FR3084704A1 - PIVOTING CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO PARTS, AIRCRAFT COMPRISING A COVER EQUIPPED WITH SAID PIVOTING CONNECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pivoting connection device connecting at least two parts (52, 54) and comprising: - a yoke (56) having first and second branches (58, 60) each having a through hole (66, 68 ), - an arm (62), positioned between the first and second branches (58, 60) of the yoke (56), having a through hole (70), - a cylindrical axis (64) connecting the yoke (56) and the arm (62), having a projecting rib (78) which has a length less than or equal to the distance separating the first and second branches (58, 60), the orifice (70) of the arm (62) having a first groove, configured to at least partially accommodate the rib (78) of the cylindrical axis (64), which extends from one side face (F62, F62 ') to the other of the arm (62), - at least an orifice (66, 68) of the first and second branches (58, 60) having a second groove configured to allow passage of the rib (78) of the cylindrical axis risk (64).

Description

PIVOTING CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO PARTS, AIRCRAFT COMPRISING A COVER EQUIPPED WITH SAID PIVOTING CONNECTION DEVICE

The present application relates to a pivoting connection device between at least two parts as well as to an aircraft comprising a cover equipped with said pivoting connection device.

According to a configuration visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, an aircraft 10 comprises several engine assemblies 12 which are positioned under the wing 14 of the aircraft 10.

An engine assembly 12 comprises an engine 16, a nacelle 18 positioned around the engine 16 and a mast 20 which provides the connection between the engine 16 and the rest of the aircraft 10, in particular the wing 14.

The nacelle 18 comprises at least one cover 22 connected to the rest of the nacelle 18 by a hinge 24 allowing the cover 22 to pivot around a pivot axis A24 between an open position (visible in FIG. 2) and a closed position ( visible in Figure 1).

According to one configuration, the hinge 24 has several pivoting connection devices 26 distributed along the pivot axis A24.

According to a first embodiment visible in FIG. 3, a pivoting connection device 26 comprises:

a yoke 28, secured to the cover 22 (or respectively of the rest of the nacelle 18), having two branches 28.1, 28.2, an arm 30, secured to the rest of the nacelle 18 (or respectively of the cover 22), positioned between the branches 28.1 , 28.2 of the yoke 28, a cylindrical axis 32 positioned in coaxial bores provided in the two branches 28.1, 28.2 of the yoke 28 and the arm 30, said cylindrical axis 32 ensuring the connection between the yoke 28 and the arm 30 and having an axis of revolution coincident with the pivot axis A24.

Guide rings can be inserted between the cylindrical axis 32 and the branches 28.1, 28.2 of the yoke 28 as well as between the cylindrical axis 32 and the arm 30.

The pivoting connection device 26 also comprises first and second stops 34, 36, positioned on either side of the branches 28.1, 28.2 of the yoke 28, to immobilize in translation the cylindrical axis 32 relative to the branches 28.1, 28.2 in a direction parallel to the pivot axis A24.

According to this first embodiment, the cylindrical axis 32 has at a first end a head 38 which forms the first stop 34 and which is configured to bear against the external face F28.1 of the first branch 28.1 of the yoke 28.

The second stop 36 is in the form of a split pin 40 which crosses the cylindrical axis 32 and which is configured to bear against the external face F28.2 of the second branch 28.2 of the yoke 28.

This first embodiment requires that the two sides of the yoke 28 are accessible in order to be able to assemble the pivoting connection device, the cylindrical axis 32 being introduced from a first side of the yoke 28, the cotter pin being put in place from a second side of clevis 28.

