RFID identification device comprising at least one mounting member, associated assembly and method

Abstract

An RFID identification device (3) comprising a functional support (4) comprising at least one storage memory (40) in which at least one identification data (ID) is stored and at least one radio antenna (41) configured to receive a read request (REQ) and to transmit the identification data (ID) in return, the functional support (4) extending in a functional plane (P4) and comprising at least one mounting member (5), connected to the functional support (4), configured to be fixed to a connecting surface (20) of a mechanical part to be identified (2), the mounting member (5) extending in a mounting plane (P5) which is angularly spaced from the functional plane (P4) by a spacing angle greater than 20° so that the functional support (4) extends at a distance from the connecting surface (20). Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: RFID identification device comprising at least one mounting member, associated assembly and method Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of identifying a part of an aircraft turbine engine by means of a radio-identification device or “RFID identification device”.

[0002] In a known manner, a turbine engine part is uniquely identified, for example, by a serial number known by its English designation "serial number SN" and / or a version number known by its English designation "part number PN". The identification data are engraved on the part, written on a support, preferably made of fabric, polymer or metal, which is fixed on the turbine engine part.

[0003] The identification of a turbine engine part is crucial for a wear part. A wear part, known to those skilled in the art under the designation "LRU" for "Line Replaceable Unit" or "under-wing replaceable part", must be able to be identified quickly for maintenance or regulatory reasons. Indeed, it is important to be able to quickly verify that the maintenance of the turbine engine has been carried out and that the wear parts have been replaced by reading their identification data.

[0004] In practice, reading the identification data of wear parts is tedious and time-consuming. Indeed, to visually access the identification support comprising the serial number and the version number, an operator must disassemble the surrounding parts of the turbine engine. After reading the serial number and the version number, the operator must reassemble the surrounding parts, which is time-consuming and increases the risk of damage and assembly errors (non-compliance). In addition, with manual reading, the operator is likely to make an error when entering the serial numbers and version numbers.

[0005] In order to facilitate the reading of identification data, it is known in the prior art to use a device of the radio-identification type, better known by its English acronym RFID. In a known manner, an RFID identification device comprises a functional support comprising at least one storage memory, in which at least one identification data item is stored, and at least one radio antenna configured to receive a reading request and transmit the identification data item in return. The identification data item can thus be read remotely by an operator equipped with an RFID type reader. In practice, the functional support is flat and has a rectangular shape. The functional support comprises a face of assembly which is fixed securely to a connecting surface of the part to be identified. The fixing is carried out by screwing, gluing, riveting or other means so as to reduce the overall size.

[0006] Such an identification device is generally satisfactory when the part to be identified has a connecting surface that is not electrically conductive. A turbine engine part is generally made of an electrically conductive material (metal such as aluminum alloys, titanium, steel, carbon composite, etc.) and is mounted in an environment comprising other turbine engine parts that are electrically conductive, which disrupts the operation of the radio antenna and prohibits the use of traditional identification devices.

[0007] To eliminate this drawback, an RFID identification device dedicated to an electrically conductive connecting surface has been proposed, hereinafter referred to as a "metal RFID identification device". A metal RFID identification device has a greater thickness in order to provide a gap of at least 1 mm between the electrically conductive connecting surface and the radio antenna, which has the drawback of penalizing the mass and the size.

[0008] According to an aeronautical requirement, a metal RFID identification device must be able to be read by identification readers meeting the American standard (reading between 902 MHz and 930 MHz) and the European standard (reading between 865 MHz and 868 MHz). Also, to adapt to these different reading frequencies, a metal RFID identification device must comprise a radio antenna having a wide band. Due to the disturbances induced by the electrically conductive bonding surface, the reading distance is short for a radio antenna having a wide band.

[0009] In order to meet another aeronautical requirement which is to allow reading at a distance of 3 meters, it is necessary to produce large antennas to improve sensitivity, which negatively impacts mass and size. This is all the more problematic since an RFID identification device must have a low mass (less than 4 grams) and reduced dimensions in order to be able to be mounted on a small turbine engine part.

[0010] The invention thus aims to eliminate at least some of these drawbacks. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention relates to an RFID identification device comprising a functional support comprising at least one storage memory, in which at least one identification data item is stored, and at least one radio antenna configured to receive a reading request and transmit the identification data item in return, the functional support extending in a functional plane.

[0012] The invention is remarkable in that the identification device is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one mounting member, connected to the functional support, configured to be fixed to a connecting surface of a mechanical part to be identified, the mounting member extending in a mounting plane which is angularly spaced from the functional plane by a spacing angle greater than 20° so that the functional support extends at a distance from the connecting surface.

