Method and device for adjusting a female yoke relative to a male yoke to easily connect the male yoke and the female yoke together using a fixing device.
The method and device for adjusting and connecting male and female yokes in aircraft structures utilize alignment elements and a clamping mechanism to address space constraints and misalignment, achieving precise alignment and reduced mass distribution.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023013101
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for connecting male and female yokes in aircraft structures face challenges due to limited space for adjustment, which complicates managing significant misalignment and results in increased mass due to thickening of the working cheek.
A method and device that utilize alignment elements, specifically hollow cylinders, to pre-align and securely position the female yoke relative to the male yoke along a reference axis, using a fixing pin and a clamping mechanism to facilitate precise alignment and connection.
This solution enables efficient alignment and connection of yokes in constrained environments, effectively managing misalignment and reducing mass by distributing axial forces evenly across both cheeks of the female yoke.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Method and device for adjusting a female yoke relative to a male yoke to easily connect the male yoke and the female yoke together using a fixing device. Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a female yoke relative to a male yoke to connect the male yoke and the female yoke together using a fixing device. The present invention also relates to a device for adjusting a female yoke relative to a male yoke to connect the male yoke and the female yoke together using a fixing device. State of the art
[0002] On board an aircraft, there are large structures, such as the structure intended to receive computers for flight controls, for communication and for radio navigation. This structure is attached to the fuselage using different types of connecting devices. Among these connecting devices, there are fixing pins which each connect a male yoke secured to the structure to a female yoke fixed to the fuselage. The male yoke has a cheek intended to be located between two cheeks of the female yoke when the fixing pin connects the two yokes. There are already several adjustment methods for placing the cheek of the male yoke relative to the two cheeks of the female yoke at a predetermined position. Some adjustment methods use adjustment shims in order to place the yokes relative to each other.In another method, the female yoke is fixed using oblong fixing openings that allow the female yoke to be adjusted relative to the male yoke. However, the environment for fixing some structures leaves little room for operators to intervene and manage the adjustment using shims. The lack of space increases the difficulty in finding a system that can manage significant misalignment.
[0003] These methods are therefore not fully satisfactory.
[0004] Furthermore, the male yoke, female yoke type connections, in certain configurations, use a fixing system transferring the axial forces only in a single cheek of the female yoke, which causes a thickening of the working cheek and therefore a mass gain of the female yoke. Statement of the invention
[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.
[0006] For this, it relates to a method of adjusting a female yoke relative to a male yoke along a reference axis to connect the male yoke and the female yoke together using a fixing device, the male yoke having a cheek comprising a cylindrical opening having an axis of revolution, the female yoke having a first cheek and a second cheek each comprising a cylindrical opening, the cylindrical opening of the first cheek and the cylindrical opening of the second cheek each having an axis of revolution parallel to the reference axis, the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the first cheek being coincident with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the second cheek, the fixing device comprising a fixing pin.
[0007] According to the invention, the method comprises at least the following steps: - a step of installing a first alignment element comprising a first hollow cylinder having a first axis of revolution and a second alignment element comprising a second hollow cylinder having a second axis of revolution, the first hollow cylinder being inserted into the opening of the first cheek so that the first axis of revolution coincides with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the first cheek, the second hollow cylinder being inserted into the opening of the second cheek so that the second axis of revolution coincides with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the second cheek, - a step of installing a third alignment element comprising a third hollow cylinder having a third axis of revolution, the third hollow cylinder being inserted securely into the cylindrical opening of the cheek of the male yoke so that the third axis of revolution coincides with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the cheek of the male yoke, - a step of installing the female yoke, the female yoke being installed so that the cheek of the male yoke is at a predetermined position along the reference axis between the first cheek and the second cheek of the female yoke, - a step of pre-aligning the female yoke with respect to the male yoke, the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder of the female yoke being arranged so that the first axis of revolution and the second axis of revolution are substantially coincident with the third axis of revolution, - a step of longitudinally moving the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder towards the third hollow cylinder so that the third hollow cylinder is sandwiched between the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder at the predetermined position, - a step of inserting the fixing axis into the first hollow cylinder, the third hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder.
