Methods and apparatus for forming node to panel joints

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11754107-B2
Application number	US-202117378390-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 16, 2021
Priority date	Dec 22, 2017
Publication date	Sep 12, 2023
Grant date	Sep 12, 2023

Abstract

A node to panel interface structure for use in a transport structure such as a vehicle is disclosed. In an aspect, the node includes a base, first and second sides protruding from the base to form a recess for receiving a panel, ports for adhesive injection and/or vacuum generation, one or more adhesive regions disposed on a surface of each side adjacent the panel, and at least one channel coupled between the first and second ports and configured to fill the adhesive regions with an adhesive, the adhesive being cured to form a node-panel interface. The node may be additively manufactured. In an exemplary embodiment, the node may use sealant features for including sealants that border and define the adhesive regions, and that may hermetically seal the region before and after adhesive injection. In another embodiment, the node may include isolation features for including isolators for inhibiting galvanic corrosion. In another aspect, adhesive may be filled serially on the adhesive regions on the first side and then on the adhesive regions on the second side. Adhesive may alternatively may be filled in parallel, or concurrently, on the adhesive regions of both sides.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A node comprising:
a base comprising at least a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side forming a recess in the base;
a first port and a second port coupled to the base;
at least one adhesive region disposed on a first surface of the first side and a second surface of the second side; and
at least one channel coupled between the first port and the second port and configured to fill the adhesive regions with an adhesive, wherein
the channel runs from the first port serially through each adhesive region on the first side, through the base, and through each adhesive region on the second side, and then to the second port,
the channel is configured to fill each adhesive region, and
the second port is disposed on the first side, such that, after routing through the at least one adhesive region on the second side, the channel is routed back to the first side.

2. The node of claim 1 , wherein the channel runs serially from the first port to the second port through the at least one adhesive region on the first side and the second side by using apertures arranged on opposing sides of each adhesive region.

3. The node of claim 2 , wherein the channel is configured to enable transmission of the adhesive in parallel through the at least one adhesive region on the first side and the second side.

4. The node of claim 2 , wherein the channel is configured to enable transmission of the adhesive serially through the at least one adhesive region on the first side, through the base, and then serially through the at least one adhesive region on the second side.

5. The node of claim 1 , wherein at least the base, the first port and the second port, and the at least one channel are additively manufactured (AM).

6. The node of claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the channel comprises a geometry conducive to additively manufacturing the at least one channel without use of a support structure during the AM.

7. The node of claim 1 , wherein at least the base, the first port and the second port, and the at least one channel are co-printed.

8. The node of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one adhesive regions is bounded by a sealant region.

9. The node of claim 8 , wherein the sealant region comprises a sealant.

10. The node of claim 9 , wherein the sealant is configured to perform at least one of:
(i) retard flow of the adhesive beyond the corresponding adhesive region;
(ii) hermetically seal the corresponding adhesive region prior to adhesive injection;
(iii) hermetically seal the corresponding adhesive region after the adhesive is cured; and
(iv) inhibit galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials.

11. The node of claim 9 , wherein the sealant comprises at least one of an O-ring, a gasket, and a liquid sealant.

12. The node of claim 9 , wherein the sealant is robotically applied.

13. The node of claim 9 , wherein the at least one adhesive region comprises:
a recess in at least one of the first side and the second side characterized at least in part by an area bounded by the sealant; and
apertures disposed on opposite sides of the recess, the apertures coupled to the channel, the apertures configured to cause the adhesive to flow within the channel.

14. The node of claim 8 , wherein the sealant region comprises at least one feature inset into at least one of the first side and the second side.

15. The node of claim 1 , further comprising at least one isolation feature disposed on at least one of the first side, the second side, and an inner surface of the base.

16. The node of claim 15 , wherein the isolation feature comprises a recess.

17. The node of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first side and the second side further comprise at least one gasket.

18. The node of claim 1 , wherein
the channel is coupled the first port to the second side via the base, coupled through the at least one adhesive region on the second side, coupled to the first side via the base, coupled through the at least one adhesive region on the first side, and is then coupled to the second port.

Assignees

• Divergent Tech Inc

Inventors

• Kreig William David
• Okoli Chukwubuikem Marcel
• Tenhouten David Brian
• Martinez Antonio Bernerd
• Czinger Kevin Robert
• Tenhouten Broc William

Classifications

• B22F10/00 Primary

  Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder (apparatus or devices therefor B22F12/00) · CPC title

• B22F7/062 Primary

  involving the connection or repairing of preformed parts · CPC title

• F16B11/006 Primary

  by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48) · CPC title

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title