FR3040581A1 - RECEIVING BAY OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, FOR EXAMPLE AVIONICS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an array (101) for receiving electronic equipment, in particular avionics, of the type comprising parallel cells (102, 103, 104) for sliding reception of pluggable and de-inable electronic modules (105) associated with means (106). ) of stressing and locking of these modules in the plugged position and release of these modules in the disengaged position, characterized in that the means (106) for stressing and locking and plugging / unplugging of each module comprise at least one operating lever (107) elastically deformable along the sliding axis of the module in the cell, whose lower part (108) comprises means (109, 110) of articulation on the module (105) and fork-shaped end means (111) adapted to be engaged on anchoring means (113) associated with the remainder of the bay, and in its upper part, a maneuvering member (115) enabling an operator to push the lever to put the module under stress in the corresponding cell and engage the lever (107) in the locking position with a stop member (116) associated with this module and to release the lever of this stop member, in order to release the module.

Description

RECEIVING BAY OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FOR EXAMPLE

AVIONIQUE

The present invention relates to an electronic equipment receiving bay including avionics.

More particularly, the invention relates to such a rack, which comprises parallel cells for sliding reception of plug-in and de-energizable electronic modules.

These cells are then associated with means for stressing and locking these modules in the plugged position and disengaging these modules in the disengaged position.

Currently most of the equipment and electronic equipment on board aircraft is carried out according to an international standardization and in particular to a standard called ARINC 600.

This standard defines formats of equipment and electronic equipments embedded in an exhaustive way.

The dimensions of electronic equipment and materials are set at a specified height and depth.

The width may, in turn, vary according to a classification also determined.

The mode of attachment and blocking of electronic equipment and equipment in cabinets, ARINC 600 reception bays installed in aircraft, is also standardized.

This fixation is carried out by means of an ARINC 600 chair, which is specific to each box width.

A locking system of equipment boxes, on ARINC 600 chairs, is also part of the ARINC 600 standard and therefore leaves no room for interpretation.

This equipment and electronic equipment must be removable and are defined as replaceable units online, also called URL (for Replaceable Online Unit), which must be able to simply and quickly replace if an electronic function fails. One of the problems of such a locking system is that, while allowing easy insertion and locking of equipment, it does not ensure easy extraction thereof.

In addition, the locking operation in position is relatively long and tedious.

Moreover, this type of system is also relatively complex and expensive to produce.

The object of the invention is therefore to solve these problems by providing such locking means that are simple, effective, reliable, quick to implement the insertion and extraction of electronic modules.

In addition, these means must not require tools and must be of a cost and a competitive weight. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a reception bay for electronic equipment, in particular avionics, of the type comprising parallel cells for sliding reception of plug-in and de-energizable electronic modules, associated with means for putting these modules under stress and locking. in the plugged-in and release position of these modules in the disengaged position, characterized in that the stressing and locking and plugging / unplugging means of each module comprise at least one actuating lever that is elastically deformable along the axis of sliding of the module in the cell, the lower part of which comprises means of articulation on the module and fork-shaped end means adapted to be engaged on anchoring means associated with the rest of the bay, and in its upper part, a maneuvering member allowing an operator to push the lever to put the mod and under stress in the corresponding cell and engage the lever in the locking position with a stop member associated with this module and to release the lever of the stop member, to release the module.

