High energy absorption joint

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9695853-B2
Application number	US-201514938113-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 11, 2015
Priority date	Nov 11, 2015
Publication date	Jul 4, 2017
Grant date	Jul 4, 2017

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 and a flat bottom surface;
a second component;
an adhesive layer between the first and second components; and
a fastener extending through the flat bottom surface of 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 and a flat bottom surface 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 flat bottom surface of 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 a shaft of the fastener has a larger diameter than a width of the flat bottom surface.

15. 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.

16. The method of claim 15 , 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.

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

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

19. A joint comprising:
a first component including an indentation formed therein having a width and a flat bottom surface;
a second component;
a third component;
an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second components; and
a fastener extending through the flat bottom surface of 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

• F16B5/0241 Primary

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

• B29L2031/26

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

• B29C65/56

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

• F16B25/106

  by means of a self-piercing screw-point, i.e. without removing material · CPC title