FR2900283A1 - Primary unit e.g. airliner cockpit system simulator, and secondary unit e.g. electric actuator, connecting system for e.g. Iron bird installation, has fixed blocks including modules which are coupled with modules of mobile block - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a mobile block (11) including modules (13) that have links (12) with a primary unit (1) e.g. airliner`s cockpit system simulator, where the modules are removable from the mobile block. An assembly includes two fixed blocks (14, 15) that have respective links (17, 18) with different groups (9, 10) of secondary units (2-7) e.g. electric actuators. The fixed blocks include modules (16) which are coupled with the modules (13) corresponding to the mobile block for providing a connection between the primary unit and a selected secondary unit group.

Description

CONNECTION SYSTEM AND TEST INSTALLATION COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM

  The present invention relates to a connection system for establishing a set of connections between at least one primary unit and secondary units. The invention also relates to a test installation comprising such a connection system.

  The invention is aimed in particular at such a system for establishing electrical connections between at least one primary unit and secondary units. Test benches are known for certifying new equipment on the ground well before boarding on a prototype aircraft or still used for ground testing of equipment under maintenance. During ground certification tests, the simulation conditions shall be as close as possible to those that an airliner may experience in flight at altitudes between 6000 and 12000 meters and for speeds ranging from 800 to 900 km / h. l. For this purpose, special test facilities known as "Iron Bird" are developed for each new aircraft. These installations make it possible to simulate all the systems and flight controls, but also to check the responsiveness of all the control surfaces of the aircraft (flaps, nozzles, landing gear, for example) under the various conditions that may occur in flight. Aerodynamic loads can, for example, be simulated by means of group of cylinders exerting pressure on the control surfaces.

  However, the economic imperatives push further to reduce the total weight of the airliners so as to reduce the consumption of kerosene. Recent developments include the replacement of hydraulic cylinders and their main and auxiliary fluid supply circuits by electric cylinders or electrohydrostatic actuators. We therefore seek to replace the various power systems (hydraulic, pneumatic, ..) by one, namely an electrical system. As a result, as the number of electrical equipment increases on board aircraft, testing facilities have an ever increasing number of outlets to make the electrical connections and switching required for the various tests. This large number of catches also results from the need to maintain a redundancy of the systems to ensure maximum safety on board the aircraft. Indeed, a total failure of all the systems is then very improbable. However, it becomes particularly difficult to be able to verify the nature and consistency of a given configuration of the test facility. Errors in the positioning of the mobile sockets on the bases can occur which results in an expensive immobilization of the installations to find the origin of the fault and to repair it. Changes in the test configuration also require disconnections and connections of some plugs on other bases. There is therefore a gradual deterioration of the catches following these repeated manual manipulations. These multiple manual connections are also particularly difficult for the operator. Finally, it would be advantageous to have an electrical connection interface offering simplified maintenance while being flexible.

  The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electrical connection system, simple in its design and its operating mode, having a high degree of modularity, a segregation of roads and easy maintenance.

  Another object of the present invention is to have an installation for testing equipment whose nature and consistency of the configuration set up can be very easily verified. To this end, the invention relates to a connection system for establishing a set of connections between at least one primary unit and secondary units. According to the invention, this connection system comprises: at least one mobile block, this mobile block comprising modules each of these modules having links with said primary unit and being removable from the mobile block, a set comprising at least two blocks fixed, each fixed block having links with a different group of secondary units, and - each fixed block comprises modules intended to be coupled with the corresponding modules of the mobile block to establish a connection between said primary unit and the group of units secondary selected. Each module being removable from the mobile block, it is possible to disconnect a given module to perform an intervention on this module without paralyzing the connections made on the other modules. In various particular embodiments of this connection system, each having its particular advantages and capable of many possible technical combinations: the system comprises n moving blocks with n> 2, n being an integer, and at least 2n fixed blocks, Advantageously the assembly comprises at least (2n + 1) fixed blocks, which makes it possible to increase the number of possible configurations of the test installation while allowing rapid switching of the mobile blocks between these configurations. the links, on the one hand, between the modules of the mobile block or blocks and the said at least one primary unit, and, on the other hand, between the modules of each fixed block and the corresponding group of secondary units are electrical links. the links, on the one hand, between the modules of the mobile block or blocks and the said at least one primary unit, and, on the other hand, between the modules of each fixed block and the corresponding group of secondary units are intended to For example, the signal is intended to be transported by a single mode or multimode fiber optic cable, which allows both to carry the data over a greater distance within a single or multimode fiber optic cable. aircraft, for example from the cockpit to the equipment, and to ensure immunity to electrical interference. Alternatively, it may still be a wired link Ethernet type. the device having a main circuit and at least one auxiliary backup circuit connecting said at least one primary unit and the secondary units, each fixed and mobile block comprises main modules intended to establish a connection on the main circuit and secondary modules intended to to establish a connection on the backup auxiliary circuit, It is thus possible to keep redundant circuits to ensure maximum safety of the installation in case of failure of the main circuit. - The system comprises guide elements for guiding the movable block to the fixed block so as to facilitate the coupling between these blocks. - The system comprises a securing member for locking each pair of mobile block and fixed block in the coupled position, - each module being a multicontact connector, the electrical connections from the contact points of this connector are assembled in a beam by organs Each fastening member is, for example, selected from the group consisting of a cable tie, a greenhouseflex, .... -the assembly being a box such as a bay, each of said movable or fixed blocks comprises a front face having a height of less than 40 cm.