[0008] Thus, thanks to the clamping of the third hollow cylinder between the first and second cylinders at a predetermined position, the insertion of the fixing axis is facilitated.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the first alignment element comprises a first inner sleeve and a first outer sleeve, the first inner sleeve comprising a first smooth ring and a first threaded ring having an external thread, the first smooth ring and the first threaded ring being longitudinally aligned, the first outer sleeve comprising the first hollow cylinder and a first nut surrounding a first end of the first hollow cylinder, the second alignment element comprising a second inner sleeve and a second outer sleeve, the second inner sleeve comprising a second smooth ring and a second threaded ring having an external thread, the second smooth ring and the second threaded ring being longitudinally aligned, the second outer sleeve comprising the second hollow cylinder and a second nut surrounding a first end of the second hollow cylinder, the installation step including the following sub-steps: - a sub-step of inserting the first smooth ring into the opening of the first cheek and the second smooth ring into the opening of the second cheek so that the first threaded ring and the second threaded ring are located outside a space between the first cheek and the second cheek, - a sub-step of introducing the first hollow cylinder into the first internal sleeve via a second end of the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder into the second internal sleeve via a second end of the second hollow cylinder.
[0010] In addition, the step of pre-aligning the female yoke relative to the male yoke comprises the following sub-steps: - a sub-step of screwing the first nut onto the first threaded ring and screwing the second nut onto the second threaded ring, - a sub-step of clamping the third hollow cylinder between the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder by screwing the first nut onto the first threaded ring and the second nut onto the second threaded ring.
[0011] Furthermore, the method comprises a step of fixing the female yoke preceding the step of inserting the fixing pin, the female yoke being fixed to a support.
[0012] In addition, the method comprises a step of fixing the fixing pin which follows the step of inserting the fixing pin, the fixing step comprising the following sub-steps: - a sub-step of screwing a nut of the fixing device to a first end of the fixing pin, the first end of the fixing pin corresponding to an insertion end of the fixing pin, - a sub-step of fixing an anti-unscrewing sleeve to a second end of the fixing axis.
[0013] The invention also relates to a device for adjusting a female yoke relative to a male yoke along a reference axis for connecting the male yoke and the female yoke together using a fixing device, the male yoke having a cheek comprising a cylindrical opening having an axis of revolution, the female yoke having a first cheek and a second cheek each comprising a cylindrical opening, the cylindrical opening of the first cheek and the cylindrical opening of the second cheek each having an axis of revolution parallel to the reference axis, the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the first cheek coinciding with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the second cheek, the fixing device comprising a fixing axis.
[0014] According to the invention, the adjustment device comprises: - a first alignment element comprising a first hollow cylinder having a first axis of revolution, the first hollow cylinder being intended to be introduced into the opening of the first cheek so that the first axis of revolution coincides with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the first cheek, the first hollow cylinder being configured to move longitudinally in the opening of the first cheek, - a second alignment element comprising a second hollow cylinder having a second axis of revolution, the second hollow cylinder being intended to be introduced into the opening of the second cheek so that the second axis of revolution coincides with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the second cheek, the second hollow cylinder being configured to move longitudinally in the opening of the second cheek, - a third hollow cylinder having a third axis of revolution, the third hollow cylinder being intended to be inserted securely into the cylindrical opening of the cheek of the male yoke so that the third axis of revolution coincides with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical opening of the cheek of the male yoke, the third hollow cylinder being intended to be clamped between the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder at a predetermined position along the reference axis.
[0015] According to the preferred embodiment, the first alignment element comprises: - a first internal sleeve and - a first external sleeve; the first internal sleeve comprising a first smooth ring and a first threaded ring having an external thread, the first smooth ring and the first threaded ring being longitudinally aligned, the first outer sleeve comprising the first hollow cylinder and a first nut surrounding a first end of the first hollow cylinder, the first hollow cylinder being configured to be inserted into the first inner sleeve through a second end of the first hollow cylinder, the first smooth ring being configured to be inserted into the opening of the first cheek such that the first threaded ring is located outside a space between the first cheek and the second cheek, the second alignment element comprising: - a second internal socket and - a second external socket; the second inner sleeve comprising a second smooth ring and a second threaded ring having an external thread, the second smooth ring and the second threaded ring being longitudinally aligned, the second outer sleeve comprising the second hollow cylinder and a second nut surrounding a first end of the second hollow cylinder, the second hollow cylinder being configured to be inserted into the second inner sleeve through a second end of said second hollow cylinder, the second smooth ring being configured to be inserted into the opening of the second cheek such that the second threaded ring is located outside the space between the first cheek and the second cheek.
