CN112018710A

CN112018710A - Device for managing the friction of a conductor on a spacer

Info

Publication number: CN112018710A
Application number: CN202010467191.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杰里米·米勒; 亚历山大·索林
Original assignee: Newtl SAS
Current assignee: Newtl SAS
Priority date: 2019-05-28
Filing date: 2020-05-28
Publication date: 2020-12-01
Also published as: FR3096841A1; CO2020006416A1; DE102020113989A1; JP2020195278A; FR3096841B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for managing the friction of at least one conductor with respect to a conductor spacer (1) at a mobile cable support structure (2), characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, at least one spacer interface configured to be located between the spacer (1) and a surface of the at least one conductor and comprising a flat surface arranged to provide a sliding surface for the at least one conductor, and on the other hand an interface for attaching the device to the spacer.

Description

Device for managing the friction of a conductor on a spacer

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of mechanisms for managing connectors spanning an articulated connection between two modules of a long vehicle, and more particularly to the field of devices for managing the movement of connectors during an articulation operation between two modules of a vehicle.

Background

In longer vehicles, such as trains or trams, comprising several modules arranged in series, an articulation is located between these different modules to allow the vehicle to move in the curve of its path. Between two successive modules, the different links operate a joint, which is in particular electrical or electronic, but can also be pneumatic or even hydraulic. The connection of these electrical and/or pneumatic conductors is usually made in the form of wiring. Moreover, at the hinge joint between two consecutive modules, these connections are subjected to movements caused by the movements made by the joints. To ensure that the movement of the bundle of connecting elements takes place in a controlled, rather than random, manner, it is common to use a guide mechanism which is articulated in itself and which guides the movement of the conductors by imposing a locating area or space to limit the movement of the conductors.

According to a conventional configuration, such articulated guide mechanisms use a mobile cable support structure comprising a frame made up of a plurality of consecutive links articulated to each other, with a horizontal connector positioned at the height of each link. At the height of each link of the guide mechanism, several spacers are stacked between two vertical uprights arranged on either side of the spacer, the length of which is positioned within the width of the link or of the articulated guide mechanism. The continuous links connected by their lateral uprights therefore constrain in a horizontal plane the movement of the conductors arranged in the guide cable support structure, while the spacers allow the organized superposition of the different conductors in the guide mechanism. Such superposed spacers on the one hand prevent the conductors from mixing with each other during the repeated movements exerted by the guiding mechanism and on the other hand limit the weight constraint of the conductors above the underlying conductors, so that forces related to the weight of the conductors are transmitted to the cable support structure. However, repeated movements of the conductors placed on their respective spacers result in local friction of the conductors against the surfaces of these spacers. These localized friction points against the spacers can then lead to premature wear, resulting in degraded conductor performance, potentially altering the transmission running on the links.

In order to solve this problem, it is common practice to wrap the conductors establishing the connection between two consecutive modules in a sheath, so that the friction is no longer supported by the structure of the conductors, but by the sheath itself. However, if this solution delays the effect of friction on the conductor structure by generating friction on the sheath, it is not possible to limit the material wear related to the movement of the conductor on the surface of the spacer.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device which limits or even eliminates such wear on the elements whose movement is constrained by the cable support structure and which can be integrated into existing cable support structures.

The present invention therefore relates to a device for managing the friction of at least one conductor with respect to a conductor spacer at a mobile cable support structure, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, at least one spacer interface configured to be located between the spacer and a surface of the at least one conductor and comprising a flat surface arranged to provide a sliding surface for the at least one conductor, and on the other hand an interface for attaching the device to the spacer.

The invention also relates to an assembly characterized in that it comprises at least one device for managing the friction of at least one conductor according to the invention, mounted on at least one conductor spacer.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments given as non-limiting examples and which will be explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a hinged guide mechanism incorporating conductor spacers to accommodate a management device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a detail showing several spacers in the articulated guide mechanism as shown in the previous figures.

Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of an example of the movement of a conductor on a surface of a conductor spacer intended to accommodate a management device according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the movement of a conductor on a surface of a conductor spacer intended to accommodate a control device according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a first example of a management apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of an example of a first positioning step of a first example of a management device according to the invention on a conductor spacer.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a first positioning step of a first example of a management device according to the invention on a conductor spacer as shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of an example of a second positioning step of a first example of a management device on a conductor spacer according to the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a second positioning step of the first example of the management device on the conductor spacer according to the invention as shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of an example of a third positioning step of the first example of the management device on the conductor spacer according to the invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a third positioning step of the first example of the management device on the conductor spacer according to the invention as shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a second example of a management device according to the invention on a conductor spacer.

Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second example of a management device according to the invention on a conductor spacer as shown in fig. 12.

Detailed Description

It should be noted that in this document, the term "conductor" refers to an element that is related to the conduction of electrical, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. flows. Thus, the term "conductor" includes electrical or electronic wiring as well as pneumatic or hydraulic tubing. According to different interpretations within the scope of the invention, the term conductor "

Also included in its meaning are one or more conductive elements peripherally arranged with possible protective elements, such as a sheath or sheath.

The invention relates to a device 3 for managing the friction of at least one conductor with respect to a conductor spacer 1 at a mobile cable support structure 2, characterized in that the device 3 comprises, on the one hand, at least one spacer interface 4 configured to be positioned between the spacer 1 and a surface of the at least one conductor and comprising a flat surface 4d arranged to provide a sliding surface 4d for the at least one conductor, and on the other hand, an interface 5 for attaching the device 3 to the spacer 1.

The friction management device 3 of the present invention allows to position the isolation interface 4 between the surface of the conductor or the sheath of the conductor and the protrusions that may be present on the surface of the conductor spacer 1 and cause wear of the surface of the conductor or the sheath. The positioning of the separation surface 4d dedicated to the sliding of the conductors makes it possible to eliminate the risk of local friction of the specific protrusions against the conductors, so that the periphery of the conductors or their sheaths slide uniformly with respect to the dedicated surface 4d of the isolating interface 4 of the management device 3 of the invention. The device 3 of the invention thus eliminates any local and point friction (nominal friction) against the conductor that could lead to premature wear of the conductor.

According to a constructional variant of the management device 3 of the present invention, the sliding surface 4d has a smooth surface, without projections made of metal or stainless steel plate. Such a surface allows repeated rubbing and has wear resistance, while providing and maintaining a sufficiently smooth surface over time to limit or even prevent the occurrence of local rubbing points on the surface of the moving conductor, thereby preventing wear of the conductor. As an additional non-limiting feature of this constructive variant, the sliding surface 4d is supplemented with a teflon-type coating which reduces the risk of the catheter becoming stuck on this surface, while optimizing the sliding.

According to a particular constructive variant of the management device 3 of the present invention, the device 3 comprises a structure formed by at least three juxtaposed portions, illustrated by the

portions

4a, 4b, 4c in fig. 5 to 11 or by 4e, 4f, 4g in fig. 12 and 13, and arranged in the middle to present a U-shaped section, so that at least two

portions

4a, 4c are arranged opposite each other to be positioned at least two opposite surfaces of the partition 1.

In a first particular constructive variant of this particular constructive variant, the device comprises a portion 4f, the portion 4f carrying a sliding surface 4d, the sliding surface 4d being framed by two

portions

4e, 4g configured opposite each other, the two

portions

4e, 4g being positioned at least two opposite surfaces of the spacer 1. According to this variant, the device of the invention is positioned on the bearing surface of the conductor spacer 1 such that the

portions

4e, 4g configured opposite each other are configured to provide attachment interfaces which cooperate to clamp the spacer 1 by pressing the spacer 1 at the surface of two opposite edges of the spacer (e.g. the front and rear edges of the spacer 1 mounted between two uprights of the movable cable support structure 2). The part 4f of the device with the sliding surface 4d thus configures the engagement between the two

parts

4e, 4g opposite each other, the sliding surface 4d of the device being located on the side opposite to that intended to face the conductor spacer 1. Therefore, the sliding surface 4d is configured to face upward.

