Human-machine interface

Abstract

This human-machine interface comprises: - a female part (58) having a cylindrical face (154) that lies opposite a cylindrical face (170) of a male part (56) only between a first plane (164) and a second plane (166), - two cylindrical channels (156, 158) formed in only one of the male and female parts, and a groove (174) formed in the cylindrical face of the other of the male and female parts. The groove (174) has an immobilising section (174) which extends in a plane perpendicular to an insertion axis (10), such that a curable material that fills both the groove and the channels forms a curable pin that prevents the male part from moving in translation within the female part irrespective of its adhesive force on the male and female parts. The immobilising section is spaced apart from the first and second planes (164, 166).

Description

[0001] Human-machine interface

[0002] [1] The invention relates to a human-machine interface and a method for assembling this human-machine interface.

[0003] [2] An example of such a human-machine interface is described in application FR1503972A.

[0004] [3] Such human-machine interfaces must be as robust as possible to prevent accidents. This is the case, for example, when such a human-machine interface is used to pilot an aircraft such as a plane or a helicopter. Furthermore, human-machine interfaces must have a limited footprint as much as possible. Because of this, the mechanical parts that make up such a human-machine interface are small, so many human-machine interfaces fall within the domain of micromechanics.

[0005] [4] Human-machine interfaces often include an assembly that locks a male part inside a female part during translation. In conventional mechanics, there are many solutions for creating such an assembly that is robust against vibration and temperature variations over long periods of time. For example, one such solution involves using a pin that passes completely through both the female and male parts. Another solution involves crimping the male part onto the female part or vice versa. Other solutions are also described in US patent applications US2017284449A1 and US2007071575A1. However, in micromechanics, the above solutions are not always available due to space constraints or the small size of the parts to be assembled.

[0006] [5] In ordinary mechanics, it is also known to inject glue between the threads of a nut and a bolt to fill the gap between them. Once the injected glue has dried, it prevents the nut from rotating. This locking occurs because the glue adheres to both the nut and bolt threads. This is described, for example, in application KR20030088661A. However, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the bolt and the nut differs from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glue. Thus, when this bolt and nut assembly is subjected to repeated temperature variations, the glue eventually loses its proper adhesion to either the nut or the bolt, and therefore fails to perform its function of locking the nut onto the bolt.Thus, assemblies using glue to permanently fix a male part inside a female part are not sufficiently robust over time and are therefore also unsuitable for the assembly of a human-machine interface.

[0007] [6] Thus, because of the constraints specific to the field of human-machine interfaces, either they include assemblies whose robustness is limited, or these human-machine interfaces include assemblies that are complex to produce.

[0008] [7] The invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing a human-machine interface that is more robust while remaining simple to produce.

[0009] [8] The invention is set forth in the attached set of claims.

[0010] [9] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0011] - Figure 1 is a schematic illustration, in vertical section, of a joystick in a neutral position;

[0012] - Figure 2 is a schematic illustration, in vertical section, of the joystick of Figure 1 in an inclined position;

[0013] - Figure 3 is a schematic illustration, in perspective and vertical section, of a portion of the joystick in Figure 1 comprising first and second mechanical assemblies,

[0014] - Figures 4 and 5 are perspective illustrations of parts from the first assembly shown in Figure 3.

[0015] - Figure 6 is a schematic illustration, in vertical section, of the first assembly of Figure 3,

[0016] - Figure 7 is a schematic illustration, top view, of the first assembly of Figure 3,

[0017] - Figure 8 is a top-view and perspective illustration of the second assembly shown in Figure 3.

[0018] - Figure 9 is a schematic illustration, in vertical section, of the second assembly of Figure 3; - Figures 10 and 11 are perspective illustrations of parts of the second assembly of Figure 3.

[0019] - Figure 12 is a flowchart of a joystick assembly process shown in Figure 1,

[0020] - Figure 13 is an illustration, in perspective and vertical section, of another human-machine interface comprising a third assembly,

[0021] - Figures 14 and 15 are perspective illustrations of parts of the third assembly shown in Figure 13.

[0022] - Figures 16 to 18 are schematic illustrations, in vertical section, of other embodiments of assemblies usable in a human-machine interface,

[0023] - Figure 19 is a schematic illustration, top view, of an additional variant of an assembly usable in a human-machine interface.

[0024]

[0010] In this description, the terminology, conventions, and definitions of the terms used in this text are introduced in Chapter I. Detailed examples of embodiments are then described in Chapter II with reference to the figures. In Chapter III, variations of these embodiments are presented. Finally, the advantages of the different embodiments are specified in Chapter IV.

[0025]

[0011] Chapter I: Definitions, terminology and conventions:

[0026]

[0012] In the figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0027]

[0013] In the remainder of this description, the well-known characteristics and functions of a person skilled in the art are not described in detail.

[0028]

[0014] The figures are oriented with respect to an orthogonal XYZ coordinate system, where the X and Y directions are horizontal and the Z direction is vertical. Terms such as "above", "below", "top", "bottom", "superior", "inferior" are defined with respect to the Z direction.

[0029]

[0015] The expression "an element made of a material A" or the expression "an element made of material A" means that material A represents 90% or 95% of the mass of that element.

[0030]

[0016] The term "diameter," when applied to a cylindrical element whose direction curve is not a circle, designates the hydraulic diameter of that element.

[0017] In this text, the hardnesses of the materials are expressed, at 25°C, on a Shore scale.

