FR3095480A3 - Connection between two assembled elements articulated to each other. - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection between two assembled elements articulated to each other. The invention relates to a link (5) comprising a yoke (10) and a bearing (16) equipped with a central sleeve (100), the yoke (10) having two branches (11,12) and each branch (11, 12) has a bore in which is inserted a sleeve, said end sleeve (13,14), the bearing (16) being arranged between the two end sleeves (13,14), each of the end sleeves ( 13,14) comprising a stopper, the connection (5) comprising a stud (15) having a rod (15c) fitted into the central sleeve (100) as well as into the end sleeves (13,14), the central sleeve (100) being in contact, on each of its sides, with the abutment of an end sleeve (13,14), the stud (15) comprising a head (15a) arranged at a first end of the rod (15c ) and a threaded portion at a second end of the rod (15c), the pin (15) being immobilized in translation with respect to the yoke (10) along the pivot axis (L), on one side of the yoke (10) by a nut screwed on the wire part and on the other side of the yoke (10) by a misalignment between the head (15a) and an opening (18a) of a locking washer (18) attached to an end sleeve (13,14). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 9

Description

Connection between two mounted elements hinged to one another.

The present application relates to a connection between two elements articulated to each other and more particularly to a connection between a movable cowl and a fixed structure of an aircraft nacelle.

Conventionally, an aircraft nacelle comprises two movable cowls distributed on either side of its median plane and which, when they are in the open position, allow access to the engine surrounded by the nacelle in order to carry out the operations engine maintenance. Each movable cowl is connected to a fixed structure of the nacelle by a hinge allowing the movable cowl to pivot about a pivot axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, between the open position and a closed position in which the outer surface of the moving cowl is in aerodynamic continuity with the outer surface of the nacelle.

The hinge has several pivot links distributed along the pivot axis. In known manner, each pivoting connection comprises a yoke, integral with the nacelle, and between the branches of which is arranged a bearing formed in the cowl. A bore in which a sleeve is inserted and made in each of the branches and a hinge pin in the form of a hollow cylinder is fitted in the sleeves and in a bore made in the bearing in order to allow pivoting of the bearing relative to the yoke around the pivot axis.

In order to immobilize the hinge pin in translation along the pivot axis, a screw is inserted into the hollow cylinder and, on one side of the clevis, a locking washer is inserted on the screw. one side of the clevis and interposed between the head of the screw and the hinge pin, and on the other side of the clevis, a locking washer is inserted on the screw and interposed between the hinge pin and the threaded end of the screw. A tightening nut is screwed onto the threaded free end of the screw to hold the washers pressed against the arms of the clevis.

The installation of such a connection requires the use of tools such as spanners to tighten the clamping nut and block the head of the screw during tightening and therefore requires access to the clevis from both sides and sufficient space to allow operator movement. In a restricted space such as that of the nacelles, there is a need to have a link that can be installed by having access to one side of the yoke only.

The present invention aims to remedy in whole or in part to meet this need. To this end, the subject of the invention is a connection between two elements mounted articulated to one another, said connection comprising a yoke fixed to a first element and a bearing fixed to a second element and equipped with a central sleeve, the yoke having two branches spaced from each other and each branch has an inner face and a bore in which is inserted a sleeve, called end sleeve, the inner faces of the two branches facing each other, the bearing being arranged between the two end sleeves, each of the end sleeves comprising an abutment, the abutment of a first end sleeve bears against the inner face of a first branch, and the abutment of a second end sleeve bears against the inner face of a second branch, the connection further comprising a pin having a rod fitted in the central sleeve as well as in the end sleeves, the central sleeve being in contact, on each of his sides, with the abutment of an end sleeve, the stud comprising a head arranged at a first end of the rod and a threaded part at a second end of the rod, and in that the link further comprises a locking washer attached to one of the end sleeves and of the same external diameter as said sleeve, the locking washer having a through opening of a shape complementary to that of the head allowing the insertion of the head through the locking washer when the head and the opening are aligned, the stud being immobilized in translation relative to the yoke along the pivot axis, on one side of the yoke by a tightening nut screwed onto the threaded part and on the other side of the yoke by a misalignment between the head and the opening.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being given in relation to the appended figures, among which:
is a perspective view of a nacelle with two movable cowls in the open position;
is a perspective detail view along arrow F of a connection between a movable cowl and the fixed structure of the nacelle represented in FIG. 1 according to the invention;
is a sectional view along line AA of the connection of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the invention;
is a perspective view showing a stud of the link of Figure 3;
is a perspective view showing a locking washer of the connection of Figure 3;
is a perspective view showing a first step in the installation of the link shown in Figure 3;
is a perspective view showing a second step in the installation of the link shown in Figure 3;
is a perspective view showing a third step in the installation of the link shown in Figure 3;
is a perspective view showing a fourth step in the installation of the link shown in Figure 3.

In relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aircraft nacelle 1 of annular shape centered on a longitudinal axis X comprises a fixed structure 1a (visible in FIG. 2) formed by structural elements of the rib or frame type which form the skeleton of the nacelle 1 and on which is fixed a skin 2 forming the outer surface of the nacelle 1.

The nacelle 1 comprises, on each side of its median plane M, a movable cowl 3 hinged to the fixed structure of the nacelle by a hinge 4 allowing the movable cowl 3 to pivot about a pivot axis L (the axis of pivoting is shown for a single movable cowl in FIG. 1) generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the nacelle 1, between an open position in which the movable cowl 3 releases an opening O made in the skin 2 of the nacelle 1 and a closed position in which the outer face of the movable cowl 3 is in aerodynamic continuity with the skin 2 of the nacelle.

The hinge 4 comprises several links 5 (only one visible in Figure 2) distributed along the pivot axis L. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each link 5 is constituted by a U-shaped yoke 10 formed in the fixed structure 1a of the nacelle. The yoke 10 comprises two legs 11,12 spaced apart from each other each comprises an inner face 11a,12a and an outer face 11b,12b, the inner faces 11a,12a of the two legs 11,12 facing each other. Each branch 11,12 comprises, respectively, a bore 11c,12c in which is inserted, by force, a sleeve 13,14, said end, extending substantially along the pivot axis L. The end sleeves 13,14 inserted into the bores of the two branches 11,12 are coaxial and aligned.

Each end sleeve 13,14 comprises a smooth cylindrical barrel 13a,14a whose outer surface rests against the bore 11c,12c of the branch 11,12 on which it is arranged. Each end sleeve 13.14 is equipped with a stop which bears against the inner face 11a,12a of the branch 11.12 through which the end sleeve 13.14 is inserted.

In the following description and as illustrated in Figures 3 to 9, it is considered that the abutment 13b, 14b of each end sleeve 13,14 is formed by an outer shoulder of the end sleeve 13,14 which extends the outer surface of the barrel 13a, 14a and is an integral part of the end sleeve 13,14. In other variants not illustrated, the abutment is formed by a part, of the washer type, secured to the barrel 13a, 14a of the end sleeve 13, 14 by gluing or welding.

According to the invention and with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, the link 5 comprises a stud 15 inserted through the yoke 10 and fitted into each of the end sleeves 13, 14, as well as a locking washer 18 attached to one of the end sleeves 13 on an outer side of yoke 10.

A bearing 16 formed in the movable cowl 3, arranged between the two branches of the yoke 10, is mounted so as to be able to rotate with respect to the yoke 10 along the pivot axis L via the pin 15. A so-called central sleeve 100, is forcibly inserted into the bore 16a of the bearing 16 and the pin 15 is mounted slidably fitted in the central sleeve 100 between the two end sleeves 13,14. When the link 5 is operational, the central sleeve 100 is in contact, on each of its sides, with the abutment 13b, 14b of an end sleeve 13, 14.

The stud 15 comprises a rod 15c in the form of a solid cylindrical barrel fitted into the central sleeve 100 as well as into the end sleeves 13,14. The pin 15 comprises a head 15a elongated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin (merged with the pivot axis L when the pin 15 is mounted in the yoke 10) and separated from the rod 15c by a groove 15b.

The rod 15c comprises a threaded part 15d located at an end remote from the head 15a in order to screw a tightening nut 17 there.

In the example shown in the figures, the head 15a is flat and has, in a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the stud, an oblong shape whose greatest length is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the rod 15c.

Lock washer 18 includes a through opening 18a of complementary shape to that of the stud head. In a position where stud head 15a is aligned with opening 18a, head 15a can be inserted through lock washer 18.

It will be noted that the groove 15b of the stud has a length, along the longitudinal axis of the stud 15, greater than the maximum thickness of the locking washer 18.

