Flexible clamping mechanism and clamping method for drilling and riveting of aerofoil skeleton and front edge strip

Abstract

This invention discloses a flexible clamping mechanism and clamping method for riveting a rudder surface skeleton to a leading edge strip. The clamping mechanism includes a base, a shaping plate, a shaping column, bolt A, a fixing seat, a skeleton adjusting block, a leading edge strip adjusting block fixture, a leading edge strip adjusting block, a leading edge strip pressing block, a reference fixture, and a rudder surface. The shaping plate is detachably mounted on the base via bolt A. The clamping method includes the following steps: S1: reference positioning; S2: side fixing; S3: skeleton clamping; S4: leading edge strip positioning; S5: leading edge strip pressing; S6: curved surface fitting; S7: riveting; S8: batch reuse. The entire mechanism of this invention has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost. It adopts a modular and adjustable structure, allowing one set of mechanisms to assemble rudder surfaces with different dimensional tolerances. Changes to different rudder surface dimensional tolerances only require adjusting the mechanism, significantly reducing production preparation time and eliminating the need to remanufacture the mechanism, thus reducing production costs. It is suitable for developing rudder surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of aerospace control surface assembly tooling technology, specifically relating to a flexible clamping mechanism and clamping method for riveting a control surface skeleton to a leading edge strip drill. Background Technology

[0002] The shape of the control surface is often a complex curved surface, requiring high precision in shape and connection quality after riveting. Traditionally, the riveting of the control surface and leading edge strip involves creating a beveled fixture with the same angle as the control surface's slope. During this process, one operator holds the control surface while another uses a hammer to rivet the leading edge strip, working together to complete the riveting. This manual riveting method is labor-intensive, the riveting quality is greatly affected by human factors, and production efficiency is extremely low. Furthermore, the beveled fixtures are often specialized, requiring multiple sets for each control surface. When the product is modified or changed, the original fixtures are difficult to reuse, significantly increasing manufacturing costs and time.

[0003] With the development of technology, riveting machines have developed rapidly, and automatic riveting machines have been gradually applied to the riveting assembly of steering surfaces. Riveting is carried out by adjusting multi-axis servo mechanisms and high-precision sensors. However, the mechanism is complex, there are many adjustment links, the cost is high, and the cost of on-site use and maintenance is also high.

[0004] Furthermore, there are many existing technologies related to rudder surface riveting: For example, Chinese patent CN220199593U discloses a general-purpose rudder surface loading fixture, but it is only suitable for rudder surface loading tests. It lacks drilling and riveting support, leading edge strip positioning and neutral surface alignment structure, and cannot be directly used for drilling and riveting processes.

[0005] For example, Chinese patent CN112720313B discloses a folding rudder surface assembly tooling and assembly method, which provides a folding rudder surface positioning assembly structure. However, it is a fixed positioning form and does not have the ability to be flexible and adjustable or to be universal in multiple sizes, so it cannot meet the needs of serialized and multi-size rudder surface rapid replacement.

[0006] For example, Chinese patent CN121607713A discloses a workpiece rudder surface cutting fixture, which discloses a clamping and positioning mechanism for cutting. It is only suitable for mechanical cutting and has no special clamping structure for riveting top plate, adjusting column and leading edge strip, and cannot be adapted to drilling and riveting process.

[0007] In summary, existing fixtures or tooling generally suffer from problems such as strong specialization, poor versatility, high cost, low efficiency, and inability to ensure drilling and riveting accuracy, making it difficult to meet the drilling and riveting clamping requirements for the development, small-batch production, multi-size, and serialized rudder surfaces. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible clamping mechanism and clamping method for riveting a rudder surface frame to a leading edge drill bit, addressing the technical problems described in the background art.

