TOOL FOR EVALUATING BURNS ON AN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

BURL EVALUATION TOOL ON AN ASSEMBLY The invention relates to an evaluation tool (100) for an assembly of two joined plates, said evaluation tool (100) comprising a base (102) bearing against the first plate, clamping means (104) bearing against the second plate, actuation means (106) for clamping the clamping means (104), a pressure sensor (108) delivering information relating to the pressure it is subjected to and crushed when the clamping means (104) clamp the plates, an indicator (112) emitting a first signal and a second signal, and a control unit (110) comprising means for recording a first value of the pressure sensor (108) after clamping the clamping means (104) and a second value of the pressure sensor (108) after machining, for comparing the values ​​and for controlling the indicator (112) according to the results of the comparison.With such an arrangement, it is possible to check for the presence of burrs after machining. Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: TOOL FOR EVALUATING BURNS ON AN ASSEMBLY technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an evaluation tool for checking whether burrs have appeared during the machining of an assembly. The invention also relates to an evaluation method implemented using such an evaluation tool. PRIOR TECHNOLOGY

[0002] Fig. 5 shows a 500 clamping tool of the anterior art.

[0003] Such a clamping tool 500 is used to hold two plates 10 and 20 together against each other when they are machined. Such a clamping tool 500 thus makes it possible to clamp the two plates 10 and 20 against each other while they are drilled using a drill bit.

[0004] The assembly 1 thus comprises a first plate 10 and a second plate 20, each having a bearing face against the bearing face of the other plate. Each plate 10, 20 is traversed by a bore 10a, 20a, and the two bores 10a, 20a are aligned. Each plate 10, 20 has an external face opposite to the bearing face of said plate 10, 20.

[0005] The clamping tool 500 comprises a base 502 which bears against the outer face of a first plate 10 and clamping means 504 which are connected to the base 502 and project beyond the second plate 20. Here, the clamping means 504 take the form of teeth 504a, where each is mounted on one end of a rod whose other end is connected to the base 502. The rods pass through the plates 10 and 20 through the bores 10a, 20a provided for this purpose.

[0006] The clamping tool 500 also includes actuating means 506 which are arranged to bring the teeth 504a closer to the second plate 20 and thus clamp the two plates 10 and 20 against each other between the teeth 504a and the base 502.

[0007] The actuation means 506 here include a rotationally movable nut 506a which, by means of a suitable mechanism (not shown), ensures the approach of the teeth 504a of the second plate 20 and the separation of the teeth 504a against the edges of the bore 20a of the second plate 20. The separation of the teeth 504a is achieved among other things by a central rod 504b which is in the middle of the teeth 504a and which is shaped to separate the teeth 504a when the teeth of the second plate 20 are brought together.

[0008] The placement of several of these clamping tools 500 between the plates 10 and 20 makes it possible to hold these plates 10 and 20 against each other when drilling must be carried out simultaneously through these two plates 10 and 20.

[0009] Despite these clamping tools 500, it may happen that burrs appear between the plates 10 and 20 during drilling and it is therefore necessary to check if such burrs appear in order to be able to remove them before permanently fixing the two plates 10 and 20 together. Description of the invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an evaluation tool which makes it possible to detect the appearance of burrs between two plates joined together when drilling holes through these two plates.

[0011] To this end, an evaluation tool is proposed for an assembly comprising a first and a second plate joined to each other, said evaluation tool comprising:

[0012] - a base arranged to bear against an outer face of the first plate,

[0013] - clamping means arranged to bear against an outer face of the second plate,

[0014] - actuating means arranged to tighten the clamping means against the outer face of the second plate,

[0015] - a pressure sensor adapted to deliver information relating to the pressure it subjected and arranged to be crushed when the clamping means tighten the plates

[0016] - an indicator adapted to emit a first signal and a second signal,

[0017] - a control unit comprising means for recording a first representative value of the pressure measured by said pressure sensor when the clamping means clamp the clamping means, to record a second representative value of the pressure measured by said pressure sensor when the plates have undergone machining, to compare the first value and the second value, and to command the indicator to emit the first signal when the first value and the second value are equal and the second signal when the first value and the second value are different.

[0018] With such an arrangement, the presence of burrs can be detected and these burrs can then be removed before the plates are fixed together.

[0019] Advantageously, the margin of determination that the first value and the second value are different is determined by test tables dependent on at least one of the following criteria: diameter of the drilled hole, margin of error of the pressure sensor, number of clamping means, distance of the drilled hole to the clamping means.

[0020] Advantageously, the pressure sensor is a piezoelectric element.

