IP Library Patent Application 14746866
Patent Application
App. No. 14/746,866

FASTENING METHOD FOR COMPONENTS

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
14/746,866
Abstract

Methods for fastening or coupling dissimilar materials to each other may include providing a first component with a first through hole and a second component with a second through hole that is at least partly aligned with the first through hole. A mixture including a first material and a second material may be injected into the aligned through holes of the first component and the second component. The mixture of the first material and the second material may expand in the through holes, e.g., due to a chemical reaction, thereby connecting the first component and the second component together.

Claims (44)

1 . A fastening method for components, comprising:

providing a first component with a first through hole;

providing a second component with a second through hole;

aligning the through holes of the first component and the second component;

forming a mixture by mixing a first material with a second material; and

injecting the mixture of the first material and the second material into the aligned through holes of the first component and the second component,

wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material expands in the through holes, thereby connecting the first component and the second component together.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first material comprises isocyanate, and the second material comprises polyol.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the expansion of the mixture of the first material and the second material forms an outer edge with an area greater than an area of the through holes.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein:

the lightweight fastening method for components is used for connecting two components of an electric vehicle.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first component and the second component are made of dissimilar metal materials.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material expands in the through holes due to a chemical reaction.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising hardening the expanded mixture, wherein the hardened mixture is softer than at least one of the first component, the second component, or a cladding layer provided on the first or second components.

8 . A fastened assembly, comprising:

a first component, wherein the first component is formed with a first through hole;

a second component, wherein the second component is formed with a second through hole, and during assembly, the first through hole on the first component is aligned with the second through hole on the second component; and

a connecting component arranged in the aligned first through hole and the second through hole, the connecting component being formed by:

Injecting a liquid mixture of a first material and a second material into the aligned through holes of the first component and the second component, wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material expands and hardens in the through holes, thereby connecting the first component and the second component together.

9 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein:

the first material comprises isocyanate, and the second material comprises polyol.

10 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein:

the expansion of the mixture of the first material and the second material forms an outer edge with an area greater than an area of the through holes.

11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein:

the first component and the second component are two components of an electric vehicle.

12 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein:

the first component and the second component are made of dissimilar metal materials.

13 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material has expanded in the through holes due to a chemical reaction.

14 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the hardened mixture is softer than at least one of the first component, the second component, or a cladding layer provided on the first or second components.

15 . An automotive assembly, comprising:

a first auto body component formed with a first through hole;

a second auto body component formed with a second through hole that is at least partially aligned with the first through hole; and

a monolithic connecting component disposed at least partially in the first through hole and the second through hole, the monolithic connecting component being formed from a hardened mixture of at least a first material and a second material, and including a first expanded portion that is wider than the first through hole and a second expanded portion that is wider than the second through hole.

16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein:

the first material comprises isocyanate, and the second material comprises polyol.

17 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first expanded portion and the second expanded portion are formed via expansion of the mixture of the first material and the second material during hardening of the mixture.

18 . The assembly of claim 17 , wherein:

the first component and the second component are two components of an electric automobile.

19 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein:

the first component and the second component are made of dissimilar metal materials.

20 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material has expanded in the through holes due to a chemical reaction.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2017
From: THUNDER POWER HONG KONG LIMITED
To: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 042084/0334 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2015
From: LO, YU-AN
To: THUNDER POWER HONG KONG LTD.
Reel/Frame 035879/0858 →