Processing station for structural components of airplanes with a centring assembly for a component holder

p0001The invention relates to a centering arrangement for a component carrier with the features of claim 1 and a method for centering and locking a centering by centering with the features of claim 15.

p0002Aircraft and other missiles regularly have very large structural components to such as wings, fuselages or parts thereof. In the automated production of missiles these structural components are manipulated in accordance with large-sized work stations and processed by various machine tools. An exemplary operation provides the automated setting a series of riveted joints, which had to be performed manually in the past frequently.

p0003From the prior art and especially seen from the next coming <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US8220134B"><text>US 8,220,134</text></patcit> is a processing station for aircraft structural components is known in which a rectangular mounting frame is held as a component carrier by two Positioniertürme at its transverse sides, and is moved during processing. An independent vertical displacement of the attachment points on the Positioniertürmen and a rotation of Aufspannrahmens to the plane defined by the points of attachment axis of the mounting frame and attached thereto, the workpiece or aircraft structural component can be moved specifically so that processing by a tool, such as a riveter at different points of the aircraft structural component is possible. This tool is in turn attached to a mobile in the longitudinal direction of the Aufspannrahmens C-frame. In this way it is ensured that the tool can reach all points to be processed of the workpiece.

p0004Through the already described size of aircraft structural components, the replacement of aircraft structural components is very complicated after processing. It must not only in its processing completed to this processing station aircraft structural component be removed from the mounting frame, but also the next, yet to be machined aircraft structural component - either directly or by means of a special intermediate harness, which provides the appropriate attachment points available - placed on the mounting frame and be attached. This is time consuming not only because of the size of the aircraft structural components. Rather, the conditions required in the aerospace area very close tolerances also require a highly accurate positioning of the aircraft structural component to the mounting frame in order to be mutually the required operating points on the aircraft structural component through the tool also driven correctly in the automated movement of Aufspannrahmens and the tool. According long is known from the prior art manual alignment of the aircraft structural component on the mounting frame. The consequent long downtime regularly very expensive processing station accordingly reduced their capacity utilization significantly and thus lead to significantly higher investment costs for each produced missiles. Further, the respective means of the orientation of the aircraft structural component to the mounting frame must also ensure that despite the various movements of the Aufspannrahmens about several axes occurs no slipping, or even separation of the aircraft structural component to the mounting frame.

p0005There is therefore the problem of the invention is to so further develop the known from the prior art processing station for aircraft structural components with their constituents that the downtime of the processing station during replacement of the machined aircraft structural component may be reduced to the mounting frame.

p0006The above problem is related to a Zentrierariordnung for a component carrier by the features of claim 1 and to a method for centering and locking a centering achieved by a centering pin by the features of claim 15.

p0007It is essential to realize that one or more centering on the component carrier can be provided which can be brought by rotation by means of a rotary drive in a centering engagement with a corresponding respective centering on the relevant workpiece, or about the aircraft structural component or participate in any interim dishes, can. The workpiece can therefore - as by a crane or other device - be raised to the component carrier, said positioning only in so far must be precise, that the centering bolts - are performed in the center mount - initially still floating. then carried out only in a further step, the centering, in a centering engagement necessary for the machining accuracy is made in the positioning. In this way, a rapid loading of the component carrier are carried out as a crane with the aid of an apparatus which can apply the necessary force to move the aircraft structural component without having to perform very precise movements. Centring is then in a second step also automatically. The result is that a vertical loading of the component carrier to an airplane structural component is possible.

p0008The centering recesses referred to need not be part of the work in the strict sense, but can be attached as separate components at corresponding locations on the workpiece or be part of an appropriate intermediate harness. These medium or direct mounting of the centering recesses on the workpiece can in advance, in parallel and independently to the processing station, so everyone here Request other formats time the utilization of the processing station does not restrict.

p0009Said rotary drive for rotating the centering pin is not necessarily includes an engine. Rather, it may be any, potentially even manually operated arrangement can be effected as described by the rotation of the centering pin, which rotation occurs about a longitudinal axis of the centering pin.

