EP3031548B1 - Ring setting module and method for distribution of rings using a ring storage barrel - Google Patents

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to the field of crimping a ring on a fixing rod in order to form a riveted connection, in particular in the aeronautical field (see for example EP-A-2,756,894 ).

To connect together two elements together, for example two sheets, it is known to use a controller to set up rivets or the like in predetermined areas of attachment. The automaton can tilt, turn, extend to reach various and varied zones of attachment. By automaton means a mechanical device capable of working automatically, that is to say, without human intervention.

The controller is supplied with rivets or the like by a pneumatic conveying line to guide the rivets from a storage location (storage bowl, storage cassette, etc.) to the controller. In practice, the conveying pneumatic pipe may have a length of between 5m and 25m. Such a pneumatic pipe is satisfactory for rivets or a cylindrical ring but is not suitable for a shoulder ring. Indeed, with reference to the figure 1 , a shouldered ring 1 comprises a cylindrical body 11 extending axially along an axis X1 and a radial ring 12 at one of its ends which forms a shoulder. If a shouldered ring 1 is introduced into a pneumatic pipe 13 extending along an axis Xc, the shouldered ring 1 is capable of tilting during its transport in the pneumatic pipe 13. The pneumatic pipe 13 is then blocked and it is necessary to perform a maintenance operation, which significantly slows down the operations of solidarity. Finally, shouldered rings 1 are likely to be damaged during their transport, which has another drawback.

The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages by proposing a new ring distribution system whose reliability is increased and easy maintenance and can adapt to shouldered rings.

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the invention relates to a crimping module comprising a barrel for storing a plurality of crimping rings, said barrel comprising a base body comprising a dispensing outlet, a cylindrical main body rotatably mounted along a barrel axis relative to said base body according to a plurality of angular positions, said cylindrical main body having a plurality of parallel sleeves to each other and adapted to each receive a plurality of rings, each sleeve being arranged to open onto said dispensing outlet of said body base for a predetermined angular position of said cylindrical main body. The crimping module further comprises a mechanism for positioning a ring on a fixing rod, which positioning mechanism comprises at least one receiving finger adapted to extend at least partially in said dispensing outlet. Thus, the receiving finger makes it possible to temporarily receive a ring between its distribution and its placement on a fixing rod.

Preferably, the positioning mechanism comprises at least one displacement clamp adapted to grip a ring and move it at the fixing rod precisely from its place of distribution. More preferably, the positioning mechanism comprises profile tracking means for guiding the movement of the displacement clamp to slide on the fixing rod.

Advantageously, the sleeves can store a plurality of rings that are simple to distribute while avoiding a risk of blockage as in the prior art. The rotation of the cylindrical body allows each sheath to be sequentially aligned with the dispensing outlet to rapidly dispense a large number of rings. Such a storage cylinder is particularly suitable for storing and distributing shouldered rings without risk of blockage.

The supply cycle time of a ring is advantageously decreased. In addition, such a barrel can store a large number of rings while having a small footprint. Finally, any risk of damaging a ring is avoided.

Preferably, the storage cylinder comprises means for pressurizing the sheath opening on said dispensing outlet. Thus, the storage barrel may dispense rings regardless of the orientation of the storage barrel, particularly when the dispensing outlet is directed upwardly.

Preferably, the angular difference between two consecutive sleeves is constant in order to change sheath quickly by simple rotation.

According to a preferred aspect, at least one angular position of the cylindrical main body is a rest position so as to avoid unintentional distribution of rings during handling of the storage barrel.

Preferably, the barrel comprises locking means configured to prevent any rotational movement of said cylindrical body relative to said base body about the axis of the barrel for said rest position. Thus, any involuntary rotation of the storage barrel is avoided.

Advantageously, the barrel comprises at least one dispensing member adapted to prevent the passage of a ring through the dispensing outlet. Thus, the dispensing member, preferably a dispensing pliers, makes it possible to control the dispensing rate and to distribute each ring individually. The invention also relates to a set of a storage barrel as presented above and a plurality of stepped rings housed in the plurality of sleeves.

