Harness-retaining clip for an aircraft engine testing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a clip (30) for retaining a harness (24) for an aircraft engine testing machine (10), the clip (30) being formed as a single piece with two lateral legs (32, 34) connected by a bridge (36) extending between the legs (32, 34), a first of the lateral legs (32) comprising two branches (38, 40) which extend along an axis (A) perpendicular to the bridge (36) and which define between them a space (42) through which a harness (24) can pass, the branches (38, 40) having first axial ends (38a, 40a) connected together and to the bridge (36) and second axial ends (38b, 40b) which are opposite the first axial ends (38a, 40a) and which define a narrowed section (44) of said space (42).

Description

Description TITLE: HARNESS RETAINING CLIP FOR AN AIRCRAFT ENGINE TEST MACHINE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the aeronautical field and in particular to aircraft engine testing machines. It specifically relates to a harness retaining clip for such a testing machine, as well as a testing machine comprising one or more clips. Technological background

[0002] The prior art includes in particular the documents US-A1-2014 / 157868, KR-Y1-200426812, WO-A1-2018 / 034200 and US-A1-2012 / 115347.

[0003] An aircraft engine undergoes numerous tests during its design or certification. For this purpose, it is common practice to use a test machine that replicates all or part of the engine and is equipped with various data acquisition devices necessary to collect data during the different tests.

[0004] These devices are generally electronic devices that are electrically connected to other devices via wiring harnesses. Examples of equipment in a test machine include MDAUs (Modules Data Acquisition Units).

[0005] During testing, the harnesses are regularly disconnected and reconnected to sockets on the test machine. Therefore, it is important that the harnesses remain removably connected to the test machine.

[0006] Furthermore, due to vibrations during operation during testing, it is important to ensure that the harnesses remain securely attached to the test machine, in particular to prevent them from unintentionally disconnecting from the test machine.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to ensure this connection is maintained during testing. One solution would be to incorporate primary elements on the harnesses that would engage via elastic snap-fit ​​with secondary elements on the test machine's connectors when the harnesses are connected to these connectors. However, there is a risk of fatigue and breakage of these primary and secondary elements due to the frequent disconnections and reconnections of the harnesses during testing.

[0008] The present invention offers a simple, effective and economical solution to this problem. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention provides for this purpose a harness retaining clip, in particular for an aircraft engine test machine, the clip being formed of a single piece with two lateral tabs connected by a bridge extending between the tabs, a first of the lateral tabs having two branches which extend along an axis perpendicular to the bridge and which define between them a space suitable for a harness to pass through, the branches having first axial ends connected together and to the bridge and second axial ends which are opposite to the first axial ends and which form a narrowing of said space.

[0010] The invention thus offers a simple, quick, and economical solution for securing harnesses to a test machine during testing. The advantage of these clips lies in their simple design and use. Furthermore, they are easily assembled, disassembled, and reassembled, and can therefore be used multiple times on the same test machine or on several test machines.

[0011] The staple can be made of plastic or composite material, for example by 3D printing. Their simplicity and the material they are made of mean that they can be inexpensive to manufacture (less than 1 euro per staple for example).

[0012] The staple according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination with each other: - the staple has a general U-shape; - the branches of the first leg include facing edges which define said space between them, these edges being straight and parallel to said axis, - said narrowing is formed by bulges formed on said edges at the second axial extremities of the branches. - the bridge has an elongated shape and is connected to the legs by its longitudinal ends, - the bridge has a general I-shaped form and includes a central section that is narrower than its longitudinal ends. - a second of the lateral legs has two branches which extend along another axis perpendicular to the bridge and which define between them another space, - the first and second legs are identical, the branches of the second leg having first axial extremities connected together and to the bridge and second axial extremities which are opposite the first axial extremities and which form a narrowing of said other space, - the second leg differs from the first leg in that said other space does not include a narrowing, - a second of the lateral legs has a single branch that extends along another axis perpendicular to the bridge, - a second of the lateral legs is branchless, the first leg having a length measured along the axis which is greater than that of the second leg, -- said space has a width of between 2 and 5 mm, and preferably between 3 and 4 mm, -- said narrowing represents a reduction of more than 20% of the width of said space, -- said narrowing has a width of between 1 and 3 mm, and preferably between 2 and 2.5 mm, -- the bridge has a length measured along an axis of elongation of the bridge, which represents between 75% and 125%, and preferably between 85% and 100% of a length of the first leg measured along an axis of elongation of that leg, -- the first leg has a length measured along its elongation axis, which is greater than 20mm, and preferably 30mm, and -- the bridge has a length measured along an axis of bridge elongation, which is greater than 25mm, and preferably greater than 35mm.