[0016] In addition, the first nut of the first outer sleeve is configured to screw onto the first threaded ring of the first inner sleeve, the second nut of the second outer sleeve is configured to screw onto the second threaded ring of the second inner sleeve, the first nut and the second nut being configured to be screwed onto the first threaded ring and the second threaded ring respectively until the third hollow cylinder is sandwiched between the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder at the predetermined position. Brief description of the figures
[0017] The attached figures will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.
[0018] [Fig.l] represents a flowchart of the adjustment method according to one embodiment.
[0019] [Fig.2] represents a section of a female yoke whose cheeks have openings having received the internal sockets.
[0020] [Fig.3] represents a section of the female yoke shown in [Fig.2] of which the cheeks have openings which have received the internal and external sockets.
[0021] [Fig.4] represents a section of the female yoke shown in [Fig.3] and of a male yoke whose cheek is arranged between the two cheeks of the female yoke.
[0022] [Fig.5] shows a section of the female yoke fixed on a support and of the male yoke. The hollow cylinders of the external sockets enclose the hollow cylinder of the male yoke.
[0023] [Fig.6] shows a section of the female yoke fixed on a support and of the male yoke shown in [Fig.4]. The fixing pin has been introduced into the openings of the cheeks of the female yoke and the male yoke through the internal and external bushings.
[0024] [Fig.7] shows a section of the female yoke fixed on a support and of the male yoke shown in [Fig.6]. The fixing pin has been introduced into the openings of the cheeks of the female yoke and the male yoke through the internal and external bushings and an anti-unscrewing bushing has been fixed. Detailed description
[0025] The adjustment process is shown schematically in [Fig. 1].
[0026] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, the adjustment method corresponds to a method of adjusting a female yoke 8 relative to a male yoke 7 along a reference axis Y to connect the male yoke 7 and the female yoke 8 together using a fixing device 1 which comprises a fixing axis 2. The reference axis Y corresponds to the ordinate axis of a reference frame R linked to the female yoke 8. The adjustment method makes it possible to define a predetermined position of the male yoke relative to the female yoke 8 on the reference axis Y.
[0027] The male yoke 7 has a cheek 7A comprising a cylindrical opening 9 having an axis of revolution AL
[0028] The female yoke 8 has a first cheek 8A and a second cheek 8B each comprising a cylindrical opening 10A, 10B. The cylindrical opening 10A of the first cheek 8A has an axis of revolution A2 and the cylindrical opening 10B of the second cheek 8B has an axis of revolution A3. The axis of revolution A2 and the axis of revolution A3 are parallel to the reference axis Y. Furthermore, the axis of revolution A2 of the cylindrical opening 10A of the first cheek 8A coincides with the axis of revolution A3 of the cylindrical opening 10B of the second cheek 8B.
[0029] The adjustment method comprises at least the following steps: - a step E1 of installing a first alignment element 21A and a second alignment element 21B, - a step E2 of installing a third alignment element 23, - a step E3 of installing the female yoke 8, - a step E4 of pre-aligning the female yoke 8 relative to the male yoke 7, - a step E5 of longitudinal movement of a first hollow cylinder 22A and a second hollow cylinder 22B towards a third hollow cylinder 22C, - a step E7 of inserting a fixing pin 2.
[0030] In step E1, the first alignment element 21A and the second alignment element 2IB are installed.
[0031] The first alignment element 21A comprises the first hollow cylinder 22A having a first axis of revolution Bl. The second alignment element 21B comprises the second hollow cylinder 22B having a second axis of revolution B2.
[0032] In this installation step E1, the first hollow cylinder 22A is inserted into the opening 10A of the first cheek 8A so that the first axis of revolution B1 coincides with the axis of revolution A2 of the cylindrical opening 10A of the first cheek 8A. The second hollow cylinder 22B is inserted into the opening 10B of the second cheek 8B so that the second axis of revolution B2 coincides with the axis of revolution A3 of the cylindrical opening 10B of the second cheek 8B.