[0021] Advantageously, the pressure sensor and the base form a separate unit from the clamping means and actuation means.

[0022] The invention also proposes an evaluation method implemented with an evaluation tool according to one of the preceding variants and comprising:

[0023] - a setup step during which the base is placed against a face the outer surface of a first plate and the clamping means are arranged near an outer face of a second plate,

[0024] - a clamping step during which the actuation means are actuated to tighten the clamping means against the outer face of the second plate,

[0025] - a first recording step during which the first value is recorded,

[0026] - a machining step during which the plates are machined,

[0027] - a second recording step during which the second value is recorded,

[0028] - a comparison step during which the first value and the second values ​​are compared, and

[0029] - a control step during which, depending on the results of the step For comparison, the control unit commands the emission via the indicator of the first signal or the second signal. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0031] [Fig-1] shows an evaluation tool according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0032] [Fig.2] shows an assembly equipped with evaluation tools according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.3] is a side view of an evaluation tool according to a second mode of realization of the invention,

[0034] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a detail of the evaluation tool of [Fig.3], and

[0035] [Fig.5] shows a prior art clamping tool.

[0036] DETAILED STATEMENT OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0037] Fig. 1 shows an evaluation tool 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention, and Figs. 3 and 4 show an evaluation tool 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows the placement of several evaluation tools 100 on an assembly 1 of two plates 10 and 20. The placement of evaluation tools 200 is carried out in the same way.

[0039] The assembly 1 comprises a first plate 10 and a second plate 20 which are joined to each other by a common bearing face 10c, 20c. Each plate 10, 20 has, opposite the bearing face 10c, 20c, an outer face 10b, 20b oriented towards the outside of the assembly 1. The structure of the evaluation tool 100, 200 is similar to that of the clamping tool 500 of the prior art, in that it ensures clamping of the two plates 10 and 20 together before they undergo machining such as drilling a hole 60 through them.

[0040] Each plate 10, 20 is crossed by a bore 10a, 20a and the two bores 10a, 20a are aligned.

[0041] The evaluation tool 100, 200 includes a base 102, 202 which rests against the outer face 10a of the first plate 10.

[0042] As with the prior art, the evaluation tool 100, 200 includes clamping means 104 and 204 which are intended to extend beyond the outer face 20b after being placed around the plates 10 and 20 and in particular here after being inserted into the bores 10a, 20a.

[0043] As with the prior art, the evaluation tool 100, 200 includes actuation means 106 and 206 which are arranged to clamp the clamping means 104 and 204 against the outer face 20b of the second plate 20. Thus, after clamping, the clamping means 104 and 204 come to rest against the outer face 20b of the second plate 20.

[0044] The clamping means 104, 204 here take the same form as those of the prior art, and they consist of a plurality of teeth 104a, 204a.

[0045] On the left of [Fig. 2], the clamping means 104 are not clamped, and on the right of [Fig. 2], the clamping means 104 are clamped. As in the prior art, each tooth 104a, 204a is mounted on one end of a rod, the other end of which is connected to the base 102, 202, and the rods pass through the plates 10 and 20 via the bores 10a, 20a provided for this purpose.

[0046] As explained below, the approach of the teeth of the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 tends to spread the teeth outwards so that they hook onto the edge of the bore 20a. The spreading is achieved, among other things, due to the presence of a central rod 104b, 204b which is in the middle of the teeth 104a, 204a and which is shaped to spread the teeth 104a, 204a when the teeth 104a, 204a of the second plate 20 are brought together.

[0047] The actuation means 106, 206 here take the form of those in the prior art and comprise a nut 106a, 206a mounted for rotational movement on a threaded shaft but blocked against translation. One end of the threaded shaft is connected to the clamping means 104, 204, in particular through the other end of the rods which is connected to said threaded shaft.

[0048] The threaded shaft is not seen in the Figs., because it is hidden inside the body 50 of the evaluation tool 100, 200.

[0049] Thus, by manipulating the nut 106a, 206a, the threaded shaft moves up in the body 50 of the evaluation tool 100, 200, driving the rods and clamping means 104, 204 which press against the outer face 20b of the second plate 20. During this pressing, the teeth 10a, 204a spread apart against the edges of the bore 20a.

[0050] The evaluation tool also includes a pressure sensor 108, 208 which provides information relating to the pressure it is subjected to. The pressure sensor 108, 208 is arranged to be crushed when the clamping means 104, 204 clamp the plates 10 and 20.

