CN112018710A - Device for managing friction of conductors on spacers - Google Patents

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 friction of conductors on spacers

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of mechanisms for managing connectors spanning articulating connections between two modules of a long vehicle, and more particularly to managing connections during articulation operations between two modules of a vehicle The field of the device for the movement of the machine.

Background technique

In longer vehicles, such as trains or trams, comprising several modules arranged in series, articulations are located between these different modules to allow the vehicle to move in the curves of its path. Between two successive modules, different chain links operate a node, 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 carried out in the form of wiring. Furthermore, at the articulation junction between two consecutive modules, these connections are subject to movements caused by 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, a guide mechanism that is itself articulated is often used, which guides the movement of the conductors by imposing a positioning area or space to limit the movement of the conductors.

According to conventional construction, such an articulated guide mechanism uses a moving cable support structure comprising a frame consisting of a plurality of consecutive links hinged to each other and with horizontal connectors positioned at the height of each link . At the height of each chain link of the guide mechanism, several spacers are superimposed between two vertical uprights arranged on either side of the spacer, the length of these spacers being positioned to the width of the chain link or the hinged guide mechanism Inside. Thus, the continuous chain link connected by its lateral uprights constrains the movement of the conductors arranged in the guide cable support structure in the horizontal plane, while the spacers allow an organized stacking of the different conductors in the guide mechanism. Such superimposed spacers on the one hand prevent the conductors from intermingling during repeated movements exerted by the guide mechanism, and on the other hand limit the weight constraints of the conductors located above the conductors below, so that forces related to the weight of the conductors are transmitted to the Cable support structure. However, repeated movement of the conductors placed on the conductors' respective spacers results in local friction of the conductors with respect to the surfaces of these spacers. These localized points of friction with respect to the spacers can then cause premature wear, resulting in degraded conductor performance, potentially altering the transmission running on these links.

To solve this problem, it is common practice to wrap the conductor that establishes the connection between two consecutive modules in a sheath, so that the friction is no longer supported by the structure of the conductor, but by the sheath itself. However, if this solution delays the effect of friction on the conductor structure by creating friction on the jacket, it is not possible to limit the material wear associated with the movement of the conductor on the spacer surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a device for managing the friction of at least one conductor relative to a conductor spacer at a moving cable support structure, characterized in that the management device on the one hand comprises at least one spacer interface configured to be located at Between and including a flat surface between the spacer and a surface of the at least one conductor, the flat surface being arranged to provide a sliding surface for the at least one conductor, the management device on the other hand includes 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 according to the invention for managing the friction of at least one conductor, which device is mounted on at least one conductor spacer.

Description of drawings

The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments given by way of non-limiting example, and which will be explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[FIG. 1] is a schematic diagram of an example of a hinged guide mechanism incorporating a conductor spacer to accommodate a management device according to the present invention.

[FIG. 2] is a schematic diagram of a detail showing several spacers in the hinged guide mechanism as shown in the previous figures.

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

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

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

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

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

[ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic diagram of an example of the second positioning step of the first example of the management device on the conductor spacer according to the present 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 according to the present invention on the conductor spacer as shown in FIG. 8 .

[ Fig. 10 ] is a schematic diagram of an example of the third positioning step of the first example of the management device on the conductor spacer according to the present 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 according to the present invention on the conductor spacer as shown in FIG. 10 .

[ Fig. 12 ] is a schematic diagram of a second example of the management device according to the present invention on the conductor spacer.

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

Detailed ways

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

Also included in its meaning are one or more conducting elements with a possible protective element, such as a sheath or sheath, arranged at the periphery.

The invention relates to a device 3 for managing the friction of at least one conductor relative to a conductor spacer 1 at a moving cable support structure 2, characterized in that the management device 3 comprises on the one hand at least one isolating interface 4 which Constructed to be positioned between the spacer 1 and the 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, the management device 3 on the other hand comprises means for attaching the device 3 Interface 5 to Spacer 1.