[0009] The technical solution of the present invention: A flexible clamping mechanism for riveting a rudder surface frame to a leading edge strip includes a base, a shaping plate, a shaping column, bolt A, a fixing seat, a frame adjusting block, a leading edge strip adjusting block clamp, a leading edge strip adjusting block, a leading edge strip pressing block, a reference clamp, and a rudder surface. The shaping plate is detachably mounted on the base via bolt A. The shaping column, fixing seat, frame adjusting block, leading edge strip adjusting block clamp, leading edge strip pressing block, and reference clamp are mounted on the shaping plate. The leading edge strip adjusting block is mounted on a rivet top plate. The rudder surface is mounted on the leading edge strip adjusting block, fixing seat, frame adjusting block, and reference clamp. The shaping plate has a plurality of threaded holes arranged in a rectangular array, and the shaping column is arranged in the threaded holes.

[0010] The adjusting column includes a spherical rubber, a threaded column, and a tightening block. The spherical rubber is fixed to the top of the threaded column by adhesive bonding, and the tightening block is integrally set at the bottom of the threaded column.

[0011] The fixing seat includes a fixing block and bolts B. The two ends of the fixing block are installed on the shaping plate by matching the threaded holes of bolts B. There are two fixing seats, which are installed on the right side and the rear right end of the shaping plate, respectively.

[0012] The frame adjusting block includes bolt C, T-shaped adjusting block, baffle and bolt D. The T-shaped adjusting block is installed on the adjusting plate on both sides by bolt C matching the threaded holes. The baffle is set inside the T-shaped adjusting block and is pressed by bolt D which is adjustable and installed on the T-shaped adjusting block. There are 2 frame adjusting blocks, both of which are set on the front side of the adjusting plate.

[0013] The leading edge strip adjusting block clamp includes a screw, a rotating plate, an L-shaped rivet top plate frame, and a bolt E. The bottom of the L-shaped rivet top plate frame is provided with a strip-shaped pre-tightening hole A. The L-shaped rivet top plate frame is installed on the adjusting plate by the bolt E passing through the strip-shaped pre-tightening hole A and the threaded hole in sequence. The rotating plate is installed on the upper inner side of the L-shaped rivet top plate frame by a screw. There are 2 leading edge strip adjusting block clamps, and the leading edge strip adjusting blocks are installed between the leading edge strip adjusting block clamps.

[0014] The leading edge bar clamping block includes a leading edge bar top plate, an L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame, bolts F and G. The bottom of the L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame is provided with a strip-shaped pre-tightening hole B. The L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame is installed on the adjusting plate by bolts G passing through the strip-shaped pre-tightening hole B and threaded hole in sequence. The leading edge bar top plate is located inside the L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame and is pressed down by bolts F that are adjustable and installed on the L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame. Several leading edge bar clamping blocks are provided, which cooperate with the leading edge bar adjusting block to press and clamp the rudder surface.

[0015] The reference fixture includes a bolt H and an L-shaped reference fixture frame. The L-shaped reference fixture frame is mounted on the shaping plate by the bolt H passing through the threaded hole.

[0016] The rudder surface includes a frame, rivets, and a leading edge strip. The leading edge strip is integrally connected to the left side of the frame and is fixed to the leading edge strip adjustment block by rivets.

