System and method for the modular securing of sensitive parts on a transport platform

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular system and method for securing sensitive parts on a parts transport platform, the system comprising a platform (2) provided with a plurality of holes (4) regularly spaced from each other and having the same cross-section, a plurality of wedges (6) each provided with a foot (8) suitable for being inserted into one of the holes in the platform and a support surface (10) having a curved shape whose profile is constructed from the Fibonacci sequence, and means for anti-rotation of the wedges inside the holes in the platform.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the general field of transporting so-called sensitive parts, in particular high value-added parts used especially in cutting-edge industries such as the aeronautics and aerospace industry. Previous technique

[0002] In advanced industries such as aeronautics and aerospace, the production of engines and engine sub-assemblies requires the manufacture of a wide variety of parts with specific shapes and sizes. In the case of an aircraft engine, these include, for example, compressor discs, rectifiers, combustion chambers, and so on.

[0003] These parts most often have optimized technical characteristics that have required many hours of research and development, making them high value-added and very expensive.

[0004] Once manufactured and prepared in the workshop, these parts are typically transported to the various engine assembly areas. However, transporting these high-value parts presents a risk of collisions between components, which threatens their integrity.

[0005] To ensure the integrity of parts during transport on trolleys, one solution is to use pre-formed foam trays. These trays typically have cutouts of shapes and sizes specifically designed to accommodate the various parts being transported. Positioning the parts within these cutouts ensures they are securely held in place, preventing any risk of impact.

[0006] While effective, this packing solution has several drawbacks. In particular, the cutouts in the transport trays are designed to accommodate the same parts each time, making it impossible to adapt them if new parts need to be transported. Furthermore, this design requirement necessitates the creation of numerous different trays, which presents a significant space-related problem. In addition, the foam used for the transport trays deteriorates rapidly over time and tends to absorb any oils and greases used in the parts manufacturing process, making the trays difficult to clean. Description of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a modular (i.e., adaptable to all types of parts) part positioning system that is compact and easily cleanable.

[0008] According to the invention, this goal is achieved through a modular system for securing sensitive parts on a parts transport platform, comprising: a platform equipped with a plurality of holes regularly spaced from each other and having the same cross-section, a plurality of wedges each equipped with a foot suitable for being inserted into one of the holes in the platform and a wedge surface having a curved shape whose curvature is a Fibonacci spiral, and means for anti-rotation of the wedges inside the holes in the platform.

[0009] The support system according to the invention is remarkable, particularly due to its modularity: thanks to the shape of its wedges and their freedom of orientation, it is possible to support several parts of different dimensions without having to change the platform. Thus, this system is suitable for all types of parts. Furthermore, this system is relatively simple to use, which makes its deployment quick, compact, and maintenance easy. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the platform and its wedges is relatively low, especially compared to a solution using several foam platforms with cutouts.

[0010] Preferably, the base of the wedges and the holes in the plate each have a polygonal cross-section to prevent the wedges from rotating within the holes. For example, the base of the wedges and the holes in the plate could each have a hexagonal cross-section.

[0011] Preferably, each wedge should also incorporate a radio-frequency identification chip to limit the risk of losing them.

[0012] The shims can be made of plastic material, for example by 3D printing or injection.

[0013] The invention also relates to a method for securing sensitive parts on a parts transport platform using the system as defined above, comprising successively: the positioning of a first piece to be wedged on the platform; and the insertion of at least three wedges in the immediate vicinity of the piece to be wedged, the wedges being positioned so as to be regularly distributed around a central axis of the piece to be wedged and their base being pivoted angularly in the holes of the platform so as to adjust the wedge-holding surface according to the piece to be wedged.

[0014] The same wedge can be used for the shimming of two different parts. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 represents, in a top view, a platform of the leveling system according to the invention. Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a perspective view of a wedge of the chocking system according to the invention. Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 illustrates the Fibonacci spiral used to construct the profile of the wedge's shim surface figure 2 . [ Fig. 4A] à [Fig. 4D ] THE figures 4A à 4D illustrate different aspects of a shimming method according to the invention applied to the shimming of a blade disc. Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a side view showing the positioning of a spherical part using the positioning system according to the invention. Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a perspective view of a wedge variant of the wedge system according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0016] The securing system according to the invention (called "CALTO") is used to secure parts on a platform, such as components of a turbojet engine, for transport to the various engine assembly areas. More generally, the system according to the invention is used to secure all parts considered sensitive, either because of their high value or their fragility.

[0017] According to the invention, this chocking system includes in particular a platform 2 preferably made of cycleable material, for example PVC, having dimensions of approximately 1.30m by 0.70m for a thickness of approximately 1cm.

[0018] The plate 2 is equipped with a plurality of holes 4 which are regularly spaced from each other and which have the same cross-section, for example a polygonal cross-section in the example of the figure 1 .