[0013] Unlike the prior art which aimed for the functional support to fit the bonding surface, the present invention advantageously makes it possible to physically and functionally decorrelate the mounting member and the functional support. As a result, the functional support is not affected by the type of bonding surface, in particular, a metal bonding surface. It is thus possible to use the same type of functional support, with optimized dimensions and mass, to identify a metal part, which provides a significant financial and logistical gain. An angular spacing of at least 20° makes it possible to significantly reduce the disturbances of the bonding surface. According to one aspect, the spacing angle is greater than 40°, preferably greater than 80°. The disturbances of the bonding surface are thus optimally reduced.

[0014] Thanks to the invention, an electrically conductive connecting surface does not disturb the radio antenna, which makes it possible to achieve high reading distances. In addition, since the functional support is not in contact with the connecting surface of the mechanical part to be identified, heat transfers between the mechanical part and the functional support are reduced. This increases thermal heating of the functional support which would affect its service life. Finally, the surface area of a mounting member is advantageously smaller than that of the functional support, this makes it possible to mount the RFID identification device on small mechanical parts and / or to reduce the size of the RFID identification device.

[0015] The functional support defines a first face and a second face which are opposite. According to one aspect, the RFID identification device comprises at least two mounting members which extend respectively on the side of the first face and on the side of the second face. This makes it possible to achieve a mounting of the functional support which is stable, in particular in a vibratory environment, in order to maintain the functional support at a distance from the connecting surface over time.

[0016] According to one aspect, the mounting member is in the form of a tab which is made from the material of the functional support. Such an RFID identification device thus has a simple and inexpensive structure.

[0017] The functional support extends lengthwise along a first axis. According to one aspect, the functional support comprises a plurality of mounting members, the mounting members being aligned parallel to the first axis, the mounting members being positioned alternately on the first face side and on the second face side. This reduces the mass of the RFID identification device while ensuring high stability.

[0018] According to one aspect, the total surface area of the mounting members is less than the surface area of the functional support by at least 30%, preferably by at least 50%. This makes it possible to reduce the total surface area of the mounting members for mounting an RFID identification device on a small-sized turbine engine part. According to one aspect, the total surface area of the mounting members is less than 400 mm2, preferably greater than 5 mm2.

[0019] According to one aspect, the radio antenna is a wideband antenna in order to allow an exchange according to the American standard (reading between 902 MHz and 930 MHz) or to the European standard (reading between 865 MHz and 868 MHz).

[0020] According to one aspect, at least two mounting members extend in a single mounting plane, preferably all of them. This ensures robust and stable mounting on a flat mounting surface.

[0021] According to one aspect, the spacing angle of at least one mounting member is between 80° and 100°, preferably, the spacing angle of each mounting member is between 80° and 100°. Thus, the functional support extends orthogonally to the mounting surface, which optimally reduces disturbances.

[0022] According to one aspect, at least two mounting members extend in two mounting planes which are inclined relative to each other by an angle of inclination of at least 20°, preferably at least 45°. This ensures robust and stable mounting on a curved, concave or convex mounting surface.

[0023] According to one aspect, at least one mounting member is connected to the functional support by at least one elastic element, preferably, each mounting member is connected to the functional support by at least one elastic element. This makes it possible to increase flexibility, which improves the service life, in particular, in the event of shocks or vibration.

[0024] The invention also relates to an assembly of a mechanical part to be identified comprising a connecting surface and an RFID identification device as presented previously, said at least one mounting member being fixed to the connecting surface of the mechanical part to be identified, the functional support extending at a distance from the connecting surface.

[0025] Preferably, the functional support is not directly connected to the connecting surface.

[0026] According to one aspect, the bonding surface is electrically conductive, preferably metallic.

[0027] According to one aspect, the functional support extends perpendicular to the connecting surface of the mechanical part to be identified. This makes it possible to limit any risk of radio, electrical or thermal disturbance.

[0028] According to one aspect, the mechanical part to be identified is a turbine engine part.

[0029] The invention also relates to a method for mounting an RFID identification device, as presented previously, to a connecting surface of a mechanical part to be identified, the method comprising at least one step consisting of fixing at least one mounting member, preferably each, to the connecting surface so that the functional support extends at a distance from the connecting surface. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given by way of example, and referring to the following figures, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects.

[0031] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of an identification device according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on an aeronautical part during a reading step.

[0032] [Fig.2], [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] are schematic side, front and top views of an identification device according to a second embodiment of the invention mounted on an aeronautical part.

[0033] [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] are schematic representations from above and from the front of an identification device according to a third embodiment of the invention mounted on an aeronautical part.

[0034] [Fig.7] is a schematic side view of an identification device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention mounted on an aeronautical part.