p0010The according to the proposal centering engagement in turn prevents along at least one direction, which is regularly perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the centering pin, a translational movement between the centering pin and the centering. Indirectly, thus preventing a translational movement between the component carrier and the workpiece in precisely this direction.

p0011The rotation thus is a relative position in which movement in all directions to the longitudinal axis between the central pin with the center mount perpendicular possible, converted into a position in which at least one such, to the longitudinal axis perpendicular direction no movement between the centering and the centering longer possible, without regard of due to manufacturing tolerances and thus here negligible movements.

p0012The particularly preferred embodiments according to claims 2 to 4 describe an embodiment of the centering pin and the centering receptacle and a corresponding engagement between the two, which is particularly suitable for achieving a centering action. In particular, a hooking of the centering pin in the centering during the rotation is effectively avoided.

p0013The preferred embodiments of claims 5 and 6 describe a variant in which the form fit is produced in a radial direction of the centering pin and in particular only in radial direction. The workpiece may have a pronounced elongation behavior in the longitudinal direction in different directions different tolerances and especially by a much larger dimensions in a certain longitudinal direction of the workpiece. For this reason it may be useful to have effect a centering only in a different this longitudinal direction by the centering arrangement. Further more according to the proposal centering systems are provided on a single component carrier regularly. To prevent tilting during centering all these centering orders and keep the tolerance stack-up in limits or avoid may also be advantageous, such a one-sided, but centering arrangement alternating of centering arrangement centering a plurality of centering systems.

p0014On the other hand provides for the preferred embodiment of claim 7, centering in more than one direction already by a single according to the proposal centering arrangement before, which results in more accurate positioning in a plane is achieved.

p0015In the preferred embodiment of claim 8, the centering function of the centering arrangement is complemented by a clamping function. This configuration allows, surprisingly, the combination of these two intrinsically difficult in line to be brought demands. In order also to prevent movement of the workpiece about a vertical direction of the centering pin after centering, a locking device is provided in addition to this. This locking is particularly useful when, as in this case, the component carrier can also rotate so that the workpiece even located below the component carrier and the lock thus can absorb the force acting on the workpiece weight force needs.

p0016Based on this describe the preferred embodiments of claims 9 and 10, especially suitable embodiments of such a clamping device, which in particular have the same structures of the centering takes advantage as already provided for the centering function.

p0017According to the embodiment of claim 11 a marshaller is additionally provided with which a certain advance towards the center mount to facilitate centering.

p0018The embodiments of claims 12 and 13 provide that the clamping of the centering is carried out by means of a biasing spring against the clamping surface, which exerts a prestressing into the clamping device to the centering pin. By means of a linear drive can then first the centering pin against the bias of the bias spring moves away from the clamping surface and are urged by the biasing spring against the clamping surface again after the rotation for centering.

p0019Finally, the preferred embodiment of claim 14 relates to a variant in which the rotary drive for the rotation of which brings about the centering offset in a radial direction is provided to the longitudinal axis of the centering pin. By such an arrangement a better utilization of the available space within a rectangular frame of the housing Aufspannrahmens is possible when the centering assembly is provided at such a stenter, since regularly the centering bolts are arranged perpendicular to the lateral direction of such a frame housing.

p0020In the only embodiments reproducing drawing shows <dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an oblique view of Aufspannrahmens for aircraft structural components with four according to the proposal centering orders, one of which is shown enlarged;</dd><dt>FIG. 2a, b</dt><dd>an oblique view of the centering and the centering pin of the proposed centering arrangement from <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</dd><dt>FIGS. 3a-e</dt><dd>an oblique view of the proposed centering arrangement of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> at various stages of a centering operation;</dd><dt>FIGS. 4a-d</dt><dd>a plan view and a cross-section of the proposed centering arrangement of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> at two time points the centering of the <figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS. 3a-e</figref>;</dd><dt>FIG. 5a, b</dt><dd>a cross-section of the proposed centering arrangement of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> and a cross section of an alternative according to the proposal centering arrangement and</dd><dt>FIG. 6a, b</dt><dd>each an oblique view of two variants of referring physicians a proposed centering arrangement.</dd></dl>

p0021In the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is ready to a component carrier 1, in particular a mounting frame 1a for aircraft structural components, with four according to the proposal centering orders. The<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is additionally an enlarged oblique view of this according to the proposal centering orders in the component carrier 1 again.