The invention also relates to a crimping module comprising a storage cylinder so that the crimping rings are directly embedded in the crimping module to reduce the supply time.

Advantageously, the crimping module comprises a frame, a storage barrel as presented previously mounted in said frame and a rotation mechanism of the main body cylindrical relative to said base body along the barrel axis. Thus, the crimping module makes it possible to distribute the rings located in the barrels of the storage barrel in a controlled manner.

Preferably, the crimping module comprises a crimping mechanism of a ring on a fixing rod, preferably a crimping nose.

The invention also relates to an automaton for crimping a ring comprising at least one movable arm comprising a head and at least one crimping module, as presented above, mounted on said head. Thus, a ring can be crimped in an automated manner on fixing rods whose position and orientation can be various and varied.

• une étape d'ouverture de la sortie de distribution de manière à autoriser la circulation d'une bague du fourreau via ladite sortie de distribution ;
• une étape de réception de ladite bague sur un doigt de réception ;
• une étape de fermeture de la sortie de distribution de manière à empêcher la circulation de bagues depuis ledit fourreau via ladite sortie de distribution ; et
• une étape de saisie de ladite bague reçue sur ledit doigt de réception afin de la déplacer.

The invention also relates to a method of dispensing at least one ring by a crimping module as presented above, a sleeve of the storage barrel being aligned with said dispensing outlet, the method comprising:

• a step of opening the dispensing outlet so as to allow the circulation of a ring of the sheath via said dispensing outlet;
• a step of receiving said ring on a receiving finger;
• a step of closing the dispensing outlet so as to prevent the circulation of rings from said sleeve via said dispensing outlet; and
• a step of seizing said ring received on said receiving finger to move it.

Thus, the dispensing method makes it possible to individually distribute the rings of the storage barrel quickly while facilitating their delivery to the crimping place.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe de bagues épaulées lors de leur transport dans une conduite pneumatique selon l'art antérieur ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'un automate selon l'invention pour le sertissage d'une bague sur une tige de fixation ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique d'une tige de fixation traversant deux panneaux à solidariser préalablement à une étape de sertissage ;
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématique fonctionnelle du module de sertissage de l'automate de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation en perspective d'un barillet de stockage de bagues selon l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématique fonctionnelle du barillet de de la figure 5 avec son mécanisme de rotation ;
• les figures 7 à 13 sont des représentations schématiques successives d'un procédé de distribution d'une bague par le barillet de stockage ; et
• les figures 14 à 23 sont des représentations schématiques successives d'un procédé de sertissage d'une bague sur une tige de fixation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of shouldered rings during their transport in a pneumatic line according to the prior art;
• the figure 2 is a schematic representation of an automaton according to the invention for crimping a ring on a fixing rod;
• the figure 3 is a schematic representation of a fastening rod passing through two panels to be secured before a crimping step;
• the figure 4 is a schematic functional representation of the crimping module of the automaton of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a perspective representation of a ring storage barrel according to the invention;
• the figure 6 is a schematic functional representation of the barrel of the figure 5 with its rotation mechanism;
• the Figures 7 to 13 are schematic representations of a method of distribution of a ring by the storage barrel; and
• the Figures 14 to 23 are successive schematic representations of a method of crimping a ring on a fixing rod.

It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE MODES OF REALIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The invention will be presented with reference to the figure 2 which has a crimping automaton 100 comprising a movable arm 101, preferably articulated, which comprises a head 102 on which a crimping module 3 is mounted. The automaton 100 makes it possible to crimp a ring on a fastening rod so as to form a riveted connection.

For example, with reference to the figure 3 , there are shown two panels E1, E2 of an aircraft fuselage which are traversed by a fastening rod 4 which comprises a projecting end extending longitudinally along an axis of X4 oriented crimping vertically from bottom to top. In this example, the attachment rod 4 extends vertically but it goes without saying that it could extend in all directions.

