Scored spacer element serving to obtain a spacer washer positioned between parts of an assembly, and method for assembling at least two parts using at least one such scored spacer element

A spacer element serving to obtain a spacer washer positioned between first and second parts of an assembly. The spacer element includes a body having the same geometry as the spacer washer that is to be obtained and a circular score line whose diameter is equal to the internal diameter of the spacer washer that is to be obtained, this score line being configured to break upon insertion of a shank of a connection element, and a centering pad configured to center the score line with respect to the through-orifices of the first and second parts that are configured to accommodate the shank of a connection element when the centering pad is inserted into one of the through-orifices.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the French patent application No. 2109583 filed on Sep. 13, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a scored spacer element serving to obtain a spacer washer positioned between parts of an assembly, and to a method for assembling at least two parts using at least one such scored spacer element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, shown inFIG.1, an assembly comprises at least two parts10,12held assembled by at least one bolt14. The first part10comprises a first face10.1oriented towards the second part12, a second face10.2opposite the first face10.1and a through-orifice10.3, one for each bolt14, that opens onto the first and second faces10.1,10.2. The second part12comprises a first face12.1oriented towards the first part10, a second face12.2opposite the first face12.1and a through-orifice12.3, one for each bolt14, that opens onto the first and second faces12.1,12.2. The bolt14comprises a screw having a head14.1that is pressed against the second face10.2of the first part10and a threaded shank14.2accommodated in the through-orifices10.3,12.3of the first and second parts10,12, and a nut14.3screwed onto the threaded shank14.2and pressed against the second face12.2of the second part12.

According to one designation, the assembly comprises, for each bolt14, a spacer washer16positioned between the first and second parts10,12and around the threaded shank14.2of the bolt14. This spacer washer16comprises faces16.1,16.2having high coefficients of friction.

This spacer washer16makes it possible to improve the mechanical characteristics of the assembly, in particular in terms of shear strength.

According to a first mode of operation, the threaded shanks14.2of the various bolts14are inserted into the through-orifices10.3of the first part10, then the spacer washers16are threaded onto the threaded shanks14.2. Next, the second part12is put into place, then the nuts14.3of the various bolts14are tightened. This mode of operation is unsuitable when the parts10and12that are to be assembled are large and when they must be positioned relative to one another prior to insertion of the threaded shank's14.2.

According to one embodiment, shown inFIG.2, a spacer washer16comprises a centering ring18. The spacer washer16and the centering ring18are secured to one another and the centering ring18has an external diameter substantially equal to that of the through-orifice10.3of the first part10.

According to a second mode of operation, shown inFIGS.3A-3C, a spacer washer16is positioned at each through-orifice10.3of the first part10by inserting the centering ring18into the through-orifice10.3, as illustrated inFIG.3A. Next, the first and second parts10,12are positioned with respect to one another by making the through-orifices10.3of the first part10line up with those of the second part12, then the threaded shanks14.2of the bolts14are inserted into the through-holes10.3,12.3of the first and second parts10,12, as illustrated inFIG.3B. Finally, the nuts14.3of the various bolts14are tightened, as illustrated inFIG.3C.

Although the centering ring18allows each spacer washer16to remain positioned in line with the through-orifices10.3,12.3prior to placing of the threaded shank's14.2, this mode of operation is not satisfactory as the centering rings18can interfere with the threaded shanks14.2and make placement of the latter difficult.

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To that end, the invention relates to a spacer element by means of which it is possible to obtain a spacer washer comprising first and second faces, a thickness, a perimeter and a through-hole having an internal diameter, the spacer washer being designed to be positioned between a first part and a second part of an assembly, the first and second parts comprising through-orifices having internal diameters designed to accommodate a shank of a connection element.

According to the invention, the spacer element comprises:a body having first and second faces corresponding to the first and second faces of the spacer washer that is to be obtained, a thickness and a perimeter that are identical to those of the spacer washer that is to be obtained, a circular score line whose diameter is equal to the internal diameter of the spacer washer that is to be obtained,a centering pad positioned on either the first or second face of the body, being secured to the body and centered with respect to the score line, the centering pad being designed to center the score line with respect to the through-orifices of the first and second parts when the centering pad is inserted into one of the through-orifices,the score line being designed to break when the shank of a connection element is inserted into the through-orifices of the first and second parts in one of which the centering pad is positioned.

By virtue of the centering pad, the spacer element remains correctly positioned during positioning of the parts of the assembly.

Owing to the fact that the score line breaks upon insertion of the shank of a connection element, no non-detachable element, such as a centering ring of a spacer washer of the prior art, interferes with the shank during insertion thereof, which facilitates the placing of the connection elements.

According to another feature, the centering pad and the body are connected by a non-permanent connection, allowing the centering pad to be detached from a disk of the body when the score line is broken.

According to another feature, the centering pad and the body are connected by a permanent connection.

According to another feature, the centering pad is cylindrical and has an external diameter equal to the internal diameter of the through-orifice in which the centering pad is to be positioned.