According to a second embodiment described by document FR-2,947,592 and illustrated by FIGS. 4 to 6, a pivoting connection device comprises, in addition to the yoke 28 and the arm 30, a connection system comprising:

a tubular body 42 which has, at a first end, a flange 42.1 configured to bear against the external face F28.1 of the first branch

28.1 of the yoke 28 and, at a second end, at least one slot 42.2 allowing the second end of the tubular body 42 to expand radially, an insert 44 of frustoconical shape positioned inside the tubular body 42, at the level of its second end, having a tapped bore 44.1, and a screw 46, configured to be housed in the tubular body 42 and having, at a first end, a head 46.1 configured to be pressed against the flange

42.1 of the tubular body 42 and, at a second end, a threaded section 46.2 configured to be screwed into the threaded bore 44.1.

The screwing or unscrewing of the screw 46 brings the insert 44 and the head 46.1 of the screw 46 closer together or apart. When the insert 44 and the head 46.1 of the screw 46 are in the separated state , the second end of the tubular body 42 is not radially expanded. When the insert 44 and the head 46.1 of the screw 46 are in the close state, the second end of the tubular body 42 is radially expanded.

According to this second embodiment, the insert 44 and the head 46.1 of the screw 46 being in the separated state, the connection system is inserted into the bores of the branches 28.1, 28.2 of the yoke 28 and of the arm 30 from a first side of the yoke 28. When the connection system is inserted, the head 46.1 of the screw 46 and the insert 44 are brought together by screwing the screw 46, from the first side of the yoke 28, so as to cause the expansion of the second end of the tubular body 42.

Thus, according to this second embodiment, the collar 42.1 of the tubular body 42 forms a first stop making it possible to immobilize the tubular body 42 in a first direction. The expansion of the second end of the tubular body forms a second stop making it possible to immobilize the tubular body 42. The friction between the tubular body 42 and the second branch 28.2 of the yoke 28, due to the radial expansion of the second end of the tubular body, also contribute to the immobilization of the tubular body 42 relative to the second branch 28.2.

This second embodiment allows the assembly of the pivoting connection device from one side of the yoke 28.

However, the presence of a screw 46 which extends over the entire length of the tubular body increases the mass of the pivoting connection device. In addition, this second embodiment is relatively complex.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a pivoting connection device connecting at least two parts and comprising:

a yoke, integral with the first part, having first and second branches each having an inner face oriented towards the other branch and an outer face opposite to the inner face, as well as an orifice which opens at the inner and outer faces , an arm, integral with the rest of the second part, positioned between the first and second branches of the yoke and having two lateral faces parallel to each other as well as an orifice which opens out at the level of the lateral faces, a cylindrical axis, configured to be housed in the orifices of the first and second branches and of the arm, forming a pivot axis and having a peripheral surface as well as first and second end faces.

According to the invention, the pivoting connection device has the following characteristics: the cylindrical axis has a rib, projecting from the peripheral surface, which extends parallel to the pivot axis between first and second distant ends first and second end faces of the cylindrical axis, the first and second ends of the rib being separated by a distance less than or equal to a distance separating the interior faces of the first and second branches, the orifice of the arm comprises a first groove configured to at least partially accommodate the rib of the cylindrical axis, which extends from one side face to the other of the arm, and at least one of the orifices of the first and second branches comprises a second groove configured to allow passage of the rib of the cylindrical axis.

The pivoting connection device of the invention allows mounting from a single outer face. It includes a reduced number of parts, which tends to simplify assembly and reduce the on-board weight.

According to another characteristic, only the orifice of the first branch has a second groove configured to allow passage of the rib of the cylindrical axis.

According to another characteristic, the distance between the first and second ends of the rib is substantially equal to the distance separating the interior faces of the first and second branches.

According to a first variant, the first end of the rib and the first end face of the cylindrical axis are separated by a distance substantially equal to a distance separating the inner and outer faces of the first branch. The second end of the rib and the second end face of the cylindrical axis are separated by a distance substantially equal to a distance separating the inner and outer faces of the second branch.

According to a second variant, the cylindrical axis comprises a portion projecting from at least one of the external faces of the first and second branches.