In this example, the aeronautical panels E1, E2 are held against each other by biasing means 41, 42 while the fixing rod 4 is held by locking means 43 known to those skilled in the art or by another automaton.

Advantageously, the head 102 of the automaton 100 is steerable along a plurality of axes and the arm 101 is movable in a plurality of directions in order to crimp the rings on a large number of fixing rods 4 which are more or less remote from the controller 100 and whose X4 crimping axes are oriented in various and varied ways.

It will be presented a controller 100 for crimping of shouldered rings 1 but it goes without saying that the controller 100 is adapted to crimp different types of rings, in particular, cylindrical rings.

As presented in the preamble, a shouldered ring 1 comprises a cylindrical body 11 extending axially along an axis X1 and a radial ring 12 at one of its ends which forms a shoulder as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 . When crimping a shouldered ring 1, its radial crown 12 must be positioned against the aeronautical panel E1.

• un châssis structural 30 solidaire de la tête 102 de l'automate 100 ;
• un barillet de stockage 2 ;
• un mécanisme de rotation 5 dudit barillet de stockage 2 ;
• un mécanisme de positionnement 6 d'une bague 1 sur une tige de fixation 4 ; et
• un mécanisme de sertissage 7 d'une bague 1 sur une tige de fixation 4.

In this example, with reference to the figure 4 the crimping module 3 of the automaton 100 comprises:

• a structural frame 30 integral with the head 102 of the automaton 100;
• a storage barrel 2;
• a rotation mechanism 5 of said storage cylinder 2;
• a positioning mechanism 6 of a ring 1 on a fixing rod 4; and
• a crimping mechanism 7 of a ring 1 on a fixing rod 4.

The storage barrel 2 is removably mounted in the crimping module 3 in order to be replaced by a new storage barrel 2 when all the shouldered rings 1 have been distributed. Each element of the crimping module 3 will now be presented.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6 , the storage barrel 2 comprises a cylindrical main body 22 which extends axially along a barrel axis X2 and which comprises a plurality of sheaths 23 parallel to each other and to said barrel axis X2. For the sake of clarity, only a sheath 23 is shown in FIG. figure 6 .

Each sheath 23 is cylindrical and is adapted to receive a plurality of rings 1, in particular, shouldered rings 1 stacked consecutively. In this example, the cylindrical body 22 has a circular section but it goes without saying that it could be different.

In addition to its cylindrical main body 22, the barrel 2 comprises a base body 20 and a head body 28 which are mounted at the ends of the cylindrical body 22. The base body 20 has a dispensing outlet 21 to allow the distribution of rings. 1 along a distribution axis Xd parallel to the barrel axis X2. The cylindrical main body 22 is rotatably mounted about the barrel axis X2 with respect to said base body 20 at a plurality of angular positions. Each sleeve 23 of the cylindrical main body 22 is arranged to open on said dispensing outlet 21 for a given angular position. Preferably, the angular difference between two consecutive angular positions is constant in order to facilitate the successive passage of the sleeves 23 in front of the dispensing outlet 21. In this example, the barrel 2 makes it possible to define a dozen different angular positions which are discarded angle of 30 °.

With reference to the figure 6 , the rings 1 are stacked axially and oriented in a sheath 23 so that their cylindrical rings 12 are turned towards the dispensing outlet 21 of the storage barrel 2.

Preferably, at least one angular position of the cylindrical main body 22 corresponds to a rest position of the storage barrel 2. In particular, in this rest position, the dispensing outlet 21 is not aligned with a sleeve 23 in order to avoid any unintentional dispensing when handling the storage cylinder 2, in particular, when it is replaced. In this example, with reference to the figure 5 , the cylindrical main body 22 has a groove 24 in place of a sleeve 23 filled with shouldered rings 1, said groove 24 not being adapted to receive shouldered rings 1. In other words, the storage cylinder 2 comprises, in this embodiment, eleven sleeves 23 to correspond to the eleven angular positions of use of the storage barrel 2, the twelfth angular position being a rest position.

