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US 2011/0080024 A1Published application
Connection between roof panel and side panel
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorOvidiu Cristian Mihai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle may include a roof panel having a segment that is formed of a thermoplastic material, a side panel having a segment that is formed of a metal, and a connection device. The roof panel may be connected to the side panel member by attaching the connection device to the side panel segment, heating the roof panel segment to melt at least a portion of it, enveloping the connection member within the melted portion of the roof panel segment; and, cooling the components.
Claims20
A method comprising the steps of:
- (A) providing a vehicle roof panel member that has a first segment that is formed of a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature;
- (B) providing a vehicle side panel member that has a second segment;
- (C) providing at least one connection member, having melting temperature that is substantially greater than the melting temperature of the first segment, to the second segment;
- (D) juxtaposing the first segment with the connection member;
- (E) heating the first segment to melt at least a portion of the first segment;
- (F) enveloping at least a portion of the connection member within the melted portion of the first segment;
- and,
- (G) cooling the first segment to connect the first segment to the second segment.
5 more elements
An assembly comprising:
- an automotive roof panel member that has a first segment that is formed of a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature;
- a first automotive side panel member that has a second segment that is formed of a metal;
- a first connection member, having a melting temperature that is substantially greater than the melting temperature of the first segment, attached to the second segment;
- and,
- wherein the automotive roof panel member is connected to the first automotive side panel member with the following method:
- juxtaposing the first segment with the first connection member;
- heating the first segment to melt at least a portion of the first segment;
- enveloping at least a portion of the first connection member within the melted portion of the first segment;
- and,
- cooling the first segment to connect the first segment to the second segment.
7 more elements
An assembly comprising:
- a first vehicle support structure member that has a first segment that is formed of a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature;
- a second vehicle support structure member that has a second segment that is formed of steel;
- a first connection member formed of steel that is attached to the second segment;
- and,
- wherein the first vehicle support structure member is connected to the second vehicle support structure member with the following method:
- juxtaposing the first segment with the first connection member;
- heating the first segment to melt at least a portion of the first segment;
- enveloping at least a portion of the first connection member within the melted portion of the first segment;
- and,
- cooling the first segment to connect the first segment to the second segment.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.