[0033] In step E2, the third alignment element 23 is installed. The third alignment element 23 comprises the third hollow cylinder 22C having a third axis of revolution B3. The third hollow cylinder 22C is inserted integrally into the cylindrical opening 9 of the cheek 7A of the male yoke 7 so that the third axis of revolution B3 coincides with the axis of revolution A1 of the cylindrical opening 9 of the cheek 7A of the male yoke 7. It is said that the third hollow cylinder 22C is inserted integrally into the cylindrical opening 9 of the cheek 7A of the male yoke 7 to mean that the third hollow cylinder 22C is integral with the cheek 7A when it is inserted into the cylindrical opening 9.
[0034] The third alignment element 23 may also comprise a fourth hollow cylinder 22D and a fifth hollow cylinder 22E concentric with the third hollow cylinder 22C. The fifth cylinder 22E may have an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the opening of the cheek 7A. The fourth cylinder 22D connects the third hollow cylinder 22C and the fifth hollow cylinder. The third hollow cylinder 22C has an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the fourth hollow cylinder 22D and an inside diameter substantially equal to the circular cross-section of the fixing axis 2. In a non-limiting manner, the third hollow cylinder 22C and the fifth hollow cylinder 22E are made of metal, such as aluminum; the fourth hollow cylinder 22D is made of elastomer.
[0035] In step E3, the female yoke 8 is installed ([Fig.4]). The female yoke 8 is installed so that the cheek 7A of the male yoke 7 is at a predetermined position along the reference axis Y between the first cheek 8A and the second cheek 8B of the female yoke 8.
[0036] In a first embodiment, step E3 follows step E2. In a second embodiment, step E3 precedes step E2.
[0037] In step E4, the female yoke 8 is pre-aligned with respect to the male yoke 7. For this, the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B of the female yoke 8 are arranged so that the first axis of revolution B1 and the second axis of revolution B2 are close to being merged with the third axis of revolution B3. This means that the first axis of revolution B1 and the second axis of revolution B2 may not be merged with the third axis of revolution B3: there may be an offset between, on the one hand, the axes of revolution B1 and B2 and, on the other hand, the axis of revolution B3.
[0038] In step E5, the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B are moved longitudinally toward the third hollow cylinder 22C so that the third hollow cylinder 22C is sandwiched between the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B at the predetermined position. It is understood that a central hollow cylinder (the third hollow cylinder 22C) is sandwiched by two lateral hollow cylinders (the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B) when the two opposite ends of the central hollow cylinder are in contact with one end of the two lateral hollow cylinders, respectively.
[0039] Thus the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B can grip the third hollow cylinder 22C to maintain the position of the male yoke 7 relative to the position of the female yoke 8, as will be seen later. In a non-limiting manner, the first hollow cylinder 22A, the second hollow cylinder 22B and the third hollow cylinder 22C are made of metal, such as aluminum.
[0040] In step E7, the fixing pin 2 is inserted into the first hollow cylinder 22A, the third hollow cylinder 22C and the second hollow cylinder 22B. The insertion of the fixing pin 2 causes the final alignment of the female yoke 8 relative to the male yoke 7. This final alignment means that the first axis of revolution B1 and the second axis of revolution B2 coincide with the third axis of revolution B3.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the first alignment element 21A comprises a first inner socket 20A and a first outer socket 25A.
[0042] The first internal sleeve 20A comprises a first smooth ring 23A and a first threaded ring 24A having an external thread 34A. The first smooth ring 23A and the first threaded ring 24A are longitudinally aligned. The first smooth ring 23A and the first threaded ring 24A are in one piece.
[0043] The first outer sleeve 25A comprises the first hollow cylinder 22A and a first nut 26A surrounding a first end of the first hollow cylinder 22A. The first hollow cylinder 22A and the first nut 26A are in one piece. The first hollow cylinder 22A and the first nut 26A may be connected together by a washer 27A. The washer 27A is in one piece with the first hollow cylinder 22A and the first nut 26A.
[0044] Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, the second alignment member 21B comprises a second inner bushing 20B and a second outer bushing 25B.