[0017] A clamping method for a flexible clamping mechanism that rivets a rudder surface frame to a leading edge strip drill bit includes the following steps: S1: Reference positioning: Select a rudder surface with parallel upper and lower surfaces of the frame, place one of the surfaces on the adjustment plate, clamp the frame with the reference fixture frame, and tighten bolt H to ensure that the neutral surface of the frame is parallel to the adjustment plate. S2: Side fixing: Use bolt B to fasten the right and rear sides of the rudder surface with fixing blocks; S3: Frame clamping: On the front side of the rudder, the tightening block is fastened to the adjusting plate by bolt C, and then the tightening force is transmitted to the baffle by bolt D, so that the baffle presses the frame tightly. S4: Leading edge strip positioning: Place the leading edge strip adjusting block below the leading edge strip, and fasten the L-shaped rivet top plate frame at both ends of the leading edge strip adjusting block with bolts E. Adjust the Z-axis direction of the leading edge strip adjusting block by controlling the rotating plate with screws. S5: Leading edge strip clamping: Secure the leading edge strip clamping bracket to the side of the rudder surface using bolt G, place the leading edge strip top plate between the leading edge strip clamping bracket and the leading edge strip, and tighten bolt F; S6: Curved surface fit: Screw the threaded post into the threaded hole of the adjustment plate until the spherical rubber fits tightly against the rudder surface; S7: Drilling and riveting: After the adjusted mechanism is fixed to the base with bolt A and placed on a horizontal surface to complete the first mechanism debugging, the rudder surface is drilled and riveted. S8: Batch reuse: When drilling and riveting the leading edge strip later, put the rudder face into the clamping mechanism and tighten bolts D, F and H to complete the operation.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention features a simple overall structure and low manufacturing cost. Its modular and adjustable structure allows for the assembly of control surfaces with varying dimensional tolerances using a single mechanism. It fundamentally solves the rigidity problem of traditional rigid mechanisms where each part requires a separate mechanism. Changes to different control surface dimensional tolerances can be met simply by adjusting the mechanism, significantly reducing production preparation time and eliminating the need to remanufacture the mechanism, thus lowering production costs. This makes it suitable for control surface development. For the same type of control surface, only the mechanism needs initial adjustment; subsequent use only requires tightening bolts D, F, and H, making it suitable for small-batch control surface riveting. For the riveting of the entire frame and leading edge strip, it reduces costs, increases efficiency, and ensures quality. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible clamping mechanism of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shaping column in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the leading edge strip adjusting block clamp in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the leading edge strip clamping block in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the reference fixture in this invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the rudder surface and flexible clamping mechanism are assembled in this invention.

[0020] Reference numerals: 100-base, 200-adjusting plate, 300-adjusting column, 301-spherical rubber, 302-threaded column, 303-tightening block, 400-bolt A, 500-fixing seat, 501-fixing block, 502-bolt B, 600-frame adjusting block, 601-bolt C, 602-T-shaped adjusting block, 603-baffle, 604-bolt D, 700-leading edge strip adjusting block clamp, 701-screw, 702 - Rotary plate, 703- L-shaped rivet top plate bracket, 704- Bolt E, 800- Leading edge strip adjusting block, 900- Leading edge strip clamping block, 901- Leading edge strip top plate, 902- L-shaped leading edge strip clamping bracket, 903- Bolt F, 904- Bolt G, 1000- Reference fixture, 1001- Bolt H, 1002- L-shaped reference fixture bracket, 1100- Rudder surface, 1101- Frame, 1102- Rivet, 1103- Leading edge strip. Detailed Implementation

[0021] refer to Figures 1-6 A flexible clamping mechanism for riveting a rudder surface frame to a leading edge strip includes a base 100, a shaping plate 200, a shaping column 300, bolts A400, a fixing seat 500, a frame adjusting block 600, a leading edge strip adjusting block clamp 700, a leading edge strip adjusting block 800, a leading edge strip clamping block 900, a reference clamp 1000, and a rudder surface 1100. The shaping plate 200 is detachably mounted on the base 100 via bolts A400. The shaping column 300 and the fixing seat 500... 0. The skeleton adjusting block 600, the leading edge strip adjusting block clamp 700, the leading edge strip pressing block 900 and the reference clamp 1000 are installed on the adjusting plate 200. The leading edge strip adjusting block 800 is installed on the top plate of the rivet 1102. The rudder surface 1100 is installed on the leading edge strip adjusting block 800, the fixed seat 500, the skeleton adjusting block 600 and the reference clamp 1000. The adjusting plate 200 has a number of threaded holes arranged in a rectangular array. The adjusting column 300 is arranged in the threaded holes.

[0022] The adjusting post 300 includes a spherical rubber 301, a threaded post 302, and a tightening block 303. The spherical rubber 301 is fixed to the top of the threaded post 302 by adhesive bonding, and the tightening block 303 is integrally set at the bottom of the threaded post 302. The adjusting post 300 is used to fit the rudder surface 1100. The spherical rubber 301 can avoid scratching the rudder surface 1100, and the tightening block 303 can facilitate the tightening operation.