According to other features of the bay according to the invention, taken alone or in combination: the locking lever is made of at least two parts hinged to one another between the hinge means on the module and the maneuvering member, and associated with resilient biasing means; the biasing means comprise at least one spiral spring disposed around means for articulating the two lever parts and making it possible to put the module under stress in position in the rack when the lever is moved in the locking position with the body of the lever; corresponding stop; - Limits are provided for limiting the angular displacement of the two lever parts during removal of the module; - The locking lever is formed in the form of an elastic blade of metal material, extending parallel to the sliding plane of the module in the bay; - The blade has on its edges, slots emerging and intertwined, allowing the elastic deformation thereof, until the surfaces facing these slots abut against each other, to limit the deformation of the blade when placing and removing the module; - The inner ends of the slots of the edges of the blade overlap in the central portion thereof; the inner ends of the slots on the edges of the blade terminate in corresponding holes; - The facing surfaces of at least a portion of the slots of the blade edge facing the module, further comprise portions in complementary hooks limiting the deformation of the blade during removal of the module; the anchoring means associated with the remainder of the rack comprise at least one hinge rod of the fork-shaped end means of the lever rigidly fixed to the rack; - The anchoring means associated with the rest of the bay comprise at least one common joint rod to several modules thereof; the anchoring means associated with the remainder of the bay comprise an articulation rod common to all the modules thereof. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of FIG. a module receiving bay and electronic equipment including avionics, according to the invention; - Figures 2, 3 and 4 show different perspective views illustrating the manipulation of a lever by an operator, to move in particular to its locking position of a module in a bay according to the invention; - Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a module receiving bay and electronic equipment including avionics, according to the invention; FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 represent different perspective views illustrating the manipulation of a lever according to this embodiment of an array according to the invention, by an operator, to move it in particular towards its locking position of the module in the bay according to the invention; and FIGS. 9 to 13 illustrate side views of this embodiment of the lever as well as the elastic deformation of this lever as the locking of the electronic equipment progresses.

In fact, FIG. 1 shows a receiving bay for electronic equipment, especially avionics.

This rack is designated by the general reference 1 in this Figure 1 and in the other Figures 2, 3 and 4.

It comprises, in a conventional manner, for example any suitable chassis which comprises parallel cells for sliding reception of pluggable and de-energizable electronic modules.

Several parallel cells such as cells 2, 3 and 4 are illustrated in this FIG.

As illustrated in these figures, the cell 3 is for example adapted to slidably receive an electronic module designated for example by the general reference 5 in these figures.

As indicated above, these cells are associated with means for stressing and locking the modules in position plugged into the bay and clearing these modules in the off position.

These stressing and locking means are designated by the general reference 6 in these figures for the module 5 and will be described in more detail later.

In fact, the means 6 of stressing and locking and plugging / unplugging of each module for example 5, comprise, as is illustrated in these Figures 1 to 4, at least one operating lever designated by the general reference 7, elastically deformable along the axis of sliding of the module in the cell, for example of the module 5 in the cell 3.

The lower part of this operating lever 7, designated by the general reference 8 in these FIGS. 1 to 4, comprises articulation means on the module, for example 5.

These articulation means are for example formed by a hinge pin designated by the general reference 9.

This hinge rod 9 then passes through this lower part 8 of lever 7 and extends between two wings of a yoke designated by the general reference 10, fixed on the front face of the module, for example 5.

This rod 9 then makes it possible to articulate this lower part 8 of the lever 7 on the module 5 and in particular on the front face of this module.

The operating lever 7 also comprises fork-shaped end means, designated by the general reference 11 in these Figures 1 to 4.

These means 11 in the form of end fork are adapted to be engaged on anchoring means associated with the rest of the bay 1.

These anchoring means will be described in more detail later, but it should already be noted that these comprise at least one hinge pin common to several modules of the bay, or even a hinge pin common to all modules of this bay. This is illustrated for example in these Figures 1 to 4, where it is seen that the anchoring means associated with the rest of the bay 1, comprise an articulation rod and anchor designated by the general reference 12, for example common to all the modules and cells of the bay.

As also illustrated, this hinge pin and anchor 12 may include fingerprints for example 12a, receiving fork-shaped means 11 of the levers to allow to center and maintain them.

In its upper part, the operating lever 7 comprises a lockable handle body, designated by the general reference 13.

In fact, the operating lever 7 is then made for example in at least two parts hinged to one another, for example by means of a hinge rod 14, as shown in these figures, which is arranged between the articulation means 9 of the lower part of the lever on the module 5 and the lockable handle body 13.

Elastic biasing means are then interposed between these two lever parts.

These biasing means are designated for example by the general reference 15 in these figures and comprise for example at least one spiral spring disposed around the hinge means 14 of the two lever parts one on the other.

This allows, as illustrated in these Figures 1 to 4, an operator to push on the lockable handle body 13 to put the module 5 under stress in position in the corresponding cell 3 of the bay 1, when the lever 7 is moved to the lock position.

In this position, the operating lever is blocked by a corresponding stop member.

As illustrated in these Figures 1 to 4, the front face of the module 5 comprises an elastic stop member, designated by the general reference 16.

