Pin for mutually assembling two part

Abstract

To provide a pin for mutually assembling two parts.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a pin (10) that extends along its longitudinal axis in the state of fitting without mechanical play between a first end (100) intended to be firmly connected to a first part (30) and a second end (200) intended to engage in a recess (21) of a second part (20). The second end (200) has a notch (210) that runs from end to end through the second end (200) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis to separate an immovable part (220) and a flexible part (230), and the notch (210) is configured to have a projection on a plane P containing the longitudinal axis, which has an asymmetric overall shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mechanics, and in particular to elements that allow two parts to be positioned relative to one another and assembled together.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a pin for assembling two parts together. [Background technology]

[0003] In the assembly of two parts, one or more pins may be used to precisely position the parts to be assembled relative to one another, specifically, one or more pins inserted into recesses extending into each of the two parts to be assembled.

[0004] However, inserting the pin into the recess in the part and removing it when necessary can be relatively difficult due to friction. More particularly, the fit between the pin and the part is usually particularly tight in order to limit mechanical play and to position the parts relative to one another as accurately as possible.

[0005] To overcome this drawback, the pin can be provided with axial notches that make it radially elastic and facilitate its engagement with, and possibly its withdrawal from, the recesses that are intended to cooperate with it.

[0006] However, this flexibility adversely affects the accuracy of relative positioning between the parts of an assembly, as the pins may deform in an indeterminate manner during assembly, thereby causing potential misalignment between the parts to vary from assembly to assembly.

[0007] Furthermore, inserting the pin into the recess in the part can damage the pin and / or the part due to friction if there is near-zero clearance, or due to tightening depending on the assembly tolerances set. Thus, positioning accuracy is inversely proportional to the number of positioning operations performed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] It is therefore necessary to find a solution that allows the two parts to be positioned as accurately as possible relative to each other, that makes the assembly easy to assemble and disassemble, and that ensures repeatable positioning both during the assembly operation and over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and to that end relates to a pin extending along its longitudinal axis with a fit without mechanical play between a first end intended to be fixed to a first part and a second end intended to engage in a recess in a second part, the second end having a cutout passing through the second end transversely to the longitudinal axis and separating the fixed part from the flexible part, the cutout being configured to have a projection in a plane P containing the longitudinal axis that is asymmetric in its overall shape.

[0010] These features allow the pin according to the invention to ensure accurate positioning of the second part relative to the first part. More specifically, when the second end engages in the recess of the second part, the immobile part is not deformed and the positioning of the second part is controlled. Furthermore, the cutout ensures that any play is always filled in the same direction, thus eliminating some of the uncertainty when positioning the parts relative to each other.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which have to be considered alone or according to any technically possible combination:

[0012] In certain embodiments, the cutout has a first portion extending from the opening toward the free end of the second end.

[0013] The cutout is not open to the second end, making it easier to insert the pin into the second part.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the cutout has a second portion that connects to the first portion and extends toward the first end to the bottom of the cutout.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the second portion connects to the first portion via a bend.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the cutout is configured such that the first and second portions define an angle α, the bisector of which lies on the longitudinal axis of the pin.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the free end of the second end forms a tip extending along the longitudinal axis of the pin, the tip being interposed between a hook portion connecting the tip to a fixed portion and a free portion that can move between a rest position and a stressed position.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the second end has at least one flat section that extends across the stationary portion and the flexible portion.

[0019] According to another aspect, the present invention further relates to an assembly of a first part and a second part using the aforementioned pin, in which the first end of the pin is fixed to the first part or the first end of the pin and the first part are configured as the same part, and the second end of the pin engages with a recess in the second part without mechanical play, thereby forcing the flexible part to deform and generating an elastic restoring force that clamps the second end against the second part.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the second end has a diameter dimension d1 defined between a periphery of the stationary portion and a periphery of the flexible portion when the free portion is in the rest position, and the periphery defines a dimension d2 when the free portion is in the stressed position. The pin is dimensioned such that dimension d1 is greater than a diametric dimension d3 of the recess in the second part, and such that dimension d2 is equal to dimension d3.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example only and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a pin and a close-up of one end of the pin according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pin shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the pin shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Please note that for clarity, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0024] The present invention relates to a pin 10, shown in an exemplary embodiment in Figures 1-3. The pin 10 is intended to be secured to a first part 30 and a second part 20 to join the parts together, creating an assembly in which the position of the parts relative to one another is highly accurate and repeatable.

