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US 2003/0192940 A1Published application
Fastener and a method for attaching metal members therewith
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsRobin Stevenson, Pei-Chung Wang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A first metal member is contacted with a second metal member. A metal fastener is provided including a core and a cladding disposed upon the core. The fastener is driven through the first member and into the second member, inducing friction between the fastener, the first member and the second member for at least locally melting portions of the cladding, the first member and the second member to form a flowable material that solidifies and metallurgically bonds the fastener to the first member and the second member for attaching the members together.
Claims17
A method of attaching metal members for forming an automotive vehicle structure, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a first metal member;
- (b) contacting the first metal member with a second metal member;
- (c) providing a metal fastener that is substantially symmetrical about a central axis, the metal fastener including a radially enlarged cap portion and a shank portion extending from the cap portion, the fastener also including a core with a cladding covering at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the core wherein the cladding is metallurgically bonded with the core;
- (d) rotating the metal fastener about the axis using a rotary driving apparatus;
- and
- (e) driving the metal fastener through the first member and into the second member during rotation of the fastener thereby inducing friction between the fastener, the first member and the second member for at least locally melting portions of the cladding, the first member and the second member to form a flowable material about the fastener wherein;
- i) the fastener is driven only partially into the second member;
- and
- ii) the melted portions of the cladding alloy with the melted portions of the first and second members to metallurgically bond the first and second metal members to the fastener;
- and
- (f) solidifying the flowable material for integrally attaching the flowable material to the first member and second member with a metallurgical bond.
8 more elements
A method of attaching a metal sheet to a metal substrate for forming an automotive vehicle structure, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing the metal sheet on the metal substrate such that a first surface of the sheet interfaces with a surface of the metal substrate, wherein the metal sheet and the metal substrate are adapted for incorporation into an automotive vehicle;
- (b) providing a metal fastener having a core with an outer peripheral surface and a cladding disposed upon and metallurgically bonded with the peripheral surface wherein;
- i) the cladding is formed of a material capable of metallurgically bonding with the sheet and the substrate;
- ii) the core is formed of a material of a substantially higher melting point than the sheet and substrate;
- and
- iii) the fastener is substantially symmetrical about a central axis and includes a non-circular cavity formed therein;
- (c) rotating the metal fastener about the axis using a rotating apparatus having a member that can be temporarily matingly fit within the non-circular cavity of the fastener;
- (d) driving the metal fastener through the metal sheet and into the metal substrate during rotation of the fastener thereby inducing friction between the fastener, the sheet and the substrate for at least locally melting portions of the cladding, the sheet and the substrate to form a flowable material about the core of the fastener wherein the fastener is driven through the sheet and is only partially driven through the substrate;
- and
- (e) allowing the flowable material to solidify for integrally attaching the flowable material, the fastener, the sheet and the substrate together wherein the cladding metallurgically bonds with the sheet and substrate.
7 more elements
A method of attaching an metal sheet to a metal substrate for forming an automotive vehicle structure, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing the metal sheet on the metal substrate such that a first surface of the sheet interfaces with a surface of the metal substrate, wherein the metal sheet and the metal substrate each include the metal aluminum and are adapted for incorporation into an automotive vehicle;
- (b) providing a metal fastener having a core with an outer peripheral surface and a cladding disposed upon and metallurgically bonded with the peripheral surface wherein;
- i) the cladding is formed of a material that includes zinc and is capable of metallurgically bonding with the sheet and the substrate;
- ii) the core is formed of steel and has a substantially higher melting point than the sheet and substrate;
- and
- iii) the fastener is substantially symmetrical about a central axis, the fastener includes a non-circular cavity formed therein and the fastener includes a substantially cylindrical shank portion with a driving surface;
- (c) rotating the metal fastener about the axis using a rotating apparatus having a member that can be temporarily matingly fit within the non-circular cavity of the fastener;
- (d) contacting the driving surface of the shank portion of the fastener with a second surface of the sheet;
- (e) driving the metal fastener through the metal sheet and into the metal substrate during rotation of the fastener thereby inducing friction between the fastener, the sheet and the substrate for at least locally melting portions of the cladding, the sheet and the substrate to form a flowable material about the core of the fastener wherein the fastener is driven through the sheet and is only partially driven through the substrate;
- and
- (f) allowing the flowable material to solidify for integrally attaching the is flowable material, the fastener, the sheet and the substrate together wherein the cladding metallurgically bonds with the sheet and substrate.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.