[0031]

[0018] Viscosity is typically measured at 25°C using a rotary viscometer. A rotary viscometer generally comprises a rotor, such as a cylinder or a disc, which rotates in the liquid at a constant speed. The resistance force generated by the liquid on the rotor is measured and converted into viscosity. Viscosity is expressed in millipascal-seconds (mPa·s) or centipoise (cP). One millipascal-second is equal to one centipoise.

[0032]

[0019] The angular offset p, around an insertion axis, between the first and second element locations is equal to the angle, in a projection plane perpendicular to the insertion axis, formed by:

[0033] - the orthogonal projection, onto the projection plane, of the half-line perpendicular to the insertion axis and whose origin is located on the insertion axis, which passes through the geometric center of the first location, and

[0034] - the orthogonal projection, in the projection plane, of the half-line perpendicular to the insertion axis and whose origin is located on the insertion axis, which passes through the geometric center of the second location.

[0035]

[0020] Chapter: Examples of embodiments

[0036]

[0021] Figures 1 to 11 show a human-machine interface used to pilot an aircraft such as an airplane or a helicopter. In this embodiment, the human-machine interface is a joystick 2 (Figs. 1 and 2) intended to be manipulated with a thumb to pilot the aircraft. For simplicity, only the upper part of the joystick 2 is shown in the figures.

[0037]

[0022] The joystick 2 comprises a stick 4 and a fixed chassis 6. The stick 4 is movable in rotation, around a center 8 of rotation, between a neutral position, represented in Figure 1 and an inclined position, represented in Figure 2. The neutral position corresponds to the angular position occupied by the stick 4 in the absence of external stress and therefore when the stick 4 is not manipulated by the pilot.

[0038]

[0023] The handle 4 extends primarily along an axis 10 from an upper part 12 to a lower part 14. Typically, the axis 10 passes through the center 8.

[0024] In this embodiment, in the neutral position, the axis 10 coincides with a vertical axis 20. The axis 20 is fixed without any degrees of freedom to the frame 6. The inclination of the handle 4 corresponds to the angle α (Fig. 2) between the axes 10 and 20.

[0039]

[0025] The upper part 12 includes a gripping means that allows the user to manually move the handle 4 between its neutral position and its inclined position. For example, the upper part 12 includes, in particular, a rod 22 that projects beyond an upper horizontal face 24 of the frame 6.

[0040]

[0026] In this embodiment, the handle 4 can pivot about all horizontal axes passing through the center 8. To this end, the handle 4 is mechanically connected to the frame 6 by means of a ball joint allowing all possible degrees of freedom in rotation about the center 8 and no degrees of freedom in translation. This joint is not shown in the figures.

[0041]

[0027] The handle 4 includes a pusher 54 that can be moved in translation along the axis 10 between a pressed position and a rest position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The pusher 54 includes a slide 56 and a cap 58 fixed, without any degree of freedom, to the upper end of the slide 56. Here, the slide 56 slides along the axis 10 inside the rod 22. For this purpose, the rod 22 is hollowed out along the axis 10 to provide a channel 60 (Figs. 1 and 9) which passes completely through the handle 4. The channel 60 guides the pusher 56 in translation along the axis 10. The channel 60 is cylindrical and, for example, its cross-section is circular.

[0042]

[0028] Correspondingly, the slide 56 is here an essentially cylindrical part received inside the channel 60.

[0043]

[0029] The lower part of the joystick 2 has a shoulder on which the slider 56 rests when the pusher 54 is in its rest position.

[0044]

[0030] The push button 54 moves from its rest position to its pressed position when a user presses the cap 58 with a finger. Conversely, the push button 54 automatically returns to its rest position as soon as the user releases the cap 58.

[0045]

[0031] To automatically return the push button 54 to its rest position, the joystick 2 is equipped with a return mechanism 62. For example, this return mechanism 62 comprises:

[0046] - a rim 70, fixed without any degree of freedom to the upper part of the rod 22, and

[0047] - a spring 72 interposed between this rim 70 and the cap 58.

[0032] The rim 70 has an upper face in which a spring seat 74 is provided. In this example, the seat 74 has an upward-projecting protrusion which is housed inside the lower coils of the spring 72. A spring seat 76 is also provided in an underside face of the cap 58. The spring 72 rests directly, on one side, on the seat 74 and, on the opposite side, on the seat 76. Here, the spring 72 is a helical spring whose coils wind around the slide 56.

[0048]

[0033] When the push button 54 is moved to its depressed position, the spring 72 is compressed between the seats 74 and 76 and thus stores potential energy. When the user releases the push button 54, the spring 72 relaxes, which automatically returns the push button 54 to its rest position.

[0049]

[0034] In this embodiment, to measure the angular position of the handle 4 relative to the chassis 6 and to detect the pressed position of the push button 54, the joystick 2 uses, for example, a permanent magnet fixed on the slider 56 and an electronic circuit fixed on the chassis 6. For example, this permanent magnet and this electronic circuit are arranged as described in application EP3881160.

[0050]

[0035] The joystick 2 also includes a mechanism for returning the joystick 4 to its neutral position. For example, this return mechanism is the same as that described in detail in application EP3881160, and only a spring 112 of this return mechanism is visible in Figure 1.

[0051]

[0036] Figures 3 to 7 show in more detail a first assembly 150 of the joystick 2. This assembly 150 comprises the cap 58 and the upper end of the slide 56 fixed, without any degree of freedom, inside this cap 58. In this assembly 150, the male part corresponds to the slide 56 and the female part corresponds to the cap 58. Because of the presence of the spring 72, it is difficult to access the lower part of the cap 58. Thus, the use of a conventional mechanical pin to make the assembly 150 is not feasible.