Preferably, with reference to the figure 5 , the storage barrel 2 comprises at least one locking member 25 configured to prevent relative movement between said cylindrical main body 22 and said base body 20. In particular, in the rest position, the storage barrel 2 avoids a sheath 23 is aligned with the dispensing outlet 21 to prevent unintentional dispensing of a shoulder ring 1 by the storage barrel 2. In this example, the locking member 25 is in the form of a locking pin but it goes without saying that it could be different.

With reference to the figure 6 , the storage cylinder 2 further comprises pressurizing means 26 of the sheath 23 which is active, that is to say, opening on said dispensing outlet 21 in order to allow the driving of the rings 1 of the sheath 23 towards said distribution outlet 21 along the distribution axis Xd and this, regardless of the orientation of the storage cylinder 2. Thus, if the storage cylinder 2 is oriented vertically upwards with the base body 20 in the upper part, the pressurizing means 26 make it possible to oppose the gravity and drive the shouldered rings 1 of the sleeve 23 to the dispensing outlet 21. In this example, the pressurizing means 26 are pneumatic but of course they could be different.

Still referring to the figure 6 , the storage barrel 2 comprises at least one closing member 27 adapted to grip a ring 1 at the dispensing outlet 21 in order to control the distribution of the shouldered rings 1 of a sheath 23. In this example, the organ closure 27 is in the form of a dispensing pliers in at least two positions: a closed position in which the dispensing pliers is adapted to grip a ring 1 at its periphery and thus blocking the passage of rings 1 via the dispensing outlet 21 and an open position in which the dispensing clip is adapted to allow the passage of rings 1 through the dispensing outlet 21. Preferably, the closure member 27 is adapted to detect whether a ring 1 is present in the closed position.

The head body 28 of the storage barrel 2 is adapted to close the access to the housings 23 of the cylindrical main body 22. The head body 28 is rotationally integral with the cylindrical main body 22. Also, preferably, the body of the head 28 comprises angular orientation means 280 adapted to be driven in angular rotation and change the angular position of the cylindrical main body 22 relative to the base body 20. In this embodiment, with reference to the figure 5 , the angular orientation means 280 are in the form of one or more flats but it is obvious that they could be in a different form.

Preferably, the storage barrel 2 comprises means for detecting the presence of rings 1 in a sleeve 23 in order to determine whether a new sheath 23 must be aligned with said dispensing outlet 21.

More preferably, the storage barrel 2 comprises removable mounting means in the frame 30 of the crimping module 3.

As previously presented, with reference to figure 4 , the crimping module 3 of the automaton 100 also comprises a rotation mechanism 5 of the storage barrel 2. In this example, the rotation mechanism 5 is in the form of an actuator mounted in the frame 30 and adapted to cooperate with the flats of the head body 28 of the storage barrel 2 and drive it in rotation about the barrel axis X2.

With reference to the figure 4 , the crimping module 3 of the automaton 100 also comprises a positioning mechanism 6 of a ring 1 on a fixing rod 4.

The positioning mechanism 6 is configured to recover a shoulder ring 1 of the storage barrel 2 and position it on a fastening rod 4 before being crimped by the crimping mechanism 7 which will be presented later.

With reference to the figure 4 , the positioning mechanism 6 comprises at least one receiving finger 61 adapted to extend at least partially in said dispensing outlet 21 of the storage cylinder 2. In this example, the receiving finger 61 is movable and adapted to move at least according to the distribution axis Xd in a retracted position, in which the receiving finger 61 extends at least partially in said dispensing outlet 21, and an extended position, in which the receiving finger 61 extends in outside of said dispensing outlet 21 to provide a clearance space between the receiving finger 61 and said dispensing outlet 21. figure 6 , the receiving finger 61 extends coaxially with the distribution axis Xd.

