Method for aligning a first hole of a first part with a second hole of a second part and kit for its implementation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10828760-B2
Application number	US-201615388800-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2016
Priority date	Dec 23, 2015
Publication date	Nov 10, 2020
Grant date	Nov 10, 2020

Abstract

A method enabling two holes belonging to two parts to be aligned relies on use of a tool, comprising a body, having a first outer surface which gradually wanders from a longitudinal axis of the body as it extends from a first end of the body, and a hollow part having a second outer surface with a complementary section to the section of the holes. The hollow part comprises a hole through which it is removably mounted on the tool so that the second outer surface extends the first outer surface on an opposite side to the first end of the body. The method comprises inserting the first end of the body into the first hole, and then operating the tool to push the body and then the hollow part together into the holes. This method especially applies to the assembly of a floor module to an aircraft fuselage.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for aligning a first hole of a first part with a second hole of a second part, the first and second holes having similar respective cross sections, the method comprising:
providing a tool, comprising a body centered on a longitudinal axis and having a first outer surface that is progressively further from the longitudinal axis with increasing distance from a first end of the body;
providing a hollow part having a second outer surface whose cross section essentially matches the cross section of each of the first and second holes and whose longitudinal extent is greater than a depth of the first hole, the hollow part comprising a hole by which the hollow part is removably mounted on the tool such that the second outer surface extends continuously with the first outer surface on a side opposite the first end of the body;
positioning the first part and the second part such that the first and second holes are at least partially facing one another; then
inserting the tool in the first hole such that the first end of the body is followed by the first outer surface; then
maneuvering the tool so as to push the body of the tool and then the hollow part together into the first hole then into the second hole to progressively align the first and second holes; then
disconnecting the body of the tool and the hollow part such that the hollow part remains lodged in the first hole and in the second hole;
wherein:
the body of the tool has a longitudinal hole which passes through the body;
the hole of the hollow part is a through-hole;
the tool comprises a tension screw comprising a shank having a threaded portion and a head; and
the tool comprises a tension device, comprising a bearing surface, and a nut secured to the bearing surface;
the method comprising inserting the shank of the tension screw in the hole of the hollow part and in the longitudinal hole of the body of the tool, such that the body of the tool and the head of the tension screw sandwich the hollow part, and such that the threaded portion of the shank projects from the body of the tool beyond the first end of the body;
the method comprising a subsequent step of pressing the bearing surface of the tension device against the second part, on a side opposite the side of the first part;
and wherein the maneuvering the tool comprises screwing the threaded portion of the shank into the nut of the tension device to cause a translation of the tension screw through the first and second holes by a nut-and-bolt effect.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hollow part has a base, and wherein the maneuvering the tool is implemented until the base of the hollow part is pressed against the first part.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tension device comprises an antifriction member which locks the nut of the tension device in rotation during the maneuvering the tool.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hole of the hollow part has an internal thread, the method comprising a subsequent step of screwing an attachment screw into the hole to press a head of the attachment screw against the second part and to clamp together the first part and the second part.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the body comprises an extension having an outer thread and extending beyond the first outer surface, on the opposite side from the first end of the body, the method comprising a prior step of the mounting of the hollow part removably onto the tool by screwing the extension of the body into the hole of the hollow part.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second parts comprises an aircraft floor crosspiece and another of the first and second parts comprises a circumferential frame of an aircraft fuselage.

7. A kit for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1 , the kit comprising the tool and
at least one of the hollow part;
wherein the body has a longitudinal hole which passes through the body, the hole of the hollow part is a through-hole, the tool comprises a tension screw comprising a shank able to pass through the hole of the hollow part and the longitudinal hole of the body and having a threaded portion, and a head, and the tool comprises a tension device, comprising a bearing surface, and a nut secured to the bearing surface, spaced apart from the latter, and configured to screw the threaded portion of the shank into the nut.

8. The kit as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the bearing surface extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body when the threaded portion of the shank is screwed into the nut.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Sas

Inventors

• Guering Bernard

Classifications

• B21J15/043

  by pulling a mandrel · CPC title

• B25B27/00

  Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for (machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects B23P19/00) · CPC title

• B23P2700/01

  Aircraft parts · CPC title

• B64F5/10

  Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor · CPC title

• B25B27/16

  abutted flanges · CPC title