According to another feature, the centering pad is cylindrical and has an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the through-orifice in which the centering pad is to be positioned. In addition, the spacer element comprises an elastic ring having an internal diameter smaller than the external diameter of the centering pad and an external diameter equal to or slightly greater than the internal diameter of the through-orifice in which the centering pad is to be positioned, the elastic ring being positioned around the centering pad and designed to be able to be compressed between the centering pad and the through-orifice in which the centering pad is to be positioned.

According to another feature, the centering pad has a cylindrical lateral wall, two end faces of which one is pressed against one of the faces of the body, and a peripheral channel provided on the lateral wall, spaced apart from the end faces and designed to accommodate the elastic ring.

According to another feature, the score line comprises a succession of cuts passing through the body.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling at least two parts that are held assembled by at least one connection element, the connection element comprising a first and a second abutment and a shank connecting the first and second abutment, the parts to be assembled each comprising, for each connection element, a through-orifice designed to accommodate the shank of the connection element, wherein the method comprises:a step of positioning at least one spacer element as claimed in one of the preceding features, by inserting and centering its centering pad into one of the through-orifices that are intended to receive a connection element,a step of positioning the parts that are to be assembled, the body of each spacer element being positioned between the parts,a step of inserting the shank of a connection element into the through-orifice in which the centering pad of the spacer element is positioned, during which step the score line breaks, allowing the shank to pass through the parts, a portion of the spacer element being retained between the parts and forming a spacer washer,a step of tightening each connection element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to one embodiment, shown in part (D) ofFIG.6, an assembly comprises at least first and second parts20,22that are held assembled by at least one connection element24.

The first part20comprises a first face20.1facing towards the second part22, a second face20.2facing away from the first face20.1and a through-orifice20.3, one for each connection element24, opening onto the first and second faces20.1,20.2. The second part22comprises a first face22.1facing towards the first part20, a second face22.2facing away from the first face22.1and a through-orifice22.3, one for each connection element24, opening onto the first and second faces22.1,22.2.

Each connection element24comprises a first abutment24.1that is pressed against the second face20.2of the first part20, a second abutment24.2that is pressed against the second face22.2of the second part22, and a shank24.3which connects the first and second abutments24.1,24.2and is accommodated in the through-orifices20.3,22.3of the first and second parts20,22. According to one design, the connection element24is a bolt, the first abutment24.1corresponding to the head of the screw of the bolt, the shank24.3corresponding to the threaded shank of the screw and the second abutment24.2corresponding to the nut of the bolt. Of course, the invention is not restricted to this design for the connection elements24. By way of example, the connection element24may be a rivet.

In terms of dimensions, for a given connection element24, the through-orifice20.3of the first part20, which accommodates the shank24.3of the connection element24, has a first internal diameter D1. The through-orifice22.3of the second part22, accommodating the shank24.3of the connection element24, has a second internal diameter D2substantially equal to the first diameter D1. The shank24.3of the connection element24has an external diameter D24smaller than the first and second internal diameters D1, D2.

For at least one of the connection elements24, the assembly comprises a spacer washer26positioned between the first and second parts20,22and around the shank24.3of the connection element24. According to one design, the assembly comprises a spacer washer26for each connection element24. The spacer washer26has a first face F1facing towards the first part20in operation, and a second face F2that is parallel to the first face F1and faces towards the second part22in operation.

In terms of dimensions, the spacer washer26has a washer thickness (distance between the first and second faces F1, F2) of the order of several tenths of a millimeter to several millimeters. It comprises a through-hole26.1which has an internal diameter Di26greater than the external diameter D24of the shank24.3of the connection element24, approximately equal to the first or second internal diameter D1, D2of the through-orifice20.3,22.3of the first or second part20,22. The spacer washer26comprises a perimeter26.2having at least one dimension greater than the internal diameters D1, D2of the through-orifices20.3,22.3of the first and second parts20,22.

According to one design, the perimeter26.2of the spacer washer26is circular and has an external diameter De26greater than the internal diameters D1, D2of the through-orifices20.3,22.3of the first and second parts20,22. Of course, the invention is not restricted to this form for the perimeter26.2.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the first and second faces F1, F2of the spacer washer26has a high coefficient of friction. Preferably, both of the faces F1, F2have high coefficients of friction. This embodiment makes it possible to improve the mechanical characteristics of the assembly, in particular in terms of shear strength.

According to one feature, each spacer washer26is obtained from a spacer element28, shown inFIGS.5and7, comprising a flat body30having a thickness equal to the washer thickness and a perimeter30.1identical to the perimeter26.2of the spacer washer26. This spacer element28does not comprise a through-orifice.

When the spacer washer26has a circular perimeter26.2, the body30is a disk having an external diameter D30equal to the external diameter De26of the spacer washer26.

The body30of the spacer elements28has first and second faces which corresponds to the first and second faces F1, F2of the spacer washer26, and which have coefficients of friction identical to those desired for the spacer washer26.

The body30of the spacer element28comprises a circular score line32whose diameter is equal to the internal diameter Di26of the spacer washer26.