[0019] The spacing between the 4 holes and their number will depend on the dimensions of the pieces that you want to position on the board.

[0020] The levelling system according to the invention also includes a plurality of wedges 6, each of which is provided with a foot 8 suitable for being inserted into one of the holes 4 of the plate 2 and a levelling surface 10 having a curved shape.

[0021] More specifically, as depicted on the figure 2 The foot 8 of the wedges 6 has a cross-section corresponding to that of the holes 4 in the platform. In the example of the figures 1 et 2 Therefore, it is a polygonal cross-section.

[0022] Furthermore, the shimming surface 10 of the shims 6 has a curved shape whose profile is constructed from the Fibonacci sequence.

[0023] As depicted on the figure 3 The Fibonacci curve (or spiral) is composed of a series of quarter circles S1, S2, S3, ... each inscribed in a square C1, C2, C3, etc. These squares are arranged along a path that turns around the center of the spiral and the length of their sides corresponds to the terms of the Fibonacci sequence (the first terms of this sequence are therefore: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc).

[0024] The 6 wedges can be made of plastic material, for example by 3D printing or injection.

[0025] In connection with the figures 4A à 4D , we will now describe an example of application of the shimming system according to the invention to the shimming of a blade disc D of a turbojet engine.

[0026] As depicted on the figures 4A à 4D The blade disc D has a circular shape. It is first positioned flat on plate 2 ( figure 4A ). A first shim 6-1 is then inserted into a hole 4 in the plate in the immediate vicinity of the location of the blade disc D ( figure 4B ).

[0027] A second shim 6-2 is then inserted into another hole in the plate, also in the immediate vicinity of the location of the blade disc D, being offset by approximately 120° from the first shim 6-1 with respect to an axis of symmetry X of the blade disc ( figure 4C ). At this stage, the shimming of the first and second shims 6-1, 6-2 (i.e. the orientation of their respective feet in the holes of the plate) is adjusted to allow their respective shimming surfaces 10-1, 10-2 to come into contact with the periphery of the blade disc.

[0028] Next, as shown on the figure 4D A third shim 6-3 is inserted into another hole in the plate, still in the immediate vicinity of the blade disc D's location, offset by approximately 120° from the first and second shims (relative to the blade disc's X axis of symmetry). Here too, the foot of this third shim 6-3 is oriented to allow contact (or near-contact) with the periphery of the blade disc.

[0029] In this position ( figure 4D ), the blade disc D is correctly positioned on the plate, the latter can then be moved without risk of damaging the blade disc.

[0030] It should be noted that it is not necessary for the shimming surfaces of the three shims 6-1 to 6-3 to be in permanent contact with the periphery of the blade disc for it to be correctly shimmed (two points of contact are sufficient).

[0031] It should also be noted that three shims are sufficient to properly shim a part such as a blade disc, and more generally for a part with a geometry of revolution, but that it may be necessary to use more shims for a part with a more complex geometry.

[0032] It should also be noted that the same wedge can be used to wedge two different parts on the same platform.

[0033] It should also be noted that the anti-rotation of the wedges inside the holes in the plate can be achieved differently than a cooperation of form between the foot of the wedge and the hole in the plate.

[0034] Furthermore, the shim can have any possible geometric shape, for example pyramidal, ring-shaped, rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, or even spherical as shown in the figure 5 To wedge such a spherical part 12, three wedges 6-1 to 6-3 are sufficient.

[0035] Furthermore, according to an advantageous provision illustrated by the figure 6 , the shims 6 can each integrate a radio-identification chip 14, for example at the level of their respective shimming surface 10.

Claims

1. Modular system for securing sensitive parts on a parts transport platform, comprising: - a platform (2) having a plurality of holes (4) regularly spaced from each other and having the same cross-section, and - a plurality of wedges (6; 6-1 to 6-3) each having a foot (8) suitable for insertion into one of the holes (4) of the platform and a support surface (10; 10-1 to 10-3) having a curved shape whose profile is constructed from the Fibonacci sequence, - the foot (8) of the wedges and the holes (4) of the platform each having a cross-section of polygonal shape in order to ensure anti-rotation of the wedges inside the holes of the platform.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the foot (8) of the wedges and the holes (4) of the plate each have a straight section of hexagonal shape.

3. System according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the wedges (6) each incorporate a radio-identification chip (12).

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wedges (6) are made of plastic material.

5. Method for securing sensitive parts on a parts transport platform using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising successively: - positioning a first part to be secured (D) on the platform (2); and - inserting at least three wedges (6-1 to 6-3) in the immediate vicinity of the part to be secured (D), the wedges being positioned so as to be regularly distributed around a central axis (X) of the part to be secured and their respective foot (8) being pivoted angularly in the holes of the platform so as to adjust the support surface (10-1 to 10-3) of the wedges according to the part to be secured.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the same wedge is used for the shimming of two different parts to be shimmed.

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