Methods and apparatuses for universal interface between parts in transport structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11548236-B2
Application number	US-202117190153-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2021
Priority date	Sep 6, 2017
Publication date	Jan 10, 2023
Grant date	Jan 10, 2023

Abstract

Techniques for providing universal interfaces between parts of a transport structure are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for joining first and second parts of a transport structure includes an additively manufactured body having first and second surfaces. The first surface may connect to a first part such as, for example, a panel. The second surface may include a fitting for mating with a complementary fitting on a second part.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for joining parts of a transport structure, comprising:
an additively manufactured body configured to be co-molded with a first part of the transport structure, wherein the additively manufactured body includes,
a first surface configured to be connected to a surface of the first part of the transport structure during co-molding, wherein the first surface comprises a porous material, and
a second surface that comprises a fitting configured to be mated with a complementary fitting disposed on a second part of the transport structure that is configured to be received by the fitting of the additively manufactured body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is shaped to conform to the surface of the first part.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first part comprises a panel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second part comprises a node.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is arranged substantially opposite the second surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises a ball receptacle or a socket for a ball receptacle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises a mounting plate or a receptacle for a mounting plate.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises a co-printed floating nut.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises one or more flex legs.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises one of a three-way location or a four-way location.

11. An additively manufactured node for a transport structure, comprising:
a joint member comprising a porous material and configured to provide at least one structural connection; and
an extended structure coupled to the joint member and comprising a fitting for connecting to a complementary fitting arranged on a part,
wherein the extended structure comprises at least one member coupled to the joint member.

12. The node of claim 11 , wherein the joint member comprises a protrusion configured to support the fitting.

13. The node of claim 11 , wherein the joint member comprises a recessed section configured to support the fitting.

14. The node of claim 11 , wherein the fitting comprises a threaded fastener.

15. The node of claim 14 , wherein the threaded fastener comprises a protrusion for receiving a rod coupled to the part.

16. The node of claim 11 , wherein the part comprises a panel.

17. The node of claim 16 , wherein the panel comprises a vehicle hood.

18. The node of claim 11 , wherein the fitting comprises one of a ball receptacle or a socket for a ball receptacle.

19. The node of claim 11 , wherein the fitting comprises one of a mounting plate or a receptacle for a mounting plate.

20. The node of claim 11 , wherein the fitting comprises a co-printed floating nut.

Assignees

• Divergent Tech Inc

Inventors

• Gunner Jon Paul

Classifications

• B29C70/84

  by moulding material on preformed parts to be joined {(joining plastic parts by moulding B29C65/70)} · CPC title

• B22F10/28

  Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM] · CPC title

• B29C70/023

  with reinforcing inserts · CPC title

• B29C70/72 Primary

  Encapsulating inserts having non-encapsulated projections, e.g. extremities or terminal portions of electrical components {(B29C70/742 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B29K2105/0872

  Prepregs · CPC title