[0013] The invention also relates to an aircraft engine testing machine, equipped with one or more electrical harnesses and one or more clip(s) as described above.

[0014] The testing machine may include one or more of the following features or steps, taken alone or in combination: - the test machine comprises an annular housing around which equipment is mounted which is connected to each other by flanges, a first piece of equipment comprising a first flange having two faces, a second piece of equipment comprising a second flange having two faces, the first faces of the flanges being opposite each other, and the second faces of the flanges being oriented in opposite directions, each clip being mounted astride the flanges so that the bridge is located outside the flanges and their tabs are located respectively at the level of the second faces of the flanges, - an electrical harness is located outside the housing and includes at one end an electrical connection plug for a socket located on the second side of the first flange, the electrical harness passing through the space delimited by the arms of the first leg of the clip or one of the clips, - the electrical harness comprises a first part which passes through said space and is held between the bridge and the narrowing, and a second part which is interposed between the first tab and the second face of the bridle and which is wider than said space, and - a second of the legs of the clip or of each clip is resting on the second face of the second flange. Brief description of the figures

[0015] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the detailed explanatory description that follows, of embodiments of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: [Fig.1] Figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a test machine equipped with harness retaining clips according to the invention, [Fig.2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a staple according to a first embodiment of the invention, [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the clip in Figure 2, [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a top view of the clip in Figure 2, [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a rear view of the clip in Figure 2, [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a partial schematic perspective view of a testing machine equipped with a clip according to the first embodiment of the invention, [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a partial schematic perspective view of a testing machine equipped with a clip according to a second embodiment of the invention, [Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a partial schematic perspective view of a testing machine equipped with a clip according to a third embodiment of the invention, [Fig. 9] Figure 9 is a partial schematic perspective view of a testing machine equipped with a clip according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, [Fig. 10] Figure 10 is a partial schematic perspective view of a housing of a testing machine, without its equipment, and [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is a partial schematic perspective view of the housing of a testing machine, with its equipment. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] Figure 1 partially represents a test machine 10 for an aircraft.

[0017] The test machine 10 includes, for example, all or part of an aircraft engine, such as a turbomachine or a turboprop engine, for example.

[0018] The aircraft engine is designed to be mounted on an aircraft (not shown). The aircraft comprises, for example, a fuselage and two wings extending from either side of the fuselage relative to the fuselage axis. Each wing can carry at least one engine, for example.

[0019] In the example shown, the test machine 10 comprises an annular housing 12 around which several pieces of equipment 22 are mounted, for example, of the MDAU type. For this purpose, the housing 12 generally includes supports 14, which are visible in Figures 10 and 11, and on which the equipment 22 is fixed.

[0020] The equipment 22 is connected to each other or even fixed to each other by flanges 16, 18 of generally elongated or circumferential shape around the axis of revolution of the housing 12.

[0021] A first of the equipment 22 includes a first flange 16 having two faces 16a, 16b.

[0022] A second piece of equipment 22 includes a second flange 18 having two faces 18a, 18b.

[0023] The first faces 16a, 18a of the bridles 16, 18 are opposite each other.

[0024] The second faces 16b, 18b of the 16, 18 bridles are oriented in opposite directions.

[0025] The equipment 22 is connected to each other and to other equipment or electronic elements by harnesses 24.

[0026] Figure 1 shows that the test machine 10 can be equipped with several harnesses 24 located outside the housing 12 next to the equipment 22, and on either side of the flanges 16, 18.

[0027] Each of these harnesses 24 includes at one end a plug 26 for electrical connection to a socket (not visible) located on one of the flanges 16, 18. In the example shown, the plugs 26 are hidden behind insulating sleeves which surround and protect the ends of the harnesses 24.

[0028] The sockets are located on the second faces 16b and 18b of the bridles. The harness connectors 26 are preferably configured to cooperate with the sockets by male-female engagement or interlocking. For example, the connectors 26 are male and the sockets are female. The reverse is, of course, also possible.

[0029] In the example shown, we can also see that the faces 16a, 18a of the flanges 16, 18 are spaced apart to accommodate one or more electronic boards 28 between them. The sockets located on the faces 16a, 18a are in particular connected to these electronic boards 28.

[0030] To ensure that the harnesses 24 remain in position and in particular their plugs 26 are on the sockets, the invention proposes clips 30.

[0031] Preferably, one clip 30 is required per harness 24, and more precisely, one clip per connector 26 or end of the harness 24. It follows that two clips 30 will be needed if the harness 24 has a connector 26 at each end. As will be seen later, one clip 30 can hold two harnesses 24 provided they are positioned opposite each other on either side of the straps.