The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising an opening delimited by a frame and a cover connected to the frame by at least one pivoting connection device according to one of the preceding characteristics, said frame being movable in rotation between a closed position and a maximum opening position.

According to one characteristic, the first and second grooves are positioned so as to be aligned in an insertion position different from the closed position of the cover.

According to one configuration, the insertion position corresponds to the maximum opening position of the cover.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings among which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aircraft engine assembly,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pivoting connection device which illustrates a first embodiment of the prior art, in the disassembled state,

FIG. 4 is a side view of a pivoting connection device which illustrates a second embodiment of the prior art,

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of part of the pivoting connection device visible in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of part of the pivoting connection device visible in FIG. 4, in the disassembled state,

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of a pivoting connection device which illustrates a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first part of the pivoting connection device visible in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second part of the pivoting connection device visible in FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cylindrical axis connecting the first and second parts of the pivoting connection device visible in FIG. 7,

FIG. 11 is a cross section of a first part of a pivoting connection device connected to a first part which illustrates an application of the invention,

FIG. 12 is a cross section of a cylindrical axis connecting first and second parts of a pivoting connection device which illustrates an application of the invention,

FIG. 13 is a cross section of a second part of a pivoting connection device connected to a second part which illustrates an application of the invention,

FIG. 14 is a cross section of the first and second parts of the pivoting connection device positioned in a first position allowing insertion of the pivot axis visible in FIG. 12,

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section along the line XV-XV of FIG. 14,

FIG. 16 is a cross section of the first and second parts of the pivoting connection device during the insertion of the cylindrical axis,

FIGS. 17A and 17B are longitudinal sections, along the line XVII-XVII of FIG. 16, of the cylindrical axis respectively during insertion and inserted,

FIG. 18 is a cross section of the first and second parts of the pivoting connection device positioned in a second position different from the first position, and

Figure 19 is a longitudinal section along the line XIX-XIX of Figure 18 of the first and second parts of the pivoting connecting device positioned in the second position.

In FIG. 7, a pivoting connection device 50 is shown connecting at least first and second parts 52 and 54. According to an application visible in FIGS. 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18, the first part 52 is connected to a first part A or is a part of a first part A, such as for example a frame of an opening of an aircraft nacelle and the second part 54 is connected to a second part B or is a part of a second part B, such as for example a cover. The pivoting connection device 50 allows the cover to pivot relative to the opening frame between a closed position (as illustrated in FIG. 18) in which it closes the opening of the nacelle and a maximum opening position (as illustrated in Figure 16) in which it releases the opening of the nacelle.

The pivoting connection device 50 comprises:

a yoke 56, integral with the first part 52, having first and second branches 58, 60, an arm 62, integral with the rest of the second part 54, positioned between the first and second branches 58, 60 of the yoke 56, a cylindrical axis 64, connecting the arm 62 and the yoke 56, forming a pivot axis A64.

For the remainder of the description, a longitudinal direction is a direction parallel to the pivot axis A64. A radial direction is perpendicular to the pivot axis A64. A longitudinal plane is a plane which passes through the pivot axis A64. A transverse plane is a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis A64.

According to one configuration, each branch 58 (or 60) comprises an internal face FI58 (or FI60), oriented towards the other branch 60 (or 58), and an external face FE58 (or FE60) opposite the internal face FI58 (or F60). The internal faces FI58, FI60 and the external faces FE58, FE60 are mutually parallel and positioned in transverse planes.

Each branch 58 (or 60) comprises an orifice 66 (or 68) which opens at the internal face FI58 (or FI60) and the external face FE58 (or FE60). According to one configuration, each orifice 66, 68 is cylindrical and has an axis of revolution perpendicular to the internal face FI58 (or Fl60) and to the external face FE58 (or FE60).

The arm 62 includes two lateral faces F62, F62 ', mutually parallel and perpendicular to the pivot axis A64, as well as an orifice 70 which opens at the lateral faces F62, F62'. According to one configuration, the orifice 70 is cylindrical and has an axis of revolution, perpendicular to the lateral faces F62, F62 ', which corresponds to the pivot axis A64.

