PANEL SUPPORT DEVICE

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the holding of panel(s) for an operation such as riveting. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the riveting assembly of aeronautical structural panel(s), for example with one or more accessories or with another panel, but is not limited to the aeronautical field. EARLIER ART

[0002] An aircraft structural panel typically requires riveting to one or more components, such as a window, stringer, spar, or reinforcing frame, or to another panel. In particular, an aircraft fuselage consists of panels that are generally semi-cylindrical or curved, and whose opposite end widths may vary. These panels are usually made of sheet metal.

[0003] For riveting a panel, it is known to clamp the panel onto a receiving structure, called a pallet, whose shape is designed to specifically receive said panel.

[0004] The pallet, fitted with the panel to be riveted, is then loaded into a riveting machine by being attached, in a removable manner, to a frame, called a positioner frame, of the machine.

[0005] The riveting machine usually comprises a frame in the general shape of a C which has a lower part, called the lower console, and an upper part, called the riveting head, between which is positioned the frame to which is attached the pallet which carries the panel to be riveted.

[0006] However, it is observed that the variety of panel profiles, particularly in the case of aircraft fuselage panels, requires the provision of a large number of pallets of different geometries, which pose problems of cost, handling and space.

[0007] US documents 1834294 (on which the preamble of claim 1 is based), CN103878605 and US5617622 describe adjustable frames.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a device to overcome all or part of the problems described above.

[0009] In particular, one aim of the invention is to propose a new device that allows limiting the use of, or dispensing with, pallets while maintaining good support of the panels for the riveting operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to a device according to claim 1.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each of said fastening systems comprises two arms articulated relative to each other and a clamping device coupled to the arms and enabling the panel to be pinched.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device comprises, for each arm, a support relative to which one end of said arm is articulated, and each support is mounted movable along the corresponding side member, by means of a motorization system so as to be able to adjust the angle formed between the two arms and to be able to adjust the position of the fixing system along said side member.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the two supports are connected to each other by a shaft, preferably a splined shaft, which extends parallel to the spar and which is driveable to pivot around its axis by a motorization system, and the two arms are mounted rotationally fixed to said shaft to allow adjustment of the angular position of the assembly of the two arms and the clamping device around an axis parallel to the axis of the spar.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the ends of each longitudinal member are articulated, one with respect to a cross member of the frame, the other with respect to the other cross member, and the ends of the longitudinal members articulated to the same cross member are mounted movable with respect to each other along this cross member.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each face of the frame is provided with said fastening systems.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the clamping device of each of said fastening systems includes an activatable and deactivatable clamping mechanism, such as a toggle clamping or clamping mechanism, allowing said panel to be clamped, the corresponding fastening system preferably comprising a motor allowing said clamping mechanism to be activated or deactivated.

[0017] The invention also relates to an installation comprising: a retaining device as described above, a support structure for said retaining device, which includes: a first coupling system enabling the coupling of one of the cross members (12) of the frame to said support structure and the sliding of said cross member along an axis parallel to the plane of the frame and orthogonal to said cross member; a second coupling system enabling the coupling of the other cross member to said support structure and, preferably, the tilting of the frame around an axis parallel to said cross member.

[0018] In one particular aspect, the installation includes a riveting machine which comprises: a lower part, called the lower console, and an upper part, called the riveting head, between which the panel retaining device is positioned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, on which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of the panel holding device, equipped with a panel, according to one embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 is a view of a portion of the panel retention device according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a system for moving the ends of one side of the stringers; the figure 3 is a view of a portion of the panel retention device according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a fastening system mounted on one of the stringers and clamping a portion of a panel; the figure 4 is a view of the part of the panel retaining device illustrated in the figure 3 , from another point of view; the figure 5is a view of an installation comprising a support structure and a panel holding device, according to an embodiment of the invention; the figure 6 is a schematic view of an installation comprising a riveting machine, a support structure and a panel holding device, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the concept of the invention are shown. Similar numbers refer to similar features in all the drawings. However, this concept of the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are offered so as to make this description complete and to communicate the scope of the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the accompanying claims.

[0021] With reference to the figures and in particular to the figure 1 , the invention relates to a device for holding a panel 9, such as a panel with a curved profile.

[0022] The panel can also be a straight panel. In one embodiment, an accessory, such as a porthole or reinforcing element, is intended to be riveted to the panel thus held in place. The holding device can be sized to hold several panels, for example, for riveting said panels together.

[0023] The support device includes an adjustable geometry frame 10 which comprises two longitudinal members 11 and two cross members 12.

[0024] An adjustment system 2 allows the geometry of the frame 10 formed by the longitudinal members and cross members to be adjusted. The adjustment is made according to the shape, dimension or profile of the panel to be held.