[0052]

[0037] The hat 58 has an outer face 152 (Fig. 3, 6 and 7), a cylindrical face 154 (Fig. 3, 6 and 7) and a recess 155 (Fig. 6 and 7).

[0053]

[0038] Here, the outer face 152 corresponds to the face against which the pilot presses to move the push button 54 to its depressed position. This face 152 therefore extends mainly in a horizontal plane.

[0039] The cylindrical face 154 defines a hollow housing inside which the upper end of the slide 56 is received. The direction curve of the cylindrical face 154 is centered on the axis 10, and its generatrices are parallel to this axis 10. Thus, in this embodiment, the insertion axis, along which the slide 56 must be moved to insert it into the cap 58, coincides with the axis 10 of the handle 4. Here, the direction curve of the cylindrical face 154 is a circle centered on the axis 10.

[0054]

[0040] The excavation 155 is made only in the cap 58. This excavation 155 has a portion which extends into the inside of the cap 58 in a direction not collinear with the axis 10. This excavation 155 opens on one side into the outer face 152 and, on the opposite side, into the cylindrical face 154.

[0055]

[0041] In this embodiment, the excavation 155 consists solely of two inclined channels 156 and 158 (Figs. 3, 6 and 7). These channels 156, 158 are cylindrical and their generatrices are inclined with respect to the insertion axis. These channels are symmetrical to each other with respect to a vertical plane containing the axis 10. Thus, these channels 156, 158 are angularly offset around the axis 10 by an angle p equal to 180°.

[0056]

[0042] For example, the angle between the axis 10 and the axis of revolution of the channel 156 is between 20° and 65° in this embodiment. Typically, the diameter of the channels 156, 158 is greater than 0.5 mm or 1 mm and less than 5 mm or 3 mm. Each of these channels 156, 158 opens on one side into the outer face 152 and, on the opposite side, into the cylindrical face 154. In the cylindrical face 154, the channels 156, 158 open at, respectively, an opening 160 and an opening 162 (Fig. 6). The openings 160, 162 are located between an upper plane 164 and a lower plane 166 (Figs. 4 and 6). These planes 164, 166 are perpendicular to axis 10. The planes 164 and 166 are separated from each other by a distance greater than 1 mm or 3 mm. The mouths 160, 162 are separated from these planes 164, 166. Here, the shortest distance between each of these mouths 160, 162 and the planes 164, 166 is greater than 0.5 mm and, preferably, greater than 1 mm.

[0057]

[0043] The slide 56 has a cylindrical face 170 (Figs. 4, 6 and 7) opposite the cylindrical face 154. The direction curve of this cylindrical face 170 is centered on the axis 10 and its generatrices are parallel to the axis 10. The face 170 is opposite the face 154 only between the planes 164 and 166.

[0044] Here, the direction curve of the face 170 is chosen so that the clearance between the faces 154 and 170 is less than 0.05 mm and, preferably, less than 0.01 mm. To this end, the direction curve of the face 170 is a circle whose diameter is equal to the diameter of the direction curve of the face 154 to within 0.05 mm or 0.01 mm.

[0058]

[0045] In the case of the assembly 150, the face 170 is press-fitted inside the face 154. Thus, the play between the faces 170 and 154 is zero, which already allows for a first translational locking of the slide 56 inside the cap 58. In the assembly 150, the faces 154 and 170 are without threads.

[0059]

[0046] To ensure the long-term stability of this initial translational locking, the slide 56 has a groove 174 (Figs. 4 and 6) cut into the cylindrical face 170. This groove 174 is shaped to prevent the slide 56 from moving within the cap 58 when it is filled with a hard material. For this purpose, the groove 174 is entirely located between the planes 164 and 166 and is set back from these planes. The groove 174 has a locking section extending in a median plane 176 (Figs. 4 and 6) perpendicular to the axis 10. Here, the groove 174 extends only in this median plane 176, so that it consists solely of this locking section. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the groove 174 has a portion directly opposite the mouthpiece 160 and another portion directly opposite the mouthpiece 162.

[0060]

[0047] Here, the groove 174 is an annular groove centered on the axis 10, which makes a complete circumference around this axis 10. Thus, the groove 174 opens outside the assembly 150 only via the channels 156 and 158. This groove 174 is delimited by horizontal annular walls 178 and 180 (Fig. 6) located, respectively, below and above the plane 176, and by a cylindrical bottom 182 centered on the axis 10 (Fig. 6). The width and depth of the groove 174 are adapted for the implementation of the assembly method described with reference to Figure 12. For this purpose, typically, the width of the groove 174, that is, the distance between the walls 178 and 180, is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm or 1 mm. Generally, the width of groove 174 is less than 5 mm. The depth of groove 174 is typically greater than 0.1 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.5 mm. Generally, the depth of groove 174 is less than 5 mm or 2 mm.

[0061]

[0048] The assembly 150 also includes a block 190 (Fig. 5) of hardenable material that fills both the channels 156, 158 and the groove 174. To improve the readability of Figure 6, as well as Figures 9 and 16 to 19, the hardenable material has not been shown in these figures. Furthermore, again to improve the readability of Figures 6, 7, 9 and 16 to 19, the various parts shown in these figures are separated from each other by gaps. However, in reality these gaps do not exist or are very small compared to the dimensions of the parts.