[0023] The fixing seat 500 includes a fixing block 501 and a bolt B502. The two ends of the fixing block 501 are installed on the adjusting plate 200 by matching the threaded holes with the bolt B502. There are two fixing seats 500, which are installed on the right side and the rear right end of the adjusting plate 200 respectively. The fixing seat 500 is used to fasten the two sides of the rudder surface 1100.

[0024] The frame adjusting block 600 includes bolt C601, T-shaped adjusting block 602, baffle 603, and bolt D604. The T-shaped adjusting block 602 is mounted on the adjusting plate 200 on both sides by bolt C601 matching the threaded holes. The baffle 603 is located inside the T-shaped adjusting block 602 and is pressed down by the bolt D604 that is adjustablely mounted on the T-shaped adjusting block 602. There are two frame adjusting blocks 600, both located on the front side of the adjusting plate 200; they are used to clamp the rudder surface 1100 in the Y-axis direction.

[0025] The leading edge strip adjusting block clamp 700 includes a screw 701, a rotating plate 702, an L-shaped rivet top plate frame 703, and a bolt E704. The bottom of the L-shaped rivet top plate frame 703 is provided with a strip-shaped pre-tightening hole A. The L-shaped rivet top plate frame 703 is installed on the adjusting plate 200 by the bolt E704 passing through the strip-shaped pre-tightening hole A and the threaded hole in sequence. The rotating plate 702 is installed on the upper inner side of the L-shaped rivet top plate frame 703 by the screw 701. There are two leading edge strip adjusting block clamps 700, and the leading edge strip adjusting blocks 800 are installed between the leading edge strip adjusting block clamps 700. It is used to clamp and control the X, Y, and Z axis directions of the leading edge strip adjusting blocks 800.

[0026] The leading edge strip clamping block 900 includes a leading edge strip top plate 901, an L-shaped leading edge strip clamping frame 902, bolts F903 and G904. The L-shaped leading edge strip clamping frame 902 has a strip-shaped pre-tightening hole B at its bottom. The L-shaped leading edge strip clamping frame 902 is mounted on the adjusting plate 200 via bolts G904 passing sequentially through the strip-shaped pre-tightening hole B and threaded holes. The leading edge strip top plate 901 is located inside the L-shaped leading edge strip clamping frame 902 and is pressed down by bolts F903, which are adjustable and mounted on the L-shaped leading edge strip clamping frame 902. Several leading edge strip clamping blocks 900 are provided, which cooperate with the leading edge strip adjusting block 800 to press and clamp the rudder surface 1100. This is used to clamp the leading edge strip 1103 and the frame 1101 in the Y-axis direction.

[0027] The reference fixture 1000 includes a bolt H1001 and an L-shaped reference fixture frame 1002. The L-shaped reference fixture frame 1002 is mounted on the adjusting plate 200 by the bolt H1001 passing through the threaded hole; it is used to adjust the neutral surface of the skeleton 1101 to be parallel to the adjusting plate 200.

[0028] The rudder surface 1100 includes a frame 1101, rivets 1102 and a leading edge strip 1103. The leading edge strip 1103 is integrally connected to the left side of the frame 1101 and is nailed to the leading edge strip adjusting block 800 by rivets 1102.