[0025] In the example illustrated in the figures, the adjustment system 2 includes, for each cross member 12, a threaded shaft 120, an associated motor 121, connecting pieces 110 of the ends of the stringers, and joints 111 between said connecting pieces 110 and the ends of the stringers 11.

[0026] The approach or separation of the cross members 12 relative to each other as a function of the displacement of the ends of the longitudinal members 11 is made possible by a sliding mobility of a cross member 12 relative to the support structure 7 in a direction which is parallel to the average plane of the frame and which is orthogonal to said cross member 12.

[0027] In the example illustrated in the figures, this sliding mobility is formed by the coupling system 72, a part 720 of which, integral with said cross member 12, is referenced to the figure 1 A part 710 of the coupling system 71, integral with the other cross member 12, is also referenced to the figure 1 .

[0028] Fastening systems 3 coupled to the frame's longitudinal members 11 allow the panel 9 to be attached to the frame 10 at several locations (or points) along said panel 9. In particular, the device includes at least two fastening systems on one longitudinal member and at least one fastening system, preferably several, on the other longitudinal member. In other words, according to a preferred method, each longitudinal member 11 of the frame is equipped with a plurality of fastening systems 3 distributed along the longitudinal member 11.

[0029] In the examples illustrated in figures 1 to 5 The fastening systems have been represented on a single longeron. Of course, the other longeron is also equipped with at least one fastening system, preferably several fastening systems.

[0030] In the schematic view of the figure 6 , three fastening systems are shown on each of the side rails.

[0031] Thus, in the rest of the description, the characteristics described in relation to one longeron also apply to the other longeron.

[0032] As particularly illustrated in figures 3 and 4 The fastening systems 3 are mounted to slide along the stringers 11. Each of the fastening systems 3 is also mounted to pivot about an axis parallel to the axis of the stringer 11 that supports it. The fastening systems 3 are mounted to move independently of each other along at least a portion of their path of movement.

[0033] In the example illustrated in the figures, each of the fixing systems 3 comprises two arms 31, 32 articulated relative to each other and a clamping device 33 coupled to the arms 31, 32 which allows the panel 9 to be pinched.

[0034] The two arms are preferably arranged in an inverted V. Alternatively, the two arms can be arranged in an X. In the case of an X structure, each end of the X arm opposite the spar is equipped with a clamping device.

[0035] The arms 31, 32 are articulated to the clamping device(s) 33.

[0036] In the example illustrated in the figures, the clamping device 33 of each of said fastening systems 3 comprises an activatable and deactivatable clamping mechanism, such as a toggle clamp or clamping lever mechanism, for clamping said panel 9. As illustrated more particularly in figures 3 and 4 , the fastening system 3 preferably includes a 330 motor enabling the activation or deactivation of said clamping mechanism.

[0037] Each of said arms 31, 32 has, at one end, a joint to the clamping device 33, and, at the opposite end, a joint to a connecting piece 431, 432 which connects said arm 31, 32 to the support 41 or 42 which carries it, which allows said arms 31, 32 to be articulated relative to each other to form a more or less open angle and thus to move the clamping device 33 closer or further away from the corresponding longitudinal member 11.

[0038] In other words, the panel support device comprises, for each arm 31, 32 of the fastening system, a support 41, 42 relative to which one end of said arm 31, 32, opposite the clamping device 33, is articulated. In particular, each arm 31, 32 is articulated on the connecting piece 431, 432, which is itself coupled to the support 41, 42. As detailed below, each connecting piece 431, 432 is coupled to the corresponding support 41, 42 by being mounted on a shaft 43 carried by said supports 41, 42.

[0039] The supports 41, 42 are thus connected to each other by the shaft 43 on which the arms 31, 32 are mounted for rotational rigidity. The two arms 31, 32 are mounted for rotational rigidity to the shaft 43 by means of the annular connecting pieces 431, 432, the inner circumference of which cooperates with the shaft 43. In the example illustrated in the figures, the shaft is a splined shaft.

[0040] The end of each arm 31, 32 opposite the clamping device 33 is articulated to the corresponding connecting piece 431, 432 which is itself mounted to rotate securely to the shaft 43. In particular in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the connecting piece 431, 432 is mounted to move securely to the corresponding support 41, 42 by being sandwiched between two cheeks formed by said support.

[0041] The shaft 43 extends parallel to the corresponding longitudinal member 11 and is driveable by pivoting around its axis by a motorization system 343 ( figures 3 and 4 ). It is thus possible to adjust the angular position of the assembly of the two arms 31, 32 and the clamping device 33 around an axis parallel to the axis of the spar.

[0042] Thus, each of the arms 31, 32 is articulated relative to its motorized support 41, 42, around an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of the mean plane in which said arms extend, to allow the angle they form between them to be opened or closed more or less, while being mounted rotationally fixed to the shaft 43 which connects said supports 431, 432, which allows the height of the clamping device 33 to be adjusted relative to the frame.