According to a second particular constructive variant of this particular constructive variant, the device 3 comprises two

isolating interfaces

4a, 4c, the two

isolating interfaces

4a, 4c being configured to be positioned at opposite surfaces of the conductor spacer 1. Thus, the device 3 comprises two

support portions

4a, 4c of respective sliding surfaces 4d separated by an intermediate portion 4b, such that the

support portions

4a, 4c are configured opposite each other to be positioned at least two opposite surfaces of the conductor spacer 1. The

isolating interfaces

4a, 4c thus create sliding surfaces 4d on either side of the conductor spacer 1, enabling the conductor to slide on each surface of the same spacer 1, while limiting or even eliminating subsequent frictional wear.

Thus, the two oppositely arranged

support portions

4a, 4c are configured to pinch the conductor spacer 1. According to a characteristic of the embodiment, the conductor spacer 1 has a substantially flat configuration, the device of the invention being inserted on the plane of the spacer 1 so as to position the first support portion 4a at a first surface of the spacer 1 and the third support portion 4c at the opposite surface of the spacer 1, the second portion 4b of the device achieving the coupling between the first support portion 4a and the third support portion 4 c. In the construction example shown in fig. 5, 6 and 7 in particular, the third support portion 4c is first positioned against the lower surface of the partition 1, and then the first support portion 4a is positioned against the upper surface of the partition 1.

According to a particular constructive variant complementary to the other constructive features described above, the attachment interface 5 comprises an elastic joint between juxtaposed portions of the device for pressing the spacer by two portions positioned opposite each other. These elastic joints are configured so as to allow, on the one hand, sufficient deformation to allow separation of the parts of the device positioned opposite each other, thus allowing the positioning of the spacer 1, and, on the other hand, to ensure the return to position by bringing the above-mentioned parts of the device closer together, thus ensuring the pressing of the spacer 1 in the press-clamped condition. According to a construction variant, these elastic joints are made using a material that allows non-brittle elastic deformation. As an example of such a variant, a joint made of folded metal or stainless steel sheet makes it possible to obtain a joint having the elastic characteristics of the invention. According to a particular feature of this constructive variant, at each joint between two juxtaposed portions of the device 3 of the invention, an elastic joint is positioned. The presence of the sliding surfaces 4d at the portions of the device placed opposite each other may vary, depending on the particular constructive variants involved. However, in these different construction variants, the elastic connection formed by the portions of the device connecting the opposite parts of the device is similar.

According to another particular constructive variant, complementary to the other constructive features described above, the attachment interface 5 is realized by a structure that completely surrounds a portion of the partition 1 in the section of the partition 1. According to a first example of this particular variant, the

portions

4a, 4c covering opposite sides of the partition 1 extend beyond the partition 1, where the

portions

4a, 4c of the opposite sides meet. According to a second example of this particular variant, at least one of the

portions

4a, 4c covering one of the opposite sides of the partition 1 comprises an extension beyond the edge of the partition 1. The extension of the

parts

4a, 4c of the device is then configured to pass around the edge of the spacer 1 and cover at least a part of the second opposite face of the spacer 1. This extension of the two parts of the connection means covering the opposite faces of the spacer 1 provides a physical engagement between the two

parts

4a, 4c of one side of the spacer 1. The structure of the device 3, including the structure capable of completely surrounding the spacer 1, ensures an optimal retention of the device 3 on the spacer 1, even with repeated movements and frictions of the conductor on the sliding surface 4d of the device. Thus, the risk of the inventive management device falling off or being detached from the conductor spacer 1 is reduced.

According to a particular variant of construction complementary to the previously described construction features, the device comprises a closure interface 6 made of the first end 4a1 of the device, this closure interface 6 being configured to cooperate with the second end 4c1 of the device and to keep the two ends 4a1, 4c1 connected together. The closure interface 6 is configured to connect the edges 4a1, 4c1 of the

portions

4a, 4c together, the

portions

4a, 4c covering the opposite face of the partition 1 not connected to the portion 4b of the device, so as to achieve engagement between the first support portion 4a and the third support portion 4 c. This closed interface 6 allows the ends 4a1, 4c1 of the

parts

4a, 4c of the device having sliding surfaces to be connected reversibly or irreversibly when the device is mounted on the conductor spacer 1. Thus, according to various example embodiments, the closure interface 6 of the edges 4a1, 4c1 may include a welding or clamping mechanism.

