IP Library Granted Patent US 8,043,681
Granted Patent B2
US 8,043,681 · App. 12/335,013 · Granted Oct 25, 2011

Method of making a hybrid structure, and hybrid structure

Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,043,681
App. No.
12/335,013
Granted
Oct 25, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a method of making a hybrid structure, at least one support body is fixed in a tube component which is then placed in an injection molding tool. An injection-molded part is injection-molded to an outer surface of the tube component in an area of the support body. As a result, the tube component is inwardly deformed, when regions adjacent to the support body are exposed to an injection pressure, and forms indentations for engagement of the injection-molded part.

Claims (34)

1. A method of making a hybrid structure, comprising the steps of:

fixing at least one support body in a tube component which defines a longitudinal axis;

placing the tube component in an injection molding tool; and

injection-molding an injection-molded part to an outer surface of the tube component in an area of the support body, thereby causing deformation of the tube component and formation of at at least two inwardly directed indentations configured side-by-side in a direction of the longitudinal axis, when regions adjacent to the support body are exposed to an injection pressure during injection molding.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support body has an outer cross section which is congruent to an inner cross section of the tube component.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support body has an outer cross section which is incongruent to an inner cross section of the tube component.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support body is a bulkhead.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tube component is made of steel, and the injection-molded part is made of light metal.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection-molded part is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection-molded part is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection-molded part is made of plastic.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tube component is made of light metal and the injection-molded part is made plastic.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the light metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, and a magnesium alloy.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying an adhesion-promoting layer onto the tube component.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection-molded part is injection-molded to the tube component over a circumferential region of smaller than 360°.

13. A hybrid structure, comprising:

a tube component defining a longitudinal axis and having at least two inwardly directed indentations configured side-by-side in a direction of the longitudinal axis;

an injection-molded part attached to the tube component through injection molding, thereby causing deformation of the tube component and formation of the inwardly directed indentations as a result of exposure to an injection pressure during injection molding; and

a support body arranged inside the tube component in an area of the injection-molded part between the indentations of the tube component for engagement of the indentations by the injection-molded part.

14. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the support body has an outer cross section which is congruent to an inner cross section of the tube component.

15. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the support body has an outer cross section which is incongruent to an inner cross section of the tube component.

16. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the support body is a bulkhead.

17. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the tube component is made of steel, and the injection-molded part is made of light metal.

18. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the injection-molded part is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

19. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the injection-molded part is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy.

20. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the injection-molded part is made of plastic.

21. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the tube component is made of light metal and the injection-molded part is made plastic.

22. The hybrid structure of claim 21 , wherein the light metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, or a magnesium alloy.

23. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , further comprising an adhesion-promoting layer applied onto the tube component.

24. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the injection-molded part extends over a circumferential region of the tube component of smaller than 360°.

25. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , for use as a cross member of a motor vehicle.

26. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the injection-molded part is a mounting.

27. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the injection-molded part is a A pillar attachment.

28. The hybrid structure of claim 13 , wherein the injection-molded part is a steering column mounting.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2017
From: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
To: SGL CARBON SE
Reel/Frame 044438/0700 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 19, 2017
From: SGL CARBON AG; SGL CARBON SE
To: SGL CARBON SE
Reel/Frame 046264/0105 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2008
From: HANDING, CHRISTIAN; HIELSCHER, CHRISTIAN; HITZ, ANDREAS; WILLE, ANDREAS
To: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
Reel/Frame 021980/0284 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2007 062 524 · Dec 20, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090162688A1 · Jun 25, 2009