[0032] The number of staples 30 of the test machine 10 therefore depends in particular on the number of harnesses 24 and plugs 26 to be immobilized from these harnesses 24. Three of them can be seen in figure 1.

[0033] Figure 1 shows how the clips 30 are mounted on the test machine. They are preferably mounted astride or across the flanges 16, 18, and clamped onto the grips 26.

[0034] Figures 2 to 6 show a first embodiment of a staple 30 according to the invention.

[0035] The 30 clip is formed from a single piece and has a general U-shape (figures 2 and 3).

[0036] The clip 30 comprises two lateral tabs 32, 34 connected by a bridge 36 extending between the tabs 32, 34.

[0037] One of the lateral legs 32 has two branches 38, 40 which extend along an axis A perpendicular to the bridge 36 and which define between them a space 42 suitable for being crossed by a harness 24.

[0038] The branches 38, 40, more clearly visible in figure 4, have first axial ends 38a, 40a connected together and to the bridge 36 and second axial ends 38b, 40b which are opposite the first axial ends 38a, 40a and which form a narrowing 44 of the aforementioned space 42.

[0039] The branches 38, 40 of the first leg 32 include facing edges 38c, 40c which define the space 42 between them. These edges 38c, 40c are preferably straight and parallel to the axis A.

[0040] The narrowing 44 is preferably formed by ledges 46 formed on the edges 38c, 40c at the second axial extremities 38b, 40b of the branches 38, 40.

[0041] The bridge 36 preferably has an elongated shape along an elongation axis B and is connected to the legs 32, 34 by its longitudinal ends 36a, 36b.

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 5, the bridge 36 has a general I-shaped form and includes a middle part 36c which is narrower than its longitudinal ends 36a, 36b.

[0043] The second of the lateral legs 34 is here identical to the first leg 32.

[0044] The second leg 34 has two branches 38, 40 which extend along another axis C perpendicular to the bridge 36 and which define between them another space 42.

[0045] The branches 38, 40 of the second leg 34 have first axial ends 38a, 40a connected together and to the bridge 36 and second axial ends 38b, 40b which are opposite the first axial ends 38a, 40a and which form a narrowing 44 of this other space 42.

[0046] As can be seen in Figure 6, each of the legs 32, 34 cooperates with a harness 24, and in particular with a pin 26 of a harness 24, for the purpose of its retention. The bridge 36 of the clip 30 extends axially outside the flanges 16, 18.

[0047] The first leg 32 located on face 16b of the first flange 16 has its space 42 which is crossed by the plug 26 of the harness 24 connected to the socket carried by this flange 16. The second leg 34 located on face 18b of the first flange 18 has its space 42 which is crossed by the plug 26 of the harness 24 connected to the socket carried by this flange 18.

[0048] In figure 4, parts 24a, 24b of the harness 24 or its socket 26 are shown in dotted lines. The harness 24 includes a first part 24a which is dimensioned to cross the space 42 and which is held, on the one hand between the branches 38, 40, and on the other hand between the bridge 36 and the narrowing 44.

[0049] The harness 24 includes a second part 24b which is inserted between the first leg 32 and the second face 16b, 18b of the corresponding bridle 16, 18 and which is wider than the space 42.

[0050] Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the clip 30 which differs from that described above by its second leg 34.

[0051] The second leg 34 differs from the first leg 32 in that the other space 42 of the second leg 34 does not include a narrowing 42.

[0052] While the clip 30 of figures 2 to 6 is used to hold two harnesses 24 by means of its tabs 32, 34, the clip of figure 7 is used to hold a single harness on the side of its first tab 32. The other space 42 of the second tab 34 is then not crossed by a harness, and this second tab 34 can then simply rest on the second face 18b of the second bridle 18.

[0053] Figure 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the clip 30 which differs from that of figures 2 to 6 by its second leg 34.

[0054] The second leg 34 differs from the first leg 32 in that it has a single branch 38 which extends along the axis C perpendicular to the bridge 36.

[0055] This type of clip 30 is particularly useful when equipment 22 is located in the vicinity of the clip 30 and reduces the bearing area of ​​the second leg 34 on the second face 18b of the flange 18.

[0056] Figure 9 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the clip 30 which differs from that of figures 2 to 6 by its second leg 34.

[0057] The second leg 34 differs from the first leg 32 in that it lacks a branch. The first leg 32 therefore has a length L1 measured along axis A that is greater than that L2 of the second leg 34.