p0022The stenter shown 1a is particularly in a - used processing station for aircraft structural components - not shown here. The recordable by this stenter 1a aircraft structural components include in particular the fuselage and wings of an aircraft and their components.

p0023The proposed centering arrangement includes a centering pin 2 and a centering receptacle 3 for centering 2, respectively in the <figref idrefs="f0002">FIGS. 2b and 2a</figref> are shown enlarged.

p0024The center mount 3 is therefore to set up to receive the centering pin 2 in its opening. The center mount 3 is in this case arranged on the workpiece side and thus associated with the workpiece and in particular the aircraft structural component. It may be at this center mount 3 to a corresponding receiving and opening on the workpiece itself or, as in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shown to act with a separate component of such an opening which is releasably secured in a suitable manner before the machining of the workpiece on the workpiece. In addition, the center mount 3 can also be part of - its intermediate harness with several such centering recesses 3 that intermediate dishes can then be connected as a whole in advance in an appropriate manner with the workpiece - not shown here.

p0025Since such time upstream, direct or indirect fixing of the center mount 3 on the workpiece - the details of which are not important here - can take place both in time and space independent of the processing station, the requisite amount of time does not critical role, since the capacity of the processing station is not impaired thereby.

p0026Furthermore, the proposed centering assembly comprises a rotary drive 4 for rotating the centering pin 2 a - geometric to understand - the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, so that the centering pin can be 2 brought by the rotation in a centering engagement with the centering. 3 The longitudinal axis 5 here corresponds to the main extension direction of the centering pin 2, in particular from the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> apparent.

p0027The term "engagement here first general a mechanical contact between the centering 2 and the centering 3 to understand. This engagement is far centering, as he and a mechanical displacement of the center mount 3, for example by pressing, in a predefined so centered position in at least one dimension relative to the centering pin 2 leads, if the center mount 3 is not centered already in this sense. Preferably, the subject of this centered position on the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, so that in the centered condition, the course of the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin corresponds to the course of the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2 2 corresponding axis of the centering receptacle 3 at least in said at least one dimension. in one centering in two dimensions, ie in the area, therefore, would the corresponding axis of the centering receptacle 3 in the centered location with the longitudinal axis 5 coincide. A manufactured centering engagement in this sense is approximately in the<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4d</figref> reproduced.

p0028Said centering engagement occurs when the centering has been previously recorded by the two centering third Prior to the abovementioned rotation, the centering 2 in the centering receptacle 3 in any case sufficient to match in order to make the rotation up to produce the centering procedure. In connection with the above-mentioned<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4d</figref> show the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4c</figref> the corresponding state before the centering engagement.

p0029The centering procedure is preferably carried out so that the rotation of the centering pin 2 is not blocked by the mounting recess 3, but the centering pin 2 still could continue to rotate, and then the centering can be achieved again. In particular from the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5b</figref> shows the rotation of the centering pin 2 causes an increase in the effective expansion of the centering pin 2 in the direction to be centered. When the rotation is completed, as in the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5b</figref> shown, such an extension of the centering pin 2 has reached the extent of the corresponding opening of the mounting recess 3 in its basic size, thereby centering the centering shot 3 enforced. Further rotation of the centering pin 2 then leads to a reduction of the effective expansion in centering direction.

p0030Accordingly, it is preferred that the centering pin 2 is a closed contour 6 and the center mount 3 is a counter contour 7a, b has for producing the centering procedure. A closed contour 6 and two alternative counter contours 7a, b are exemplary in the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5a-b</figref> shown.