The pin 15 is immobilized in translation with respect to the yoke 10 along the pivot axis L, on one side of the yoke 10 by the tightening nut 17 screwed to the threaded end 15d of the pin, and other side of the clevis 10 by a misalignment between the head 15a of the stud and the through opening 18a of the lock washer 18.

The locking washer 18 attached to one of the end sleeves 13,14 is either independent of said sleeve, or is integral with said sleeve when access to the yoke 10 is only possible from one side of the latter. . In the latter case, the locking washer 18 is for example glued to / welded to / integrally formed with the end sleeve 13. In all cases, the locking washer 18 has an external diameter equal to that of the smooth cylindrical barrel of the end sleeve 13 to which it is attached.

The locking washer 18 comprises on its outer face (which is not facing the yoke 10), a recess 18b extending perpendicularly to the opening 18a and delimiting two slots 18c located symmetrically on either side of the recess 18b. In the example illustrated in Figures 4 to 9, the opening 18a is oblong in shape and each slot 18c is located at a curved edge of the opening 18a.

The recess 18b is dimensioned so that, in a position in which the head 15a is misaligned with the opening 18a, the head 15 of the stud can be received in the recess 18b and engaged between the two slots 18c. The notches 18c then form stops making it possible to prevent any rotation of the head 15 which could lead to an alignment of the head 15a and the opening 18a.

It will be noted that in order to achieve the alignment or misalignment of the head 15a with the opening 18a, a borrowing 15e is arranged on the flat face of the stem 15c, distal to the head 15a. The 15th recess of a shape adapted to the pattern of a key, for example of the Allen key type, allows an operator to exert a torque, via the key, on the pin 15 in order to make it turn when the latter is fitted in the end sleeves 13,14.

Each end sleeve 13,14 is immobilized in translation along the pivot axis L in a first direction by its outer shoulder 13b,14b coming into contact against the branch 11,12.

The length of the central sleeve 100 along the pivot axis L, is several millimeters less than the distance between the two end sleeves 13,14 when the latter are inserted into the branches 11,12 with their shoulder 13b, 14b in contact with yoke 10.

Once the head 15a of the stud is misaligned with the opening 18a and received between the two slots 18c, the tightening of the clamping nut 17 on the stud 15 will cause the axial displacement, towards the inside of the yoke 10 , of the locking washer 18 which will push the end sleeve 13 to which it is attached also towards the inside of the yoke 10, thereby causing the disappearance of the axial clearance between the end sleeves 13 and 14 and the central sleeve 100. The central sleeve 100 is dimensioned so that it comes into contact with the end sleeves 13 and 14 when a predetermined torque is applied to the clamping nut 17 screwed onto the stud 15.

Thus, on each side of the yoke 10, the axial immobilization along the pivot axis L of the end sleeves 13, 14 and central 100 is due to the compaction between the clamping nut 17 and the head 15a of the stud.

As illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, the installation can be carried out in the case where the operator has access to the yoke 10 only from one side, said accessible side (materialized by the arrow J in Figures 3 to 9).

The installation of the link 5 is initiated by the insertion of the end sleeves 13,14 in the yoke 10. Each end sleeve 13,14 is inserted (Figure 6) at an inner face 11a, 12a of a branch 11,12 until the shoulder 13b,14b of the end sleeve 13,14 comes into abutment against the inner face 11a,12a.

The end sleeve 13 to which the locking washer 18 is attached is inserted, the locking washer 18 first, at the level of the inner face 11a of the branch 11 located on the side not accessible to the operator.

The stud 15 is then fitted, head 15a first (figure 7) by the accessible side on the end sleeve 14.

During the insertion of the stud 15 through the yoke 10 (FIG. 8), the bearing 16 equipped with the sleeve 100 is arranged between the two branches 11,12 and the stud 15 is inserted into the central sleeve 100, then fitted onto the other end sleeve 13.

Stud 15 is inserted through clevis 10 until head 15a fits through opening 18a. To this end, the operator can exert a rotational movement, via a key cooperating with the 15e imprint of the pin, to align the head 15a with the opening 18a of the washer then push on the pin 15 so that the head 15a of the stud exceeds the maximum thickness of the locking washer 18. It will be noted that to facilitate the work of the operator, the stud 15 may include on its rod 15c, a visual (not shown in the figures) indicating to the operator at which point the head 15a exceeds the maximum thickness of the lock washer 18.

