FR3129995A1 - Device for temporary assembly of structural parts - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (20) for the temporary assembly of structural parts The invention relates to a device (20) for the temporary assembly of structural parts, comprising: a tubular body (22) comprising a side opening (46); a translationally movable plunger inside the body; and a locking element, movable radially through the side opening; the device being movable between a disabled configuration such that the plunger (24) is in a first position and the locking member (26) is fully received within said body; and an activated configuration, in which the plunger is in a second position and the locking element is partially projecting through the side opening; The tubular body includes: a first part (50), including the side opening; and a second part (52); said first and second parts being connected by a threaded connection, a relative axial position of said parts thus being adjustable. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Device for temporary assembly of structural parts

The present invention relates to a device for temporarily assembling structural parts, of the type comprising: a tubular body extending along a main axis, between a first and a second end, the first end comprising at least one lateral opening; a movable plunger in axial translation inside the tubular body; and at least one locking element, movable in the radial direction through the at least one side opening; the temporary assembly device being movable between a deactivated configuration and an activated configuration such that, in the deactivated configuration, the plunger is in a first axial position with respect to the tubular body and the at least one locking element is fully received inside said body; and in the activated configuration, the plunger is in a second axial position with respect to the tubular body and the at least one locking element is partially projecting with respect to said body through the at least one side opening; the temporary assembly device further comprising: a plate secured to the second end of the tubular body and projecting radially relative to said body; a ring disposed around the tubular body and movable in translation relative to said body; a first compression spring, arranged around the tubular body between the plate and the ring; and a second compression spring disposed around the plunger.

The invention applies particularly to devices of the ball pin type, as described in the document FR2986587. Ball pins make it possible to quickly and reversibly assemble two structural parts and are used in particular in the aeronautical field.

Document FR2986587 shows the assembly of several structural parts in contact with each other. However, it may be necessary to put two pieces together with some space between them. It is then advantageous for the temporary assembly device to make it possible to adjust the dimensions of this space.

The present invention aims to meet this need. To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a temporary assembly device of the aforementioned type, in which the tubular body comprises: a first part, comprising the at least one side opening; and a second part secured to the plate; one of said first and second parts being arranged around the other of said first and second parts; said first and second parts being connected by a threaded connection, a relative axial position of said first and second parts thus being adjustable between a maximum axial length and a minimum axial length of the tubular body.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the temporary assembly device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

- a portion of the first part is located in the second part of the tubular body, and the device further comprises an end piece fixed to said portion of the first part, said end piece comprising a thread cooperating with an internal thread of the second part to form the threaded connection;

- the end piece has an imprint allowing the first part to be moved into the second part by means of the threaded connection;

- The plunger is fully received in the first part of the tubular body;

- the second spring comprises: a first end fixed to, or resting on, one end of the plunger; and a second end resting on an internal shoulder of the first part of the tubular body;

- The ring has a collar on which the first spring rests;

- the at least one locking element is a ball;

- the temporary assembly device comprises at least two locking elements distributed around the main axis, each locking element being associated with a side opening of the tubular body.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a temporary assembly device of the aforementioned type, in which the ring comprises a skirt such that in the deactivated position, the first spring is slightly compressed and said skirt is in a first axial position covering the at least one side opening; and in the activated position, the first spring is more strongly compressed and the skirt is in a second axial position uncovering the at least one side opening.

The second aspect of the invention makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the passage of the assembly device between the deactivated and activated positions.

The second aspect of the invention can be combined with the first aspect of the invention and/or with each of the characteristics corresponding to the advantageous aspects described above.

The invention further relates to a temporary assembly assembly of structural parts, comprising: a temporary assembly device according to the first and/or second aspects of the invention described above; and a receptacle comprising a bore extending along a secondary axis; said assembly being movable between a configuration separated from said device and said receptacle; and an assembled configuration in which the temporary assembly device is in an activated configuration, the tubular body is received in the bore so that the main and secondary axes are parallel; and the at least one locking element and the ring come into abutment on either side of said bore.