Preferably, the positioning mechanism 6 comprises a receiving plate 62, extending transversely to the receiving finger 61, to receive a shoulder ring 1 as will be presented later.

Still referring to the figure 4 , the positioning mechanism 6 comprises at least one displacement clamp 63 adapted to grip a stepped ring 1 and move it accurately on a fastening rod 4 located in the vicinity of the crimping module 3 of the automaton 100. Preferably , the displacement gripper 63 is adapted to move in translation along the three axes and adapted to rotate along at least one axis parallel to the distribution axis Xd of the storage barrel 2.

In order to allow precise positioning of the shoulder collar 1 on a fastening rod 4, the positioning mechanism 6 further comprises profile tracking means configured to detect the position of a fastening rod 4 with respect to the module reference frame. crimping 3 and allow the guide of the displacement clamp 63 so that it can slide the shoulder ring 1 on the fixing rod 4 as will be presented later. In this example, the profile tracking means are in the form of a profilometer 64 configured to detect by ultrasound or laser beam.

The profilometer 64 makes it possible to control the movement of the displacement gripper 63 with respect to the position of the fixing rod 4. Preferably, the servocontrol is performed by means of controlled cross tables to guide the displacement gripper 63 in the plane transverse to the fixing rod 4.

In this embodiment, with reference to the figure 4 , the crimping mechanism 7 is in the form of a crimping nose 71 configured to crimp said shouldered ring 1 on said fixing rod 4. The crimping nose 71 is adapted to move along three axes relative to the frame 30 crimping module 3.

Such a crimping nose 71 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be presented in more detail. It goes without saying that the crimping mechanism 7 could be in a different form. In this example, the crimping nose 71 is aligned with the axis X4 of the fixing rod 4 and mounted in translation relative to the frame 30 of the crimping module 3 so as to allow crimping by translation along the axis X4.

Preferably, the displacement gripper 63 is configured to detect whether an object is clamped between its jaws, which makes it possible to avoid a crimping step by the crimping nose 71 in the absence of a shouldered ring 1 on the crimping rod. fixing 4.

With reference to Figures 7 to 13 , the storage barrel 2 is in an angular position of use, that is to say, a sheath 23 of the cylindrical main body 22 is aligned with the dispensing outlet 21 of the base body 20. The shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23, which are stacked along the distribution axis Xd, are constrained by the pressurizing means 26 to the dispensing outlet 21.

As illustrated in figure 7 , the shoulder ring 1 located in the dispensing outlet 21 is blocked by the dispensing member 27 which clamps its periphery. Also, shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23 abut against the shouldered ring 1 gripped by the dispensing member 27, hereinafter called "crimp ring 1a" for the sake of brevity. Of similarly, the shouldered ring adjacent to crimp ring 1a is referred to as "next ring 1b".

In this position, the receiving finger 61 is in the extended position, the receiving finger 61 extending outside said dispensing outlet 21 to provide a clearance space between the receiving finger 61 and said dispensing outlet 21.

To dispense the crimp ring 1a, the displacement gripper 63 is opened and placed in the clearance space, i.e., along the dispensing axis Xd away from the dispensing outlet 21 as illustrated in FIG. the figure 8 .

Then, the receiving finger 61 is moved along the distribution axis Xd in the retracted position in order to be introduced into the crimping ring 1a located in the dispensing outlet 21 as illustrated in FIG. figure 9 .

Then, with reference to the figure 10 , the method comprises a release step in which the dispensing member 27 is open to release the crimp ring 1a which moves along the distribution axis Xd under the effect of the pressurizing means 26. The shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23 are then in abutment against the receiving plate 62. Preferably, the distance between the receiving plate 62 and the dispensing outlet 21 is calibrated so that the next shouldered ring 1b is located at the level of the dispensing member 27 as illustrated in FIG. figure 10 .