[0025] 1, the pin 10 extends along its longitudinal axis in a fitted manner without mechanical play between a first end 100 intended to be rigidly connected to the first part 30 and a second end 200 intended to engage in a recess 21 in the second part 20. The pin 10 is preferably made in one piece, i.e. from a single blank of material.

[0026] It should be noted that the pin 10 and the first part 30 can be made up of the same part or two separate parts. In the latter case (which is preferred), the first end 100 of the pin 10 is intended to be fixed to the first part 30, in the sense that it is intended to join them together by a mechanically embedded type connection. The pin 10 can be hammered, glued or welded to the first part 30.

[0027] 1, second end 200 has a notch 210 separating fixed portion 220 from flexible portion 230. Under normal conditions of use of pin 10, i.e., when second end 200 is engaged with second part 20, or, as the case may be, when second end 200 is disengaged from second part 20, fixed portion 220 is immovable and flexible portion 230 is elastically deformable relative to first end 100. The respective properties of fixed portion 220 being immovable and flexible portion 230 being deformable are achieved by the dimensioning of both portions, which is itself within the ability of one skilled in the art.

[0028] Cutout 210, as can be seen in the enlarged view of Figure 1 and in Figure 2, is a slot that extends along its length between opening 211 and bottom 212 and passes through second end 200 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. In particular, cutout 210 has a projection in a plane P that includes the longitudinal axis, and its overall shape is asymmetric. It should be noted that the expression "asymmetric overall shape" is understood to mean the overall shape of the projection of cutout 210. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, plane P is perpendicular to the transverse direction in which cutout 210 extends.

[0029] The shape of the notch 210 is advantageous for distributing the stress experienced by the flexible portion 230 when attaching the second part 20 to the pin 10, thereby increasing the prestress of the flexible portion 230. This configuration reduces the risk of damage to the pin, insofar as the pin facilitates the elastic recovery of the flexible portion 230, and helps to securely hold the second part 20 in place in the assembly, as will be explained in more detail below. Furthermore, the immobile portion is sufficiently rigid to avoid deformation during the assembly process of the first part 30 and the second part 20, thereby allowing for highly accurate and repeatable relative positioning.

[0030] 2, in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, cutout 210 has a first portion 213 that extends from opening 211 toward the free end of second end 200. First portion 213 is preferably connected via a curved portion 214 to a second portion 215 that extends to bottom 212 of cutout 210. Second portion 215 advantageously extends toward first end 100, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, to help distribute stress in flexible portion 230 as the flexible portion deforms.

[0031] 2, the cutout 210 is shaped such that the first portion 213 and the second portion 215 define an angle α, the bisector of which lies on the longitudinal axis of the pin 10, thereby further promoting stress distribution in the flexible portion 230 as the flexible portion deforms. For example, the angle α can be between 10 and 50 degrees, or between 15 and 25 degrees.

[0032] To facilitate engagement of the second end 200 in the recess 21 of the second part 20, the flexible part 230, and in particular the free end of the second end 200, forms a tip 231 extending along the longitudinal axis of the pin 10. The flexible part 230 has a hook part 232 connecting the tip 231 to the fixed part 220 and a free part 233 extending towards the first end 100. As can be seen, the tip 231 is therefore interposed between the hook part 232 and the free part 233. The pointed shape of the second end 200 facilitates engagement of this end in the recess 21 of the second part 20 while avoiding any risk of damaging the pin and / or the part.

[0033] The free portion 233 is configured to move between a rest position (see FIGS. 1-3 ) when the second end 200 is not engaged in the recess 21 of the second part 20, and a stressed position when the second end 200 is engaged in the recess 21 of the second part 20. When the free portion 233 is in the stressed position, it is closer to the immovable portion 220 than when it is in the rest position. In other words, when the second end 200 of the pin 10 is engaged in the recess 21 of the second part 20, the flexible portion 230 is forced to deform, generating an elastic restoring force that causes a clamping force to be applied to the second part 20 by the second end 200.