The cylindrical axis 64 has a cylindrical peripheral surface 72, coaxial with the pivot axis A64, which extends between first and second end faces 74.1, 74.2 substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis A64.

The orifices 66, 68 of the first and second branches 58, 60, the orifice 70 of the arm 62 have diameters substantially identical to that of the cylindrical axis 64.

In operation, the first and second parts 52, 54 can pivot with respect to each other about the pivot axis A64 and occupy a first angular position, visible in FIGS. 14 and 16, corresponding to a position d insertion and a multitude of second angular positions different from the first angular position, one of which is visible in FIG. 18.

According to one configuration, the first angular position corresponds to one of the open positions of the cover of a nacelle, in particular to the maximum open position, and one of the second angular positions corresponds to the closed position of the cover of the nacelle. Thus, the insertion position is different from the closed position of the cover.

The pivoting connection device 50 may comprise at least one guide ring 76, 76 ', 76' 'interposed between the cylindrical axis 64 and one of the branches 58, 60 and the arm 62.

According to one configuration, the orifices 66 to 70 of the first and second branches 58, 60 and of the arm 62 include guide rings.

Whatever the embodiment, the cylindrical axis 64 is configured to be housed in orifices 66 to 70 integral with the branches 58, 60 and the arm 62, the orifices 66 to 70 being directly produced in the branches 58, 60 and the arm 62, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 19, or corresponding to the internal orifices of guide rings 76, 76 ′, 76 ″ mounted in the orifices of the branches 58, 60 and / or of the arm 62, as illustrated in the Figures 7 to 9.

According to one characteristic, the cylindrical axis 64 has a rib 78, projecting from the peripheral surface 72, which extends parallel to the pivot axis A64 between first and second ends 78.1, 78.2 distant from the first and second end faces 74.1, 74.2 of the cylindrical axis 64.

The first and second ends 78.1, 78.2 of the rib 78 are separated by a distance L78, corresponding to the length of the rib 78, less than or equal to a distance L56 separating the internal faces FI58, FI60 from the first and second branches 58, 60. According to a configuration visible in FIGS. 17B and 19, the distance L78 between the first and second ends 78.1, 78.2 of the rib 78 is substantially equal to the distance L56 separating the internal faces FI58, FI60 from the first and second branches 58, 60. Thus, in operation, the cylindrical axis 64 is immobilized in translation in a longitudinal direction in an inserted position, the first and second ends 78.1, 78.2 of the rib 78 abutting respectively against the internal faces FI58, FI60 of the first and second branches 58, 60.

In a transverse plane, the rib 78 has a constant section over its entire length. According to one configuration, the rib 78 has a square or rectangular cross section.

According to one embodiment, the cylindrical axis 64 and the rib 78 are made in one piece and form only one piece.

According to another embodiment, the rib 78 is a key, distinct from the cylindrical axis 64, partially inserted in a groove provided at the peripheral surface 72 of the cylindrical axis 64.

According to a first variant, the external faces FE58, FE60 of the first and second branches 58, 60 are separated by a first distance L52 and the first and second end faces 74.1, 74.2 of the cylindrical axis 64 are separated by a second distance L64, corresponding to the length of the cylindrical axis 64, substantially equal to the first distance L52. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 17B and 19, when the cylindrical axis 64 is in the position inserted in the orifices 66 to 70 integral with the branches 58, 60 and the arm 62 then the first and second end faces 74.1, 74.2 of the cylindrical axis 64 are substantially coplanar with the external faces FE58, FE60 of the first and second branches 58, 60 respectively. According to this first variant, the distance separating the first end 78.1 of the rib 78 and the first end face 74.1 of the axis cylindrical 64 is substantially equal to the distance separating the interior and exterior faces FI58, FE58 of the first branch 58. The distance separating the second end 78.2 of the rib 78 and the second end face 74.2 of the cylindrical axis 64 is substantially equal to the distance separating the inner and outer faces Fl60, FE60 from the second branch 60.

