Surface geometry for adhesive bonding of polymer components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10639864-B2
Application number	US-201715479401-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 5, 2017
Priority date	Apr 5, 2017
Publication date	May 5, 2020
Grant date	May 5, 2020

Abstract

A method of joining polymer components includes additively manufacturing first and second mating features on first and second polymer components such that a mechanical lock is created through undercut geometric features of an adhesive material when the polymer components are joined. Adhesive is added between the mating components to strengthen the joint.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of bonding polymer components comprises:
additively manufacturing a first polymer component having a first recess, wherein the first recess includes a first undercut wall structure;
additively manufacturing a second polymer component having a second recess, the second recess designed to fit with the first recess, wherein the second recess includes a second undercut wall structure;
additively manufacturing bumper connected to an edge of the first polymer component and connected to an edge of the second polymer component; and
joining the first and second polymer components with an adhesive by entirely filling the first recess and the second recess with the adhesive to form a mechanical lock wherein the mechanical lock comprises the first recess, the second recess and the adhesive.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the edges of the first and second polymer components are tapered.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising additively manufacturing a first buried taper adjacent to the edge of the first polymer component and a second buried taper adjacent to the edge of the second polymer component.

4. A method of bonding polymer components comprises:
additively manufacturing a first polymer component having a recessed ring;
additively manufacturing a second polymer component having a raised ring, the raised ring designed to fit with the recessed ring;
additively manufacturing bumper connected to an edge of the first polymer component and connected to an edge of the second polymer component; and
joining the first and second polymer components with an adhesive by entirely filling the first recess and the second recess with the adhesive to form a mechanical lock wherein the mechanical lock comprises the recessed ring, the raised ring, and the adhesive.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Twelves Jr Wendell V
• Butcher Evan

Classifications

• B29C66/45

  Joining of substantially the whole surface of the articles (methods or apparatus for laminating B32B37/00) · CPC title

• B29C65/4865

  containing additives (C09J11/00 and subgroups take precedence) · CPC title

• B29C65/483 Primary

  Reactive adhesives, e.g. chemically curing adhesives · CPC title

• B29C69/00

  Combinations of shaping techniques not provided for in a single one of main groups B29C39/00 - B29C67/00, e.g. associations of moulding and joining techniques; Apparatus therefore {(B29C48/001 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B29C65/606

  the rivets being integral with one of the parts to be joined, i.e. staking · CPC title