The friction management device 3 of the present invention allows the isolation interface 4 to be positioned between the surface of the conductor or the sheath of the conductor and 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 separating surface 4d dedicated to the sliding of the conductor makes it possible to eliminate the risk of local rubbing of the conductor by specific protrusions, so that the periphery of the conductor or its sheath slides uniformly relative to the dedicated surface 4d of the separating interface 4 of the management device 3 of the invention . Thus, the device 3 of the present invention eliminates any local and punctual friction on the conductors that could lead to premature wear of the conductors.

According to a constructional variant of the management device 3 of the invention, the sliding surface 4d has a smooth surface without protrusions made of metal or stainless steel sheet. Such a surface allows for repeated friction and wear resistance, while providing and maintaining a sufficiently smooth surface over time to limit or even prevent localized points of friction on the surface of the moving conductor, thereby preventing wear of the conductor. As an additional non-limiting feature of this configuration variant, the sliding surface 4d is supplemented with a Teflon-type coating which reduces the risk of the catheter snagging on this surface while optimizing sliding.

According to a particular constructional variant of the management device 3 of the invention, the device 3 comprises a structure formed by at least three juxtaposed parts, which are shown by parts 4a, 4b, 4c in FIGS. 5 to 11 . or as shown by 4e, 4f, 4g in Figures 12 and 13, and arranged in the middle to present a U-shaped cross-section, so that at least two parts 4a, 4c are arranged opposite each other to be positioned at least two opposite sides of the spacer 1 at the surface.

In a first particular construction variant of this particular construction variant, the device comprises a part 4f carrying a sliding surface 4d framed by two parts 4e, 4g constructed opposite to each other, the two parts 4e , 4g are positioned at at least two opposite surfaces of the spacer 1 . According to this variant, the device of the present invention is positioned on the bearing surface of the conductor spacer 1 such that the parts 4e, 4g configured opposite each other are configured to provide an attachment interface by means of two opposite edges of the spacer (e.g. The front and rear edges of the spacer 1 installed between the two uprights of the movable cable support structure 2 are pressed against the spacer 1 to cooperate to clamp the spacer 1 . Thus, the part 4f of the device with the sliding surface 4d positioned on the opposite side from which it is intended to face the conductor spacer 1 is such that the engagement between the two parts 4e, 4g is configured opposite each other. Therefore, the sliding surface 4d is configured to face upward.

According to a second specific configuration variant of this specific configuration variant, the device 3 comprises two isolation interfaces 4a, 4c 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 at least two opposite surfaces of the conductor spacer 1 . Thus, the isolation interfaces 4a, 4c 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.

Therefore, the two oppositely arranged support portions 4a, 4c are configured to press-hold the conductor spacer 1 . According to a feature of the embodiment, the conductor spacer 1 has a substantially flat structure, and the device of the invention is inserted on the plane of the spacer 1 so as to position the first support portion 4a at the first surface of the spacer 1 and the first Three support parts 4c are positioned at opposite surfaces of the spacer 1, and the second part 4b of the device achieves engagement between the first support part 4a and the third support part 4c. In the configuration examples shown in particular in FIGS. 5 , 6 and 7 , the third support portion 4 c is first positioned against the lower surface of the spacer 1 , and then the first support portion 4 a is positioned against the spacer 1 . Positioning on the top surface.

According to a special construction variant complementary to the other construction features described above, the attachment interface 5 comprises a resilient joint between the juxtaposed parts of the device for compressing the spacer by the two parts positioned opposite each other. These elastic joints are configured so as to allow sufficient deformation on the one hand to allow separation of the parts of the device positioned relative to each other, thereby allowing the positioning of the spacer 1, and on the other hand to ensure proper return by bringing the aforementioned parts of the device closer together position to ensure that the extrusion spacer 1 is in the extrusion clamping state. According to a configuration variant, these elastic joints are made of a material that allows non-brittle elastic deformation. As an example of this variant, a joint made of folded metal or stainless steel sheets makes it possible to obtain joints with the elastic properties of the invention. According to a particular feature of this configuration variant, elastic joints are positioned at each joint between two juxtaposed parts of the device 3 of the invention. The presence of the sliding surfaces 4d at the parts of the device lying opposite each other may vary depending on the specific construction variant involved. However, in these different construction variants, the elastic connection formed by the parts of the opposing parts of the connecting means of the device is similar.