This score line32delimits, to the outside, a spacer washer26and, to the inside, a disk34.

This score line32is designed to maintain the spacer washer26and the disk34connected to one another so long as a separation force exerted on the spacer washer26and/or the disk34is below a given threshold, and to break and obtain separation of the spacer washer26and the disk34when the separation force is above the given threshold. The latter is determined in such a way that the disk34detaches from the spacer washer26when the shank24.3of a connection element24is inserted into the through-orifices20.3,22.3of the first and second parts10,12.

According to one embodiment, the score line32is created by machining a circular groove using a hole saw over a certain thickness of the body30of the spacer element28.

According to another embodiment, the score line32is created using a circular notched hole punch36, as illustrated inFIG.7, serving to obtain discontinuous cuts along the score line32. In this case, the score line32comprises a succession of cuts passing through the body30.

Of course, the invention is not limited to these embodiments to obtain the score line32.

The body30of the spacer element28may be of metal or of composite material.

As illustrated inFIGS.5to7, the spacer element28comprises a centering pad38positioned on one of the faces of the body30, secured to the latter and centered with respect to the score line32.

This centering pad38is cylindrical and has a cylindrical lateral wall38.1and two planar end faces38.2,38.3that are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the lateral wall38.1, one of the end faces38.2being pressed against one of the faces of the body30of the spacer element28.

According to one design, the centering pad38and the body30are connected by a permanent connection, such as by adhesive bonding.

According to another design, thus centering pad38and the body30are connected by a non-permanent connection, for example by using a repositionable adhesive or self-gripping strips, by means of which it is possible to detach the centering pad38from the rest of the body30, in particular when the score line32is broken. This design makes it possible to reuse the centering pad38.

According to one embodiment, the centering pad38is made of composite material or plastic material. It may be created by three-dimensional printing or by molding. Of course, the invention is not limited to these materials or these manufacturing methods.

This centering pad38has a height (distance between the end faces38.2,38.3) of the order of several millimeters to several centimeters.

This centering pad38is designed to center the score line32with respect to the through-orifices20.3,22.3of the first and second parts20,22by being inserted into one of the through-orifices20.3,22.3.

According to one embodiment, shown inFIG.5, the centering pad38has an external diameter D38equal to the internal diameter D1of the through-orifice20.3in which it is to be positioned.

According to another embodiment, shown inFIG.7, the centering pad38has an external diameter D38smaller than the internal diameter D1of the through-orifice20.3in which it is to be positioned. It is lateral wall38.1has a peripheral channel40that is spaced apart from the end faces38.2,38.3. In addition, the spacer elements28comprises an elastic ring42that is designed to surround the centering pad38and be accommodated in the peripheral channel40. This elastic ring42has an internal diameter that is smaller than the external diameter D38of the centering pad38, and an external diameter that is equal to or slightly greater than the internal diameter D1of the through-orifice20.3in which the centering pad38is to be positioned.

This elastic ring42is designed to be able to be compressed between the centering pad38, more particularly the bottom of the peripheral channel40, and the wall of the through-orifice20.3in which the centering pad38is to be positioned.

According to one abutment, the elastic ring42is an O-ring.

The operating principle is described with reference toFIGS.6A-6D.

As illustrated inFIG.6A, the assembly method comprises the step of positioning at least one intact spacer element28, the score line32having not been broken, at a through-orifice20.3of the first part20which is to accommodate the shank24.3of a connection element24. For each spacer element28, the centering pad38is positioned in the through-orifice20.3so as to be centered, and the body30is pressed against the first face20.1of the first part20.

Next, as illustrated inFIG.6B, the assembly method comprises a step of positioning the first and second parts20,22with respect to one another by aligning the through-orifices20.3,22.3of the first and second parts20,22, the body30of each spacer element28being positioned between the parts20,22.

As illustrated inFIG.6C, the assembly method comprises a step of inserting the shanks24.3of the connection elements24into the through-orifices20.3of the first part20from the second face20.2. During this step of inserting the shanks24.3, the score line32of each a spacer element28breaks, allowing the shank24.3to pass through the parts20,22. Thus, the disk34and the centering pad38of each spacer element28are ejected outside of the through-orifice22.3of the second part22. Only one part of the spacer elements28is retained between the parts20,22and forms a spacer washer26.

Since the stem24.3of each connection element projects from the second face22.2of the second part22, the assembly method comprises a step of tightening the connection elements24, by placing the second abutment24.2of each connection element24, for example the nut, so as to hold the first and second parts20,22pressed against the spacer washers26, as illustrated inFIG.6D.

The centering pad38makes it possible to hold the spacer element28in position while the parts10,12of the assembly are being positioned with respect to one another.

In contrast with the centering rings18of the spacer washers16of the prior art, no detachable element interferes with the shanks24.3of the connection elements24.

Finally, the play between the shank of the connection elements and the parts that are to be assembled can be reduced insofar as it is not necessary, as is the case for the prior art, to provide a space between the shank of the connection element and at least one of the parts in order to accommodate a centering ring of a spacer washer.