The invention further relates to a temporary assembly of a first and a second structural part, comprising a temporary assembly device as described above, fixed to the first structural part, the second structural part comprising a bore, the tubular body of said device being blocked in said bore by the abutment of the at least one locking element and the ring.

According to a particular embodiment, the temporary assembly comprises a temporary assembly assembly as described above; and the receptacle is fixed to the second structural part so that the bore is arranged along the secondary axis, the tubular body of the temporary assembly device being blocked in the said receptacle by the abutment of the at least one element of lock and ring on either side of the bore.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

there is a sectional view of a temporary assembly assembly comprising a temporary assembly device according to one embodiment of the invention, in a first configuration;

there is a perspective view of the entire , the temporary assembly device being in a second configuration; And

there is a sectional view of an assembly comprising the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, the temporary assembly device being in the second configuration.

There represents an assembly 10 comprising structural parts 12, 14 and an assembly 16 for the temporary assembly of said structural parts. Figures 1 and 2 represent the assembly 16 alone.

The temporary assembly assembly 16 comprises a device 20 for temporary assembly of structural parts.

The device 20 comprises in particular: a tubular body 22; a movable plunger 24; at least one locking element 26; a plate 28; a sliding ring 30; and a first 32 and a second 34 compression spring.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the temporary assembly assembly 16 further comprises a receptacle 38.

The tubular body 22 extends along a main axis 40, between a first and a second end. The first end is formed by a nose 42. In the embodiment shown, the nose 42 has a substantially frustoconical shape and includes a first recess 44 disposed on the main axis 40. The first recess 44 has a non-circular shape allowing its drive, for example hexagonal or lobed.

Near the nose 42, the tubular body 22 comprises at least one side opening 46. In the embodiment shown, the tubular body 22 comprises two side openings 46 symmetrical with respect to the main axis 40. In a variant not shown, the tubular body comprises more than two side openings, for example three or four.

In the embodiment shown, the side openings 46 have a circular shape.

In the embodiment shown, the tubular body 22 comprises a first 50 and a second 52 tubular parts, axially movable relative to each other. The first part 50, or front part, includes the nose 42. The nose is assembled to the first part for example by screwing by means of the first cavity 44.

The second part 52, or rear part, has a substantially cylindrical tubular shape of revolution. The front part 50 comprises a first portion 54, of larger diameter, and a second portion 55, of narrower diameter. The first 54 and second 55 portions are connected by an external shoulder 57. The first portion 54 is adjacent to the nose 42 and carries the at least one or more side openings 46. The second portion 55 is arranged in the rear part 52.

Furthermore, the second portion 55 comprises an internal shoulder 56 facing rearward, that is to say opposite the nose 42.

In the embodiment shown, the front part 50 further comprises an end piece 58 assembled at one end of the second portion 55 opposite the first portion 54. Said end piece 58 comprises a second recess 59 disposed on the main axis 40. The second cavity 59 has a shape allowing the tip to be driven in rotation, for example a hexagonal or lobed shape.

The tip 58 further comprises a thread cooperating with an internal thread of the rear part 52. The front 50 and rear 52 parts of the tubular body 22 are therefore threaded. A relative axial position of said front 50 and rear 52 parts is in particular adjustable between a minimum axial length of the tubular body, in which the rear part 52 comes into abutment against the external shoulder 57 of the front part 50, and a maximum axial length of said tubular body. In Figures 1 and 3, the tubular body 22 has the minimum axial length. Preferably, the difference between the minimum and maximum lengths is of the order of a few millimeters.

The plunger 24 extends along the main axis 40 and comprises a stem 60 of small diameter and an enlarged head 62, aligned axially with the stem.

The plunger 24 is entirely received in the tubular body 22. More precisely, the plunger 24 is entirely received in the front part 50 of the tubular body, between the first 44 and second 59 cavities.