[0043] Each support 41, 42 is mounted to slide along the corresponding longitudinal member 11, using a motorization system 341, 342 so as to be able to adjust the angle formed between the two arms 31, 32 and to be able to adjust the position of the fixing system 3 along said longitudinal member 11.

[0044] Each support 41, 42 is mounted to slide independently of the other support 41, 42, over a given stroke, corresponding, for example, to the length of the shaft 43 minus the overall distance between the supports. It can be provided that each support can be moved closer to or further from the other support by relative movement of said supports with respect to each other along the shaft 43 that connects them.

[0045] For each arm 31, 32 of the mounting system 3, the motorization system includes a motor 51, 52 carried respectively by the support 41, 42 and which drives a pinion 54, 55 also carried by the support 41, 42 and engaging with a rack 56. The rack 56 is fixed to the longitudinal member 11, which extends along the corresponding longitudinal member 11.

[0046] The supports 41, 42 rest on a rail 57 arranged parallel to the longitudinal member, which allows the sliding of the supports 41, 42 to be guided.

[0047] In the example illustrated in the figures, one of the supports 42 can slide, with the arm 32 it carries, via the connecting piece 432, along said splined shaft 43. The splined shaft 43 is mounted axially fixed to the other support 41. The splined shaft 43 is pivotally driven about its axis by a motor 343. Said motor 343 is carried by the support 41.

[0048] Thus, the movement, along the longitudinal member 11, of the supports 41, 42 which carry the arms 31, 32, via the shaft 43 and the connecting pieces 431, 432, not only allows the movement of the entire corresponding fastening system 3 along said longitudinal member, but also the relative movement between these two supports 41, 42 allows the relative positioning of the two supports, that is to say a positioning closer or further from each other, which allows the angle between the arms to be varied and therefore the corresponding clamping device to be moved closer or further away from the longitudinal members.

[0049] In addition, the rotation of the shaft 43 which carries the two arms 31, 32 allows the two arms 31, 32 and therefore the clamping device 33 to be rotated around an axis parallel to that of the corresponding longitudinal member.

[0050] As mentioned above and illustrated more specifically in the figure 2In the example illustrated in the figures, the said longitudinal member ends are articulated on connecting pieces 110 which are themselves mounted on a shaft 120 or rod, of the worm gear type, having two threaded portions in opposite directions. figure 2 The diagram only shows the ends of the two side members coupled to one of the cross members, but of course the ends of the side members coupled to the other cross member are also articulated on connecting pieces which are themselves mounted on a shaft or rod, of the worm gear type, with two threaded sections in opposite directions. Thus, the description of the ends of the side members located on one side of the frame also applies to the opposite ends.

[0051] As illustrated more particularly in the figure 2, the ends of each longitudinal member 11 are articulated about an axis 111 perpendicular to the mean plane of the frame, one with respect to a cross member 12 of the frame, the other 11 with respect to the other cross member 12, and the ends of the longitudinal members 11 articulated to the same cross member 12 are mounted movable with respect to each other along this cross member 12 so that they can be brought closer together or moved further apart from each other, preferably while each remaining at an equal distance from the center of the corresponding cross member.

[0052] Each connecting piece 110 has a threaded hole that engages with the threads of a portion of the shaft 120. The shaft 120 is coupled to a motor 121, enabling it to rotate about its axis. Thus, due to the opposing threads on the shaft 120, the ends of the longitudinal members coupled to the shaft 120 via the corresponding connecting pieces 110 are moved in opposite directions along the cross member 12.

[0053] As particularly illustrated in the figure 5The holding device described above can be used in a riveting installation that includes a support structure 7 for said holding device. Said support structure includes a column 701 equipped with a first coupling and sliding system 71 for coupling one of the cross members 12 of the frame 10 to said support structure 7 and for sliding said cross member 12 along an axis parallel to the mid-plane of the frame 10 and orthogonal to said cross member 12. Said support structure also includes a second column 702 equipped with a second coupling and articulation system 72 for coupling the other cross member 12 to said support structure 7 and for tilting the frame 10 about an axis parallel to said cross member 12. The first and second systems 71, 72 also have a pivoting joint allowing the frame to pivot about a median axis orthogonal to the cross members 12.

[0054] The first and second systems 71, 72 are also movable in height along the columns of the support structure, to allow the frame to be raised or lowered or tilted or inclined.

[0055] As schematically illustrated in the figure 6 The installation also includes a riveting machine 100 which has a lower part 101, called the lower console, and an upper part 102, called the riveting head, between which the panel holding device is positioned.

[0056] Advantageously, a control station (not shown) is used to adjust, preferably automatically, the geometry of the frame and the position and orientation of the fastening systems according to the characteristics of the panel to be held on the frame.