[0029] This application also provides a clamping method for a flexible clamping mechanism for riveting a rudder surface skeleton to a leading edge strip drill, comprising the following steps: S1: Reference positioning: Select the rudder surface 1100 with parallel upper and lower surfaces of the frame 1101, place one of the surfaces on the adjustment plate 200, clamp the frame 1101 with the reference fixture 1000, and tighten the bolt H1001 to ensure that the neutral surface of the frame 1101 is parallel to the adjustment plate 200. S2: Side fixing: Use bolts B502 to fasten the right and rear sides of the rudder surface 1100 with fixing blocks 501; S3: Frame clamping: On the front side of the rudder surface 1100, the adjusting block is fastened to the adjusting plate 200 by bolt C601, and then the tightening force is transmitted to the baffle 603 by bolt D604, so that the baffle 603 presses the frame 1101. S4: Leading edge strip positioning: Place the leading edge strip adjusting block 800 below the leading edge strip 1103, and fasten the L-shaped rivet top plate frame 703 at both ends of the leading edge strip adjusting block 800 with bolts E704. Control the rotating plate 702 through screws 701 to adjust the Z-axis direction of the leading edge strip adjusting block 800. S5: Leading edge strip clamping: Use bolt G904 to fasten the leading edge strip clamping frame on the side of the rudder surface 1100, place the leading edge strip top plate 901 between the leading edge strip clamping frame and the leading edge strip 1103, and tighten bolt F903. S6: Curved surface fit: Screw the threaded post 302 into the threaded hole of the adjusting plate 200 until the spherical rubber 301 fits tightly against the rudder surface 1100. S7: Drilling and riveting: After the adjusted mechanism is fixed to the base 100 with bolts A400 and placed on a horizontal surface to complete the first mechanism debugging, the rudder surface 1100 is drilled and riveted. S8: Batch reuse: When drilling and riveting the leading edge strip 1103 later, put the rudder surface 1100 into the clamping mechanism and tighten the bolts D604, F903 and H1001 to complete the operation.

Claims

1. A flexible clamping mechanism for riveting a rudder surface frame to a leading edge drill bit, characterized in that... The system includes a base (100), a shaping plate (200), a shaping column (300), bolt A (400), a fixing seat (500), a frame adjusting block (600), a leading edge strip adjusting block clamp (700), a leading edge strip adjusting block (800), a leading edge strip clamping block (900), a reference clamp (1000), and a rudder surface (1100). The shaping plate (200) is detachably mounted on the base (100) via bolt A (400). The shaping column (300), fixing seat (500), and frame adjusting block (600) are also included. 600), leading edge strip adjusting block clamp (700), leading edge strip pressing block (900) and reference clamp (1000) are installed on adjusting plate (200), leading edge strip adjusting block (800) is installed on rivet (1102) top plate, rudder surface (1100) is installed on leading edge strip adjusting block (800), fixed seat (500), skeleton adjusting block (600) and reference clamp (1000), and several threaded holes are arranged in a rectangular array on adjusting plate (200), and adjusting column (300) is arranged in the threaded holes.

2. The flexible clamping mechanism for riveting the rudder surface frame and the leading edge drill bit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting column (300) includes a spherical rubber (301), a threaded column (302) and a tightening block (303). The spherical rubber (301) is fixed to the top of the threaded column (302) by adhesive bonding, and the tightening block (303) is integrally set at the bottom of the threaded column (302).

3. The flexible clamping mechanism for riveting the rudder surface frame and the leading edge drill bit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing seat (500) includes a fixing block (501) and a bolt B (502). The two ends of the fixing block (501) are installed on the adjusting plate (200) by matching the threaded holes with the bolt B (502). The number of fixing seats (500) is 2, which are respectively installed on the right side and the rear right end of the adjusting plate (200).

4. The flexible clamping mechanism for riveting the rudder surface frame and the leading edge drill bit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame adjusting block (600) includes bolt C (601), T-shaped adjusting block (602), baffle (603) and bolt D (604). The T-shaped adjusting block (602) is installed on the adjusting plate (200) on both sides by bolt C (601) matching the threaded holes. The baffle (603) is set inside the T-shaped adjusting block (602) and is pressed by the bolt D (604) that is adjustablely installed on the T-shaped adjusting block (602). There are 2 frame adjusting blocks (600), both of which are set on the front side of the adjusting plate (200).