Then, with reference to the figure 11 , the method comprises a blocking step in which the dispensing member 27 is closed so as to clamp the periphery of the next ring 1b. Thus, the shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23 are in abutment against the next ring 1b.

The crimp ring 1a is for its part gripped by the displacement gripper 63 which closes and pinches its periphery as shown in FIG. figure 11 . With the receiving finger 61, the position of the crimp ring 1a is precisely defined and the displacement plier 63 can reliably grip the crimp ring 1a.

Then, with reference to the figure 12 the receiving finger 61 is moved to the extended position to release the crimp ring 1a which can be moved by the displacement plier 63 to the crimping location as illustrated in FIG. figure 13 . Thus, the receiving plate 62 makes it possible to temporarily store a ring after it has been dispensed by the storage barrel 2.

Such a dispensing method is advantageous because it allows a ring crimp 1a to be accurately conveyed in a restricted environment.

When a sleeve 23 of the storage barrel 2 is empty, the head body 28 of the storage barrel 2 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 5 of the crimping module 3 around the barrel axis X2 so that that a new sheath 23, filled with stepped rings 1, is aligned with the dispensing outlet 21. When all the sheaths 23 are empty, the rotation mechanism 5 moves the head body 28 so that the storage barrel 2 is in position. rest position. The groove 24 is then aligned with the dispensing outlet 21.

Then, the locking member 25 of the storage barrel 2 is activated so as to prevent any rotation of the cylindrical body 22 and thus allow the withdrawal of the storage barrel 2 of the crimping module 3 and its replacement with a new storage barrel 2 filled with shouldered rings 1. Such a replacement is simple and quick to implement.

Preferably, an empty barrel 2 is filled by means of a replenishing machine which introduces stepped rings 1 successively and automatically in each of the sleeves 23 of said storage barrel 2.

There will now be presented several steps to crimp a shoulder ring 1 on a fastening rod 4 quickly and reliably.

Firstly, it is implemented a preliminary positioning step of the controller 100. For this purpose, the mobile arm 101 of the controller 100 is moved so as to move and orient the head 102 of the controller 100 so that the frame 30 of the crimping module 3 is positioned near the fixing rod 4 and is oriented precisely with respect to the axis X4 of the fixing rod 4. In this example, with reference to the figure 4 once the automaton 100 is in position, the distribution axis Xd is parallel to the attachment axis X4 and the dispensing outlet 21 is located less than 1 cm from the fixing rod 4, preferably from the order of 5 mm. Following positioning, the reference frame 30 of the crimping module 3 is accurately positioned and determined with respect to the reference frame of the fixing rod 4, which facilitates the positioning of a ring 1 on the fastening rod. presented above, the crimping module comprises stressing means 41, 42 for holding the panels E1, E2 together and locking means 43 for holding the fixing rod 4 protruding.

With reference to the figure 14 , the fixing rod 4 is held firmly in order to protrude from the panels E1, E2. Then, with reference to the figure 15 , the profilometer 64 of the crimping module 3 is brought closer to the fixing rod 4 in order to detect the end and the center of the fixing rod 4, which makes it possible to determine the axis along which the fastening rod 4 extends. and thus facilitate the positioning of the displacement clamp 63 and the crimping nose 71 along this axis so as to move the ring 1 without damage to the fixing rod 4.

Then, the crimping nose 71 is moved so as to be aligned with the axis X4 of the fixing rod 4 thanks to the information provided by the profilometer 64. Consecutive or simultaneous, the displacement gripper 63, in which is maintained a shoulder ring 1 is positioned between the crimping nose 71 and the fixing rod 4 as illustrated in FIG. figure 16 . The profilometer 64 can then be reassembled as shown in FIG. figure 17 .

Then, the crimping nose 71 and the displacement gripper 63 are moved simultaneously along the axis X4 of the fastening rod 4 so that the shouldered ring 1 is locked in translation on the fastening rod 4, while withdrawal being prohibited by the crimping nose 71 as shown in FIG. figure 18 . The cylindrical ring 12 of the shoulder ring 1, that is to say its shoulder, is located on the side of the fixing rod 4.