p0031The closing contour 6 is here the cross-section outline of the centering pin 2. The mating contour 7a, b is accordingly the cross-section outline of the centering reception. 3

p0032This particularly preferred embodiment preferably provides further that the closed contour 6 a maximum outer radius closure 8a and the counter contour 7 has a minimum inner contact radius 8b defined about the longitudinal axis 5, wherein the closing radius 8a contact 8b does not exceed the radius. As preferred, and also in the<figref idrefs="f0005">FIG. 5a, b</figref> reproduced, corresponding to the nominal dimension of closing radius 8a the nominal value of the contact radius 8b, so that deviations are only justified by manufacturing tolerances and must fall within this. It is noted that for both counter-contours shown 7a, b of the contact radius 8b is identical.

p0033The closing radius 8a of the locking contour 6 in this sense, refers to that radius with respect to the longitudinal axis 5, within which the locking contour is 6 includes full. In other words, the closed contour 6 no part on which is radially farther from the longitudinal axis 5 than the closing radius 8a. Analogously, the contact radius 8b of the opposite contour 7a, b those radius in relation to the same longitudinal axis 5, outside which the counter-contour 7a, b formed in full. In other words, the mating contour 7a, b no part on which is radially closer to the longitudinal axis 5 than the contact radius 8b.

p0034Characterized in that the closing radius 8a the contact radius 8b does not exceed, it is ensured that in any case no positive connection between the closed contour 6 and the counter contour 7a, b of rotation of the centering pin 2 in the center mount 3 for the preparation of the centering engagement or a further rotation of the centering pin may preclude. 2 An actual collision between 2 and centering centering 3 in the rotation or even getting caught is thereby excluded. Rather is conveyed thereby that with the rotation of the centering pin 2, the center mount 3 can move relative to the centering pin 2 so that the desired centering is achieved.

p0035It is further particularly preferred that the closed contour 6 a polygonal 6a, and preferably forms a square. Such polygonal 6a adapted brought by rotation through an angle of rotation, which is defined by the number of edges of the polygonal 6a, from a position in which there is no centering engagement within the meaning of the proposal, in a position with such a centering engagement to will. This is in particular facilitated by the fact that the polygonal 6a, as in the<figref idrefs="f0005">FIG. 5a, b</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2b</figref> can be seen, has rounded corners 6b.

p0036Based on this, it is preferred in accordance with that the mating contour 7a, b has inwardly projecting contact projections 9, wherein the number of edges of the polygonal 6a at least, and preferably exactly, the number of contact protrusions 9 corresponds. "Inward above" in this context means that the contact protrusions 9 radially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 have, and that between these contact protrusions 9 with respect to this radial direction recessed portions of the opposite contour 7a, b are present, which will be discussed in greater detail below. It is therefore useful in such a design that the centering engagement between the centering pin 2 and the center mount 3 by the - radially outwardly facing - edges of the polygonal 6a on the one hand and the inwards projecting contact projections 9 of the counter contour 7a, b on the other hand is formed. This situation is particularly in the<figref idrefs="f0005">FIG. 5a, b</figref> to recognize.

p0037Preferably it is further provided that the centering engagement between the centering pin 2 and the center mount 3 is formed in a centering direction 10a, which extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 and the longitudinal axis 5 intersects. With the rotation of the centering pin 2, the center mount 3 is thus shifted inevitably so that the centering effect occurs in this centering direction 10a, and after production of the centering engagement of a further relative movement - apart from negligible shifts due to the manufacturing tolerances - in this Zentriernchtung 10a by this very centering engagement is prevented. The finding that the centering direction 10a extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 and the longitudinal axis intersects 5, could also be so formulated that the centering direction 10a is a radial direction of the longitudinal axis of the fifth

p0038A first possibility of the preferred embodiment now provides that the form-fit a free distance 11 - which goes beyond the production-technical reasons distance - between the centering 2 and the centering 3 is present at a game device 12, the game device 12 extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 5 and the longitudinal axis intersects. In accordance with the above findings to the centering direction 10a, this is equivalent to the observation that the game device 12 is a radial direction of the longitudinal axis. 5 According to this first preferred option therefore a relative movement between the centering pin 2 and 3 in the centering direction centering 10a is prevented in the direction of play 12 but allowed in principle. It may be advantageous for various reasons, to define only a centering direction 10a per centering arrangement of the component carrier. 1

p0039A variant of this first way in which - as also preferred - the game direction 12 is perpendicular to the centering direction 10a, is in the <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5b</figref> shown.