[0062]

[0049] The hardenable material is a material that initially exists in a paste-like state and then hardens to a solid state. In the paste-like state, this material can be injected, via the channel 156, to fill this channel 156, then the groove 174 and the other channel 158. In the solid state, this material forms a pin 192 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) which prevents the slide 56 from moving within the cap 58, regardless of its adhesion force to the slide 56 and the cap 58. Since this pin 192 is made of a hardenable material, the pin 192 is referred to as the "hardenable pin" in this text.

[0063]

[0050] In its solid state, the hardness of the curable material is between 60 and 100 on the Shore D scale and, preferably, between 75 and 100 or between 80 and 100 on the Shore D scale. By comparison, the hardness of a standard adhesive once dry varies between 20 and 80 on the Shore A scale depending on its composition and application, which corresponds to a hardness of less than 35 on the Shore D scale. Thus, in its solid state, the curable material used here is much harder than a standard adhesive.

[0064]

[0051] In the solid state, preferably, the shear modulus of the hardenable material is greater than 0.025 GPa or 0.07 GPa and, advantageously, greater than 0.2 GPa or 0.5 GPa or 1 GPa.

[0065]

[0052] In the paste state, the viscosity of the curable material is typically greater than 10 Pa.s or 20 Pa.s and, preferably, greater than 30 Pa.s. By way of comparison, the viscosity of a standard adhesive is often between 2 Pa.s and 6 Pa.s. Thus, the curable material used here is preferably more viscous than a standard adhesive, which prevents the curable material from leaking out of the groove 174 and the channels 156, 158. In particular, this limits the amount of curable material that can leak through any gap between the faces 154 and 170.

[0053] Preferably, the viscosity of the curable material is also less than 500 Pa.s or 100 Pa.s to facilitate the injection of this curable material into the channels 156, 158 and the groove 174.

[0066]

[0054] Here, by way of illustration, the curable material is epoxy resin. After polymerization:

[0067] - The hardness of this epoxy resin is between 80 and 85 on the Shore D scale.

[0068] - its shear modulus is generally between 1 GPa and 2 GPa, and

[0069] - its adhesion on cylindrical faces, measured according to the shear test, is generally between 15 MPa and 35 MPa before aging.

[0070]

[0055] When injected into the inlet channel, the viscosity of the epoxy resin is generally between 30 and 50 Pa.s or between 30 and 45 Pa.s.

[0071]

[0056] For example, the epoxy resin used here is the epoxy resin marketed under the name: LOCTITE® STYCAST 2850FT or LOCTITE® CATALYST 23 LV.

[0072]

[0057] Figures 3 and 8 to 11 show a second assembly 200 of the joystick 2. This assembly 200 comprises the rim 70 and the rod 22 fixed, without any degree of freedom, inside the rim 70. In this assembly 200, the male part corresponds to the rod 22 and the female part corresponds to the rim 70. Because of the presence of the slide 56 which slides inside the rod 22, the use of a conventional mechanical pin that would pass completely through the rod 22 is not feasible.

[0073]

[0058] Assembly 200 is similar to assembly 150 except that the flange 70 is screwed onto the rod 22 and not press-fitted. Therefore, assembly 200 is described more briefly hereafter, as the non-detailed features can be deduced from what has been described for assembly 150.

[0074]

[0059] The rim 70 has an outer face 202 (Fig. 8 and 9), a cylindrical face 204 (Fig. 9) and an excavation 205 (Fig. 9).

[0075]

[0060] Here, the outer face 202 corresponds to a portion of the upper face of the rim 70 surrounded by coils of the spring 72. This face 202 extends mainly in a horizontal plane.

[0076]

[0061] The cylindrical face 204 is, for example, identical to the cylindrical face 154 except that it is made in the rim 70 and that it has a thread 204f (Fig. 9).

[0077]

[0062] The excavation 205 is formed solely in the rim 70. In this embodiment as well, the excavation 205 consists solely of two inclined channels 206 and 208 (Figs. 8 and 9). These channels 206, 208 are, for example, identical to channels 156, 158 except that they are formed in the rim 70. In the cylindrical face 204, the channels 206, 208 open at, respectively, an opening 210 and an opening 212 (Fig. 9). The openings 210 and 212 are located in the cylindrical face 204 in the same manner as described for the openings 160, 162.

[0078]

[0063] The rod 22 has a cylindrical face 220 (Figs. 9 and 10) opposite the cylindrical face 204. The cylindrical face 220 is, for example, identical to the cylindrical face 170 except that it is formed in the rod 22 and has a thread 220f (Fig. 9) corresponding to the thread 204f. In the assembly 200, the face 220 is screwed into the inside of the face 204 to obtain an initial translational locking of the rod 22 inside the rim 70. Thus, in the case of the assembly 200, the face 220 is not press-fitted into the inside of the face 204.

[0079]

[0064] To ensure the long-term stability of this initial translational locking, the rod 22 has a groove 224 (Fig. 9 and 10) cut into the cylindrical face 220. This groove 224 is identical to the groove 174 except that it is cut into the rod 22.

[0080]

[0065] The assembly 200 also includes a block 230 (Figs. 3 and 11) made of hardenable material that fills both the channels 206, 208 and the groove 224. In its solid state, this block 230 forms a hardenable pin 232 (Figs. 3 and 11) that locks the rod 22 and the rim 70 against rotation, preventing the assembly from unscrewing. Thus, the rod 22 and the rim 70 are blocked against translation.

[0081]

[0066] The assembly process for joystick 2 will now be described with reference to Figure 12. To simplify the description, only the steps for assembling parts 150 and 200 are described in detail. The other assembly steps for the remaining parts of joystick 2 are, for example, carried out conventionally.