According to another specific construction variant complementary to the other construction features described above, the attachment interface 5 is realized by a structure that completely surrounds a part of the spacer 1 in its cross-section. According to a first example of this particular variant, the parts 4a, 4c covering the opposite sides of the spacer 1 extend beyond the spacer 1, where the parts 4a, 4c of the opposite sides meet. According to a second example of this particular variant, at least one of the parts 4a, 4c covering one of the opposite sides of the spacer 1 comprises an extension beyond the edge of the spacer 1 . Then, the extensions of the parts 4a, 4c of the device are configured to go 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 connecting device covering the two parts of the opposite faces of the spacer 1 provides a physical bond between the two parts 4a, 4c on one side of the spacer 1 . The structure of the device 3 comprising a structure capable of completely surrounding the spacer 1 ensures optimal retention of the device 3 on the spacer 1, even with repeated movements and friction of the conductors on the sliding surface 4d of the device. Thus, the risk of the management device of the present invention falling off or disassembling from the conductor spacer 1 is reduced.

According to a specific variant of the construction complementary to the aforementioned constructional features, the device comprises a closed interface 6 made of the first end 4a1 of the device, which is configured to cooperate with the second end 4c1 of the device and retain both ends 4a1 , 4c1 are connected together. This closed interface 6 is configured to join together the edges 4a1, 4c1 of the parts 4a, 4c that cover the opposite faces of the spacer 1 that are not connected to the part 4b of the device, thereby realizing the first support part 4a and the third The engagement between the support portions 4c. This closed interface 6 allows reversible or irreversible connection of the ends 4a1, 4c1 of the parts 4a, 4c of the device having sliding surfaces when the device is mounted on the conductor spacer 1. Thus, according to various example embodiments, the closed interface 6 of the edges 4a1, 4c1 may comprise a welding or clamping mechanism.

According to a preferred configuration variant of the closed interface 6, this is achieved by at least one tab 6a carried by the first end 4a1 of the device and configured to deform and press the second end 4c1 of the device in the protrusion between the sheet 6 and the first end 4a1. Thus, according to this configuration variant, the closure interface 6 comprises a tab 6a configured to be folded along a possibly predetermined fold line 6b, resulting in two partial structures connected by the fold line 6b. Thus, the tab 6 formed by the two parts connected by the folding line 6b comprises on the one hand a first part connected to one end of the first parts 4a, 4c of the carrying sliding surface 4d of the device and on the other hand a The second part of the free edge, enabling the second part to be folded over the first part. This arrangement then allows one end 4c1 of the second part 4a, 4c of the device to be squeezed 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 according to the invention for managing the friction of at least one conductor, which device 3 is mounted on at least one conductor spacer 1 . Due to its specific construction, the management device 3 of the present invention can be easily inserted on the conductor spacer 1 already installed in the articulated guide mechanism. In fact, the management device 3 of the present invention is adapted to slide at least the part 4a carrying the sliding surface 4d between the surface of the conductor spacer 1 and the conductors resting against this surface due to its flat configuration. According to an installation variant, the management device 3 of the present invention is constructed such that the spacer 1 can be inserted between two support parts 4a, 4c of the device, wherein at least one support part comprises an orientation oriented to be positioned between the spacer 1 and the at least one conductor to The sliding surface 4d facing the conductor. Such a flat configuration makes it easier to place the management device 3 on the conductor spacer 1 installed in the moving cable support structure 2 and involved in the management of conductor movements.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented in the drawings. Modifications can nevertheless be made, in particular from the point of view of the construction of the various elements or by the substitution of technical equivalents, without going beyond the protective scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

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).

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