p0040A second possibility of the preferred embodiment, in turn, by way of example in the <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5a</figref> is illustrated, provides that the form fit between the centering pin 2 and the center mount 3 is made in a further centering direction 10b, which further centering direction 10b extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 and perpendicular to the centering direction 10a and the longitudinal axis 5 intersects. So it is also in the further centering direction 10b to a radial direction of the longitudinal axis 5.Auch in these further centering direction 10b is provided that when the centering engagement between the centering 2 and the centering 3 is made, the nominal size of the centering pin 2 of the center mount 3 corresponds.

p0041By such a centering engagement between the centering pin 2 and the center mount 3 in two mutually perpendicular Zentrierrichtungen 10a, b any substantial translational relative movement between the centering pin 2 and the center mount 3 in the area defined by the two Zentrierrichtungen 10a, b is prevented. This preferred configuration option is thus advisable for example when a comprehensive centering on the area defined by the mounting frame 1a is desired by an individual according to the proposal centering arrangement.

p0042To prevent a relative movement between the centering pin 2 and centering 3 from the plane defined by the two Zentrierrichtungen 10a, b area also, but especially along the longitudinal axis 5, is further preferably provided that the centering arrangement a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 5 disposed clamping surface 13 and said centering arrangement a locking device 14 for locking the centering with respect to a three, preferably vertical, having movement relative to the clamping surface thirteenth This clamping surface 13 is defined as a potentially even edge- or web-like molded to understand surface in terms of a surface against which the locking device 14, preventing for example by a positive connection, a movement of the center mount. 3 Thus indirectly also prevents such movement of the workpiece. In particular, a locking of the centering receptacle 3, with respect to a preferably vertical movement relative to the clamping surface 13 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 may be provided. In this way is also obtained a lock of the workpiece on the component carrier 1 in addition to a centering of the workpiece on the component carrier. 1

p0043A corresponding preferred further development to this end provides for, that the locking device 14 comprises an engagement contour 15 on the centering pin 2 for engaging behind the center mount 3rd Such engagement contour 15 is clearly in the<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2b</figref> and the <figref idrefs="f0004">FIGS. 4a-b</figref> recognizable. The center mount 3 is therefore used not only for centering engagement with the closed contour 6 but also to engage behind the engagement contour 15 to be. This in turn allows, for example by a force applied to the center mount 3 by means of the engagement contour 15 force the centering 3 to press against the clamping surface 13 and thus bring about the desired locking.

p0044Further advantages arise when - as in the <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2b</figref> shown - such engagement contour 15 offset in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5, in particular only in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 is set and therefore centered with respect to the same axis 5 as the closed contour 6, is disposed to the closed contour. 6 More particularly may be 15 disposed at the closed contour 6 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 immediately adjacent the engagement contour. Thus 15 can be simultaneously introduced in the centering receptacle 3 by a relative movement of the centering pin 2 to the center mount 3, both the closed contour 6 as well as the engagement contour.

p0045Elegantly, the already provided for the centering engaging mating contour 7a, b with about the <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2b</figref> shown contact protrusions 9 of the centering receptacle 3 used for the lock described herein in a double function if, as is preferred, the engagement contour 15 is adapted to engage behind the counter-contour 7a, b and, in particular, for engaging behind the contact protrusions. 9 Then, the same designs of the counter-contour 7a, b - in this case the contact protrusions 9 - both for the centering engagement - in cooperation with the closed contour 6 - as well as for the locking - for use - in cooperation with the engagement contour 15th The centering effect is also beneficial for the positioning of the engagement contour 15 against contact projections. 9

p0046The dual function can additionally consist in the use of the same rotation for the centering and engaging the rear engagement. Then it is preferably provided that the engagement contour 15 is adapted to the contact projections to engage behind 9 when the centering pin 2 is brought by the rotation in the centering engagement with the centering third The juxtaposition of<figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a, b</figref> on the one hand and the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4c, d</figref> the other hand, illustrates how the same rotation causes both the centering and engaging the rear engagement.