[0045] The second inner sleeve 20B comprises a second smooth ring 23B and a second threaded ring 24B having an external thread 34B. The second smooth ring 23B and the second threaded ring 24B are longitudinally aligned. The second smooth ring 23B and the second threaded ring 24B are in one piece.
[0046] The second outer sleeve 25B comprises the second hollow cylinder 22B and a second nut 26B surrounding a first end of the second hollow cylinder 22B. The second hollow cylinder 22B and the second nut 26B are integral. The second hollow cylinder 22B and the second nut 26B may be connected together by a washer 27B. The washer 27B is integral with the second hollow cylinder 22B and the second nut 26B.
[0047] In one embodiment, the installation step E1 comprises the following sub-steps: - an insertion sub-step Eli, - an introduction sub-step E12.
[0048] In the insertion sub-step El 1, the first smooth ring 23A is inserted into the opening 10A of the first cheek 8A ([Fig.2]). In addition, the second smooth ring 23B is inserted into the opening 10B of the second cheek 8B ([Fig.2]). The first smooth ring 23A and the second smooth ring 23B are inserted so that the first threaded ring 24A and the second threaded ring 24B are located outside a space SP between the first cheek 8A and the second cheek 8B.
[0049] The first smooth ring 23A and the second smooth ring 23B can be inserted by pressure using a tool or manually.
[0050] In the introduction sub-step E12, the first hollow cylinder 22A is introduced into the first internal sleeve 20A by a second end of the first hollow cylinder 22A ([Fig.3]). In addition, the second hollow cylinder 22B is inserted into the second internal sleeve 20B by a second end of the second hollow cylinder 22B ([Fig.3]). The second end of the hollow cylinders 22A and 22B corresponds to the opposite end of the first end that the nuts 26A and 26B surround. The first hollow cylinder 22A is introduced into the first internal sleeve 20A in a direction DI opposite to the direction D2 of introduction of the second hollow cylinder 22B into the second internal sleeve 20B ([Fig.3], [Fig.4] and [Fig.5])
[0051] In one embodiment, step E4 of pre-aligning the female yoke 8 relative to the male yoke 7 may comprise the following sub-steps: - a screwing sub-step E41, - a clamping sub-step E42.
[0052] In the screwing sub-step E41, the first nut 26A is screwed onto the first threaded ring 24A. The second nut 26B is screwed onto the second threaded ring 24B.
[0053] In the clamping sub-step E42, the third hollow cylinder 22C is clamped between the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B by screwing the first nut 26A onto the first threaded ring 24A and the second nut 26B onto the second threaded ring 24B. In the screwing sub-step E42, the second end of the first hollow cylinder 22A approaches a first end of the third hollow cylinder 22C as the first nut 26A is screwed onto the first threaded ring 24A. In addition, the second end of the second hollow cylinder 22B approaches a second end (opposite the first end) of the third hollow cylinder 22C as the second nut 26B is screwed onto the second threaded ring 24A.
[0054] The adjustment method may further comprise a step E6 of fixing the female yoke 8 preceding the step E7 of inserting the fixing pin 2. In this fixing step E6, the female yoke 8 is fixed to a support 11 ([Fig.5]). In an aircraft, the support 11 may correspond to the fuselage of the aircraft.
[0055] The adjustment method may also comprise a step E8 of fixing the fixing axis 2 which follows the step E7 of inserting the fixing axis 2.
[0056] The fixing step E8 comprises the following sub-steps: - a screwing sub-step E81, - a fixing sub-step E82.
[0057] In the screwing sub-step E81, a nut 3 of the fixing device 1 is screwed to a first end 13 of the fixing axis 2. The first end 13 of the fixing axis 2 corresponding to the insertion end of the fixing axis 2, i.e. the end from which the fixing axis 2 is introduced into the cylindrical openings 10A, 9 and 10B ([Fig.6]).
[0058] The thread 34B of the second threaded ring 24B has a pitch that is the opposite of the pitch of the thread 34A of the first threaded ring 24A. The inversion of the pitches between the first threaded ring 24A and the second threaded ring 24B makes it possible to prevent the second nut 26B from loosening when the nut 3 of the fixing device 1 is screwed onto the first end 13 of the fixing axis 2.
[0059] The second external sleeve 25B may comprise a housing 28 in which the nut 3 can be housed when it is screwed to the first end of the fixing axis 2.
