Embedded optics in modular assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9972814-B2
Application number	US-201615224074-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2016
Priority date	Apr 12, 2012
Publication date	May 15, 2018
Grant date	May 15, 2018

Abstract

An enhanced multi object potting fixture for exposure to a curing modality that sets an adhesive includes a fixture housing supporting a plurality of objects, the fixture housing having a wall defining a plurality of bonding wells with each the bonding well receiving a first portion of one of the objects, each the bonding well including an aperture in the wall proximate the first portion wherein each bonding well includes a target zone for selective cure of the adhesive to inhibit the adhesive from exiting the aperture; and a fixture enhancement structure integrated into the wall concentrating the curing modality in each the target zone.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for bonding a battery and a fixture, where the fixture has a bonding well defined by a wall of the bonding well and a bottom of the bonding well, and an optical enhancement structure defined by a one or more of an internal surface defined in the bottom of the bonding well, an external surface opposite the bonding well, and a curved surface opposite the bonding well, wherein the fixture defines an aperture in the bottom of the bonding well, wherein a space exists between the wall of the bonding well and the battery, and between the bottom of the bonding well and the battery, and wherein a portion of the bottom of the bonding well defines a target zone, the method comprising:
dispensing an adhesive into the space between the wall of the bonding well and the battery and between, the bottom of the bonding well and the battery;
exposing the fixture to a curing modality from a source; and
concentrating the curing modality into the target zone using the optical enhancement structure.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target zone is adjacent the aperture.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixture includes a shelf, wherein the bottom of the bonding well is partly defined by the shelf and wherein the internal surface extends from the shelf and away from the battery and the aperture.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixture includes a shelf and a lateral wall, wherein the external surface extends from the shelf to the lateral wall, and away from the battery and the aperture.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixture includes a lateral wall, and wherein the curved surface extends from the lateral wall, towards the battery and away from the aperture.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the optical enhancement structure includes the internal surface, the external surface, and the curved surface.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the curing modality includes ultraviolet radiation.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the source is a ultraviolet source.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the internal surface is polished.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the external surface is polished.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the curved surface is roughened.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein another portion of the curved surface is polished.

Assignees

• Tesla Motors Inc
• Tesla Inc

Inventors

• Hachtmann Brian Dean
• Riegel Mark
• Hegeman David Elias
• Bishop William Christopher
• Beecher William Vucich

Classifications

• B29C35/0894 Primary

  provided with masks or diaphragms · CPC title

• H01M50/264

  for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames · CPC title

• H01M50/227

  Organic material · CPC title

• B29C66/73343

  at least one of the parts to be joined being matt or refractive · CPC title

• H01M2/10

  Electricity · mapped topic