Method of making assemblies including reinforced composite parts with pre-formed rivet receiving buttons and articles made by the method
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAindrea McKelvey Campbell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composite part defining a button shaped protrusion and including fibers reinforcing a resin matrix throughout the part. The fibers may be in the form of a woven mat or in the form of loose fibers that are deposited in a mold. Methods of making the composite part with a woven mat or loose fibers being provided in the button shaped recess that defines a void in the fiber reinforced composite part at a predetermined location where a self-piercing rivet is to be inserted.
Claims10
A pre-formed part comprising:
- a composite member including a resin matrix and reinforcement fibers has a predetermined location for receiving a self-piercing rivet;
- and
- a button shaped area formed in the composite member that defines a void at the predetermined location.
A method of making a fiber reinforced composite part comprising:
- providing a fiber mat;
- inserting the fiber mat into a mold that defines a mold cavity including a button shaped recess;
- supplying a liquid resin to the mold that envelopes the fiber mat;
- hardening the resin in the mold, wherein the resin in the button shaped recess defines a void in the fiber reinforced composite part at a predetermined location where a self-piercing rivet is to be inserted;
- assembling a second part to the fiber reinforced composite part, wherein a void is defined between the button shaped recess and the second part;
- and
- riveting the fiber reinforced composite part and the second part together at the predetermined location as the second part is formed into the button shaped recess.
(canceled)
A method of making a fiber reinforced composite part comprising:
- providing a plurality of loose fibers into a mold that defines a mold cavity including a button shaped recess;
- supplying a liquid resin to the mold that envelopes the loose fibers;
- hardening the resin in the mold, wherein the resin in the button shaped recess defines a void in the fiber reinforced composite part at a predetermined location where a self-piercing rivet is to be inserted;
- assembling a second part to the fiber reinforced composite part, wherein a void is defined between the button shaped recess and the second part;
- and
- joining the fiber reinforced composite part and the second part together at the redetermined location as the second part is formed into the button shaped recess.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.