Vehicle Body Sheet Bonding with Deformable Spacer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for bonding motor vehicle body sheets using adhesive beads are complex and prone to reduced strength due to premature glue contact during alignment, making it difficult to achieve a durable and cost-effective connection, especially in hard-to-access areas.
Innovation Solution
A method involving spacers shaped within the sheets to maintain a distance between the adhesive and the sheets during bonding, allowing for controlled approximation and deformation to ensure proper alignment and adhesion, which can be applied to various vehicle structures and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive beads are used to bond sheet metal panels, then bonding strength is achieved, but the process becomes complex and prone to premature glue contact during alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spacers as intermediary elements between the adhesive and the sheet metal panels. These spacers prevent premature contact between the adhesive and the panels during alignment, allowing the adhesive to be applied and positioned without immediately bonding to the metal surfaces. The spacers act as temporary mediators that are removed or deformed after proper alignment is achieved, thus simplifying the overall bonding process while maintaining strong adhesion.
2Strength
If sheet metal panels are aligned and pressed together during bonding, then bonding is achieved, but the adhesive may contact opposing sheet metal prematurely reducing bond strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using spacers to prevent the harmful effect of premature adhesive contact with the sheet metal panels. Before the actual bonding occurs, the spacers are positioned to block the adhesive from contacting the metal surfaces during the alignment phase. This preliminary protective measure ensures that when the panels are finally pressed together, the adhesive is properly positioned and will form a strong, reliable bond without having been contaminated or prematurely activated.
3Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is applied before alignment, then bonding preparation is complete, but precise positioning becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers serve as intermediary alignment aids that facilitate precise positioning of the sheet metal panels relative to each other. After adhesive application, the spacers are positioned in the gap between panels, providing physical reference points that guide the alignment process. The spacers ensure consistent spacing and proper positioning before the panels are pressed together, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision even though adhesive was applied in advance.
4Strength
If elements are held in waiting period before bonding, then adhesive layer integrity is maintained, but process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by applying the adhesive to one of the sheet metal panels in advance, before the actual bonding operation. This allows the adhesive to be properly prepared and positioned on the substrate surface ahead of time. The spacers are then used to maintain the adhesive layer's integrity during the waiting period by preventing premature contact with the opposing panel. This preliminary preparation reduces the criticality of timing during the final bonding step, effectively managing process time while preserving adhesive quality.
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 method simplifies the bonding process, maintains the adhesive layer integrity, and allows for easier positioning and adjustment of sheets, enabling robust and cost-effective connections while preserving the adhesive's effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
during step (c) bonding the spacer is deformed so as to allow the glue and the first element to come together
Implementation Method 2
The spacer comprises at least one, preferably at least two, tabs located at the end of the associated element; each tab may be inclined relative to the principal plane of the associated element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for bonding two elements of a motor vehicle body. The method comprises the following steps: (a) providing (300) a first element (6) and a second element (8) provided with glue (12) and a spacer (10); then (b) placing the elements in standby for bonding (302) when the spacer comes into contact with the other of the two elements in such a way as to keep the first element separated from the glue; then (c) bonding (304) the elements. The bonding is carried out by deforming the spacer until the glue touches and adheres to the first element (6). In this way, the elements can be manipulated while facing each other, without the glue adhering in an incorrect position.