[0082]

[0067] Initially, during a step 300, the rod 22 is supplied and then mounted inside the frame 6. At this stage, the rod 22 is devoid of the rim 70 and the slide 56.

[0083]

[0068] During a step 308, the rim 70 is supplied and then assembled onto the rod 22.

[0084]

[0069] For this purpose, during an operation 310, the cylindrical face 220 of the rod 22 is inserted inside the housing delimited by the cylindrical face 204. For this purpose, the rim 70 is screwed onto the rod 22. At the end of the operation 310, the mouths 210 and 212 are also opposite the groove 224 and the outer face 202 of the rim 70 is easily accessible.

[0070] Then, in operation 312, the curable material, in a paste-like state, is injected into channel 206 until it reaches or overflows the orifice of channel 208 located in the upper face 202 of the rim 70. For example, the curable material in a paste-like state is injected into channel 206 using a syringe. In operation 312, channel 206 therefore acts as the inlet channel while channel 208 acts as the outlet channel. The outlet channel allows the air expelled by the injected curable material to escape.At the end of operation 312, channels 206, 208 and groove 224 are filled with curable material. During this operation 312, the viscosity of the curable material in the paste state is, for example, between 10 Pa.s and 100 Pa.s.

[0085]

[0071] During an operation 314, the material injected into the channels 206, 208 and the groove 224 hardens. Once the injected material is in its solid state, this block of hardenable material forms the hardenable pin 232 which immobilizes, in translation and rotation, the rim 70 on the rod 22.

[0086]

[0072] During a step 320, the slider 56 is inserted from below into the channel 60 of the rod 22 until its upper end protrudes from the rim 70.

[0087]

[0073] During a step 322, the spring 72 is placed around the upper end of the slide 56 which protrudes above the rim 70. The spring 72 is then directly in contact with the seat 74.

[0088]

[0074] Next, in a step 324, the cap 58 is assembled onto the upper end of the slide 56.

[0089]

[0075] This step 324 is carried out in the same way as step 308 except that the rim 70 is replaced by the cap 58, the rod 22 is replaced by the slide 56 and the insertion of the cylindrical face 170 of the slide 56 into the housing delimited by the cylindrical face 154 of the cap 58 consists of forcing the cylindrical face 170 into the housing.

[0090]

[0076] Figures 13 to 15 depict another human-machine interface 350. The interface 350 comprises a knob 352 fixed without any degrees of freedom to the upper end of a sleeve 354, itself fixed without any degrees of freedom to the upper end of a rod 356. The rod 356 rotates about a vertical axis 357. For this purpose, the rod 356 is mounted on a bearing 358 received inside the rod 356. The axis of rotation of the rod 356 is vertical.

[0077] To fix the sleeve 354 to the rod 356, an assembly 360 (Figs. 13 and 14) similar to the assemblies 150 and 200 described previously is used. For this purpose, channels 362, 364 (Fig. 13) are cut into the sleeve 354 from an outer face 366 to an inner cylindrical face into which the upper end of the rod 356 is screwed. The axis of insertion of the rod 356 inside the sleeve 354 is therefore coincident with the axis 357.Here, the axis of revolution of channels 362, 364 is parallel to the X direction. Thus, in this embodiment, the angle between the axis of revolution of channels 362, 364 and axis 357 is equal to 90°.

[0091]

[0078] The rod 356 has an annular groove 367 (Fig. 14) portions of which are directly opposite the mouths of the channels 362 and 364 in the inner cylindrical face of the sleeve 354.

[0092]

[0079] A block 368 (Fig. 15) of hardenable material completely fills the channels 362, 364 and the groove 367. The hardenable material is, for example, the same as that described in the case of the assembly 150. In the solid state, this block 368 of hardenable material forms a hardenable pin 370 (Fig. 15) which blocks the translation of the rod 356 inside the sleeve 354.

[0093]

[0080] Examples of other possible embodiments of the assemblies 150, 200, and 360 are now described with reference to Figures 16 to 19. These embodiments are described in a generic case of a male part 450 assembled inside a female part 452. Everything described in this generic case can be applied to the assembly of a male and female part of a human-machine interface such as a joystick. In this generic case:

[0094] - the channels corresponding to channels 156 and 158 bear the numerical references, respectively, 456 and 458,

[0095] - the groove corresponding to groove 174 bears the numerical reference 464,

[0096] - the outer and cylindrical face of the part in which the channels 456, 458 are made bear the numerical references, respectively, 466 and 468,

[0097] - the cylindrical face opposite cylindrical face 468 bears the numerical reference 470,

[0098] - the insertion axis of the male part 450 inside the housing delimited by the cylindrical face of the female part 452 bears the numerical reference 472

[0099]

[0081] In Figures 16 to 19, the block of hardenable material that fills the channels 456, 458 and the groove 464 has not been shown to improve the readability of these figures. However, it should be understood that, as in the case of assemblies 150, 200 and 360, the assemblies shown in these figures all include a block of hardenable material that fills these channels 456, 458 and the groove 464. Therefore, in the solid state, this block of hardenable material forms a hardenable pin that functions as described in the preceding examples.

[0100]

[0082] Figure 16 schematically represents an assembly 480 in which the channels 456, 458 are made in the male part 450 and the groove 464 is made in the female part 452.

