High energy absorption joint

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017130751-A1
Application number	US-201514938113-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 11, 2015
Priority date	Nov 11, 2015
Publication date	May 11, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Joints and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The joint may include a first component including an indentation formed therein having a width, a second component, an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second components, and a fastener extending through the indentation. The fastener may join the first and second components and have a head with a width greater than a minimum width of the indentation. The method may include forming an indentation having a width in a first component, applying an adhesive to one of multiple components, and stacking the components. The indentation may form a bond gap between two components. A fastener may be inserted having a head with a width greater than the width of the indentation into the indentation to join the components. The indentation may space the components apart to provide a larger bond gap for the adhesive.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A joint comprising:
a first component including an indentation formed therein having a width; a second component; an adhesive layer between the first and second components; and a fastener extending through the indentation and joining the first and second components, the fastener having a head with a width greater than a minimum width of the indentation.

2 . The joint of claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of indentations formed in the first component and/or the second component.

3 . The joint of claim 1 , wherein the indentation includes a circular profile.

4 . The joint of claim 1 , wherein the indentation is an elongated trench.

5 . The joint of claim 1 , wherein the first component is a sheet having a sheet thickness and the indentation has a thickness that is less than the sheet thickness.

6 . The joint of claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the head of the fastener contacts the first component in a region having the sheet thickness.

7 . The joint of claim 1 , wherein the first and second components are formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

8 . The joint of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a flow drill screw.

9 . A method of forming a joint, comprising:
forming an indentation having a width in a first component; applying an adhesive to the first component or a second component; stacking the first and second components, the indentation forming a bond gap between the first and second components; and inserting a fastener having a head with a width greater than the width of the indentation into the indentation to join the first and second components.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising forming a plurality of indentations in the first component.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the indentation is formed with a circular profile.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the indentation is formed as an elongated trench having a first side and a second side.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second components are formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the forming step includes forming the indentation with a flat bottom surface and the inserting step includes inserting the fastener into the flat bottom surface.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein a shaft of the fastener has a larger diameter than a width of the flat bottom surface.

16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the forming step includes forming the indentation with a side wall and the inserting step includes inserting the fastener into the indentation such that the fastener contacts at least a portion of the side wall during insertion.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the side wall is formed such that a width of the side wall narrows from a top of the indentation to a bottom of the indentation.

18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the fastener is a flow drill screw.

19 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first component is a metal sheet and the indentation is formed during a stamping restrike process.

20 . A joint comprising:
a first component including an indentation formed therein having a width; a second component; a third component; an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second components; and a fastener extending through the indentation and joining the first, second, and third components, the fastener having a head with a width greater than the width of the indentation.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Norton Thomas
• Freis Amanda Kay
• Grima Anthony J
• Huff Garret Sankey

Classifications

• B29C65/48 Primary

  using adhesives {, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding} · CPC title

• F16B25/0021

  the material being metal, e.g. sheet-metal or aluminium (F16B25/0031 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B29C65/56

  using mechanical means {or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits} · CPC title

• B29L2031/26

  Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints · CPC title

• F16B5/0241 Primary

  with the possibility for the connection to absorb deformation, e.g. thermal or vibrational · CPC title