  The invention also relates to a test installation comprising at least one primary unit and secondary units, these secondary units being connected to said at least one primary unit by an interface box. According to the invention, this interface box is a connection system as described above.

  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically a partial view of a test installation according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the body of a module implemented in the installation of FIG. 1, the beam having been omitted for the sake of clarity; - Figure 3 shows schematically the movable block of Figure 1 mounted on guide means for coupling to a fixed block; - Figure 4 schematically shows a moving block coupled to a fixed block (Figure 4 a)) and a sectional view of these movable and fixed blocks and coupled to show the locking member (Figure 4b));

  Figure 1 shows a test installation comprising a primary unit 1 such as an aircraft cockpit simulator and secondary units 2-7 such as electric cylinders or electrohydrostatic actuators. These deniers have their own fluid supply 8. These secondary units 2-7 are divided into two groups 9, 10 of which one element 3 is common, each of these groups 9, 10 representing a configuration of the test installation. Processing units (not shown) make it possible to monitor in real time the behavior of each of these units 1-7. This test installation comprises a connection system according to a particular embodiment of the invention. This connection system makes it possible to establish a set of electrical connections between the primary unit 1 and a group of secondary units 9, 10 selected from the two possible groups. The connection system comprises a mobile block 11 connected to the primary unit 1 by several bundles 12 of electric cables. Each of these beams 12 is connected to a module 13 removably attached to the movable block 11. A single beam 12 is shown in Figure 1 for the sake of clarity. This mobile block 11 is intended to be coupled to one of the fixed blocks 14, 15 mounted on a box 19. Only two fixed blocks 14, 15 are shown but, in general, the box 19 may comprise three or more fixed blocks, c that is, as many fixed blocks as different configurations of the required test facility. Each of these fixed blocks 14, 15 comprises modules 16 which are connected by electrical connections 17, 18 to some of the secondary units 2-7. A group 9, 10 of secondary units associated with a fixed block 14, 15 is thus defined. These modules 16 are intended to be coupled to corresponding modules 13 of the mobile block 11 to establish very easily and without risk of errors, electrical connections between the primary unit 1 and the group 9, 10 secondary units selected. A change of test configuration is simply obtained by uncoupling the modules 13 from the mobile block 11 of the modules 16 of a fixed block 14, 15 with which they were coupled, to couple them with the modules 16 of another fixed block 14 15. Figure 2 shows the body 20 of a module 13, 16 on the front side of which contact points 21 are intended to be mounted. The modules 13, 16 of the fixed blocks 14, 15 or mobile 11 may comprise indifferently male or female contact points. These contact points are held in position on each module 13, 16 by clipping. By way of example, the modules 13, 16 are chosen from the group comprising multicontact connectors with 50 points, 104 points or 208 points. Of course, multicontact connectors having different sizes from those described are possible. Preferably, all the modules 13, 16 are mounted in cutouts capable of receiving 208 contact points which corresponds to the size of the connector having the most points available. For the attachment of connectors having less than 208 points, the connection system comprises an adapter for each module 13, 16. Thus, when the modules are 104-point multi-contact connectors, they may possibly be replaced by 208-point multicontact connectors. and vice versa. The body 20 of each module 13, 16 comprises a support member 22 placed behind its front face so as to support the cables starting from the contact points 21. Preferably, each module 13, 16 admits cable ranging from the gauge. 26 to the 16 gauge (contact size adapted to the technology of the modules). These electrical connections, or cables, which start from the contact points 21 are advantageously gathered in a bundle by securing members of the cable clamp type. The modules 13 are fixed in housings 23 provided for this purpose on the body 24 of the movable block 11 (Figure 3). To ensure this fixation, spring-loaded fastening elements 26 are used, thus allowing a floating assembly of each module 13 in its housing 23.

  These spring fastening elements 26 advantageously make it possible to absorb any shocks that may occur during the coupling of a movable block 11 with a fixed block 14, 15. These shocks can, in particular, result from the existence of an angle of introduction during this coupling between the movable block 11 and the fixed block 14, 15 corresponding. Furthermore, each module 13 of the movable block 11 can be extracted or introduced with its beam into its housing 23 from the front and the rear without touching the other modules 13. It thus becomes possible to extract a module 13 from the block mobile 11 to connect separately to a fixed block 14, 15 independently of the movable block 11. Slight changes in the test configuration are thus made possible. Preferably, the installation having a main circuit and at least one backup auxiliary circuit connecting the primary unit 1 and the secondary units 2-7, the fixed blocks 14, 15 and mobile 11 comprise main modules intended to establish connections on the main circuit and secondary modules for making connections on this auxiliary backup circuit. These main and secondary modules are spaced on the front face of each block with a safety distance d greater than 7.5 cm. There are indeed no mixed routes on the same module for security reasons. The system advantageously comprises guiding elements for guiding a movable block 11 towards the fixed block 14, 15 with which it is sought to couple it. Figure 3 shows such guide elements. They comprise, firstly, two vertical axes 25, 26 and a frame 27 adapted to move along these axes 25, 26. The movable block 11 is mounted on the frame 30. It is thus possible to move in vertical translation the movable block 11 to allow its positioning vis-à-vis the fixed block 14, 15 with which one seeks to mate.

