Method of joining two objects
AssigneesWoodwelding AG, Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
InventorsJörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani
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Abstract
A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on one of the objects in an opening provided on the other one of the objects. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. Before such liquefaction and interpenetration, an interference fit is established in which such opposite surfaces are pressed against each other, and, for the anchoring, mechanical vibration energy and possibly a shearing force are applied, wherein the shearing force puts a shear stress on the interference fit.
Claims28
A method of joining two objects, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing the two objects one of the two objects comprising a first material and the other one of the two objects comprising a second material, wherein the first material is solid and comprises thermoplastic properties and wherein the second material is solid and is penetrable by the first material when in a liquefied state, one of the two objects further comprising an opening having a depth and the other one of the two objects further comprising an insert portion having a length, wherein the opening and the insert portion are adapted to each other for the insert portion to be positioned in the opening with an interference fit, and wherein said first and second materials constitute at least part of opposite surface areas of insert portion and opening pressed against each other in the interference fit,
- establishing the interference fit by placing the insert portion in the opening and applying an interference force;
- after establishing the interference fit, anchoring the insert portion in the opening by transferring energy suitable for liquefaction of the first material to the vicinity of said opposite surface areas in an amount and for a time sufficient, for liquefaction of the first material and interpenetration of the first and second materials in the vicinity of said opposite surface areas;
- stopping the transfer of energy for a time sufficient for the first material liquefied during the step of anchoring to re-solidify.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.