According to a preferred constructive variant of this closure interface 6, this is achieved by at least one tab 6a, this tab 6a being carried by the first end 4a1 of the device and being configured to deform and squeeze the second end 4c1 of the device between the tab 6 and the first end 4a 1. Thus, according to this constructive variant, the closing interface 6 comprises a tab 6a configured to be folded along a possibly predetermined folding line 6b, so as to create two partial structures connected by the folding line 6 b. Thus, the tab 6, formed by two parts connected by a fold line 6b, comprises on the one hand a first part connected to one end of the

first part

4a, 4c of the load-bearing sliding surface 4d of the device, and on the other hand a second part having a free edge, so that the second part can be folded onto the first part. This arrangement then allows one end 4c1 of the

second part

4a, 4c of the device to be pinch-clamped between the first part and the second part folded over the first part of the tab 6a of the closure interface 6.

The invention also relates to an assembly characterized in that it comprises at least one device 3 for managing the friction of at least one conductor according to the invention, which device 3 is mounted on at least one conductor spacer 1. Due to its specific configuration, the management device 3 of the invention can be easily inserted onto a conductor spacer 1 already mounted in the articulated guide mechanism. In fact, the management device 3 of the invention is adapted, thanks to the flat configuration, to make at least the portion 4a bearing the sliding surface 4d slide between the surface of the conductor spacer 1 and the conductor abutting against it. According to a mounting variant, the management device 3 of the invention is configured so that the spacer 1 can be inserted between two

support portions

4a, 4c of the device, at least one of which comprises a sliding surface 4d oriented so as to be positioned between the spacer 1 and at least one conductor so as to face the conductor. Such a flat configuration makes it easier to place the management device 3 on the conductor spacer 1 mounted in the mobile cable support structure 2 and participating in the management of the conductor movement.

The invention is of course not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the drawings. Modifications may nevertheless be made, particularly from the point of view of the construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Management device (3) for managing the friction of at least one conductor with respect to a conductor spacer (1) at a mobile cable support structure (2), characterized in that said management device (3) comprises, on the one hand, at least one spacer interface (4) configured to be positioned between said spacer (1) and a surface of at least one conductor and comprising a flat surface (4d) arranged to provide a sliding surface (4d) for at least one conductor, said management device (3) comprising, on the other hand, an interface (5) for attaching said device (3) to said spacer (1).

2. The management device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (3) comprises a structure formed by at least three portions (4a, 4b, 4c) juxtaposed and arranged together so as to have a U-shaped cross section, so that at least two portions (4a, 4c) are arranged in an opposite relationship so as to be positioned at least two opposite surfaces of said partition (1).

3. The managing device (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a portion carrying a sliding surface and that it is framed by two portions configured opposite each other, which are positioned at least two opposite surfaces of the spacer.

4. The management device (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two support portions (4a, 4c) of respective sliding surfaces (4d) separated by an intermediate portion (4b), so that said support portions (4a, 4c) are configured opposite each other to be positioned at least two opposite surfaces of the conductor spacer (1).

5. The management device (3) according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the attachment interface (5) comprises an elastic joint between juxtaposed parts of the device for pressing the spacer by two parts positioned opposite each other.

6. The management device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment interface (5) is realized by a structure that integrally surrounds a portion of the partition (1) in a cross section of the partition (1).

7. The management device (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (3) comprises two isolation interfaces (4a, 4c) configured to be positioned at opposite surfaces of the conductor spacer (1).

8. The management device (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a closing interface (6) made of a first end (4a1) of the device, configured to cooperate with a second end (4c1) of the device and keep the two ends (4a1, 4c1) connected together.

9. The management device (3) according to claim 8, wherein the closing interface (6) is formed by at least one tab (6a) carried by a first end (4a1) of the device and configured to deform and squeeze a second end (4c1) of the device between the tab and the first end (4a 1).

10. Assembly, characterized in that it comprises at least one device (3) for managing the friction of at least one conductor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, mounted on a conductor spacer (1).