5. The flexible clamping mechanism for riveting the rudder surface frame and the leading edge drill bit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leading edge strip adjusting block clamp (700) includes a screw (701), a rotating plate (702), an L-shaped rivet top plate frame (703), and a bolt E (704). The bottom of the L-shaped rivet top plate frame (703) is provided with a strip-shaped pre-tightening hole A. The L-shaped rivet top plate frame (703) is installed on the adjusting plate (200) by the bolt E (704) passing through the strip-shaped pre-tightening hole A and the threaded hole in sequence. The rotating plate (702) is installed on the upper inner side of the L-shaped rivet top plate frame (703) by the screw (701). There are 2 leading edge strip adjusting block clamps (700), and the leading edge strip adjusting blocks (800) are installed between the leading edge strip adjusting block clamps (700).

6. The flexible clamping mechanism for riveting the rudder surface frame and the leading edge drill bit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leading edge bar clamping block (900) includes a leading edge bar top plate (901), an L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame (902), bolt F (903) and bolt G (904). The L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame (902) has a strip-shaped pre-tightening hole B at its bottom. The L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame (902) is installed on the adjusting plate (200) by bolt G (904) passing through the strip-shaped pre-tightening hole B and the threaded hole in sequence. The leading edge bar top plate (901) is located inside the L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame (902) and is pressed by bolt F (903) which is adjustable and installed on the L-shaped leading edge bar clamping frame (902). The leading edge bar clamping block (900) has several blocks, which cooperate with the leading edge bar adjusting block (800) to press and clamp the rudder surface (1100).

7. The flexible clamping mechanism for riveting the rudder surface frame and the leading edge drill bit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reference fixture (1000) includes a bolt H (1001) and an L-shaped reference fixture frame (1002). The L-shaped reference fixture frame (1002) is mounted on the adjusting plate (200) by the bolt H (1001) passing through the threaded hole.

8. The flexible clamping mechanism for riveting the rudder surface frame and the leading edge drill bit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rudder surface (1100) includes a frame (1101), rivets (1102) and a leading edge strip (1103). The leading edge strip (1103) is integrally connected to the left side of the frame (1101) and is nailed to the leading edge strip adjusting block (800) by rivets (1102).

9. A clamping method for a flexible clamping mechanism for riveting a rudder surface frame to a leading edge drill bit as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1: Reference positioning: Select the rudder surface (1100) with parallel upper and lower surfaces of the frame (1101), place one of the surfaces on the adjustment plate (200), clamp the frame (1101) with the reference fixture (1000) frame, and tighten the bolt H (1001) to ensure that the neutral surface of the frame (1101) is parallel to the adjustment plate (200); S2: Side fixing: Use bolts B (502) to fasten the right side and rear side of the rudder surface (1100) with fixing blocks (501); S3: Frame clamping: On the front side of the rudder surface (1100), the adjusting block is fastened to the adjusting plate (200) by bolt C (601), and then the tightening force is transmitted to the baffle (603) by bolt D (604) so ​​that the baffle (603) presses the frame (1101). S4: Leading edge strip positioning: Place the leading edge strip adjusting block (800) below the leading edge strip (1103), and fasten the L-shaped rivet top plate bracket (703) at both ends of the leading edge strip adjusting block (800) with bolts E (704). Control the rotating plate (702) through screws (701) to adjust the Z-axis direction of the leading edge strip adjusting block (800); S5: Leading edge strip clamping: Use bolt G (904) to fasten the leading edge strip clamping frame on the side of the rudder surface (1100), place the leading edge strip top plate (901) between the leading edge strip clamping frame and the leading edge strip (1103), and tighten bolt F (903). S6: Curved surface fit: Screw the threaded post (302) into the threaded hole of the adjusting plate (200) until the spherical rubber (301) fits tightly against the rudder surface (1100); S7: Drilling and riveting: After the adjusted mechanism is fixed on the base (100) with bolt A (400), and placed on the horizontal surface to complete the first mechanism debugging, the rudder surface (1100) is drilled and riveted. S8: Batch reuse: When drilling and riveting the leading edge strip (1103) later, put the rudder surface (1100) into the clamping mechanism, tighten the bolts D (604), F (903) and H (1001) to complete the operation.

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