The at least one locking element 26 is movable in the radial direction, perpendicular to the main axis 40, through the at least one side opening 46. Preferably, the at least one locking element 26 is a ball.

In the embodiment shown, the device comprises two identical locking elements 26, in the form of balls, each of said balls being associated with a lateral opening 46.

In a variant not shown, the device comprises more than two balls, depending on the number of side openings.

The diameter of each side opening is slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding ball.

The temporary assembly device 20 is movable between a deactivated configuration, shown in the , and an enabled configuration, shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In the deactivated configuration, the plunger 24 is in a first axial position in the front part 50 of the tubular body, such that the enlarged head 62 is arranged at the level of the nose 42. The small diameter rod 60 is thus opposite the balls 26 , arranged on either side of said rod and entirely received in the front part 50.

In the activated configuration, the plunger is in a second axial position in the front part 50, such that the enlarged head 62 is arranged at the level of the side openings 46. Said enlarged head 62 is thus in contact with the balls 26, radially pushing each ball compared to the disabled configuration. Each ball 26 is thus partially projecting with respect to the front part 50 through the corresponding side opening 46.

Plate 28 is integral with one end of rear part 52 of body 22, opposite to front part 50.

Plate 28 forms a radial projection relative to body 22. In the embodiment shown, plate 28 has an elongated shape in a direction perpendicular to main axis 40.

Opposite the body 22, the plate 28 comprises a surface 64 for assembly to a first structural part 12 and possibly holes 66 for fixing to said first structural part.

Plate 28 further comprises a maneuvering hole 68, arranged on the main axis 40. The maneuvering hole 68 gives access to the interior of the body 22 and has radial dimensions greater than those of the second cavity 59.

The ring 30 comprises: a substantially cylindrical outer surface of revolution along the main axis 40; and a flange 70 projecting radially relative to said outer surface. Collar 70 axially divides ring 30 into a main portion 72 and a front skirt 74.

The ring 30 is arranged around the body 22, the front skirt 74 being oriented towards the nose 42.

The flange 70 has a rear face 76, substantially perpendicular to the main axis, and a front face 78, preferably chamfered.

The ring 30 further comprises an internal shoulder 79 oriented towards the nose 42.

The ring 30 is able to slide axially along the body 22 between the activated and deactivated configurations of the device 20.

In the deactivated configuration, visible on the , the internal shoulder 79 of the ring comes into abutment against the external shoulder 57 of the front part 50 of the body 22; and the front skirt 74 covers the side openings 46 of said body.

In the activated configuration, visible in Figures 2 and 3, the ring 30 is offset axially towards the plate 28 with respect to the deactivated configuration; and the skirt 74 uncovers the side openings 46.

The first compression spring 32 is a helical spring, arranged around the body 22 and the main portion 72 of the ring 30. The ends of the first spring 32 rest respectively on the plate 28 and on the rear face 76 of the collar 70.

In the activated configuration of device 20, the first spring 32 is in a more compressed state than in the deactivated configuration.

The second compression spring 34 is a helical spring, arranged around the rod 60 of the plunger 24, in the second portion 55 of the front part 50 of the body.

One end of the second spring 34 is fixed to one end 80 of the rod 60, opposite the enlarged head 62. The other end of the second spring 34 rests on the internal shoulder 56 of the second portion 55.

Second spring 34 is less powerful than first spring 32. In the deactivated configuration of device 20, second spring 34 is in a more compressed state than in the activated configuration.

Receptacle 38 includes housing 82 and radial damper 83.

The housing 82 includes a first wall 84 for assembly with a second structural part 14. The first wall optionally includes holes 85 for fixing to said second structural part.

The housing 82 further comprises a second wall 86 substantially parallel to the first wall. The housing defines a housing 87 between the first 84 and second 86 walls.

The housing 82 has a bore 88 passing through the first 84 and second 86 walls along a secondary axis 89.