This abutment member 16 makes it possible to keep the lockable handle body in the locking position as illustrated in FIG. 4, by crossing an edge of a corresponding locking slot designated by the general reference 17, formed in this body. lockable handle 13.

When the operator wishes to release the module 5, it then suffices to push the stop member 16 to retract and release the lockable handle body 13.

By pulling on it, it causes the release and unplugging of the module bay.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the fact that a module is placed under stress in such a bay.

Thus, during a first step, the operator positions the module 5 in the corresponding cell 3 of the bay 1.

The fork-shaped means 11 of the corresponding lower end of the operating lever are then engaged around the anchoring rod and articulation and anchoring 12 of the bay. The operator can then push on the lockable handle body 13 to cause stressing of the module 5 in the cell, until the elastic stop member 16 of the module, comes to cross the corresponding edge of the light 17 of the lockable handle body, to lock the operating lever 7 in position and thus the module under stress in the cavity of the bay.

This module is unplugged in the opposite direction, that is to say that the operator must firstly retract the stop member 16 to release the lockable handle body 13.

By pulling on it, the operator then causes the release of the lever and the release and unplugging of the module.

Limit limiting means angular displacement of the two parts of the lever can of course be provided appropriately between them.

It goes without saying of course that other embodiments can be envisaged.

In particular other embodiments of the elastically deformable operating lever along the axis or sliding plane of the module in the cell of the bay, can be envisaged.

There is thus illustrated in Figures 5 to 13, an alternative embodiment of the operating lever.

In these FIGS. 5 to 13, a receiving bay of material designated by the general reference 101 is recognized, provided with cells 102, 103 and 104 for receiving electronic modules, for example 105.

It is then also provided means for stressing and locking the modules in the plugged position and release of these modules in the unenclosed position.

These means of stressing and locking and unlocking are designated by the general reference 106 in these figures.

In fact, these means 106 of stressing and locking and plugging / unplugging each module, comprise as illustrated in these figures, at least one operating lever 107 in the form of an elastic blade in metallic material.

This elastic blade of metallic material then extends parallel to the sliding plane of the module in the cavity of the bay and is deformable at least along the axis or sliding plane of the module in the corresponding cell.

In these figures, this blade lever designated by the general reference 107 also comprises in a lower portion 108, a hinge rod 109 in a yoke 110 of the module and more particularly of the front face thereof.

It also comprises a fork-shaped end 111 adapted to be engaged around a hinge rod forming the anchoring means associated with the rest of the bay, this hinge pin and anchor being designated by the general reference 113.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in these figures, the locking lever 107 is made in the form of an elastic blade made of metallic material extending parallel to the plane of sliding of the module in the bay.

This blade is designated in a particular way by the general reference 114.

This comprises in its upper part a push button designated by the general reference 115, allowing an operator to lock or unlock the blade and thus the module in position in the cell of the bay, by crossing or release of a stop member 116 of the module and more particularly of the front face thereof, adapted to cooperate with a complementary stop light 117 of the blade.

In this case, this blade 114 is also elastically deformable transversely to cross this abutment member 116 which can extend transversely.

In fact and as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 9, the blade 114 has on its edges, open and interlaced slots allowing the elastic deformation thereof, until the surfaces facing these slots come into abutment. against each other, in order to limit the deformation of the blade 114 during the introduction and removal of the module.

For example, these slots, and in particular FIG. 9, show such slots, the first of which are designated for example by the general references 120, 121 and 122.

These slots open on the opposite edges of the blade being interlaced, which allows as is visible in these different figures, the blade to deform elastically, until the surfaces facing the slots come into stop against each other.

This makes it possible to limit the deformation of the blade and thus constitutes the means of limiting the deformation of the blade, mentioned above with regard to the two-part lever.

The inner ends of the slots of the edges of the blade 114 overlap in the central part thereof and these inner ends of these slots may for example terminate in corresponding stop holes, such as for example the holes 123, 124 and 125 for the slots 120, 121 and 122 respectively.

These holes may have different shapes such as a circular shape, oval or other.

In addition, and as illustrated, the facing surfaces of at least a portion of the slots of the edge of the blade facing the module, further comprise portions in the form of complementary hooks limiting the deformation of the blade during removal of the module.