[0060] In the fixing sub-step E82, an anti-unscrewing socket 12 is fixed to a second end 14 of the fixing axis 2 ([Fig.7]).
[0061] The invention also relates to a device for adjusting a female yoke 8 relative to a male yoke 7 along the reference axis Y to connect the male yoke 7 and the female yoke 8 together using the fixing device 1.
[0062] The adjustment device comprises: - the first alignment element 21A comprising the first hollow cylinder 22A, - the second alignment element 21B comprising the second hollow cylinder 22B, - the third alignment element 23 comprising the third hollow cylinder 22C.
[0063] The first hollow cylinder 22A of the first alignment element 21A has the first axis of revolution Bl. The first hollow cylinder 22A is intended to be introduced into the opening 10A of the first cheek 8A so that the first axis of revolution Bl coincides with the axis of revolution A2 of the cylindrical opening 10A of the first cheek 8A. The first hollow cylinder 22A is configured to move longitudinally (parallel to its axis of revolution Bl) in the opening 10A of the first cheek 8A.
[0064] The second hollow cylinder 22B of the second alignment element 21B has the second axis of revolution B2. The second hollow cylinder 22B is intended to be introduced into the opening 10B of the second cheek 8B so that the second axis of revolution B2 coincides with the axis of revolution A3 of the cylindrical opening 10B of the second cheek 8B. The second hollow cylinder 22B is configured to move longitudinally (parallel to its axis of revolution B2) in the opening 10B of the second cheek 8B.
[0065] The third hollow cylinder 22C has the third axis of revolution B3. The third hollow cylinder 22C is intended to be inserted integrally into the cylindrical opening 9 of the cheek 7A of the male yoke 7 so that the third axis of revolution B3 coincides with the axis of revolution A1 of the cylindrical opening 9 of the cheek 7A of the male yoke 7. The third hollow cylinder 22C is intended to be clamped between the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B at a predetermined position along the reference axis Y.
[0066] In the preferred embodiment, the first hollow cylinder 22A is configured to be inserted into the first internal sleeve 20A through the second end of said first hollow cylinder 22A. The first smooth ring 23A is configured to be inserted into the opening 10A of the first cheek 8A so that the first threaded ring 24A is located outside a space SP between the first cheek 8A and the second cheek 8B.
[0067] In the preferred embodiment, the second hollow cylinder 22B is configured to be inserted into the second inner sleeve 20B through the second end of said second hollow cylinder 22B. The second smooth ring 23B is configured to be inserted into the opening 10B of the second cheek 8B so that the second threaded ring 24B is located outside the space SP which is between the first cheek 8A and the second cheek 8B.
[0068] In the preferred embodiment, the first nut 26A of the first outer sleeve 25A is configured to screw onto the first threaded ring 24A of the first inner sleeve 20A. The second nut 26B of the second outer sleeve 25B is configured to screw onto the second threaded ring 24B of the second inner sleeve 20B. The first nut 26A and the second nut 26B are configured to be screwed onto the first threaded ring 24A and onto the second threaded ring 24B respectively until the third hollow cylinder 22C is sandwiched between the first hollow cylinder 22A and the second hollow cylinder 22B at the predetermined position.
