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

Abstract

System and method for modular securing of sensitive parts on a transport platform The invention relates to a system and a method for modular securing of 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 of the platform and a securing 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 of the platform.

Description

Title of the invention: Modular system and method for securing sensitive parts on a transport platform. 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 the aeronautics and aerospace industry, the production of engines and engine sub-assemblies requires the manufacture of a wide variety of parts of specific shapes and sizes. In the case of an aircraft engine, these include, for example, compressor discs, rectifiers, combustion chambers, etc.

[0003] These parts most often have optimized technical characteristics that have required many hours of research and development, which makes 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, the transport of these high-value parts presents a risk of collisions between parts, which threatens their integrity.

[0005] To ensure the integrity of the parts during their movement on trolleys, one proposed solution is to use pre-formed foam trays. Generally, these trays have cutouts of shapes and sizes adapted to accommodate the various parts to be transported. Positioning the parts in these cutouts ensures their secure placement and thus prevents any risk of impact.

[0006] Although effective, this packing solution has several disadvantages. In particular, the cutouts in the transport trays are designed to always accommodate the same parts, which prevents them from being modified if new parts need to be transported. Furthermore, due to this specific design, it is necessary to design many different trays, which poses an obvious space problem. In addition, the foam used to make the transport trays deteriorates rapidly over time and tends to absorb any oils and greases that may be used in the manufacturing process of the parts, 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] In accordance with the invention, this objective is achieved through a modular system for securing sensitive parts on a parts transport platform, comprising: - a plate 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 adapted to be 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 preventing the wedges from rotating inside the holes in the tray.

[0009] The positioning system according to the invention is remarkable, in particular, because of its modularity: thanks to the shape of its wedges and their freedom of orientation, it is possible to position several parts of different dimensions without having to change the tray. 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 tray and its wedges is relatively low, especially compared to a solution using several foam trays 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 in the plate. For example, the base of the wedges and the holes in the plate may each have a hexagonal cross-section.

[0011] Preferably also, the wedges each incorporate a radio-identification chip so as to limit the risks of losing them.

[0012] The wedges can be made of plastic material, for example by 3D printing or by 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 the first piece to be secured on the platform; and - the insertion of at least three wedges in the immediate vicinity of the part to be wedged, the wedges being positioned so as to be regularly distributed around a central axis of the part to be wedged and their base being pivoted angularly in the holes of the plate so as to adjust the wedge-holding surface according to the part to be wedged.

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

[0015] [Fig.1] Fig.1 represents a top view of a platform of the leveling system according to the invention.

[0016] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a wedge of the chocking system according to the invention.

[0017] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] illustrates the Fibonacci spiral used to construct the profile of the wedge surface of the [Fig.2].

[0018] [Fig.4A] to [Fig.4D] Figures 4A to 4D illustrate different methods of a shimming method according to the invention applied to the shimming of a blade disc.

[0019] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a side view showing the shimming of a spherically shaped part using the shimming system according to the invention.

[0020] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a wedge variant of the wedge system according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0021] The securing system according to the invention (called "CALTO") is used for securing parts on a platform, such as, for example, components of a turbojet engine, for transport to the various engine assembly areas. More generally, the system according to the invention is used for securing all parts considered sensitive, either because of their high value or because of their fragility.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The plate 2 is provided 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 [Fig.1].

[0024] The spacing between the holes 4 and their number will depend on the dimensions of the parts that we wish to position on the board.

[0025] The levelling system according to the invention also includes a plurality of wedges 6 which are each 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.

[0026] More specifically, as shown in [Fig. 2], the foot 8 of the wedges 6 has a cross-section corresponding to that of the holes 4 in the plate. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, it is therefore a polygonal cross-section.

[0027] Furthermore, the shimming surface 10 of the shims 6 has a curved shape whose profile is constructed from the Fibonacci sequence.

[0028] As shown in [Fig. 3], the Fibonacci curve (or spiral) is composed of a series of quarter-circles Sb, S2, S3, ... each inscribed in a square Cb 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).

[0029] The shims 6 can be made of plastic material, for example by 3D printing or by injection.

[0030] In connection with figures 4A to 4D, an example of application of the shimming system according to the invention to the shimming of a turbine blade disc D of a turbojet engine will now be described.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4A to 4D, the blade disc D has a circular shape. It is first positioned flat on the plate 2 ([Fig.4A]). A first shim 6-1 is then inserted into a hole 4 in the plate in the immediate vicinity of the position of the blade disc D ([Fig.4B]).

[0032] 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, offset by approximately 120° from the first shim 6-1 with respect to an axis of symmetry X of the blade disc ([Fig. 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.

[0033] Next, as shown in [Fig. 4D], a third shim 6-3 is inserted into another hole in the plate, still in the immediate vicinity of the location of the blade disc D, offset by approximately 120° from the first and second shims (relative to the axis of symmetry X of the blade disc). Here too, the foot of this third shim 6-3 is oriented so as to allow contact (or near-contact) with the periphery of the blade disc.

[0034] In this position ([Fig.4D]), the blade disc D is correctly positioned on the plate, the latter can then be moved without risk of damaging the blade disc.

[0035] 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 the latter to be correctly shimmed (two points of contact are sufficient).

[0036] 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.

[0037] It should also be noted that the same wedge can be used for the shimming of two different parts on the same platform.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Furthermore, the part to be wedged can have any possible geometric shape, namely, for example, pyramidal, ring-shaped, rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, or spherical as shown in [Fig. 5]. To wedge such a spherical part 12, three wedges 6-1 to 6-3 are sufficient.

[0040] Furthermore, according to an advantageous arrangement illustrated by [Fig.6], the wedges 6 can each integrate a radio-identification chip 14, for example at the level of their respective wedge surface 10.

Claims

Demands

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, - 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, and - means for 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 polygonal cross-section in order to ensure anti-rotation of the wedges inside the holes of the plate.

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

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

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

6. A method for securing sensitive parts on a parts transport platform using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 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.

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