ELECTRICAL-MECHANICAL FASTENING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
An electro-mechanical fastener includes a fastener body having a connection portion materially integrally formed with at least one mounting member. The at least one mounting member has a thickness that is no more than three-times greater than a thickness of a substrate to which the electro-mechanical fastener is joined. The at least one mounting member is configured and disposed to be joined to the substrate through a welded connection.
1 . An electro-mechanical fastener comprising:
a fastener body including a connection portion materially integrally formed with at least one mounting member, the at least one mounting member having a thickness that is no more than three-times greater than a thickness of a substrate to which the electro-mechanical fastener is joined, the at least one mounting member being configured and disposed to be joined to the substrate through a welded connection.
2 . The electro-mechanical fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting member includes a first mounting member extending from the connection portion and a second mounting member extending from the connection portion opposite the first mounting member.
3 . The electro-mechanical fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion includes a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the at least one mounting member.
4 . The electro-mechanical fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion includes an opening defined by an inner wall configured and disposed to receive a mechanical fastener.
5 . The electro-mechanical fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the fastener body is formed from aluminum.
6 . A motor vehicle comprising:
a substrate having a first thickness;
a module connected to the substrate; and
one or more electro-mechanical fasteners linking the module and the substrate, the one or more electro-mechanical fasteners comprising:
a fastener body including a connection portion materially integrally formed with at least one mounting member, the at least one mounting member having a second thickness that is no more than three-times greater than the first thickness, the at least one mounting member being joined to the substrate through a welded connection.
7 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the substrate is grounded, the one or more electro-mechanical fasteners establishing both a mechanical bond and an electrical link between the module and the substrate.
8 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the second thickness is no greater than twice the first thickness.
9 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the second thickness is substantially equal to the first thickness.
10 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the one or more electro-mechanical fasteners includes a first electro-mechanical fastener arranged adjacent a second electro-mechanical fastener.
11 . The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one connection portion of the first electro-mechanical fastener is positioned directly adjacent to the at least one connection portion of the second electro-mechanical fastener.
12 . The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the connection portion of the first electro-mechanical fastener is positioned directly adjacent the connection portion of the second electro-mechanical fastener.
13 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one mounting member includes a first mounting member extending from the connection portion and a second mounting member extending from the connection portion opposite the first mounting member.
14 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the connection portion includes an opening defined by an inner wall.
15 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein each of the substrate and the electro-mechanical fastener is formed from aluminum.
16 . The motor vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the module comprises an antenna module.
17 . A method of joining a module to a substrate in a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
positioning an electro-mechanical fastener on a substrate having a first thickness in the motor vehicle, the electro-mechanical fastener including a fastener body having a connection portion materially integrally formed with at least one mounting member having a second thickness that is no more than three times greater than the first thickness;
welding at least one mounting member to the substrate; and
connecting a module to the mounting member on the electro-mechanical fastener to establish a mechanical bond and an electrical link with the substrate.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein welding the at least one mounting member to the substrate includes resistance welding the at least one mounting member to the substrate.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein connection a module to the mounting member includes connecting an antenna module to the mounting member.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein welding the at least one mounting member to the substrate includes welding at least one mounting member formed from aluminum to an aluminum substrate.