;

[0031] - the means of reversible assembly are chosen from plastic expansion clips, wing clips and snap buttons;

[0032] - Reversible assembly means are integrated into the upper jaw of each support module; - The base of each routing channel includes at least one opening adapted to reversible assembly means, and

[0033] - the base of each lower jaw has holes adapted for reversible assembly means.

[0034] Advantageously, the support modules allow the routing module to be attached and secured to the aircraft structure, providing additional rigidity to the entire cable tray to maintain its shape, while retaining sufficient flexibility to allow the cable tray to adapt to extreme vibration conditions and wing deflection during flight. In particular, this flexibility absorbs vibrations and thus provides greater resistance to stress in the wing by increasing the cable tray's fatigue resistance.

[0035] Advantageously also, when the support module has two means of reversible assembly by routing path, the support module makes it possible to make a junction between two routing modules and to extend the cable path.

[0036] PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] 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:

[0038] - Figure 1, a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of an example of a modular cable tray according to the invention with fixing supports and cable bundle assistance devices;

[0039] - Figure 2, an assembled perspective view of the portion of modular cable tray shown in Figure 1;

[0040] - Figure 3, an exploded perspective view of a portion of modular cable tray from Figure 1;

[0041] - Figure 4, a perspective view of the upper jaw of a cable tray support module according to Figure 1; - Figure 5, a perspective view of a flexible cable tray routing module according to Figure 1;

[0042] - Figure 6, a perspective view of the lower jaw of a cable tray support module as shown in Figure 1, and

[0043] - Figure 7, a cross-sectional view of the junction between a routing module and a cable tray support module according to Figure 1.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In the figures, identical reference symbols refer to the same element as well as to the corresponding passages in the description.

[0046] Figure 1 shows a partially exploded perspective view of an example of a modular cable tray 1 according to the invention, this modular cable tray 1 being intended for routing cable bundles in an aircraft wing structure (not shown) and being installed on the aircraft wing structure by two mounting plates 4a. These mounting plates 4a are, on the one hand, fitted by tabs 4e onto the attachment interfaces 3h of the modular cable tray 1 and, on the other hand, fixed to the wing structure by screws or rivets (not visible in Figure 1) inserted into holes 4b.

[0047] Retention assistance devices 4c and exit assistance devices 4d respectively retain the cable bundles within the routing paths 2b and guide their exit. These retention assistance devices 4c and exit assistance devices 4d are inserted and held, for example, by pressure within the rigid support modules 3. The modular cable tray of the invention is not limited to three routing paths or to the width of the routing paths illustrated in Figure 1.

[0048] The modular cable tray section 1 shown in Figure 2 comprises: - a routing module 2 extending linearly,

[0049] - three flexible, parallel and adjacent routing paths 2a forming the routing module 2 and - four rigid support modules 3 of the routing module 2 distributed regularly along this routing module 2.

[0050] In this example implementation, the central routing path 2a is wider than the two peripheral routing paths 2a, so this central routing path 2a is more suitable for carrying a wider cable bundle and / or more cable bundles than the peripheral routing paths 2a.

[0051] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a portion of modular cable tray 1 with three routing paths 2a. Since the cable trays extend linearly, each routing path 2a is advantageously manufactured by extrusion, this extrusion following a "U" profile comprising two parallel side walls 2c perpendicular to the bottom 2b, the side walls 2c and the bottom 2b defining an interior 2d. Two adjacent routing paths 2a are separated by a separation gap 2e along their side walls 2c. This embodiment therefore includes two separation gaps 2e, which prevent direct contact between two adjacent routing paths 2a and thus segregate the cable bundles carried within them.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a more detailed exploded view of the upper jaw 3a and the lower jaw 3d of the support module 3. The upper jaw 3a, with its serrated cross-section, continuously covers the interior 2d of each routing channel 2a and includes two outer framing walls 3b of the routing module 2. The lower jaw 3d has a base 3e in contact with the bottom 2b of the routing channels 2a, as well as two secondary framing walls 3g that cover the outer framing walls 3b of the upper jaw 3a. Thus, advantageously, the upper jaw 3a, in combination with the lower jaw 3d, completely encloses the routing module 2. The upper jaw 3a and the lower jaw 3d are also detailed in Figure 5 and Figure 6, respectively.

[0053] In addition, the lower jaw 3d has two intermediate partitions 3i perpendicular to the base 3e and extending into the two separating gaps 2e of the routing module 2. The intermediate partitions 3i of the lower jaw 3d each have a free end 3j which fit into the insertion slots 3c of the upper jaw 3a to fit the lower jaw 3d into the upper jaw 3a and thus clamp the routing module 2.

[0054] The perspective view in Figure 4 shows the serrated shape of the upper jaw 3a. This serrated shape allows it to conform to the U-shaped profiles of the three routing paths 2a to grip the routing module 2. The support module 3 has a reversible mounting means on the upper jaw 3a, here a plastic expansion clip 3k, for attaching the support module 3 to each routing path 2a of the routing module 2. In this embodiment, the expansion clips 3k are directly integrated into the upper jaw 3a. Alternatively, the reversible mounting means can be wing clips or snap fasteners, either integrated directly into the upper jaw 3a or inserted into holes in this upper jaw 3a.

