Functional Element Bonding for Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for attaching functional elements to fiber-reinforced plastic components using adhesive rings face challenges such as adhesive damage or loss during handling and transport, and the limited load capacity of press-in elements, especially in thin plastic components.
Innovation Solution
A device and method where functional elements are taken over by a movable device from a guide device and directly pressed onto adhesive deposits on a carrier tape, which are then fed to a setting head, ensuring the adhesive is applied just before attachment, reducing the risk of damage and using a compact, reliable system with a short feed distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If functional elements remain in contact with adhesive on the carrier belt for a relatively long time during transport, then the adhesive may be damaged or lost, but the handling and transport process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied to the functional elements in advance on the carrier belt, but the functional elements are only transferred to the setting head when needed. This preliminary application combined with controlled timing ensures the adhesive is ready but not exposed unnecessarily, maintaining integrity while enabling efficient processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional elements with adhesive are extracted from the carrier belt at the precise moment they are needed and transferred directly to the setting head. This extraction approach minimizes the time adhesive is exposed on the carrier belt, reducing damage risk while maintaining a simple handling system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If functional elements are transported over a longer distance on the carrier belt, then more positions can be served, but the risk of adhesive damage or loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional elements are rapidly transferred from the carrier belt to the setting head in a single quick motion, minimizing the time they spend in transit. This rushing through the transfer process reduces adhesive exposure time while still enabling service at multiple positions through the carrier belt's circulation capability.
3Productivity
If adhesive is applied to functional elements earlier in the process, then preparation time is reduced, but the adhesive is more susceptible to damage during handling
Solution Approach 1:
Adhesive application is performed in advance on the carrier belt, preparing functional elements ahead of time to improve productivity. However, the system is designed so that adhesive-exposed elements are quickly transferred to the setting head, minimizing their vulnerability period while maintaining preparation efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the risk of adhesive damage and loss, ensures reliable transfer of functional elements, and provides a high-quality attachment process with improved load capacity by applying adhesive just before use, enhancing the attachment process for fiber-reinforced plastic components.
Implementation Method 1
the functional element has a contact surface provided with adhesive
Data Source
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AI summary
A device and a method for attaching functional elements (10), e.g. made of metal, to a component, in particular to a component made of fiber-reinforced plastic, using a setting head, the functional element having a contact surface (16) provided with adhesive and the adhesive in individual depots (18) adapted to the functional elements on a carrier tape (20) can be fed to the setting head, is characterized in that the functional elements are taken over by a guide device (26) and can each be pressed against an adhesive depot and then with the adhering adhesive depots and separately from the Carrier tape can be guided in the setting head to a setting position in front of a setting die.