[0051] In each of the embodiments represented here, the pressure sensor 108, 208 is located at the rear of the base 102, 202, i.e. opposite the first plate 10 and at the level of a part of the evaluation tool 100, 200 which is compressed when the clamping means 104, 204 are tightened.

[0052] Due to the tightening, the body 50 tends to move closer to the first plate 10 and therefore to crush the pressure sensor 108, 208.

[0053] The evaluation tool 100, 200 also includes an indicator 112, 212 which can emit a first signal and a second signal. For example, it can alternately emit a green light signal or a red light signal. In the embodiments shown here, the indicator 112, 212 comprises two diodes, for example, one green and one red.

[0054] The evaluation tool 100, 200 also includes a control unit 110, 210 which is connected, on the one hand, to the pressure sensor 108, 208 and, on the other hand, to the indicator 112, 212. The control unit 110, 210 receives information from the pressure sensor 108, 208 and commands the indicator 112, 212 so that it emits the first signal or the second signal.

[0055] The control unit 110, 210 constitutes a hardware platform which has, connected by a communication bus: a processor or CPU (“Central Processing Unit”), a RAM (“Read-Only Memory”), a ROM (“Read Only Memory”) or EEPROM (“Electrically-Erasable Programmable ROM”) type, a storage unit, such as a HDD (“Hard Disk Drive”), or a storage media reader, such as an SD (“Secure Digital”) card reader, and an interface manager in connection with the pressure sensor 108, 208 and the indicator 112, 212.

[0056] The processor is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM from ROM, external memory, storage media (such as an SD card), or a communication network. When the control unit When power is applied to pins 110 and 210, the processor is able to read instructions from RAM and execute them. These instructions form a computer program, causing the processor to implement all or part of the steps and operations described here.

[0057] All or part of the steps and operations described herein can thus be implemented in software form by the execution of a set of instructions by a programmable machine, for example a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller, or be implemented in hardware form by a dedicated machine or electronic component (chip) or a dedicated set of electronic components (chipset), for example an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Generally, the hardware platform comprises electronic circuitry adapted and configured to implement the operations and steps described herein.

[0058] The control unit 110, 210 thus includes means for recording a first representative value of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 108, 208 when the clamping means 104, 204 clamp the clamping means 104, 204 before machining. This first value is representative of the pressure exerted on the pressure sensor 108, 208 in the absence of a burr between the plates 10 and 20. This first measurement is recorded, for example, when a technician presses a control button 114, 214 which is connected to the control unit 110, 210. Thus, when the technician presses the control button 114, 214 for the first time, the control unit 110, 210 records the first value in one of its memories. According to another embodiment, the control unit 110, 210 detects when the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 108, 208 is stable, i.e. the derivative of the pressure measurement is zero.The pressure reached then gives the first value. According to a particular embodiment, the first value represents a pressure of the order of 200 N.

[0059] Similarly, after machining, for example drilling hole 60, has been carried out, the control unit 110, 210 also includes means for recording a second value representing the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 108, 208 when the plates 10, 20 have been machined. This second value is representative of the pressure exerted on the pressure sensor 108, 208, potentially with burrs between the plates 10 and 20. This second measurement is recorded, for example, when the technician presses the control button 114, 214 a second time, and the second value is recorded in one of the memories of the control unit 110, 210. As before, the second value can be obtained when the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 108, 208 is stable.

[0060] Based on these two values, the control unit 110, 210 includes means for comparing the first and second values. If the first and second values ​​are equal, then this means that no burrs have appeared. Conversely, if the first and second values ​​are different, then this means that burrs have appeared and will need to be removed. In the event of burrs appearing, the second value is greater than the first value.

[0061] Comparisons are made within margins of error, particularly with regard to the error margins of pressure sensors, which are generally around 3%. Thus, according to a particular embodiment, a difference may be considered significant if it exceeds 5% or 10%. This limit depends, for example, on the diameter of the drilled hole; it may be 5% when the hole diameter (for example, less than or equal to 5 mm) is small and 10% when the hole diameter is large (for example, greater than 5 mm). But it may also depend on the material used, the number of clamping means, the distance from the drilled hole to the clamping means, etc.

[0062] According to a particular embodiment, the margin of determination that the first value and the second value are different is determined by test tables dependent on at least one of the following criteria: diameter of the drilled hole, margin of error of the pressure sensor 108, 208, number of clamping means 104, 204, distance of the drilled hole to the clamping means 104, 204. For example these tables are stored in a memory of the control unit 110, 210 and using an interface, the technician selects the appropriate values ​​according to the case.

[0063] Depending on the result of the comparison, the control unit 110, 210 includes means for controlling the indicator 112, 212 so that it emits the first signal when the first value and the second value are equal and the second signal when the first value and the second value are different.