These means in the form of complementary hooks are for example designated by the references 126 and 127 for the slots 120 and 122.

Of course, still other embodiments of these means can be envisaged.

In this case also, the establishment and removal of the lever are illustrated in detail in the various figures.

In fact the blade 114 is sufficiently resilient to allow proper stressing and plugging of the corresponding module in the complementary cell of the bay.

It is conceivable then that such a structure is extremely simple, and robust and resistant to external aggression due to the decrease in the number of parts used, the number of parts in relative movement ...

Moreover, such a solution is reliable and has a reduced cost while being compact and lightweight compared to current solutions.

It is also extremely easy to maintain and use and requires no tools or specific training.

Finally, it further improves the security of the fixing of the modules in position insofar as the unlocking requires a combined action of pushing and elastic lateral deformation of the blade or the lever, so that an accidental unlocking of a module does not can only very difficult to happen.

Finally it no longer requires the use of cumbersome anchoring means, expensive and complex state of the art.

It goes without saying of course that other embodiments can be envisaged.

Claims (12)

1. - Receiving bay (1; 101) for electronic equipment, in particular avionics, of the type comprising parallel cells (2, 3, 4, 102, 103, 104) for sliding reception of plug-in and de-energizable electronic modules (5; ), associated with means (6; 106) for stressing and locking these modules in the plugged-in position and for disengaging these modules in the disengaged position, characterized in that the means (6; for locking and plugging / unplugging each module comprises at least one operating lever (7; 107) that is elastically deformable along the axis of sliding of the module in the cell, the lower part (8; 108) of which comprises means (9, 10; 109, 110) hinge on the module (5; 105) and fork-shaped end means (11; 111) adapted to be engaged on anchoring means (12; 113) associated with the rest of the bay, and in its upper part ieure, an actuator (13; 115) allowing an operator to push the lever to put the module under stress in the corresponding cell and to engage the lever (7; 107) in the locking position with an abutment member (16; 116) associated with this module and to disengage this lever from this abutment member, in order to release the module. 2. - Receiving bay of electronic equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking lever (7) is formed in at least two parts (8, 13) articulated to one another (14) between the hinge means (9) on the module (5) and the operating member (13), and associated with resilient biasing means (15). 3. - Electronic equipment receiving bay according to claim 2, characterized in that the biasing means comprise at least one spiral spring (15) disposed around hinge means (14) of the two parts of the lever and allowing to put the module (5) under stress in position in the bay when the lever (7) is moved in the locking position with the corresponding stop member (16). 4. - Electronic equipment receiving bay according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that there are provided stops for limiting the angular displacement of the two parts (8, 13) lever during removal of the module. 5. - Electronic equipment receiving bay according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever (107) for locking is formed as a resilient blade of metal material (114), extending parallel to the sliding plane module in the bay. 6. - Receiving bay of electronic equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that the blade (114) has on its edges, open and interleaved slots (120, 121, 122), allowing the elastic deformation thereof, until the surfaces facing these slots abut against each other, to limit the deformation of the blade (114) during the introduction and removal of the module. 7. - Electronic equipment receiving bay according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner ends of the slots (120, 121, 122) of the edges of the blade overlap in the central portion thereof. 8. - Electronic equipment receiving bay according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the inner ends of the slots (120, 121, 122) of the edges of the blade are terminated in corresponding holes (123,124,125). 9. - Electronic equipment receiving bay according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the facing surfaces of at least a portion of the slots (120, 121, 122) of the edge of the blade (114 ) turned towards the module, further comprise complementary hook portions (126, 127) for limiting the deformation of the blade (114) during removal of the module. 10- electronics receiving bay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring means associated with the remainder of the bay comprise at least one rod (12; 113) of articulation of the end means fork-shaped (11; 111) of the lever, rigidly fixed to the bay (5; 105). 11. electronic equipment receiving bay according to claim 10, characterized in that the anchoring means associated with the remainder of the bay comprise at least one joint rod (12; 113) common to several modules thereof . 12. Electronic equipment receiving bay according to claim 11, characterized in that the anchoring means associated with the remainder of the bay comprise a hinge rod (12; 113) common to all of the modules thereof. this.