Rigid press-fit cap for motor vehicles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10273878-B2
Application number	US-201414911754-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2014
Priority date	Aug 12, 2013
Publication date	Apr 30, 2019
Grant date	Apr 30, 2019

Abstract

A rigid cap is provided for a motor vehicle, in particular, for the engine of a motor vehicle. The rigid cap has a first layer made of a metal material and at least a second layer comprising polyamide 11. Preferably, the second layer is made entirely of polyamide 11 and, even more preferably, entirely covers the first layer. The cap may be a press-fit cap or a threaded cap.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A rigid cap for a motor vehicle, said cap comprising;
a first metal layer having a thickness between 0.5 mm and 2 mm; and
at least a second layer comprising polyamide 11 in direct contact with said first metal layer, the second layer having a thickness between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm,
wherein the second layer entirely covers said first metal layer, which includes a first side, an opposing second side, and ends defined between the first side and the opposing second side of the first metal layer; and
a press-fit feature providing for a hermetic seal;
wherein the cap has an oil resistance verified by an immersion test of 100 hours to 500 hours in a reference oil having a temperature of 150° C. and the cap resists pressure at 2 bar without leaking fluid.

2. The cap according to claim 1 , characterized in that said first layer is made of steel or aluminum.

3. The cap according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second layer comprises at least 50% polyamide 11.

4. The cap according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second layer comprises at least 80% polyamide 11.

5. The cap according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second layer consists of polyamide 11.

6. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the second layer entirely covers the first metal layer with a uniform thickness.

7. The cap of claim 6 , wherein the second layer is formed by immersing the first layer in a container comprising therein a polyamide 11 after being heated.

8. Manufacturing method for a rigid cap for a motor vehicle comprising: heating a preformed cap formed by a first layer of metal material, the first layer having a thickness between 0.5 mm and 2 mm and having a press-fit feature, and subsequent to heating, immersing the preformed cap in a container filled with polyamide 11 to form a second layer entirely covering and in direct contact with the first layer of metal material; wherein the second layer has a thickness between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm, the press-fit feature provides a hermetic seal, and the cap has an oil resistance verified by an immersion test of 100 hours to 500 hours in a reference oil having a temperature of 150° C. and the cap resists pressure at 2 bar without leaking fluid.

9. An engine comprising:
a rigid cap as an engine cap or as part of the housing of a water pump, an oil pump, or a gearbox, said rigid cap comprising;
a first metal layer having a thickness between 0.5 mm and 2 mm; and
at least a second layer comprising polyamide 11 in direct contact with said first metal layer, the second layer having a thickness between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm, wherein the second layer entirely covers the first metal layer, which includes a first side, an opposing second side, and ends defined between the first side and the opposing second side of the first metal layer; and
a press-fit feature providing a hermetic seal to the engine, water pump, oil pump, or gearbox;
wherein the cap has an oil resistance verified by an immersion test of 100 hours to 500 hours in a reference oil having a temperature of 150° C. and the cap resists pressure at 2 bar without leaking fluid.

10. The engine according to claim 9 , wherein said first layer is made of steel or aluminum.

11. The engine according to claim 9 , wherein said second layer comprises 50% to 100% polyamide 11.

12. The engine according to claim 9 , wherein said second layer on at least one side of said first layer faces oil when installed in an engine.

Assignees

• Dayco Europe Srl

Inventors

• Viladrich Jordi
• Perfetti Gianluca
• Brandin Stefan

Classifications

• B32B15/088

  comprising polyamides · CPC title

• F02B77/005 Primary

  Plugs · CPC title

• B32B2307/306

  Resistant to heat · CPC title

• B32B27/34

  comprising polyamides · CPC title

• B32B2307/714

  Inert, i.e. inert to chemical degradation, corrosion · CPC title