[0064] With such an evaluation tool 100, 200, the technician can thus quickly check whether or not burrs have appeared, and take the necessary actions.

[0065] In the embodiments of the invention presented here, the pressure sensor 108, 208 has a passage 208a (only visible in the second embodiment) through which the rods holding the teeth 104a, 204a pass.

[0066] According to a particular embodiment, the pressure sensor 108, 208 is a piezoelectric element.

[0067] In the first embodiment of the invention, the evaluation tool 100 is fully integrated insofar as there are no separable parts without dismantling the evaluation tool 100.

[0068] In the second embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensor 208 and the base 202 form an assembly separate from the clamping means 204 and the actuation means 206. The base 202 and the pressure sensor 208 can thus be separated from the rest of the evaluation tool 200 and they can be used with another type of clamping element.

[0069] A method for evaluating the presence or absence of burrs between the two plates 10 and 20 after machining is implemented with an evaluation tool 100, 200 as described above. The evaluation method described below applies in the same way with several evaluation tools 100, 200. The evaluation method thus comprises:

[0070] - a setup step during which the base 102, 202 is placed against the outer face 10b of the first plate 10 and the clamping means 104, 204 are arranged in the vicinity, that is to say here beyond, of the outer face 20b of the second plate 20,

[0071] - a clamping step during which the actuation means 106, 206 are operated by the technician to tighten the clamping means 104, 204 against the outer face 20b of the second plate 20, here by bringing back the teeth 104a, 204a,

[0072] - a first registration step during which the control unit 110, 210 records the first value, for example by a first press of the control button 114, 214, or by measuring a zero derivative of the measured pressure,

[0073] - a machining step during which the plates 10, 20 are machined, by example by drilling through a 60 mm hole in both plates 10 and 20,

[0074] - a second recording step during which the control unit 110, 210 records the second value, for example by a second press of the control button 114, 214, or by measuring a zero derivative of the measured pressure,

[0075] - a comparison step during which the control unit 110, 210 compares the first value and the second value, and

[0076] - a control step during which, depending on the results of the step In comparison, the control unit 110, 210 commands the emission by the indicator 112, 212 of the first signal or the second signal.

Claims

Demands

1. Evaluation tool (100, 200) for an assembly (1) comprising a first and a second plate (10, 20) joined together, said evaluation tool (100, 200) comprising: - a base (102, 202) arranged to bear against an outer face (10b) of the first plate (10), - clamping means (104, 204) arranged to bear against an outer face (20b) of the second plate (20), - actuation means (106, 206) arranged to clamp the clamping means (104, 204) against the outer face (20b) of the second plate (20), - a pressure sensor (108, 208) adapted to provide information relating to the pressure it is subjected to and arranged to be crushed when the means clamping (104, 204) clamp the plates (10, 20), - an indicator (112, 212) adapted to emit a first signal and a second signal, - a control unit (110,210) comprising means for recording a first representative value of the pressure measured by said pressure sensor (108, 208) when the clamping means (104, 204) clamp the clamping means (104, 204), for recording a second representative value of the pressure measured by said pressure sensor (108, 208) when the plates (10, 20) have been machined, for comparing the first value and the second value, and for controlling the indicator (112, 212) to emit the first signal when the first value and the second value are equal and the second signal when the first value and the second value are different.

2. Evaluation tool (100, 200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the margin of determination that the first value and the second value are different is determined by test tables dependent on at least one of the following criteria: diameter of drilled hole, margin of error of pressure sensor (108, 208), number of clamping means (104, 204), distance of drilled hole to clamping means (104, 204).

3. Evaluation tool (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure sensor (108, 208) is a piezoelectric element.

4. Evaluation tool (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressure sensor (208) and the base (202) form a dissociated assembly of the clamping means (204) and the actuation means (206).

5. An evaluation method implemented with an evaluation tool (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising: - a setup step during which the base (102, 202) is placed against an outer face (10b) of a first plate (10) and the clamping means (104, 204) are arranged in the vicinity of an outer face (20b) of a second plate (20), - a clamping step during which the actuating means (106, 206) are actuated to clamp the clamping means (104, 204) against the outer face (20b) of the second plate (20), - a first recording step during which the first value is recorded, - a machining step during which the plates (10, 20) are machined, - a second recording step during which the second value is recorded, - a step comparison during which the first value and the second value are compared,and - a control step during which, depending on the results of the comparison step, the control unit (110, 210) commands the indicator (112, 212) to emit either the first or second signal.

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