[0101]

[0083] Figure 17 shows an assembly 482 in which the groove 464 has a blocking section 484 and two vertical sections 486 and 488. Section 484 extends only in a horizontal plane but is not directly opposite the mouths of channels 456 and 458. Here, the mouths of channels 456 and 458 are located above the horizontal plane in which section 484 extends. The vertical sections 486 and 488 serve to fluidly connect section 484 to channels 456 and 458, respectively. For this purpose, unlike the blocking section 484, sections 486 and 488 extend mainly vertically from a portion directly opposite a respective mouth to section 484. Sections 486 and 488 do not go around the axis 472.

[0102]

[0084] Figure 18 shows an assembly 490 in which, in addition to the annular groove 464 cut into the male part 450, the assembly 490 also includes another annular groove 492 opposite the groove 464 but cut into the cylindrical face 468 of the female part 452. The groove 492 makes a complete circumference around the axis 472. In this case, the openings of the channels 456 and 458 are located at the bottom of the groove 492. Thus, in this embodiment, the openings of the channels 456 and 458 open into the cylindrical face 468 by way of the groove 492.

[0103]

[0085] Figure 19 shows an assembly 496 in which the groove 464 does not go around the axis 472 completely. Thus, in this embodiment, the groove 464 starts at a first portion opposite the mouth of the channel 456 and extends to a second portion opposite the mouth of the channel 458. Between the first portion and the second portion, the groove 464 extends over an angular sector, centered on the axis 472, whose apex angle is greater than 240° and, preferably, greater than 300°. However, the first and second portions are separated by a partition 498. Consequently, the hardenable material injected into the groove 464 via the channel 456 can only exit via the channel 458 after having traveled the entire groove 264 from its first portion to its second portion.

[0104]

[0086] Chapter III: Variants:

[0105]

[0087] Groove variants:

[0106]

[0088] Alternatively, when the angular offset p between the mouths of the two channels is equal to 180°, the groove passes only on one side of the insertion axis.

[0107]

[0089] The same groove may include several horizontal blocking sections distributed one above the other in the vertical direction. In this case, the groove also includes vertical sections used to connect each of these horizontal sections to the channel openings.

[0108]

[0090] Channel variants:

[0109]

[0091] The number of channels may exceed two. The number and positions of the channels are then adjusted to ensure and facilitate complete filling of the groove by the curable material. For example, when the assembly has more than two channels, these channels are evenly distributed around the insertion axis.

[0110]

[0092] The roles of the channels can be reversed. In particular, each channel can be used either to inject the curable material or to expel the air pushed by the curable material. However, preferably, at least one of the channels is used to inject the curable material and another channel is used to expel the air.

[0111]

[0093] Alternatively, the angular offset p between the two channels is different from 180°. However, generally, this angular offset p is between 90° and 270°.

[0112]

[0094] Variants of the hardenable material:

[0113]

[0095] The curable material may be a material other than epoxy resin. For example, the curable material may be a plastic suitable for injection into the channels and groove. Such a plastic is, for example, rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polycarbonate (PC). The curable material may also be cement.

[0114]

[0096] The shear modulus of the hardenable material is not necessarily greater than 0.025 GPa. For example, alternatively, the hardenable pin functions as a shear pin. In this case, the hardenable material is chosen to have a shear modulus that allows the hardenable pin to break when the shear force exerted on it exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0115]

[0097] Similarly, when the hardenable pin is designed to function as a shear pin, the hardness of the hardenable material may be less than 60 on the Shore D scale.

[0116]

[0098] The viscosity of the curable material can be less than 10 Pa.s. A low viscosity of the curable material is particularly possible if the gap between the cylindrical faces does not exist as in the case of a press fit of the male part into the female part.

[0117]

[0099] Conversely, the viscosity of the curable material can also be greater than 500 Pa.s. In this case, the pressure to be exerted to inject this curable material inside the channels and the groove is much greater and requires the use of special equipment.

[0118]

[0100] Other variants:

[0119]

[0101] Alternatively, the housing in the female part is not through-hole.

[0120]

[0102] In a particular embodiment, a gap exists between the cylindrical faces of the male and female parts. The thickness of this gap is sufficiently small so that, during the injection of the curable material, the majority of the curable material fills the groove, and only a small portion is introduced into this gap. In this case, after curing, if the adhesion force of the curable material on the male or female part is weak, then, after the male and female parts are assembled, the male part can be freely rotated around the insertion axis within the housing of the female part. Thus, the assembly between the male and female parts can, alternatively, allow one degree of rotational freedom around the insertion axis of the male part.

[0121]

[0103] The cross-sections of the cylindrical faces are not necessarily circular. Alternatively, these cross-sections are rectangular or octagonal or any other suitable shape.

[0122]

[0104] The assemblies described in this text, which improve the robustness of a joystick, can be applied to any human-machine interface used to pilot an aircraft or other types of vehicles or devices. For example, these assemblies can be implemented in buttons, dials, sliders, steering wheels, joysticks, or any other human-machine interface.

[0123]

[0105] The assembly described herein can also be implemented in any technical field where space constraints make it difficult to use a conventional pin to lock a male part into a female part. Thus, the teaching given in this text is not limited to the field of human-machine interfaces. For example, the assemblies described herein can be used in an engine, cockpit equipment, a circuit breaker, or in watchmaking.