[0058] This type of clip 30 is also useful when equipment 22 is located in the vicinity of the clip 30 and reduces the bearing area of ​​the second leg 34 on the second face 18b of the flange 18.

[0059] Figures 3 to 5 show examples of dimensional parameters for the staple 30 according to the invention: - Space 42 can have a width D1 between 2 and 5mm, and preferably between 3 and 4mm, - the narrowing 44 can represent a reduction of more than 20% in the width D1 of the space 42, - the narrowing 44 can have a width D2 between 1 and 3mm, and preferably between 2 and 2.5mm, - the bridge 36 can have a length L3 measured along the elongation axis C of the bridge 36, which represents between 75% and 125%, and preferably between 85% and 100% of a length L1 of the first leg 32 measured along the elongation axis A of this leg 32, - the first leg 32 can have a length L1 measured along axis A, which is greater than 20mm, and preferably 30mm, and- the bridge 36 can have a length L3 measured along axis C, which is greater than 25mm, and preferably 35mm.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Aircraft engine test machine (10), equipped with one or more electrical harnesses (24) and one or more harness retaining clips (30), the clip (30) being formed in one piece with two lateral tabs (32, 34) connected by a bridge (36) extending between the tabs (32, 34), the first of the lateral tabs (32) having two branches (38, 40) extending along an axis (A) perpendicular to the bridge (36) and defining between them a space (42) suitable for traversing a harness (24), the branches (38, 40) having first axial ends (38a, 40a) connected together and to the bridge (36) and second axial ends (38b, 40b) which are opposite the first axial ends (38a, 40a) and which form a narrowing (44) of said space (42).

2. Test machine (10) according to claim 1, in which the arms (38, 40) of the first leg (32) comprise facing edges (38c, 40c) which define between them said space (42), these edges (38c, 40c) being straight and parallel to said axis (A).

3. Test machine (10) according to claim 2, in which said narrowing (42) is formed by bumps (46) formed on said edges (38c, 40c) at the second axial ends (38b, 40b) of the arms (38, 40).

4. Test machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridge (36) has an elongated shape and is connected to the legs (32, 40) by its longitudinal ends (38a, 38b).

5. Test machine (10) according to claim 4, wherein the bridge (36) has a general I-shaped form and includes a middle portion (36c) narrower than its longitudinal ends (36a, 36b).

6. Test machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which a second of the lateral legs (34) has two branches (38, 40) which extend along another axis (C) perpendicular to the bridge (36) and which define between them another space (42).

7. Test machine (10) according to claim 6, wherein the first and second legs (32, 34) are identical, the arms (38, 40) of the second leg (34) having first axial ends (38a, 40a) connected together and to the bridge (36) and second axial ends (38b, 40b) which are opposite the first axial ends (38a, 40a) and which form a narrowing (42) of said other space (42).

8. Test machine (10) according to claim 6, wherein the second leg (34) differs from the first leg (32) in that said other space (42) does not include a narrowing (44).

9. Test machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a second of the side legs (34) has a single branch (38) which extends along another axis (C) perpendicular to the bridge (36).

10. Test machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a second of the lateral legs (34) is without a branch, the first leg (32) having a length (L1) measured along the axis (A) which is greater than that (L2) of the second leg (34).

11. A test machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein it comprises an annular housing (12) around which are mounted equipment (22) connected to each other by flanges (16, 18), a first piece of equipment comprising a first flange (16) having two faces (16a, 16b), a second piece of equipment comprising a second flange (18) having two faces (18a, 18b), the first faces (16a, 18a) of the flanges (16, 18) being opposite each other, and the second faces (16b, 18b) of the flanges (16, 18) being oriented in opposite directions, each clip (30) being mounted astride the flanges (16, 18) such that the bridge (36) is located outside the flanges (16, 18) and their tabs (32, 34) are located respectively at the level of the second faces (16b, 18b) of the bridles (16, 18).

12. Test machine (10) according to claim 11, in which an electrical harness (24) is located outside the housing (12) and includes at one end an electrical connection plug (26) for a socket located on the second face (16b) of the first flange (16), the electrical harness (24) passing through the space (42) delimited by the arms (38, 40) of the first leg (32) of the clip (30) or of one of the clips.

13. Test machine (10) according to claim 12, in which the electrical harness (24) comprises a first part (24a) which passes through said space (42) and which is held between the bridge (36) and the narrowing (44), and a second part (24b) which is interposed between the first leg (32) and the second face (16b) of the flange (16) and which is wider than said space (42).

14. Test machine (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a second of the legs (34) of the clip (30) or of each clip is in contact with the second face (18b) of the second flange (18).

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