According to a second variant visible in FIG. 7, the cylindrical axis 64 has a length L64 greater than the first distance L52 separating the external faces FE58, FE60 from the first and second branches 58, 60. According to this second variant, in operation, in the inserted position, the cylindrical axis 64 comprises a portion projecting from at least one of the external faces FE58 or FE60 of the first and second branches 58, 60.

According to one characteristic, the orifice 70 of the arm 62 comprises a first groove 80, configured to at least partially accommodate the rib 78 of the cylindrical axis 64, which extends from one side face F62, F62 'to the other of the arm 62. According to one configuration, the first groove 80 has a cross section, substantially constant from one side face F62, F62 'to the other of the arm 62, equal to the cross section of the rib 78.

According to one characteristic, at least one of the orifices 66, 68 of the first and second branches 58, 60 comprises a second groove 82 configured to allow passage of the rib 78 of the cylindrical axis 64 when it is inserted into the orifices 66 to 70 branches 58, 60 and arm 62.

According to one configuration, only the orifice 68 of the first branch 58 has a second groove 82. According to this configuration, when the cylindrical axis 64 is immobilized in translation, in the inserted position, in the orifices 66 to 70 of the first and second branches 58, 60 and of the arm 62, the second end 78.2 of the rib 78 of the cylindrical axis 64 abuts against the internal face FI60 of the second branch 60, as illustrated in FIG. 17B.

According to one embodiment, the second groove 82 extends from the internal face FI58 to the external face FE58 of the first branch 58. The second groove 82 has a substantially constant cross section from the internal face FI58 to the outer face FE58, equal to the cross section of the rib 78.

According to one configuration, the first groove 80 is positioned relative to the orifice 70 of the arm 62 so as to increase the contact surfaces between the cylindrical axis 64 and the arm 62 in the angular position of the first and second parts 52, 54 corresponding to the maximum load.

According to one embodiment, the pivoting connection device 50 comprises a compression spring configured to push the cylindrical axis 64, in the longitudinal direction, out of the orifices 66 to 70 of the first and second branches 58, 60 and of the arm 62 when the first and second parts 52, 54 are in the insertion position.

The assembly of the pivoting connection device is relatively simple. The first and second parts 52, 54 are positioned so that the orifices 66 to 70 of the first and second branches 58, 60 and of the arm 62 are coaxial and that the first and second grooves 80, 82 are aligned, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. In this insertion position, the cylindrical axis 64 can be inserted into the orifices 66 to 70 of the first and second branches 58, 60 and of the arm 62, the rib 78 sliding in the first and second grooves 80, 82, as illustrated in FIGS. 17A, until the second end 78.2 of the rib 78 comes into abutment against the internal face FI60 of the second branch 60, as illustrated in FIG. 17B. When the cylindrical axis 64 is in the inserted position, the rib 78 of the cylindrical axis 64 is positioned outside the second groove 82 of the first branch 58 and no longer interferes with the first branch 58. Therefore, the first and second parts 52, 54 can pivot relative to each other about the pivot axis A64 in angular positions different from the first angular position corresponding to the insertion position, in particular in an angular position corresponding to the closed position of the hood of an aircraft nacelle, as illustrated in FIG. 18.

In the presence of a compression spring, when the first and second parts 52, 54 are no longer in the insertion position, the compression spring is compressed and the first end 78.1 of the rib 78 abuts against the internal face FI58 of the first branch 58. When the first and second parts 52, 54 return to the insertion position, the first end 78.1 of the rib 78 no longer abuts against the internal face FI58 of the first branch 58, the spring of compressed compression pushes the cylindrical axis 64 out of the openings 66 to 70 of the first and second branches 58, 60 and of the arm 62.