  A counterweight system (not shown) can be implemented to facilitate the movement of the movable block 11 along these vertical axes 25, 26 taking into account its weight resulting from the presence of a large number of bundles of cables connected to the 13. Stops may then be arranged, for example, at the ends of the vertical axes 25, 26, to limit the range of possible movement of the movable block 11. Moreover, the guide elements comprise centering elements. These centering elements comprise a lug 28 placed on the movable block 11 cooperating with a hollow projecting element 29 disposed on the fixed blocks 14, 15 to ensure the correct positioning of the movable block 11 relative thereto. These centering elements make it possible to guide said movable block 11 between a first position, called a withdrawal position, where said movable block 11 is able to move vertically along the vertical axes 25, 26 and a second position, called a coupling position, where said movable block 11 is coupled to the fixed block 14, 15 corresponding. The movable block 11 is, for example, mounted on the frame 27 on rails (not shown) ensuring its movement between these two positions. The system also comprises for each connection between a movable block 11 and a fixed block 14, 15, a locking member for locking this connection. This locking member comprises, for example, at one end gripping member such as a wheel 30 to allow manipulation by an operator and at its other end, a locking member 31 intended to be introduced into a housing 32 of the fixed block 14, 15. This housing 32 comprises an opening 33 having a shape complementary to the locking element 31 to allow its introduction. Once the locking element 31 has been introduced, a simple rotation of the steering wheel makes it possible to block the moving block 11 at the fixed block 14, 15 corresponding to it.

  The system may finally comprise protection members chosen from the group comprising a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a light-signaling element, means for locking access to said assembly, and combinations of these elements to provide protection. operators when the system is running. The mobile block 11 may further comprise a cover preventing access to the modules 13 for the protection of the operators. Advantageously, the present invention relates to a connection and switching system without any active element on the signals which does not induce disturbances thereof.

Claims (13)

  1. Connection system for establishing a set of connections between at least one primary unit (1) and secondary units (2-7), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one mobile block (11), said block mobile device (11) comprising modules (13), each of said modules (13) having links (12) with said primary unit (1) and being removable from said mobile block (11), - an assembly comprising at least two fixed blocks ( 14, 15), each of said fixed blocks (14, 15) having links (17, 18) with a group (9, 10) different from secondary units (2-7), and in that each of said blocks fixed units (14, 15) comprise modules (16) to be coupled with said corresponding modules (13) of said movable block (11) to establish a connection between said primary unit (1) and said group (9, 10) of secondary units selected.   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises n movable blocks (11) with n> _2, and at least (2n) fixed blocks (14, 15).   3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said links, on the one hand, between said modules (13) of said one or more mobile blocks (11) and said at least one primary unit (1), and of on the other hand, between said modules (16) of each of said fixed blocks (14, 15) and said group (9, 10) of corresponding secondary units (2-7) are electrical links.   4. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said links, on the one hand, between said modules (13) of said one or more mobile blocks (11) and said at least one primary unit (1), and of on the other hand, between said modules (16) of each of said fixed blocks (14, 15) and said group of corresponding secondary units (2-7) are intended to transmit radio or optical type signals.   5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of said fixed blocks (14, 15) and movable (11) comprises main modules for establishing a main circuit connection and secondary modules for establish a backup auxiliary circuit connection.   6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said blocks having a front face, said main and secondary modules are spaced on said face by a safety distance d greater than 7.5 cm.   7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises guide elements (25-29) for guiding said movable block (11) to said fixed block (14, 15) so as to facilitate coupling between said blocks.   8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a locking member (30, 31) for locking each pair of mobile block (11) and fixed block (14, 15) in coupled position.   9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said assembly being a cabinet (19), each of said movable blocks (11) or fixed (14, 15) comprises a front face having a height less than 40 cm.   10. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each module (13, 16) being a multicontact connector, the electrical connections from the contact points of said connector are collected in a bundle by securing members .   11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises an adapter for each module (13, 16) for fixing multicontact connectors having less than 208 points.   12. System according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises protective members selected from the group comprising current sensor, voltage sensor, light signaling element, means for locking the access audit together, and combinations of these elements.   13. Testing installation comprising at least one primary unit and secondary units, said secondary units (2 -7) being connected to said at least one primary unit (1) by an interface box, characterized in that said box interface is a connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.