[0124]

[0106] It is also possible to implement the assemblies described above in contexts where the space constraints of the parts do not arise. In this case, the recess does not necessarily have at least two channels. In fact, it is sufficient for the recess to include a portion that prevents the translation of the male part inside the female part when it is filled with the hardenable material in its solid state. To achieve this, this portion of the recess extends into the part in which it is formed, in a direction that is not collinear with the insertion axis. Thus, as an illustration of an embodiment without channels, the recess includes an annular molding located at the intersection between the outer face and the cylindrical face of the part in which the recess is formed. This annular molding is centered on the insertion axis and makes a complete circumference around the insertion axis.This annular molding extends, in part, opposite the groove so as to form, when the male part is inserted into the female part, an annular opening that leads into the groove. The cross-sectional profile of this annular molding comprises at least two segments, each extending along respective straight lines that intersect the insertion axis. These two segments thus define the lateral faces of the portion of the recess that extends into this part in a direction that is not collinear with the insertion axis. When the male part is inserted into the female part, this annular molding forms, on the outer face of the part in which it is formed, a circular opening that circumvents the insertion axis. The curable material is then injected into this recess through this circular opening. The air expelled by the injected curable material also escapes through this same circular opening.Therefore, what has been described in this request also concerns any assembly which has the following characteristics: - a female part having a first cylindrical face which delimits a hollow housing, the direction curve of this first cylindrical face being centered on an insertion axis and the generatrices of this first cylindrical face being parallel to this insertion axis,.

[0125] - a male part comprising a second cylindrical face opposite the first cylindrical face, the direction curve of this second cylindrical face being centered on the insertion axis and deduced from the direction curve of the first cylindrical face by homothety, and the generatrices of the second cylindrical face being parallel to the insertion axis, the second cylindrical face being opposite the first cylindrical face only between a first plane and a second plane distant from each other and both perpendicular to the insertion axis,

[0126] - an excavation made solely in the male or female part and which includes a portion which extends into the interior of this part in a direction not collinear with the insertion axis, this excavation opening on one side into an exterior face of the part in which it is made and, on the opposite side, into the cylindrical face of this part at the level of at least one opening located between the first and second planes,

[0127] - a groove cut into the cylindrical face of the part, chosen from the group consisting of the male and female parts, in which the excavation is not carried out, this groove being entirely situated between the first and second planes and extending opposite said part by at least one opening, and

[0128] - a block of hardenable material that fills both the groove and the excavation, in which:

[0129] - the groove includes a locking section extending in a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis, such that the hardenable material filling both the groove and the excavation forms a hardenable pin which, by itself, locks the male part inside the female part in translation, independently of its adhesion strength on the cylindrical faces, and

[0130] - the blocking section is far from the foreground and background.

[0131]

[0107] Several of the variants described above can be combined in the same embodiment.

[0132]

[0108] Chapter IV: Advantages of the described embodiments:

[0109] The fact that the groove has a locking section extending perpendicularly to the insertion axis allows, by itself, the male part to be held translationally locked inside the housing even if the adhesion of the curable material to the male and female parts is zero or very weak. Thus, the translational locking of the male part inside the female part no longer depends on the quality of the adhesion between the curable material and the male and female parts. This therefore makes this locking much more robust, particularly when the assembly is subjected to significant and repeated temperature variations.

[0133]

[0110] The fact that the locking section is located away from the upper and lower planes allows the translation of the male part to be blocked even in the absence of threads in the cylindrical faces. Thus, the hardening pin fulfills its function even if the cylindrical faces are not threaded, as in the case of a press fit.

[0134]

[0111] The presence of two channels allows one of these channels to be used for injecting the curable material and the other as a vent, thus controlling the filling of the groove with the curable material. Furthermore, these channels extend into the part in which they are formed at an oblique angle. Therefore, these channels also prevent the curable pin from moving. The fact that the same channels perform two different functions—namely, facilitating the filling of the groove with the curable material and preventing the curable pin from moving—simplifies the assembly and makes it more robust.

[0135]

[0112] The hardenable pin described in this text is functionally equivalent to a conventional mechanical pin. However, compared to a conventional pin, this hardenable pin offers numerous advantages. For example, it can be used in situations where it is not possible to pass completely through the cylindrical portion of the male part. This is particularly useful when this cylindrical portion is hollowed out to receive another removable part. The hardenable pin can be used even when it is not possible to access the lateral faces of the female part. Finally, the hardenable pin has no protruding ends on any face of the female part. Thus, the use of the hardenable pin does not increase the overall size of the assembly.

[0113] When the groove comprises only the locking section and makes a complete circumference of the insertion axis, the translational locking of the male part is stronger. Furthermore, this simplifies assembly because the angular position of the male part relative to the female part can be arbitrary.

[0136]

[0114] The fact that the angular offset p between the mouths is equal to 180° ensures that the hardenable pin extends over at least 180° around the insertion axis.

[0137]

[0115] When the portions of the groove opposite the mouths are arranged in the locking section, this simplifies the making of the assembly.

[0138]

[0116] The press fit of the male part inside the housing improves the robustness of the assembly since the translation of the male part along the insertion axis is then prevented both by the press fit and by the hardening pin. This ensures reliability for applications with a high level of operational safety.

[0139]

[0117] The fact that the male part is screwed inside the housing also improves the robustness of the assembly, since translation of the male part along the insertion axis is then prevented by both the thread and the hardening pin. This ensures reliability for applications with a high level of operational safety.

[0140]

[0118] The fact that the groove depth is greater than 0.1 mm and its width is greater than 0.5 mm facilitates the introduction of the curable material into the groove. This also increases the shear strength of the curable pin.

[0141]

[0119] The fact that the shear modulus of the hardenable material is greater than 0.025 GPa increases the robustness of the assembly.

[0142]

[0120] The fact that the hardness of the hardenable material is between 60 and 100 on the Shore D scale also increases the robustness of the assembly.

