Extrusion piece with insert of dissimilar material

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9340232-B2
Application number	US-201313886672-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 3, 2013
Priority date	May 3, 2013
Publication date	May 17, 2016
Grant date	May 17, 2016

Abstract

A profile piece includes: an extruded piece of a first material having a mouth portion along at least part of its length; and an insert of a second material different than the first material, the insert attached to the extruded piece by the mouth portion, wherein the insert is configured for welding the profile piece to a component of a third material different than the first material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of attaching an extruded piece to a component of a dissimilar material, the method comprising:
providing an extruded piece having a mouth portion along at least part of its length, wherein an insert of a first material is attached to the extruded piece by the mouth portion; and
welding the insert to a component of a second material, wherein the extruded piece is attached to the component;
wherein the mouth portion comprises jaws that in an open position form a slot between them, wherein the insert is fitted in the slot, and wherein in a closed position the jaws grip the insert to attach it to the extruded piece; and
wherein the mouth portion comprises a channel that receives an edge of the insert, and wherein adhesive is placed in the channel before the insert is attached.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extruded piece comprises aluminum, and the first and second materials comprise steel.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extruded piece is a vehicle door sill.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the jaws are roller clinched from the open position into the closed position.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the extruded piece comprises extruding the extruded piece.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mouth portion is formed in a portion of a cross section of the extruded piece where the jaws are initially formed by members arranged in a V-shape with arms extending from the respective members.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein each of the arms is angled about perpendicular to the respective member.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein an outer end of each arm is folded back toward a center of the V-shape.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein each of the outer ends is folded more than ninety degrees relative to a remainder of the arm.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the insert is attached by driving at least part of the outer ends into the channel by urging the arms toward the V-shape.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the edge of the insert comprises rolled edges extending in opposite directions, and wherein the driving of the outer ends into the channel comprises conforming the rolled edges to a form of the channel.

12. A method of manufacturing an extruded piece for being welded to a component of a dissimilar material, the method comprising:
generating an extruded piece having a mouth portion along at least part of its length;
attaching an insert of a first material to the extruded piece by the mouth portion; and
welding the insert to a component of a second material, wherein the extruded piece is attached to the component;
wherein the mouth portion comprises jaws that in an open position form a slot between them, wherein attaching the insert comprises fitting the insert in the slot, and bringing the jaws to a closed position where they grip the insert to attach it to the extruded piece; and
wherein the mouth portion comprises a channel that receives an edge of the insert, the method further comprising placing adhesive in the channel before attaching the insert.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein bringing the jaws to the closed position comprises roller clinching the jaws.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein welding the insert to the component of the second material comprises attaching a door sill on a vehicle.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the mouth portion is formed in a portion of a cross section of the extruded piece where the jaws are initially formed by members arranged in a V-shape with arms extending from the respective members.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein each of the arms is angled about perpendicular to the respective member.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein an outer end of each arm is folded back toward a center of the V-shape.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein each of the outer ends is folded more than ninety degrees relative to a remainder of the arm.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein attaching the insert comprises driving at least part of the outer ends into the channel by urging the arms toward the V-shape.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the edge of the insert comprises rolled edges extending in opposite directions, and wherein the driving of the outer ends into the channel comprises conforming the rolled edges to a form of the channel.

Assignees

• Tesla Motors Inc

Inventors

• Baldwin Michael J

Classifications

• C09J5/00

  Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers · CPC title

• B23K2101/006

  Vehicles · CPC title

• B23K2101/28

  Beams · CPC title

• B23K11/115

  by means of two electrodes placed opposite one another on both sides of the welded parts · CPC title

• B62D25/025 Primary

  Side sills thereof · CPC title