p0047A preferred - and also in the <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2b</figref> pictured - such engagement contour 15 has gripping projections 16 which are out of the longitudinal axis 5 in the radial direction and adapted to the contact projections to engage behind when the centering pin 2 is brought by the rotation in the centering engagement with the centering 3. 9 This design fits well to a corresponding, in the<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref> and also depicted preferred embodiment, the mating contour 7a, b, which provides for recesses 17 between the contact projections. 9

p0048A particularly suitable tuning of these components to one another is given when the recesses 17 of the gripping projections 16 to the extent corresponding to that the engagement contour 15 can be brought into a position to the counter-contour 7 by the rotation of the centering pin 2 about the longitudinal axis 5, in which the gripping projections 16 are aligned with the recesses 17 and the engagement contour can be 15, b is displaced by the counter-contour 7a. This situation is in the<figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref> reproduced. In other words, the centering pin 2 can be turned so that a movement of the centering pin 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 is possible in which the engagement contour 15 can be moved by specifically with its gripping protrusions 16 on the counter-contour 7a, b.

p0049After such a movement, bringing further rotation - specifically, the proposed rotation for the centering engagement - then the centering pin in a position in which the form fit between the closed contour 6 and the contact protrusions 9 of the mating contour 7a, b is created and the gripping projections 16, the contact protrusions 9 engage behind.

p0050As already described above, the lock also prepared from the centering arrangement must ensure that the image captured by the component carrier 1 workpiece, so as an aircraft structural component does not fall down from the component carrier first This should also apply in the event of an unexpected power loss at the processing station, such as a power failure or the operation of an emergency stop switch. Against this background, it is preferably provided that the centering arrangement has a biasing spring 18, which is adapted to a force, and in particular a bias on the centering bolt 2 in a pointing toward the clamping surface 13 direction 18a, which in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is excellent exercise.

p0051In the embodiments shown here, the biasing spring 18 is arranged so that it has a centering pin 2 connected to the intermediate support 18b pushes away from a rear side of the clamping surface 13, which is biased in the result of the centering pin 2 in the said direction 18a. Thus, a force has to be applied to the centering 2 to move from the locked position, so that in case of failure of all engines solely by the bias spring 18, a locking is guaranteed, if the centering pin 2 is in a corresponding engagement to the center mount. 3

p0052Against this background, it is preferably provided for the already above-described displacement of the centering pin 2 so that the centering assembly comprises a linear actuator 19 for moving the centering pin 2 along the longitudinal axis of the fifth In particular, may 19 at an engagement contour for 15 of the linear drive - be arranged lying opposite the end of the centering pin 2 - and preferably also the closing contour. 6 In connection with the activities of the biasing spring 18, it is preferable that the linear drive 19 is adapted to the centering 2 to move in an away-setting of the clamping surface 13 towards 19b. It is particularly useful that the linear drive 19 on the same subcarrier 18b attaches as well as said bias spring 18th

p0053Furthermore, there is the possibility of a particularly economical space of Aufspannrahmens 1a exploitative ends further when the rotary drive 4 has a radially to the longitudinal axis 5 disposed deflecting arm 20 on centering. 2 In this way, a motor can be spaced from the centering pin 2 spaced to cause the rotation in the radial direction. This is useful when the space is scarce along the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin. 2 In this development can also be provided that the deflecting arm 20 may be connected to a radially outer end of a swivel joint 21 to a lifting rod 22nd This is in particular in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> to recognize. The lifting rod 22, in turn, may - be connected to a corresponding linear motor 23 - as illustrated.

p0054A further preferred embodiment of the proposed centering arrangement, are listed in the <figref idrefs="f0006">FIG. 6a, b</figref>, Includes a marshaller 25, 26, which is adapted to align the 3 centering on the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin. 2 Here, the shape of the marshaller 25, 26 depend on the position of the centering arrangement to the mounting frame 1a.