[0035] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] With reference to [Fig.l], there is shown schematically a mechanical part to be identified 2 comprising a connecting surface 20 on which is fixed an RFID identification device 3 (radio-identification) according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0037] In this example, the mechanical part to be identified 2 is a turbine engine part, in particular a wear part, known to those skilled in the art under the designation “LRU” for “Line Replaceable Unit” or “under-wing replaceable part”. As previously presented, such a turboshaft engine part must be identified periodically.

[0038] In this example, the connecting surface 20 is electrically conductive and is preferably metallic (metal of the aluminum alloy type, titanium, steel, carbon composite, etc.). The connecting surface 20 may have reduced dimensions given that the mechanical part to be identified 2 may have small dimensions.

[0039] With reference to [Fig.l], the RFID identification device 3 comprises a functional support 4 comprising at least one storage memory 40 in which at least one identification data ID is stored and at least one radio antenna 41 configured, on the one hand, to receive a reading request REQ transmitted by a radio identification reader 1 and, on the other hand, to transmit in return the identification data ID. In this example, the storage memory 40 belongs to an electronic chip connected to the radio antenna 41. In this example, the radio antenna 41 is broadband in order to be able to be read by an RFID reader meeting the American standard (reading between 902 MHz and 930 MHz) or the European standard (reading between 865 MHz and 868 MHz).

[0040] The identification data ID may be of different nature. In this example, each storage memory 40 comprises a serial number known by its English designation “serial number SN” and / or a version number known by its English designation “part number PN”. The identification data ID may also correspond to a manufacturer identifier (CAGE code, etc.), a manufacturing date, a degree of sensitivity to specific fluids, an operating authorization reference, data linked to the maintenance or logistics operations of the part such as the operational status, the operations carried out, etc.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the functional support 4 is planar and extends in a functional plane P4. In this example, the functional support 4 extends in length along a first axis X, in thickness along a second axis Y and in width along a third axis Z so as to form an orthogonal reference frame (X, Y, Z). The functional plane P4 thus corresponds to the reference frame (X, Z).

[0042] Preferably, the functional support 4 has a rectangular shape. The functional support 4 may be rigid or flexible. Preferably, the functional support 4 has a thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably between 20 μm and 1000 μm. As will be presented later, thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to provide a functional support 4 of great thickness given that the latter extends at a distance from the connecting surface 20 which is metallic.

[0043] Preferably, the functional support 4 is made of polyimide, PA66, PBT, PP, PET, Peek, or any other thermoplastic polymer material. Such a functional support 4 is thus very flexible and can deform, which increases its lifespan.

[0044] The identification device 3 is remarkable in that it comprises at least one mounting member 5, connected to the functional support 4, configured to be fixed to the connecting surface 20 of the mechanical part to be identified 2.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the mounting member 5 extends in a mounting plane P5 which is angularly spaced from the functional plane P4 by a spacing angle a greater than 20° so that the functional support 4 extends at a distance from the connecting surface 20. In this example, the spacing angle a is greater than 80° and preferably less than 100° so as to extend substantially orthogonally to the connecting surface 20.

[0046] In other words, the identification device 3 has a bent shape so that the functional support 4 projects relative to the part to be identified 2. This goes against the prior art which aims for the functional support 4 to fit the connecting surface 20 in order to reduce the size. Thanks to the invention, the metal connecting surface 20 does not disturb the functional support 4, which makes it possible to provide a functional support 4 of reduced dimensions and mass.

[0047] With reference to the first [Fig.l], the mounting member 5 is in the form of a foot for the functional support 4. The identification device 3 is preferably manufactured in planar form and then the mounting member 5 is folded relative to the functional support 4 along a fold line. Preferably, the mounting member 5 is in the form of a tab which is made of the same material as that of the functional support 4.

[0048] Alternatively, each mounting member 5 may be in the form of an added part, for example, in the form of a bracket, in particular, rigid.

[0049] According to one aspect, each mounting member 5 is made of a material different from the functional support 4 so as to allow a thermal break.

[0050] In practice, each mounting member 5 must be large enough to be able to carry out its mounting by gluing, screwing, placing rivets or the like. Preferably, the assembly of mounting members 5 defines a lower mounting surface of between 5 mm2 and 400 mm2. According to one aspect, the total surface area of the mounting members is less than the surface area of the functional support by at least 30%, preferably at least 50%.

[0051] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 representing a second embodiment, the functional support 4 defines a first face 4a and a second face 4b which are opposite. The RFID identification device 3 comprises at least two mounting members 5 which extend respectively on the side of the first face 4a and on the side of the second face 4b. This makes it possible to ensure stable mounting of the functional support 4, in particular, in the presence of vibrations.