In contrast to a blow-through route, the shoulder ring 1 is advantageously positioned and maintained before crimping, and this, independently of the orientation of the fixing rod 4. Thanks to the crimping method according to the invention, a fastening rod 4 downward direction can be crimped, the displacement clamp 63 to overcome the gravity.

With reference to the figure 19 , the displacement gripper 63 is opened so as to release the stepped ring 1 whose movements are limited by the fixing rod 4 and the crimping nose 71. The displacement gripper 63 can then be disengaged as illustrated in FIG. figure 20 .

As illustrated in figure 21 , the crimping nose 71 is moved along the axis of attachment X4 in the direction of the fixing rod 4 in order to deform the shoulder ring 1 against the first panel E1. During crimping, the shouldered ring 1 is secured to the fixing rod 4. Preferably, the projecting portion of the fixing rod 4 breaks during the crimping step to form a robust connection of reduced mass as illustrated. to the figure 22 . The crimping being completed, the crimping module 3 of the automaton 100 is moved, as illustrated in FIG. figure 23 , in order to crimp a new shouldered ring 1 on another fixing rod 4.

Thanks to the invention, several rings 1 can be crimped consecutively and automatically to form riveted bonds of quality, in particular, to secure panels of an aircraft fuselage.

Claims (9)

1. Crimping module (3) characterised in that it comprises:

   - a cylinder (2) for storing a plurality of rings (1) to be crimped, said cylinder (2) comprising a base body (20) comprising a distribution outlet (21), a main cylindrical body (22) mounted so that it can rotate along a cylinder axis (X2) relative to said base (20) in a plurality of angular positions, said main cylindrical body (22) comprising a plurality of sheaths (23) which are parallel one to another and each suitable for accommodating a plurality of rings (1), each sheath (23) being arranged so as to lead to said distribution outlet (21) of said base body (20) for a predetermined angular position of said main cylindrical body (22); and

   - a mechanism for positioning (6) a ring (1) on an attachment rod (4), the positioning mechanism (6) comprising at least one receiving finger (61) suitable for extending at least partially into the distribution outlet (21) of the cylinder (2).
2. The crimping module (3) according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder (2) comprises means (26) for applying pressure to the sheath (23) leading to said distribution outlet (21).
3. The crimping module (3) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the cylinder (2) comprises at least one distribution device (27) suitable for preventing the passage of a ring (1) through the distribution outlet (21).
4. The crimping module (3) according to one of the previous claims comprising a plurality of flanged rings (1) accommodated in the plurality of sheaths (23).
5. The crimping module (3) according to one of the previous claims comprising a mechanism (7) for crimping a ring (1) on an attachment rod (4).
6. The crimping module (3) according to one of the previous claims comprising at least one movement gripper (63) suitable for gripping a ring (1) and moving it on the attachment rod (4).
7. The crimping module (3) according to one of the previous claims comprising profile tracking means (64) so as to guide the movement of the movement gripper (63) so as to slide it onto the attachment rod (4).
8. An automaton for crimping a ring (1) comprising at least one mobile arm (101) including a head (102) and at least one crimping module (3) according to one of the claims 1 to 7 mounted on said head (102).
9. A method for distributing at least one ring (1) characterised in that it is performed by a crimping module (3) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, a sheath (23) of the storage cylinder (2) being aligned with said distribution outlet (21), the method comprising:

   a) a step of opening the distribution outlet (21) so as to allow the travel of a ring (1) from the sheath (23) through said distribution outlet (21);

   b) a step of receiving said ring (1) on a receiving finger (61),

   c) a step of closing the distribution outlet (21) so as to prevent the travel of rings (1) from said sheath (23) through said distribution outlet (21); and

   d) a step of gripping said ring (1) received on said receiving finger (61) in order to move it.

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