p0055If, as in the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shown, the proposed centering assembly having a vertical, upward orientation of the mounting frame 1a, determined by the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, then the referrers can 25 according to the illustration of <figref idrefs="f0006">Fig. 6a</figref> be embodied in the form of a ring 25a, which has a tapered inner surface having 27th One is then slides on this tapered inner surface toward the center of the directing device 25, whereby a pertinent advance toward the center mount 3 is effected, after which the centering pin 2 is aligned with the opening of the center mount 3 from above approaching centering. 3

p0056Alternatively, the proposed centering arrangement also have a horizontal orientation of the mounting frame 1a, in turn, determined by the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2. Then, the referrers 26 according to the illustration of <figref idrefs="f0006">Fig. 6b</figref> be embodied in the form of a U-shaped fold. The open side 28 of the U-shaped fold then has also vertically upward direction from which regularly centering 3 is guided in the directing 26th Further embodiments of such referring physicians are also conceivable.

p0057As another preferred embodiment, a mounting frame 1a is for aircraft structural components, such as in the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> represented, to name a frame housing 24 in a rectangular shape and a plurality of according to the proposal centering orders.

p0058Here, a preferred further development of such Aufspannrahmens 1a that the respective clamping surface 13 of the centering projection systems forming part of an outer surface 30 of the frame casing 24th Then, as preferred, and in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> illustrated, the respective clamping surfaces 13 of the centering orders in the same direction, the centering orders may be used for centering a from this direction placed on the mounting frame 1a aircraft structural component.

p0059A further preferred embodiment of Aufspannrahmens 1a further provides that the mounting frame for the operation of a Umlenkarms 20 comprises a linear motor 1a 23, wherein the linear motor 23 is disposed within the frame housing 24 in a lateral direction 29 of rectangular shape. In such a mounting frame 1a centering and locking can take place fully automatically. Under a side direction of the rectangular shape 29 is meant any direction that corresponds to the extension of one of the four rectangular sides of the rectangular shape of the Aufspannrahmens 1a.

p0060Now that the components of the proposed centering assembly and its preferred embodiments have been described, is based on the <figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS. 3a-e</figref> as <figref idrefs="f0004">FIGS. 4a-d</figref> a corresponding method according to the proposal for centering and locking a centering receptacle 2 by a centering pin 2 on a clamping surface 13, in particular on the clamping face 13 of a component carrier 1 is explained.

p0061In the <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref> the centering arrangement is shown in the idle state before execution of the proposed procedure and before approaching the center mount 3 on the clamping surface. 13

p0062The proposed method according mentioned now includes moving the centering pin 2 through the center mount 3 so that gripping protrusions 16 an engagement contour 15 of the centering pin 2 by recesses 17 of a mating contour 7a, b of the centering are performed. 3 This process step is carried out as a transition between the state of<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 3b</figref> and the state in the <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 3c</figref>, In particular, this move can against a - already described above - carried 18 bias of a biasing spring, according to the embodiment of<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> effected by the linear drive 19th

p0063Further, the proposal according to the method comprises rotating the centering pin 2 about a longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, thereby forming a closed contour 6 of the centering pin 2 and the counter-contour 7a, b of the centering receptacle 3 is brought into a centering engagement and at the same time, the gripping projections 16, the mating contour 7a, b engage behind. This step takes place between the representation of the<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 3c</figref> and those of <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3d</figref> instead of. Similarly, the corresponding transition - the relation of engaging behind the counter-contour 7a, b - from a comparison of<figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 4a</figref> with the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4b</figref> and - relative to the centering engagement - a comparison of the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4c</figref> with the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4d</figref> to recognize.

p0064Finally, according to the proposal method involves pressing the centering 3 against the clamping surface 13 by a movement of the centering pin 2. This step corresponds to the transition of the situation of <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3d</figref> to that of <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3e</figref>, This movement may be as previously described and in particular effected by the bias of the biasing spring 18th The linear drive 19 therefore does not need to act in this direction, but only correct the previously directed against the biasing spring 18 force again.

p0065Further preferred embodiments of the proposed method result from the previously described preferred embodiments of the proposed centering arrangement.