Claims
Claims
1. Method for adjusting a female yoke (8) relative to a male yoke (7) along a reference axis (Y) to connect the male yoke (7) and the female yoke (8) together using a fixing device (1), the male yoke (7) having a cheek (7A) comprising a cylindrical opening (9) having an axis of revolution (A1), the female yoke (8) having a first cheek (8A) and a second cheek (8B) each comprising a cylindrical opening (10A, 10B), the cylindrical opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) and the cylindrical opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B) each having an axis of revolution (A2, A3) parallel to the reference axis (Y), the axis of revolution (A2) of the cylindrical opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) coinciding with the axis of revolution (A3) of the cylindrical opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B), the fixing device (1) comprising a fixing axis (2),characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:, - a step (El) of installing a first alignment element (21A) comprising a first hollow cylinder (22A) having a first axis of revolution (Bl) and a second alignment element (21B) comprising a second hollow cylinder (22B) having a second axis of revolution (B2), the first hollow cylinder (22A) being inserted into the opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) so that the first axis of revolution (Bl) coincides with the axis of revolution (A2) of the cylindrical opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A), the second hollow cylinder (22B) being inserted into the opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B) so that the second axis of revolution (B2) coincides with the axis of revolution (A3) of the cylindrical opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B), - a step (E2) of installing a third alignment element (23) comprising a third hollow cylinder (22C) having a third axis of revolution (B3), the third hollow cylinder (22C) being inserted integrally into the cylindrical opening (9) of the cheek (7A) of the male yoke (7) so that the third axis of revolution (B3) coincides with the axis of revolution (Al) of the cylindrical opening lindic (9) of the cheek (7A) of the male yoke (7), a step (E3) of installing the female yoke (8), the female yoke (8) being installed so that the cheek (7A) of the male yoke (7) is at a predetermined position along the reference axis (Y) between the first cheek (8A) and the second cheek (8B) of the female yoke (8), a step (E4) of pre-aligning the female yoke (8) relative to the male yoke (7), the first hollow cylinder (22A) and the second hollow cylinder (22B) of the female yoke (8) being arranged so that the first axis of revolution (B1) and the second axis of revolution (B2) are substantially coincident with the third axis of revolution (B3),a step (E5) of longitudinally moving the first hollow cylinder (22A) and the second hollow cylinder (22B) toward the third hollow cylinder (22C) so that the third hollow cylinder (22C) is sandwiched between the first hollow cylinder (22A) and the second hollow cylinder (22B) at the predetermined position, a step (E7) of inserting the fixing axis (2) into the first hollow cylinder (22A), the third hollow cylinder (22B) and the second hollow cylinder (22C).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first alignment element (21A) comprises a first inner sleeve (20A) and a first outer sleeve (25A), the first inner sleeve (20A) comprising a first smooth ring (23A) and a first threaded ring (24A) having an external thread (34A), the first smooth ring (23A) and the first threaded ring (24A) being longitudinally aligned, the first outer sleeve (25A) comprising the first hollow cylinder (22A) and a first nut (26A) surrounding a first end of the first hollow cylinder (22A), the second alignment element (21B) comprising a second inner sleeve (20B) and a second outer sleeve (25B), the second inner sleeve (20B) comprising a second smooth ring (23B) and a second threaded ring (24B) having an external thread (34B), the second smooth ring (23B) and the second threaded ring (24B) being longitudinally aligned, the second outer sleeve (25B) comprising the second hollow cylinder (22B) and a second nut (26B) surrounding a first end of the second hollow cylinder (22B), the installation step (El) includes the following sub-steps: a sub-step (El 1) of inserting the first smooth ring (23A) into the opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) and the second smooth ring (23B) into the opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B) so that the first threaded ring (24A) and the second threaded ring (24B) are located outside a space (SP) between the first cheek (8A) and the second cheek (8B), a sub-step (El2) of introducing the first hollow cylinder (22A) into the first internal sleeve (20A) by a second end of the first hollow cylinder (22A) and the second hollow cylinder (22B) into the second internal sleeve (20B) by a second end of the second hollow cylinder (22B).
3.
4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step (E4) of pre-aligning the female yoke (8) relative to the male yoke (7) comprises the following sub-steps: a sub-step (E41) of screwing the first nut (26A) onto the first threaded ring (24A) and of screwing the second nut (26B) onto the second threaded ring (24B), a sub-step (E42) of clamping the third hollow cylinder (22C) between the first hollow cylinder (22A) and the second hollow cylinder (22B) by screwing the first nut (26A) onto the first threaded ring (24A) and the second nut (26B) onto the second threaded ring (24B). Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a step (E6) of fixing the female yoke (8) preceding the step (E7) of inserting the fixing pin (2), the female yoke (8) being fixed on a support (11).
5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises a step (E8) of fixing the fixing axis (2) which follows the step (E7) of inserting the fixing axis (2), the fixing step (E8) comprising the following sub-steps: - a sub-step (E81) of screwing a nut (3) of the fixing device (1) to a first end (13) of the fixing axis (2), the first end (13) of the fixing axis (2) corresponding to an insertion end of the fixing axis (2), - a sub-step (E82) of fixing an anti-unscrewing sleeve (12) to a second end (14) of the fixing axis (2).