[0143]

[0121] The fact that, during injection, the viscosity of the curable material is greater than 10 Pa.s, makes it possible to avoid leaks of curable material through a gap which may possibly exist between the two opposing cylindrical faces.

Claims

Demands 1. Human-machine interface comprising: - a female part (58; 70; 354; 452) comprising a first cylindrical face (154; 204; 470) which delimits a hollow housing, the direction curve of this first cylindrical face being centered on an insertion axis (10; 357; 472) and the generatrices of this first cylindrical face being parallel to this insertion axis, - a male part (22; 56; 356; 450) having a second cylindrical face (170; 220; 468) opposite the first cylindrical face, the director curve of this second cylindrical face being centered on the insertion axis and deduced from the director curve of the first cylindrical face by a homothety and the generatrices of the second cylindrical face being parallel to the insertion axis, the second cylindrical face being opposite the first cylindrical face only between a first plane (164) and a second plane (166) far apart from each other and both perpendicular to the insertion axis, - first and second cylindrical channels (156, 158; 206, 208; 362, 364; 456, 458) made only in the male or female part, the generatrices of these first and second channels being inclined with respect to the axis of insertion, these first and second channels opening on one side into an external face (152; 202; 466) of the part in which they are made and, on the opposite side, into the cylindrical face of this part at the level, respectively, of a first and a second mouths (160, 162; 210, 212) located between the first and second planes, - a groove (174; 224; 367; 464) cut into the cylindrical face of the piece, chosen from the group consisting of the male and female pieces, in which the channels are not made, this groove being entirely located between the first and second planes and extending opposite the first and second mouths, and - a block (190; 230; 368) of hardenable material which fills both the groove and the channels, characterized in that: - the groove (174; 224; 367; 464) has a locking section (174; 224; 367; 464) which extends in a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis so that the hardenable material which fills both the groove and the channels forms a pin hardenable, which locks the male part in translation inside the female part, regardless of its adhesion strength to the male and female parts, and - the blocking section is far from the foreground and background (164, 166).

2. Human-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein the groove comprises only the locking section (174; 224; 367; 464) and the groove makes a complete turn around the insertion axis.

3. Human-machine interface according to claim 2, wherein the locations of the first and second mouths (160, 162; 210, 212) are offset, relative to each other, by 180° around the insertion axis.

4. Human-machine interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking section (174; 224; 367; 464) of the groove comprises first and second portions opposite, respectively, the first and second mouths.

5. Human-machine interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second cylindrical face (170) is press-fitted inside the first cylindrical face.

6. Human-machine interface according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and second cylindrical faces (204, 220) have threads (204f, 220f) screwed into each other.

7. Human-machine interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove depth (174; 224; 367; 464) is greater than 0.1 mm and the groove width is greater than 0.5 mm.

8. Human-machine interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shear modulus of the hardenable material is greater than 0.025 GPa.

9. Human-machine interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hardness of the hardenable material, in the solid state, is between 60 and 100 on the Shore D scale.

10. Human-machine interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the human-machine interface is selected from the group consisting of the following human-machine interfaces: - a human-machine interface designed for piloting a vehicle, and - a human-machine interface in which the male part (22; 356) is a hollow cylinder inside which is mounted a shaft (56; 358) which extends along the insertion axis, this shaft being movable, in rotation or in translation, relative to the hollow cylinder.

11. A method for assembling a human-machine interface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: - the supply (308) of a female part comprising a first cylindrical face which delimits a hollow housing, the direction curve of this first cylindrical face being centered on an insertion axis and the generatrices of this first cylindrical face being parallel to this insertion axis, - the supply of a male part (300) having a second cylindrical face suitable for insertion into the housing of the female part so as to be opposite the first cylindrical face only between a first plane and a second plane far apart from each other and both perpendicular to the insertion axis, this second cylindrical face being shaped so that, when inserted into the housing of the female part, its directrix curve is centered on the insertion axis and deduced from the directrix curve of the first cylindrical face by a homothety and the generatrices of the second cylindrical face are parallel to the insertion axis, - the supply (308) of first and second cylindrical channels formed solely in the male or female part, the generatrices of these first and second channels being arranged to be inclined with respect to the insertion axis when the second cylindrical face is inserted inside the housing of the female part, these first and second channels opening, on one side, into an external face of the part in which they are formed and, on the opposite side, into the cylindrical face of this part. level, respectively, of a first and a second mouth located between the first and second planes when the cylindrical face is inserted inside the female part, - the supply (300) of a groove cut into the cylindrical face of the part, chosen from the group consisting of the male part and the female part, in which the channels are not made, this groove being shaped to be entirely situated between the first and second planes and to extend opposite the first and second mouths when the second cylindrical face is inserted inside the housing of the female part, - the insertion (310) of the second cylindrical face of the male part into the housing of the female part until its second cylindrical face is opposite the first cylindrical face only between the first and second planes, the direction curve of this second cylindrical face then being centered on the insertion axis and the generatrices of the second cylindrical face then being parallel to the insertion axis, then - the injection (312) through the first channel of a curable material in a paste-like state until it fills both the groove and the channels, then - the hardening (314) of the hardenable material inside both the groove and the channels to reach a solid state in which it forms a rigid block of hardenable material, characterized in that: - the groove includes a locking section extending in a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis, such that the hardenable material filling both the groove and the channels forms, in its solid state, a hardenable pin that locks the male part in translation inside the female part independently of its adhesion strength to the male and female parts, and - the blocking section is far from the foreground and background.

12. A method according to claim 13, wherein, during the injection of the curable material, the viscosity of the curable material is greater than 10 Pa.s.

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