The radial damper 83, of annular shape, comprises a flexible body 90 and a rigid core 91. The flexible body 90 is made of flexible material of the elastomer type, in particular silicone. The rigid core 91 comprises in particular: a cylindrical part 92, around which the flexible body is inserted; and a bearing wall 93 extending from said cylindrical part.

In the embodiment shown, the bearing wall 93 forms a concave frustoconical surface, substantially complementary to the chamfer of the front face 78 of the flange 70.

In the embodiment shown, the radial damper 83 further comprises an outlet face 94, opposite the bearing wall 93.

Radial damper 83 is arranged in housing 87 of housing 82. Said radial damper is sized to slide perpendicularly to secondary axis 89 while being blocked axially by first 84 and second 86 walls.

Assembly 10 of the will now be described.

The first structural part 12 is assembled to the assembly surface 64 of the plate 28 of the device 20. Said first structural part comprises an opening 95 aligned with the maneuvering hole 68 of said plate 28.

The second structural part 14 has a mounting hole 96. Said second structural part 14 is assembled to the receptacle 38 so that the orifice 96 is aligned with the secondary axis 89 of the bore 88 of the housing. In the embodiment shown, housing 82 is installed in port 96.

In the assembly 10, the first 12 and second 14 structural parts are therefore assembled to each other by the temporary assembly assembly 16, which provides a space 97 between said first and second structural parts. In a variant not shown, the temporary assembly device 20 is also suitable for assembling structural parts in contact with one another.

A method of mounting assembly 10 from temporary assembly assembly 16 will now be described.

The first structural part 12 is assembled to the assembly surface 64 of the plate 28 of the device 20, possibly by inserting fasteners (not shown) in the holes 66 or by gluing if the plate 28 does not include an orifice 66. In parallel, the receptacle 38 is assembled to the first wall 84 of the second structural part 14, possibly by inserting fasteners (not shown) into the orifices 85, or by gluing if the wall 84 does not include an orifice 85.

Then, the device 20 being in the deactivated configuration of the , the nose 42 of the body 22 is presented facing the bore 88 of the receptacle 38 and inserted into said bore. When the flange 70 of the ring 30 comes into contact with the bearing wall 93 of the radial damper 83, said ring is pushed towards the rear of the device 20, compressing the first spring 32.

The front skirt 74 of the ring then uncovers the side openings 46. Under the action of the second spring 34 which relaxes, the plunger 24 moves towards the rear of the device 20 and the enlarged head 62 of said plunger pushes the balls 26 towards the outside of the side openings.

When the nose 42 and the side openings 46 emerge from the other side of the bore 88, the balls 26 block the body 22 axially by forming a stop against the outlet face 94 of the radial damper 83.

Assembly 10 of the is thus produced, the device 20 being in the activated configuration. There shows an analogous assembly of assembly 16 alone, without structural parts 12, 14.

The radial damper 83 notably has an anti-vibration function to eliminate parasitic noise. In addition, said radial damper provides radial displacement to take up play during assembly 10 and secure the assembly in axis 40.

To possibly adjust the space 97 between the first and second structural parts, an Allen key type tool is inserted into the second recess 59 of the front part 50 of the body, through the opening 95 of the first structural part and the orifice 68 for maneuvering plate 28. The tool is operated in rotation, so as to move the front part 50 axially in the rear part 52 by means of their threaded connection.

The length of the tubular body 22 is therefore adjusted between the minimum and maximum axial lengths. This length adjustment can be made before or after the assembly of the device 20 and the receptacle 38.

To dissociate the first 12 and second 14 structural parts, a tool of the Allen key type or of the punch type is inserted through the second cavity 59 of the front part 50 of the body, until it pushes axially on the end 80 of the rod 60 of the diver. The second spring 34 contracts and the enlarged head 62 of the plunger is pushed in the direction of the nose 42. The balls 26 are thus radially unblocked and the relaxation of the first spring 32 folds the front skirt 74 over the radial openings 46, pushing said balls into the body 22. The device 20 is found in the deactivated configuration and the body 22 can be extracted from the receptacle 38.

