Hollow profile connection-gusset plate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10150179-B2
Application number	US-201414255275-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 17, 2014
Priority date	Apr 18, 2003
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

A hollow profile connection to connect at least two hollow profiles via a gusset plate which makes contact with the end regions of the hollow profiles to be connected, in the outer region thereof. At least the end regions of the hollow profiles in cross-section have a profile formed by webs or ribs. The gusset plate is connected to the at least two hollow profiles via a friction-stir weld which run along the ribs or webs of the at least two hollow profiles.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector arrangement, comprising:
at least two hollow profiles, each having inserted at open end regions thereof a profile part formed by webs, the profile part having an X-shaped or an H-shaped cross-section formed as ribs protruding radially outward towards to contact an inner surface of the at least two hollow profiles to absorb outside pressure exerted on the outer surface of the at least two hollow profiles;
a gusset plate to contact outer regions of the at least two hollow profiles and thereby connect the at least two hollow profiles; and
a plurality of friction-stir weld connectors to extend along the ribs of the profile part in a longitudinal direction of the profile part and in regions of the at least two hollow profiles that overlap along the ribs of the profile part, to thereby connect the gusset plate, the at least two hollow profiles, and the profile part to each other,
wherein the ribs are arranged inside an interior space defined by walls of the at least two hollow profiles to form struts which reinforce the at least two hollow profiles against pressure during formation of the friction-stir weld connectors.

2. The connector arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least two hollow profiles have a hollow chamber profile formed by the webs.

3. The connector arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least two hollow profiles are of tubular configuration having the profile part.

4. The connector arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the insertable profile part is fixed in the hollow profile by way of a fastening device.

5. The connector arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the fastening device comprises a pin or a screw.

6. The connector arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the insertable profile part has an edge region which serves as a stop when the insertable profile part is inserted into the at least two hollow profiles.

7. The connector arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the at least two hollow profile parts comprise extruded profile parts.

8. The connector arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the at least two hollow profile parts are composed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

9. The connector arrangement of claim 1 , wherein ribbed ends of a gusset part additionally connecting the hollow profiles are inserted into the end regions of the at least two hollow profiles.

10. The connector arrangement of claim 9 , wherein the gusset part comprises a cast aluminum component.

11. The connector arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least two hollow profiles comprise extruded profile parts.

12. The connector arrangement of claim 11 , further comprising: a holding plate for an electronic control device, which is attached to the at least two hollow profiles in the region of and along the webs forming the ribbing or the profile by way of connections formed by the friction-stir welding.

13. The connector arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least two hollow profiles are composed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

14. The connector arrangement of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least two hollow profiles have a different cross-section; and
each profile part for the at least two hollow profiles has a different cross-section.

15. A connector arrangement, comprising:
at least two hollow profiles;
an insertable profile part received at respective open end regions of the at least two profiles, the profile part having webs formed as ribs having external dimensions that are matched to an internal contour of the at least two hollow profiles;
a gusset plate to contact outer regions of the at least two hollow profiles and thereby connect the at least two hollow profiles to each other; and
a plurality of friction-stir weld connectors to extend along the ribs of the insertable profile part in a longitudinal direction of the insertable profile part and in regions of the at least two hollow profiles that overlap along the ribs of the insertable profile part, to thereby connect the gusset plate, the at least two hollow profiles, and the insertable profile part to each other,
wherein the ribs are arranged inside an interior space defined by walls of the at least two hollow profiles to form struts which reinforce the at least two hollow profiles against pressure during formation of the friction-stir weld connectors.

16. The connector arrangement of claim 15 , wherein:
the at least two hollow profiles have a different cross-section; and
each insertable profile part for the at least two hollow profiles has a different cross-section.

17. A connector arrangement, comprising:
at least two hollow profiles;
an insertable profile part received at respective open end regions of the at least two profiles, the insertable profile part having webs formed as ribs having external dimensions that are matched to an internal contour of the at least two hollow profiles;
a pair of gusset plates to contact end regions of the at least two hollow profiles and thereby connect the at least two hollow profiles to each other, the gusset plates including half-shelves which are connected to each other; and
a plurality of friction-stir weld connectors to extend along the ribs of the insertable profile part in a longitudinal direction of the insertable profile part and in regions of the at least two hollow profiles that overlap the ribs of the insertable profile part, to thereby connect the gusset plates, the at least two hollow profiles, and the insertable profile part to each other,
wherein the ribs are arranged inside an interior space defined by walls of the at least two hollow profiles to form struts which reinforce the at least two hollow profiles against pressure during formation of the friction-stir weld connectors.

18. The connector arrangement of claim 17 , wherein:
the at least two hollow profiles have a different cross-section; and
each insertable profile part for the at least two hollow profiles has a different cross-section.

Assignees

• Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik Ag & Co Kg

Inventors

• Hofer Bernhard
• Zachnegger Harald

Classifications

• Y10T403/472

  including mechanical interlock · CPC title

• B23K20/1265 Primary

  Non-butt welded joints, e.g. overlap-joints, T-joints or spot welds · CPC title

• B23K20/129

  specially adapted for particular articles or work · CPC title

• B23K20/127 Primary

  Friction stir welding involving a mechanical connection · CPC title