EP0435707A1 - Ensemble of automatical interconnection, especially for the electrical connection of a modular block containing a plurality of missile launching tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

This interconnection assembly comprises: on one side, a first connector element (110); on the opposite side, a telescopic assembly (240, 250, 260) comprising, at its free end, a second connector element (210), this assembly being moved by a manoeuvring thrust device (220) whose deployment moves the second connector element towards the first connector element and then plugs it into the latter; alignment means (241, 242, 243) for mutually aligning, axially and transversely, and orienting, angularly, prior to the commencement of the plugging-in operation, the two connector elements while they come closer together; and means for limiting the travel of the thrust device in order to detect the complete plugging-in of the connector elements and to then interrupt the deployment of the thrust device. <??>The telescopic assembly comprises: an intermediate tube (240) housed in a stationary external tube (230) and comprising a first bearing surface (242) intended to interact with a second corresponding bearing surface (122) integral with the first connector element; an internal tube (250), housed in the intermediate tube, carrying the second connector element (210) and connected to the rod of the thrust device; and elastic means (260) for linking the internal tube to the intermediate tube. These elastic means enable, during the approach phase, the displacement impressed on the internal tube by the thrust device to be transmitted to the intermediate tube and these elastic means are progressively compressed as soon as the said bearing surfaces come into contact, the deployment of the thrust device then producing only a displacement of the internal tube, and that alone. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic interconnection assembly intended to ensure electrical connection to a modular block by plugging in a connector.

It applies in particular to the connection from a weapon mount, by a common single connector, of a fire control system to a plurality of missile-launching tubes grouped together in the same modular block, generally designated in practice under the term "pack".

Figure 1 schematically illustrates this configuration. In this figure, the reference 1 generally designates a missile battery mounted for example on an armored vehicle 2, on the superstructure of a ship, etc.

This missile-launching battery 1 comprises, in addition to the fire control system with its various detection and tracking instruments, a mount 3, movable in azimuth, on which are mounted one or more packs 4 orientable in site.

Each of the packs 4 constitutes a modular block formed of a plurality of missile-launching tubes 5 grouped together and mechanically secured, for example by means of a frame 6 and a support part 7.

The pack can be easily put on and removed for exchange after the missiles have been fired.

In addition to mounting and mechanical locking of the pack on the mount, it is necessary to provide an electrical connection to each of the missiles, in particular for initializing the firing parameters and firing.

Until now, this electrical connection was carried out manually and individually by a servant, who connected a plug-in connector element, mounted at the end of a cable, to the homologous connector element of the corresponding missile launcher tube, and this for each of the tubes in the pack.

From the electrical point of view alone, such a procedure makes it possible to ensure a completely satisfactory interconnection.

However, it implies that a servant leaves the armored vehicle to carry out the electrical connection operation - while the mechanical mounting of the pack on the carriage can be entirely remote controlled, the locking of the pack being carried out automatically as soon as it is put in place and its correct positioning on the lookout.

Such an intervention can, under certain conditions, be difficult or dangerous.

This is particularly the case in a nuclear, bacteriological or chemical war environment, in the event of very low temperatures (the servant being equipped with thick gloves), in the case where the firing station is not stable ( typical case of a ship), etc.

In addition, in the event of a long fire, the servant must, before any other operation, disconnect the power supply corresponding to the faulty missile. An intervention is therefore necessary near this one, with in addition a risk of error because the servant, confusing the electrical supplies, can very well disconnect another missile than the defective one.

This is why it appeared desirable to have an interconnection system which is both automatic - to avoid the intervention of a servant - and unique for all the missiles of the pack - in order to avoid the risks linked to an inversion of the cables of the various missile launcher tubes.

Thus, one of the objects of the invention is to propose such an automatic assembly.

In addition, taking into account the inevitable additional cost introduced by the addition of an automatic assembly executing functions which previously belonged to a manual intervention, it appeared very desirable to realize this automatic assembly starting from principal elements of standard type, readily available and inexpensive.

This typically applies to connector elements and actuating cylinders, which are usually the most costly parts to produce if they are to be specifically designed for the intended application above.