[0052] The functional support 4 comprises a plurality of mounting members 5 which are aligned parallel to the first axis X so as to ensure robust mounting. With reference to [Fig. 4], the mounting members 5 are positioned alternately on the side of the first face 4a and on the side of the second face 4b in order to ensure high stability, in particular, in the presence of vibrations. According to one aspect of the invention, at least two mounting members 5 extend in the same mounting plane P5, preferably all of them.

[0053] According to a third embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the RFID identification device 3 comprises at least two mounting members 5 extending in two mounting planes P5a, P5b which are inclined relative to each other by an angle of inclination [3. This advantageously makes it possible to mount the RFID identification device 3 in a normal / perpendicular manner on a connecting surface 20 which is curved.

[0054] In this example, the spacing angle a of each mounting member 5 is at least 90° and the inclination angle [3 between the two mounting planes P5a, P5b is at least 45°. The RFID identification device 3 can thus be mounted on a very wide variety of mounting surfaces 20.

[0055] According to a fourth embodiment shown in [Fig.7], at least one mounting member 5 is connected to the functional support by at least one elastic element 6. In this example, each mounting member 5 is connected to the functional support 4 by at least one elastic element 6 in order to improve flexibility. This makes it possible to limit the risk of damage during assembly, use or maintenance. Preferably, each elastic element 6 is in the form of a spring. The elastic element 6 may be made from the material of the mounting member 5 and / or the functional support 4.

[0056] According to one aspect, the elastic element 6 is made of a material different from the functional support 4 so as to allow a thermal break.

[0057] An example of implementation of a method for mounting an RFID identification device 3 according to the invention on a connecting surface 20 of a mechanical part to be identified 2 will be presented with reference to [Fig.l]. The method comprises a step consisting of fixing at least one mounting member 5, preferably each, to the connecting surface 20 so that the functional support 4 extends at a distance from the connecting surface 20, preferably perpendicularly.

[0058] To read an identification data item ID, it is sufficient for an operator to issue a reading request REQ by an RFID reader 1 positioned at a distance from the mechanical part to be identified 2 and to receive the identification data item ID issued by the radio antenna 4L. Advantageously, the radio antenna 41 is broadband and can be read by any type of RFID reader at a distance of 3 meters given that the metal bonding surface 20 is distant from the radio antenna 41. Any heat transfer is furthermore avoided. It is furthermore not necessary to oversize the radio antenna 41 or to increase the thickness of the functional support 4, which makes it possible to meet the various aeronautical requirements.

Claims

Claims

1. RFID identification device (3) consisting of: • a functional support (4) comprising at least one storage memory (40), in which at least one identification data item (ID) is stored, and at least one radio antenna (41) configured to receive a read request (REQ) and to transmit the identification data item (ID) in return, the functional support (4) extending in a functional plane (P4) which extends lengthwise along a first axis (X) and which defines a first face (4a) and a second face (4b) which are opposite, and • a plurality of mounting members (5), aligned parallel to the first axis (X), the mounting members (5) being positioned alternately on the side of the first face (4a) and on the side of the second face (4b), each mounting member (5) being connected to the functional support (4) and configured to be fixed to a connecting surface (20) of a mechanical part to be identified (2),each mounting member (5) extending in a mounting plane (P5) which is angularly spaced from the functional plane (P4) by a spacing angle (a) greater than 20° so that the functional support (4) extends at a distance from the connecting surface (20).,

2. RFID identification device (3) according to claim 1, wherein the total surface area of the mounting members (5) is less than the surface area of the functional support (4) by at least 30%, preferably by at least 50%.

3. RFID identification device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the radio antenna (41) is a broadband antenna.

4. RFID identification device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two mounting members (5), preferably all mounting members (5), extend in a single mounting plane (P5).

5. RFID identification device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spacing angle (a) of at least one mounting member (5), preferably of each mounting member (5), is between 80° and 100°.

6. RFID identification device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two mounting members (5) extend in two mounting planes (P5a, P5b) which are inclined relative to each other by an angle of inclination (|3) of at least 20°, preferably at least 45°.

7. Assembly of a mechanical part to be identified (2) comprising a connecting surface (20) and an RFID identification device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 6, said at least one mounting member (5) being fixed to the connecting surface (20) of the mechanical part to be identified (2), the functional support (4) extending at a distance from the connecting surface (20).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, in which the functional support (4) extends perpendicular to the connecting surface (20) of the mechanical part to be identified (2).

9. Method for mounting an RFID identification device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 6 to a connecting surface (20) of a mechanical part to be identified (2), the method comprising at least one step consisting of fixing at least one mounting member (5), preferably each, to the connecting surface (20) so that the functional support 4 extends at a distance from the connecting surface (20).

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