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US 2019/0232424 A1Published application
Hybrid weld joint and method of forming the same
AssigneeShiloh Industries, Inc.
InventorsJames W. Walther, John R. Ewolski, Clifford J. Hoschouer, Anthony Santamaria
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Abstract
A hybrid weld joint for joining sheet metal pieces together. According to one example, the hybrid weld joint exhibits characteristics of both butt welds and lap joints and is used to create a tailor-welded blank assembly where at least one sheet metal piece is made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy. Such a tailor-welded blank assembly is particularly suitable for the automotive industry.
Claims23
A welded blank assembly, comprising:
- a first sheet metal piece having an end with a reduced thickness portion and a recess;
- a second sheet metal piece having an end that nests within the first sheet metal piece recess;
- and
- a hybrid weld joint joining the first and second sheet metal pieces together, wherein the hybrid weld joint includes both a lap portion and a butt portion.
1 more element
A method of making a welded blank assembly, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first sheet metal piece having an end with a reduced thickness portion and a recess;
- providing a second sheet metal piece having an end, wherein the first sheet metal piece, the second sheet metal piece, or both the first and second sheet metal pieces is made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy;
- arranging the first and second sheet metal pieces so that the second sheet metal piece end nests within the first sheet metal piece recess;
- and
- using a laser to form a hybrid weld joint between the first and second sheet metal pieces, wherein the hybrid weld joint includes both a lap portion and a butt portion.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.