But to be able to use these standard parts (for example, connector elements such as those used for the interconnection of circuits installed in laboratory racks), it will be necessary to use them in an assembly whose configuration will be adapted to meet different constraints for which these standard parts are not originally intended.

This is particularly the case with protection against external aggressions, and especially with compensation for axial and transverse misalignments, as well as angular orientation faults, between the elements to be interconnected.

Another object of the invention is thus to propose a structure making it possible to adapt these standard parts to the constraints specific to the context of the electrical connection of the missile packs.

Yet another object of the invention is to propose an interconnection assembly making it possible to respond to the constraint of a “positive assembly”, that is to say that, once the organ of the operation (generally a jack) the assembly must remain mechanically locked in the connected position despite vibrations, external constraints, etc. which could be applied to it, thus providing a reliable interconnection without the need to maintain the jack in the energized state.

• - d'un côté, un premier élément de connecteur,
• - du côté opposé, un ensemble télescopique comportant à son extrémité libre un second élément de connecteur, cet ensemble étant mû par un vérin de manoeuvre dont le déploiement rapproche le second élément de connecteur du premier puis l'enfiche dans ce dernier,
• - des moyens d'alignement, pour aligner axialement et transversalement et orienter angulairement entre eux les deux éléments de connecteur lors de leur rapprochement relatif et préalablement au début de l'enfichage, et
• - des moyens de limitation de la course du vérin, pour détecter l'enfichage complet des éléments de connecteur et pour interrompre alors le déploiement du vérin.

To this end, according to the invention, the automatic interconnection assembly comprises:

• - on one side, a first connector element,
• - on the opposite side, a telescopic assembly comprising at its free end a second connector element, this assembly being moved by an actuating cylinder whose deployment brings the second connector element closer to the first then plugs it into the latter,
• alignment means for axially aligning and transversely and angularly orient between them the two connector elements during their relative approximation and prior to the start of the insertion, and
• - means for limiting the stroke of the jack, to detect the complete insertion of the connector elements and to then interrupt the deployment of the jack.

• - un tube intermédiaire, logé dans un tube externe fixe solidaire de l'affût et mobile en translation axiale dans ce tube externe, ce tube intermédiaire comportant à son extrémité tournée vers le bloc modulaire une première surface d'appui destinée à coopérer avec une seconde surface d'appui homologue solidaire du premier élément de connecteur, lesdits moyens d'alignement étant formés sur ces surfaces d'appui,
• - un tube interne, logé dans le tube intermédiaire et mobile en translation axiale dans celui-ci, ce tube interne portant à son extrémité tournée vers le bloc modulaire le second élément de connecteur et étant relié à la tige du vérin de manoeuvre par son extrémité opposée, et
• - des moyens élastiques de liaison du tube interne au tube intermédiaire, ces moyens permettant, au cours de la phase d'approche, de transmettre au tube intermédiaire le déplacement imprimé au tube interne par le vérin et étant progressivement comprimés dès la venue en contact desdites surfaces d'appui, le déploiement du vérin ne produisant alors qu'un déplacement du seul tube interne.

In a preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned telescopic assembly comprises:

• - An intermediate tube, housed in a fixed external tube secured to the carriage and movable in axial translation in this external tube, this intermediate tube comprising at its end facing the modular block a first bearing surface intended to cooperate with a second homologous bearing surface integral with the first connector element, said alignment means being formed on these bearing surfaces,
• - An internal tube, housed in the intermediate tube and movable in axial translation therein, this internal tube carrying at its end turned towards the modular block the second connector element and being connected to the rod of the actuating cylinder by its end opposite, and
• - elastic means for connecting the internal tube to the intermediate tube, these means making it possible, during the approach phase, to transmit to the intermediate tube the displacement imparted to the internal tube by the jack and being progressively compressed as soon as the said contacts come into contact bearing surfaces, the deployment of the jack then producing only a displacement of the single internal tube.