As a variant not shown in the assembly 10 of the , the temporary assembly assembly 16 does not include a receptacle 38; and the second structural part 14 comprises a hole in which the body 22 of the device 20 is placed directly. In an assembled state similar to the , the balls 26 and the flange 70 come into abutment on either side of said bore.

Claims (12)

Device (20) for temporarily assembling structural parts (12, 14), comprising:
- a tubular body (22) extending along a main axis (40), between a first and a second end, the first end comprising at least one lateral opening (46);
- a plunger (24) movable in axial translation inside the tubular body; And
- at least one locking element (26), movable in the radial direction through the at least one side opening;
the temporary assembly device being movable between a deactivated configuration and an activated configuration, such that, in the deactivated configuration, the plunger (24) is in a first axial position with respect to the tubular body and the at least one locking element (26) is entirely received inside said body; and in the activated configuration, the plunger is in a second axial position with respect to the tubular body and the at least one locking element is partially projecting with respect to said body through the at least one side opening (46);
the temporary assembly device further comprising: a plate (28) integral with the second end of the tubular body and projecting radially with respect to said body; a ring (30) disposed around the tubular body and movable in translation relative to said body; a first compression spring (32), arranged around the tubular body between the plate and the ring; and a second compression spring (34) disposed around the plunger;
the temporary assembly device being characterized in that the tubular body comprises: a first part (50), comprising the at least one lateral opening; and a second part (52) secured to the plate; one of said first and second parts being disposed around the other of said first and second parts; said first and second parts being connected by a threaded connection, a relative axial position of said first and second parts thus being adjustable between a maximum axial length and a minimum axial length of the tubular body. A temporary assembly device according to claim 1, wherein: a portion (55) of the first part is located in the second part (52) of the tubular body, and the device further comprises a tip (58) fixed to said portion of the first part, said end piece comprising a thread cooperating with an internal thread of the second part to form the threaded connection. Temporary assembly device according to claim 2, in which the end piece has an indentation (59) allowing the first part (50) to be moved in the second part (52) by means of the threaded connection. Temporary assembly device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plunger (24) is entirely received in the first part (50) of the tubular body (22). Temporary assembly device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second spring (34) comprises: a first end fixed to, or resting on, an end (80) of the plunger; and a second end resting on an internal shoulder (56) of the first part (50) of the tubular body (22). Device (20) for temporary assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (30) has a skirt (74) such that in the deactivated position, the first spring (32) is slightly compressed and said skirt is in a first axial position covering the at least one side opening (46); and in the activated position, the first spring is more strongly compressed and the skirt is in a second axial position uncovering the at least one side opening. Temporary assembly device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the ring (30) comprises a flange (70) on which the first spring bears. Temporary assembly device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one locking element (26) is a ball. Temporary assembly device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two locking elements (26) distributed around the main axis, each locking element being associated with a lateral opening (46) of the tubular body. Assembly (16) for temporary assembly of structural parts, comprising: a device (20) for temporary assembly according to one of the preceding claims; and a receptacle (38) comprising a bore (88) extending along a secondary axis (89); said assembly being movable between a configuration separated from said device and said receptacle; and an assembled configuration in which the temporary assembly device (20) is in an activated configuration, the tubular body (22) is received in the bore (88) so that the main (40) and secondary axes are parallel; and the at least one locking element (26) and the ring (30) abut on either side of said bore. A temporary assembly (10) of a first (12) and a second (14) structural part, comprising a temporary assembly device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 9 fixed to the first structural part, the second structural part comprising a bore (96), the tubular body (22) of said device being blocked in said bore by the abutment of the at least one locking element (26) and of the ring (30). A temporary assembly according to claim 11, comprising a temporary assembly assembly (16) according to claim 10, in which the receptacle (38) is fixed to the second structural part (14) so that the bore is disposed along the axis secondary (89), the tubular body (22) of the temporary assembly device (20) being locked in said receptacle by the abutment of the at least one locking element (26) and the ring (30) of either side of the bore (88).