6. Device for adjusting a female yoke (8) relative to a male yoke (7) along a reference axis (Y) to connect the male yoke (7) and the female yoke (8) together using a fixing device (1), the male yoke (7) having a cheek (7A) comprising a cylindrical opening (9) having an axis of revolution (A1), the female yoke (8) having a first cheek (8A) and a second cheek (8B) each comprising a cylindrical opening (10A, 10B), the cylindrical opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) and the cylindrical opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B) each having an axis of revolution (A2, A3) parallel to the reference axis (Y), the axis of revolution (A2) of the cylindrical opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) coinciding with the axis of revolution (A3) of the cylindrical opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B), the fixing device (1) comprising a fixing axis (2), characterized in that it comprises: - a first alignment element (21 A) comprising a first hollow cylinder (22A) having a first axis of revolution (Bl), the first hollow cylinder (22A) being intended to be introduced into the opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) so that the first axis of revolution (Bl) coincides with the axis of revolution (A2) of the cylindrical opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A), the first hollow cylinder (22A) being configured to move longitudinally in the opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A), - a second alignment element (21B) comprising a second hollow cylinder (22B) having a second axis of revolution (B2), the second hollow cylinder (22B) being intended to be introduced into the opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B) so that the second axis of revolution (B2) coincides with the axis of revolution (A3) of the cylindrical opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B), the second hollow cylinder (22B) being configured to move longitudinally in the opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B), - a third alignment element (23) comprising a third hollow cylinder (22C) having a third axis of revolution (B3), the third hollow cylinder (22C) being intended to be inserted integrally into the cylindrical opening (9) of the cheek (7A) of the male yoke (7) so that the third axis of revolution (B3) coincides with the axis of revolution (A1) of the cylindrical opening (9) of the cheek (7A) of the male yoke (7),the third hollow cylinder (22C) being intended to be sandwiched between the first hollow cylinder (22A) and the second hollow cylinder (22B) at a predetermined position along the reference axis (Y).,
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the first alignment element (21 A) comprises: - a first internal socket (20A) and - a first external socket (25A); the first inner sleeve (20A) comprising a first smooth ring (23A) and a first threaded ring (24A) having an external thread (34A), the first smooth ring (23A) and the first threaded ring (24A) being longitudinally aligned, the first outer sleeve (25A) comprising the first hollow cylinder (22A) and a first nut (26A) surrounding a first end of the first hollow cylinder (22A), the first hollow cylinder (22A) being configured to be inserted into the first inner sleeve (20A) through a second end of the first hollow cylinder (22A), the first smooth ring (23A) being configured to be inserted into the opening (10A) of the first cheek (8A) so that the first threaded ring (24A) is located outside a space (SP) between the first cheek (8A) and the second cheek (8B), the second alignment element (21B) comprising: - a second internal sleeve (20B) and - a second external socket (25B); the second inner sleeve (20B) comprising a second smooth ring (23B) and a second threaded ring (24B) having an external thread (34B), the second smooth ring (23B) and the second threaded ring (24B) being longitudinally aligned, the second outer sleeve (25B) comprising the second hollow cylinder (22B) and a second nut (26B) surrounding a first end of the second hollow cylinder (22B), the second hollow cylinder (22B) being configured to be inserted into the second inner sleeve (20B) by a second end of said second hollow cylinder (22B), the second smooth ring (23B) being configured to be inserted into the opening (10B) of the second cheek (8B) so that the second threaded ring (24B) is located outside the space (SP) between the first cheek (8A) and the second cheek (8B).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first nut (26A) of the first outer sleeve (25A) is configured to screw onto the first threaded ring (24A) of the first inner sleeve (20A), the second nut (26B) of the second outer sleeve (25B) is configured to screw onto the second threaded ring (24B) of the second inner sleeve (20B), the first nut (26A) and the second nut (26B) being configured to be screwed onto the first threaded ring (24A) and onto the second threaded ring (24B) respectively until the third hollow cylinder (22C) is sandwiched between the first hollow cylinder (22A) and the second hollow cylinder (22B) at the predetermined position.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Eccentric mechanical connector
GB2573180A
Clamping and fastening apparatus
US5525001A
Structural fastening variable slip bushing
US7347478B2