• - le premier élément de connecteur est monté sur une pièce support comportant ladite seconde surface d'appui, cette pièce support étant montée flottante sur le corps du bloc modulaire;
• - dans ce dernier cas, ladite pièce support est montée flottante sur le corps du bloc modulaire par l'intermédiaire de moyens élastiques de liaison sollicitant l'une contre l'autre de manière permanente les deux surfaces d'appui après leur venue en contact; et
• - lorsque le vérin est un vérin électrique, les moyens de limitation de la course du vérin comportent des moyens pour détecter la surintensité résultant de la butée du vérin à l'enfichage complet des deux éléments de connecteur et pour interrompre l'alimentation du vérin à détection de cette surintensité.

According to a number of other advantageous features:

• - The first connector element is mounted on a support piece comprising said second bearing surface, this support piece being mounted floating on the body of the modular block;
• - In the latter case, said support piece is mounted floating on the body of the modular block by means of elastic connecting means urging one against the other by permanently the two bearing surfaces after coming into contact; and
• - When the jack is an electric jack, the means for limiting the stroke of the jack include means for detecting the overcurrent resulting from the stop of the jack when the two connector elements are fully plugged in and for interrupting the supply of the jack to detection of this overcurrent.

We will describe an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1, cited above, is a situation view showing the arrangement of the packs of missile-launching tubes on the mount which supports them.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the interconnection assembly of the invention in the deployed position, that is to say a position corresponding to the complete insertion of the connector.

Figure 3 is a plan view, according to III-III of Figure 2, of the same interconnection assembly in the retracted position, that is to say before the connection sequence of the two parts of the connector begins.

In Figures 2 and 3, there is shown in 100 the different elements located on the side of the pack and in 200 those located on the side of the mount.

The elements 100 essentially comprise a first connector element 110, unique for the whole of the pack, the connections of which lead to the different tubes thereof. This connector element 110 is mounted on a part 120 mounted "floating" on the body 7 of the pack, that is to say that it is articulated so as to have degrees of freedom in pivoting around transverse axes, a degree of freedom in translation towards axial and two degrees of freedom, limited, in translation in the vertical and horizontal direction. This floating assembly makes it possible to absorb, as will be described below, any misalignments between the two connector elements, due to the possible design and positioning tolerances of the pack on the mount.

This floating assembly is produced by means of a conical spring 130 acting as a pivot, the part 120 being mounted with sufficient clearance in the body 7 to absorb any misalignments. A stop ring 140 retains the part 120 in place on the body 7.

This part 120 has, on the side facing the mounting, a flange 121 defining a bearing surface 122 (flat in the example illustrated) provided with centering holes 123. The connector element 110 is mounted on the part 120 so that its front part does not protrude beyond the plane of the reference surface 122.

On the side of the mount, a connector element 210, homologous with the connector element 110 located opposite, is mounted on a telescopic assembly housed in a fixed tube 230 integral with the mount 3.

This telescopic assembly consists of an intermediate tube 240, sliding in the fixed tube 230, and an internal tube 250, sliding in the intermediate tube 240.

The second connector element 210 is mounted at the end 251 of the sliding tube 250, the opposite end 252 of which is connected to the rod of a jack 220 which drives it in axial translation.

The internal tube 250 is further provided with sliding and play take-up surfaces 253, 254 intended to assist its sliding inside the tube 240.

The tube 240 has, in the front part, a flange 241 whose face facing outwards has a bearing surface 242, homologous to the bearing surface 122 of the part 120, and carries centering pins 243 homologous to the centering openings 123 of the part 120. An opening 244 in the flange 241 will allow, during deployment of the jack, the passage of the connector element 210 which will protrude beyond the surface 242 (position illustrated in Figure 2).

The intermediate tube 240 is provided, like the tube 250, with a guide and sliding surface 246, 247 facilitating its sliding inside the fixed tube 230.

The tubes 240 and 250 are connected elastically by a spring 260 which urges these two parts apart by interposition between respective shoulders 245, 255 of these two parts.

Furthermore, to limit the rotation of the different parts in their translational movement, provision is made for transverse fingers 248 (FIG. 2) integral with the intermediate tube 240, which will make it possible to limit the displacement of this intermediate tube 240 on the one hand with respect to to the fixed tube 230, and on the other hand with respect to the internal tube 250.