[0057] For this purpose, the control station includes a data input interface, such as a screen and keyboard. Frame geometry profiles and the positioning and / or orientation of the fastening systems are predefined and stored in the control station. These predefined profiles can be selected by the operator or automatically selected based on the panel's characteristics, for example, those entered into the station by the operator. Once the adjustment profile corresponding to the panel to be held has been selected, the control station commands the motors of the adjustment system and the fastening systems to obtain the frame shape and the positions and orientations corresponding to that profile. The panel is then brought onto the frame at the fastening system, and the clamping devices are activated to grip and hold the panel in place.

[0058] The control station may take the form of an electronic and / or computer processing unit, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). In one embodiment, the control station includes a memory for storing the adjustment and positioning profiles and / or orientation of the fastening systems and the data of the panels to be held, and a processor for selecting the adjustment profile corresponding to the panel to be held and transmitting control instructions to the device's motors. Advantageously, the control station also allows for the control of other functions of the riveting installation.

[0059] The riveting operation of a panel held on the frame can then be carried out with the following steps: relative positioning of the frame of the retaining device in relation to the lower console 101 and the riveting head 102 using the mobilities of the coupling means 71, 72 of the frame and the support structure; riveting of an accessory onto the panel.

[0060] Advantageously, before the riveting operation carried out by the machine, the accessory to be riveted is pre-positioned on the panel temporarily by means of provisional rivets placed by hand which serve as reference positions.

[0061] The various degrees of mobility allow the panel to be positioned perpendicular to the drilling and riveting axis of the riveting machine. Advantageously, each rivet installed is positioned in a direction normal to the panel profile. Thus, the different degrees of mobility are used to achieve the desired relative position and orientation between the rivet and the panel.

[0062] In one embodiment, each face of the frame 10 is equipped with said fastening systems 3 to allow a panel to be loaded onto one face of the frame while a panel previously positioned on the other face of the frame is being unloaded. Alternatively, only one face may be provided with said arm fastening systems, and the other face may optionally be provided with fastening systems known for removably attaching a receiving structure, called a pallet, intended to receive a particular shape of panel.

[0063] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Claims

1. A device for retaining a panel (9), such as a panel with a curved profile, the device including a frame (10) that comprises two side members (11) and two cross-members (12), said device further comprising: - a system for adjusting (2) the geometry of the frame (10); - attachment systems (3) coupled to the side members (11) of the frame so as to allow the attachment of the panel (9) to the frame (10) in several locations of said panel (9), said attachment systems (3) being mounted movably along the side members (11); characterized in that each of said attachment systems (3) is also mounted pivoting about an axis parallel to the axis of the side member (11).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said attachment systems (3) comprises two arms (31, 32) that are hinged relative to one another and a clamping device (33) coupled to the arms (31, 32) and making it possible to grip the panel (9).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the device comprises, for each arm (31, 32), a support (41, 42) relative to which one end of said arm (31, 32) is hinged, and in that each support (41, 42) is movable along the corresponding side member (11), using a motorization system (341, 342) so as to be able to adjust the angle formed between the two arms (31, 32) and to be able to adjust the position of the attachment system (3) along said side member (11).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two supports (41, 42) are connected to one another by a shaft (43), preferably a splined shaft, that extends parallel to the side member (11) and that can be driven to pivot about its axis by a motorization system (343), and in that the two arms (31, 32) are mounted secured in rotation with said shaft (43) so as to allow the angular position to be adjusted of the assembly of the two arms (31, 32) and of the clamping device (33) about an axis parallel to the axis of the side member.

5. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends of each side member (11) are hinged, one relative to a cross-member (12) of the frame, the other relative to the other cross-member (12); and the ends of the side members (11) hinged to a same cross-member (12) are mounted movably relative to one another along this cross-member (12).

6. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the faces of the frame (10) is provided with said attachment systems (3).

7. The device according to one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the clamping device (33) of each of said attachment systems (3) comprises a clamping mechanism that can be activated and deactivated, such as a clamping mechanism with a knuckle joint or toggle clamp, making it possible to grip said panel (9), the corresponding attachment system (3) preferably comprising a motor (330) allowing said clamping mechanism to be activated or deactivated.

8. A facility comprising: - a retaining device according to one of the preceding claims, - a support structure (7) of said retaining device, which comprises: • a first coupling system (71) allowing one of the cross-members (12) of said frame (10) to be coupled to said support structure (7) and allowing said cross-member (12) to slide along an axis parallel to the plane of the frame (10) and orthogonal to said cross-member (12); • a second coupling system (72) allowing the other cross-member (12) to be coupled to said support structure (7) and, preferably, allowing the frame (10) to tilt about an axis parallel to said cross-member (12).

9. The facility according to claim 8, said facility comprising a riveting machine (100) that includes: - a lower part (101), called lower brace, and - an upper part (102), called riveting head, between which the panel retaining device is positioned.