[0055] The perspective view in Figure 5 shows the bases 2b of the routing channels 2a, these bases 2b being pierced with openings 2f adapted to the reversible assembly means of the support module 3. In this embodiment, the upper jaw 3a has three expansion clips 3k, each passing through a routing channel 2b. Each routing channel 2a is then individually assembled to the upper jaw 3a. The portion of the routing module 2 in Figure 5 has three rows of openings 2f which allow the installation of up to three support modules 3.

[0056] Similarly, as illustrated in Figure 6, the lower jaw 3d also has holes 3f adapted for reversible assembly means. These holes 3f are formed in the base 3e and are used to insert the expansion clips 3k. These expansion clips 3k then allow the upper jaw 3a and the lower jaw 3d to be assembled and the routing channels 2a to be secured. Furthermore, the interaction between the free ends 3j of the spacer partitions 3i of the lower jaw 3d and the insertion slots 3c of the upper jaw 3a ensures precise alignment of the holes 3f with the expansion clips 3k.

[0057] The secondary frame walls 3g of the lower jaw 3d incorporate the attachment interfaces 3h for mounting the fixing plates 4a of the modular cable tray 1 to the wing structure. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, these attachment interfaces 3h consist of guide rails 3I for the tabs 4e of the fixing plates 4a and retaining edges 3m for these tabs 4e. Alternatively, the attachment interfaces can be integrated into the upper jaw 3a of the support module 3.

[0058] The cross-sectional representation of the modular cable tray 1 illustrated in Figure 7 shows the "U" sections of the routing paths 2a. These routing paths 2a are enclosed by the upper jaw 3a whose crenellated cross-section structure covers the interior 2d and the side walls 2c of the routing paths 2 as well as the lower jaw 3d which covers the bottoms 2b of the routing paths 2.

[0059] Furthermore, the spacer partitions 3i are inserted into the separation gaps 2e between two adjacent routing paths 2, the free ends 3j of these spacer partitions 3i passing through the insertion slots 3c of the upper jaw 3a. Thus, the upper jaw 3a and the lower jaw 3d completely enclose the routing module 2, which strengthens the grip on this module, this assembly being held by the expansion clips 3k which retain each routing path 2a and the lower jaw 3d to the upper jaw 3a.

[0060] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and presented. Thus, a mounting plate can be directly integrated into a lower jaw, accelerating the installation of the cable tray in the aircraft structure.

[0061] In addition, the support module can be in one piece, with the lower jaw and upper jaw connected by a cord or hinge.

[0062] To improve the modularity of the cable tray, the support module can include two reversible assembly means per routing path to extend a routing path. Each of these two reversible assembly means is inserted into a routing path belonging to a different routing module and creates a junction between these two routing paths of a first and second routing module, respectively.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Modular cable tray (1) for routing cable bundles in an aircraft wing structure, this modular cable tray (1) comprising: - a routing module (2) extending linearly; - at least two parallel and adjacent routing paths (2a) forming the routing module (2), each routing path (2a) having two side walls (2c) parallel to each other and perpendicular to a bottom (2b) in a "U" profile, the side walls (2c) and the bottom (2b) defining an interior (2d); - at least one rigid support module (3) for the routing module (2); the modular cable tray (1) being characterized in that each routing path (2a) is flexible and extruded, and in that each support module (3) comprises: - a so-called upper jaw (3a) which continuously covers the interior (2d) of each routing path (2) and, - means for reversible assembly of the support module (3) to the routing module (2).

2. Modular cable tray (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the routing module (2) has a separation gap (2e) between two adjacent routing paths (2a).

3. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of claim 1 to claim 2, wherein the upper jaw (3a) comprises two outer framing walls (3b) of the routing module (2).

4. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein each support module (3) has a so-called lower jaw (3d) which, in combination with the upper jaw (3a), completely encloses the routing module (2).

5. Modular cable tray (1) according to claim 4 in combination with claim 3, wherein the lower jaw (3d) comprises a base (3e) in contact with the bottom (2b) of the routing paths (2a) and two secondary frame walls (3g) covering the outer frame walls (3b).

6. Modular cable tray (1) according to claim 5, wherein the secondary frame walls (3g) have attachment interfaces (3h) intended for mounting a fixing plate (4a) of the modular cable tray (1) to the wing structure.

7. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of claims 4 to claim 6 in combination with claim 2, wherein each lower jaw (3d) has at least one spacer partition (3i), a spacer partition (3i) extending into each separation gap (2e) of the routing module (2).

8. Modular cable tray (1) according to claim 7, wherein each upper jaw (3a) has at least one insertion slot (3c) into which an intermediate partition (3i) is inserted.

9. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support module (3) includes at least one means of reversible assembly by routing path (2a).

10. Modular cable tray (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, when a support module (3) has two means for reversible assembly by routing path (2a), this support module (3) makes a junction between a first and a second routing module (2).

11. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of claims 9 to claim 10, wherein the reversible assembly means are selected from plastic expansion clips (3k), wing clips and snap buttons.

12. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of claims 9 to claim 11, wherein the reversible assembly means are integrated into the upper jaw (3a) of each support module (3).

13. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of claims 9 to claim 12, wherein the bottom (2b) of each routing path (2a) has at least one light (2f) adapted to reversible assembly means.

14. Modular cable tray (1) according to any one of claims 9 to claim 13 in combination with claim 4, wherein the base (3e) of each lower jaw (3d) has holes (3f) adapted for reversible assembly means.

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