Finally, to protect the connector elements against external aggressions, shutter means are provided, for example an assembly 270 comprising a valve 271 articulated on the body 3 of the carriage by a pin 272 and comprising a control roller opening 273 which will cause the shutter to open when the intermediate tube 250 is deployed.

The connector element 110 of the pack is also provided with an appropriate flap (not shown), the erasure of which may for example be obtained by biasing pins 243 during the deployment phase of the interconnection system.

We will now describe the operation of this interconnection system.

In the initial position, which is that illustrated in FIG. 3, the two connector elements 110 and 210 are separated and obscured by their respective closure elements (not visible in FIG. 3).

In this state, no signal can pass to the missiles, and security is therefore perfectly guaranteed. In particular, in the event of a long fire, immediate return to this non-activated state Immediately prohibit the sending of signals to any of the missiles in the pack.

In addition, the closure means being closed, the connector elements are protected separately from external aggressions (rain, sand, mud, ...).

• - Le vérin commence à se déployer, et repousse ensemble le tube interne 250 et le tube intermédiaire 240 (par l'intermédiaire du ressort 260, qui transmet alors au tube intermédiaire 240 l'effort exercé sur le tube interne 250 et donc le déplacement de celui-ci). Le tube intermédiaire 240 commence à faire saillie hors du tube fixe 230, venant appuyer sur le galet 273, ce qui a pour effet de faire basculer le clapet 271. Lorsque ce clapet aura pivoté de 90° environ, le galet 273 viendra rouler le long de la génératrice du tube intermédiaire 240 (comme on peut le voir figure 2) et ne viendra donc pas s'opposer au mouvement ultérieur des différentes pièces du système.
• - L'une des broches 243, venant en contact avec le système d'ouverture du clapet occultant l'élément de connecteur 110 du pack, déclenche l'effacement de ce clapet; les deux éléments de connecteur se trouvent alors tout deux dégagés, en vis-à-vis et à distance l'un de l'autre.
• - Le vérin poursuivant sa course, le flasque 241 du côté de l'affût vient accoster le flasque 121 du côté du pack; les surfaces coopérantes respectives 242 et 122 viennent s'appliquer l'une contre l'autre, et le centrage est réalisé par la pénétration des broches 243 dans les ouvertures de centrage 123. Ces broches assurent également le rattrapage de l'erreur d'orientation angulaire des deux connecteurs, de sorte que ces derniers se trouvent alors exactement alignés (à la fois axialement et transversalement) et orientés angulairement pour permettre leur enfichage correct.
• - Le tube intermédiaire 240 vient en butée contre l'épaulement intérieur 233 du tube fixe 230, arrêtant ainsi la course du tube intermédiaire 240; la pression exercée par le ressort conique 130 maintient appliqués l'un contre l'autre les deux flasques 121 et 241
• Le tube intermédiaire 240 étant arrivé en fin de course, la poursuite du déploiement du vérin fait alors saillir progressivement l'élément de connecteur 210 hors de l'ouverture 244, tout en comprimant le ressort 260. La fin de course a lieu lorsque la face d'extrémité 257 du tube 250 vient buter contre l'épaulement intérieur 249 du tube intermédiaire 240, correspondant à la position illustrée figure 2.

When sending the connector insertion order (which can be produced automatically, for example as soon as the pack has been mechanically locked in place on the carriage), the following operations are linked:

• - The actuator begins to deploy, and pushes together the internal tube 250 and the intermediate tube 240 (via the spring 260, which then transmits to the intermediate tube 240 the force exerted on the internal tube 250 and therefore the displacement of this one). The intermediate tube 240 begins to protrude from the fixed tube 230, coming to press on the roller 273, which has the effect of tilting the valve 271. When this valve will have pivoted about 90 °, the roller 273 will come to roll along of the generator of the intermediate tube 240 (as can be seen in FIG. 2) and therefore will not come to oppose the subsequent movement of the various parts of the system.
• - One of the pins 243, coming into contact with the valve opening system obscuring the connector element 110 of the pack, triggers the erasure of this valve; the two connector elements are then both released, facing each other and at a distance from each other.
• - The jack continuing its travel, the flange 241 on the side of the carriage comes to dock the flange 121 on the side of the pack; the respective cooperating surfaces 242 and 122 are applied one against the other, and the centering is achieved by the penetration of the pins 243 in the centering openings 123. These pins also ensure the correction of the orientation error angular of the two connectors, so that they are then exactly aligned (both axially and transversely) and angularly oriented to allow their correct insertion.
• - The intermediate tube 240 abuts against the inner shoulder 233 of the fixed tube 230, thus stopping the stroke of the intermediate tube 240; the pressure exerted by the conical spring 130 keeps the two flanges 121 and 241 applied against each other
• The intermediate tube 240 having reached the end of the stroke, the continued deployment of the jack then progressively protrudes the connector element 210 from the opening 244, while compressing the spring 260. The end of the stroke takes place when the face end 257 of the tube 250 abuts against the internal shoulder 249 of the intermediate tube 240, corresponding to the position illustrated in FIG. 2.

The connector elements are then fully inserted one inside the other. It is possible to provide, in the supply circuit of the electric actuator 220, an overcurrent detector triggering a solenoid cutting off the supply to the actuator (the overcurrent results from the appearance of the hard point corresponding to the end of travel).

It can be seen that, in the final position, the interconnection is produced and maintained even if the jack is no longer supplied, which makes it possible to withstand any stresses or vibrations which could cause the two connector elements to become detached.

The stop in the end position of the retracted cylinder is ensured by a contactor incorporated in the cylinder, the mechanical limitation of the stroke being ensured by the finger 248.

Claims (5)

An automatic interconnection assembly, intended to provide electrical connection to a modular block (4) by plugging in a connector, in particular for connection from a weapon mount (3), by a common single connector, of a fire control system with a plurality of missile launching tubes (5) grouped in the same modular block (4), comprising on one side, a first connector element (110), and on the opposite side, a telescopic assembly comprising at its free end a second connector element (210), this assembly being moved by an operating device (220), the deployment of which brings the second connector element closer to the first then plugs it into the latter, said assembly being characterized in that that, said operating device being a jack (220), said interconnection assembly further comprises: alignment means (241, 242, 243), for aligning axially and transversely and angularly orientating them, prior to the start of the plugging, the two connector elements when they are brought closer together, and means for limiting the stroke of the jack, for detecting the complete insertion of the connector elements and for then interrupting the deployment of the jack,
and in that said telescopic assembly comprises: - An intermediate tube (240), housed in a fixed external tube (230) integral with the carriage and movable in axial translation in this external tube, this intermediate tube comprising at its end turned towards the modular block a first bearing surface (242) intended to cooperate with a second homologous bearing surface (122) integral with the first connector element, said alignment means (241, 242, 243) being formed on these bearing surfaces, - an internal tube (250), housed in the intermediate tube and movable in axial translation therein, this internal tube carrying at its end (251) facing the modular block the second connector element (210) and being connected to the rod of the actuating cylinder by its opposite end (252), and - elastic means of connection (260) of the internal tube to the intermediate tube, these means making it possible, during the approach phase, to transmit to the intermediate tube the displacement imparted to the internal tube by the jack and being progressively compressed as soon as they come in contact with said bearing surfaces, the deployment of the jack then producing only a displacement of the single internal tube. The automatic interconnection assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector element (110) is mounted on a support piece (120) having said second bearing surface (122), this support piece being mounted floating on the body of the modular block (7). The automatic interconnection assembly of claim 2, wherein said support piece (120) is mounted floating on the body of the modular block (7) by means of elastic connection means (130) urging one against the 'other permanently the two bearing surfaces (122, 242) after they come into contact. The automatic interconnection assembly of claim 1, in which, the jack being an electric jack, the means for limiting the stroke of the jack include means for detecting the overcurrent resulting from the stop of the jack when the plugs are fully plugged in. two connector elements and to interrupt the supply to the actuator when this overcurrent is detected. The automatic interconnection assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electrical end-of-travel stop for interrupting the supply of the actuator when the latter reaches its extreme retracted position.

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