When the first and second branches 58, 60 and the arm 62 have guide rings 76, 76 ', 76' ', the latter are immobilized in rotation relative to the first and second branches 58, 60 and to the arm 62, for example thanks to a forced mounting or to a non-cylindrical shape visible in Figures 8 and 9, to prevent the first and second grooves 80, 82 from being aligned in the angular position corresponding to the closed position of the cover of the nacelle.

The pivoting connection device of the invention has the following advantages:

It allows mounting from a single external surface FE58.

It includes a reduced number of parts, which tends to simplify assembly and reduce the on-board weight.

Although described applied to a hood of an aircraft nacelle, the pivoting connection device of the invention is not limited to this application. Thus, a hood of an aircraft configured to close an opening delimited by a frame can be connected to the frame by at least one pivoting connection device according to the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A pivoting connection device connecting at least two parts (52, 54) and comprising: a yoke (56), integral with the first part (52), having first and second branches (58, 60) each having an inner face (FI58, FI60) oriented towards the other branch (60, 58) and an external face (FE58, FE60) opposite the internal face (FI58, F60), as well as an orifice (66, 68) which opens at the level inner and outer faces (FI58, FI60, FE58, FE60), an arm (62), integral with the rest of the second part (54), positioned between the first and second branches (58, 60) of the yoke (56) and comprising two lateral faces (F62, F62 ') parallel to each other as well as an orifice (70) which opens at the lateral faces (F62, F62'), a cylindrical axis (64), configured to be housed in orifices (66, 68, 70) integral with the first and second branches (58, 60) and the arm (62), forming a pivot axis (A64) and having a su peripheral surface (72) as well as first and second end faces (74.1, 74.2), characterized in that the cylindrical axis (64) has a rib (78), projecting from the peripheral surface (72), which extends parallel to the pivot axis (A64) between first and second ends (78.1, 78.2) distant from the first and second end faces (74.1, 74.2) of the cylindrical axis (64), the first and second ends (78.1, 78.2) of the rib (78) being separated by a distance (L78) less than or equal to a distance (L56) separating the internal faces (FI58, FI60) of the first and second branches (58, 60), l the orifice (70) of the arm (62) comprises a first groove (80), configured to at least partially accommodate the rib (78) of the cylindrical axis (64), which extends from a lateral face (F62, F62 ') to the other of the arm (62), and in that at least one of the orifices (66, 68) of the first and second branches (58, 6 0) comprises a second groove (82) configured to allow passage of the rib (78) of the cylindrical axis (64). 2. A pivoting connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that only the orifice (68) of the first branch (58) has a second groove (82) configured to allow the passage of the rib (78) of the cylindrical axis (64). 3. A pivoting connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance (L78) between the first and second ends (78.1, 78.2) of the rib (78) is substantially equal to the distance (L56) separating the inner faces (FI58, FI60) of the first and second branches (58, 60). 4. A pivoting connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end (78.1) of the rib (78) and the first end face (74.1) of the cylindrical axis (64) are separated from a distance substantially equal to a distance separating the inner and outer faces (FI58, FE58) of the first branch (58). 5. Pivoting connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (78.2) of the rib (78) and the second end face (74.2) of the cylindrical axis (64) are separated from a distance substantially equal to a distance separating the inner and outer faces (FI60, FE60) of the second branch (60). 6. Pivoting connection device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cylindrical axis (64) comprises a portion projecting from at least one of the outer faces (FE58, FE60) of the first and second branches (58, 60). 7. An aircraft comprising an opening delimited by a frame and a cover connected to the frame by at least one pivoting connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, said frame being movable in rotation between a closed position and a maximum open position. 8. Aircraft according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second grooves (80, 82) are positioned so as to be aligned in a different insertion position from the closed position of the hood. 9. Aircraft according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insertion position corresponds to the position of maximum opening of the hood.