[0034] Cutout 210 can be made by electrical discharge machining, machining, laser machining, or other suitable material removal methods. Preferably, cutout 210 has a constant width e over at least a portion of its length when free portion 233 is in a rest position, as seen in the side view of FIG.

[0035] To reduce friction with the second part 20 during engagement and disengagement of the pin 10, the second end 200 can have at least one flat section 24 extending across the fixed portion 220 and the flexible portion 230, preferably in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the pin 10 has two diametrically opposed and parallel flat sections 24 as shown in Figure 3. In other exemplary embodiments not shown, the pin 10 can have three or more flat sections 24 evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis.

[0036] It should be noted that the same assembly may include multiple pins 10, for example to eliminate rotational degrees of freedom between two assembled parts. In particular, one pin 10 may function to center the parts relative to one another, while another pin 10 may function to align the parts relative to one another.

[0037] Typically, it can be seen from the above description of the invention and the drawings that the second end 200 has a diameter dimension d1 defined between the circumferential surface of the stationary part 220 and the circumferential surface of the flexible part 230 when the free part 233 is in the rest position, and that this circumferential surface defines a maximum dimension d2 when the free part 233 is in the stressed position. The pin 10 is dimensioned such that dimension d1 is greater than dimension d3 of the diameter of the recess 21 in the second part 20, and such that dimension d2 is equal to this dimension d3.

[0038] Furthermore, it should be noted that the implementations and embodiments discussed above have been described as non-limiting examples, and that other alternatives are therefore possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 10-pin 20 Second Part 21 Recess 24 Flat Section 30 First Part 100 first end 200 Second end 210 Notch 211 Opening 212 Bottom 213 First Part 214 Curved section 215 Second Part 220 Fixed part 230 Flexible part 231 Tip 232 Hook part 233 Free part

Claims

1. A pin (10) extending along its longitudinal axis in a state of fitting without mechanical play between a first end (100) intended to be rigidly connected to a first part (30) and a second end (200) intended to engage in a recess (21) of a second part (20), said pin (10) having a notch (210) that runs through said second end (200) transversely to said longitudinal axis and separates a fixed part (220) from a flexible part (230). wherein the cutout portion (210) is configured to have a projection on a plane P containing the longitudinal axis that is asymmetric in overall shape, and the cutout portion (210) has a first portion (213) extending from an opening (211) toward the free end of the second end (200), and a second portion (215) connected to the first portion (213) and extending toward the first end (100) to a bottom (212) of the cutout portion (210).

2. 2. The pin (10) of claim 1, wherein the second portion (215) connects to the first portion (213) via a bend (214).

3. 2. The pin (10) of claim 1, wherein the notch (210) is configured such that the first portion and the second portion (213, 215) define an angle α, the bisector of which appears on the longitudinal axis of the pin (10).

4. 2. The pin (10) of claim 1, wherein the free end of the second end (200) forms a tip (231) extending along the longitudinal axis of the pin (10), the tip (231) being interposed between a hook portion (232) connecting the tip to the immobile portion (220) and a free portion (233) that can move between a rest position and a stressed position.

5. The pin (10) of claim 1, wherein the second end (200) has at least one flat section (24) extending across the fixed portion (220) and the flexible portion (230).

6. 5. An assembly of a first part and a second part using a pin according to claim 4, wherein the first end of the pin is fixed to the first part and the second end of the pin engages with a recess in the second part without mechanical play, thereby forcing the flexible portion to deform and generating an elastic restoring force that causes a clamping force to be applied to the second part by the second end.

7. 2. An assembly of a first part and a second part using the pin (10) of claim 1, wherein the first end (100) of the pin (10) and the first part (30) are made of the same part, and the second end (200) of the pin (10) engages with a recess (21) in the second part (20) without mechanical play, thereby forcibly deforming the flexible portion (230) and generating an elastic restoring force that causes a clamping force to be applied to the second part (20) by the second end (200).

8. 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the second end (200) has a diameter dimension d1 defined between a circumferential surface of the stationary part (220) and a circumferential surface of the flexible part (230) when the free part (233) is in a rest position, and wherein the circumferential surface defines a dimension d2 when the free part (233) is in a stressed position, and the pin (10) is dimensioned such that the dimension d1 is greater than a diametric dimension d3 of the recess (21) of the second part (20) and such that the dimension d2 is equal to the dimension d3.

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