Method for Joining a First Component Formed of a Plastic Material to a Second Component, and Joining Element and Device

Abstract

This invention firstly relates to a method for joining a first component made of a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting plastic material, to a second component by applying a joining element on the first component, wherein the joining element has a supporting plate formed of a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting plastic material and comprising a connecting means and a supporting plate bore. The method comprising the steps of incorporating a bore into the first component; welding the supporting plate to the first component; and joining the first component and the second component by incorporating a joining means arranged on the second component into the connecting means. Due to welding of the supporting plate to the first component, a rivet joint, otherwise generally required for joining the supporting plate to the first component, can be omitted, whereby the production of a junction by means of the inventive joining means is considerably simplified. Moreover, weakening of the first component as well as formation of corrosion processes due to different materials used for riveting being adjacent can be avoided. In addition, the invention relates to a joining element for creating a junction in accordance with the method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device, in particular for performing the method.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 025 096.3 filed Jun. 1, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to a method for joining a first component formed of a plastic material, in particular of a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting plastic material, to a second component by applying a joining element on the first component, wherein the joining element has a supporting plate formed of a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting plastic material and comprising a connecting means and a supporting plate bore.[0003]In addition, the invention relates to a joining element for creating a junction in accordance with the method, with a supporting plate that can be fastened to a first component and comprises a supporting plate bore, and a connecting means that can be received in the supporting plate and is realized for incorpo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Amongst other things, it may be an object of the invention to provide a method, a joining element, and a device for simple and fast production of junctions between in particular plate-shaped components, wherein at least one component may be formed in particular of a thermoplastic plastic material. Moreover, it may be an object of the invention to reduce delaminations as well as corrosion processes in the region of the junctions produced.

[0017]By producing a weld joint between the first component, formed in particular of a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting plastic material, and a supporting plate of the joining element, both components can be joined to each other rapidly and easily, wherein only the incorporation of a bore into the first component is required. Herein, it is assumed that the first component is formed of a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting plastic material, which can also have fiber reinforcement, wherein a thermosetting plastic material must be provided with an interface layer, preferably formed of a thermoplastic plastic material, at least in the region of the weld joint to be produced, so as to enable the weldability with the supporting plate of the joining element.

[0018]The weld joint between the first component and the retaining plate of the joining element allows for a connection with high mechanical load capacity of the joining element to the first component without significant weakening of the material or the risk of delaminations to occur. Moreover, the risk of corrosion processes to occur is decreased because at least in the region of the weld joint, only materials of the same kind are adjacent.

[0020]In that the supporting plate is realized so as to be weldable to the first component, a simple and fast production of a junction between a first component, formed of a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting plastic material, to a second component may be ensured. Moreover, as a result of the supporting plate being weldable to the first component, the risk of the formation of delaminations and corrosion processes may decrease due to a reduction of the number of bores required for fastening. Also, the supporting plate of the joining element can be joined solidly to the first component without the risk of material weakening as a result of the incorporation of bores or rivets for fastening. Eventually, because of the welding operation, the joining element becomes an integral part of the first component.

[0022]In that the junction for producing a weld joint is realized between the first component and the joining element, it is possible to produce junctions between two components, in particular plate-shaped ones, simply and rapidly with the advantages already mentioned above.

Problems solved by technology

Joining plate-shaped components, which only have low material thickness with respect to superficial extent, to other components or components also realized in plate-shape proves to be costly, because on many occasions, due to the low material thickness, joining screws, rivets, or the like, cannot be inserted directly into the components.

Due to a plurality of steps, the above mentioned methods or joining means require relatively intensive installation work.

Furthermore, in particular in components with fiber reinforced plastic materials, there is the risk of delaminations in the region of the junctions.

Both the rivets for fastening the plate nut and the expansible sleeve for central fastening of the plate nut moreover imply the risk of corrosion processes because components made of different materials are adjacent.

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