Then using the key inserted in the 15th recess of the stud, the operator performs (Figure 9) a manipulation to misalign the head 15a and the opening 18a by placing the head 15a in the recess 18b between the two slots 18c, . The manipulation consists of performing a half-turn rotation then pulling on the pin 15 to press the head 15a against the locking washer 18 so that the head 15a engages between the two slots 18c.

Once the head 15a of the stud is locked in rotation between the two slots 18c, the tightening nut 17 is screwed onto the threaded end 15d of the stud located on the side accessible to an operator and an adequate tightening torque is applied to the clamping nut 17 until the clearance between the sleeves 13,14,100 is erased.

The disassembly of link 5 is possible by repeating, in reverse order, all the operations described above.

As described above, the connection 5 can be mounted from a single side of the yoke 10 without resorting to a multiplicity of tools. Thus, the operations carried out on the nacelle 1 to install the links 5 of the hinge 4 are easy to implement.

The connection 5 according to the invention has been described in the case where the bearing 16 is a pivot bearing in a pivot connection with the yoke 10. In another embodiment not illustrated in FIG. 10, the bearing 16 is a pivot bearing. ball joint to allow more degrees of freedom.

The connection 5 has been described for an embodiment in which the yoke 10 is secured to the fixed structure 1a of the nacelle 1 and the bearing 16 is secured to the movable cowl 3. In another embodiment, not shown, the yoke 10 is secured to the movable cowl 3 while the bearing 16 is secured to the fixed structure 1a of the nacelle 1.

In addition to its application to the articulation of a mobile cowl 3 articulated on the fixed structure 1a of a nacelle 1, the connection 5 according to the invention can be used in other applications such as the connections of engine attachments for fixing an engine to an aircraft mast for which the installation is difficult due to a restricted space for the maneuvers of the operators.

Claims (6)

Connection (5) between two mounted elements articulated to one another, said connection (5) comprising a yoke (10) integral with a first element (2) and a bearing (16) integral with a second element ( 3) and equipped with a central sleeve (100), the yoke (10) having two branches (11,12) spaced apart from each other and each branch (11,12) has an inner face (11a, 12a ) and a bore (11c, 12c) in which is inserted a sleeve (13,14), said end sleeve, the inner faces (11a, 12a) of the two branches (11,12) facing each other, the bearing ( 16) being arranged between the two end sleeves (13,14), each of the end sleeves (13,14) comprising a stopper (13b, 14b), the stopper (13b) of a first end sleeve (13) bears against the inner face (11a) of a first branch (11), and the stop (14b) of a second end sleeve (14) bears against the inner face (12a) of a second branch (12), characterized in that the connection (5) further comprises a goujo n (15) having a rod (15c) fitted into the central sleeve (100) as well as into the end sleeves (13,14), the central sleeve (100) being in contact, on each of its sides, with the stopper (13b, 14b) of an end sleeve (13,14), the stud (15) comprising a head (15a) arranged at a first end of the rod (15c) and a threaded part (15d) at a second end of the rod (15c), and in that the link (5) further comprises a locking washer (18) attached to one of the end sleeves (13) and of the same external diameter as said sleeve ( 13), the locking washer (18) having a through opening (18a) of complementary shape to that of the head (15a) allowing the insertion of the head (15a) through the locking washer (18a) when the head (15a) and the opening (18a) are aligned, the pin (15) being immobilized in translation with respect to the yoke (10) along the pivot axis (L), on one side of the yoke (10 ) by a tightening nut (17) screwed on the threaded part (15d) and on the other side of the yoke (10) by a misalignment between the head (15a) and the opening (18a). Connection (5) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the locking washer (18) comprises two slots (18c) distributed on either side of the opening (18a) and forming a stop for the head (15a) of the stud. Connection (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, an end sleeve (13,14) in the form of a smooth cylindrical shaft (13a, 14a), an outer surface of which bears against the bore (11c, 12c) of the branch (11,12) on which the end sleeve (13,14) is arranged, characterized in that the stop (13b, 14b) of an end sleeve (13, 14) is an outer shoulder extending the smooth shaft of the sleeve (13,14). Connection (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening (18a) is oblong in shape. Link (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first element (2) is a movable cowl (3) of an aircraft nacelle (1) and the second element (3) is the fixed structure (1a) of the nacelle (1). Link (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second element (3) is a movable cowl (3) of an aircraft nacelle (1) and the first element (2) is the fixed structure (1a) of the nacelle (1).