Method and apparatus for attaching composite plastic automobile body to steel automobile frame
AssigneeChrysler Corporation
InventorsDel C. Schroeder, Donald E. Jay, David J. Kowall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A molded plastic automobile body is bonded to a steel frame by depositing an adhesive layer between the body and frame in a circular pattern, to facilitate thermal expansion of the body relative to the frame. To prevent the body from peeling away from the frame, anti-peeling bolts further connect the body to the frame. To diffuse over a large area the downward force of the bolt heads on the plastic body, thereby reducing scalloping of the plastic body, spring washers having large surface areas are sandwiched between the bolts and the body.
Claims7
An automobile, comprising:
- a plastic molded body having a molded left side shell and a molded right side shell;
- a steel frame positioned beneath the body;
- and
- a layer of adhesive deposited between the frame and body to attach the body to the frame, the adhesive establishing a plurality of arcuate patterns,
- wherein the arcuate patterns are the arcs of concentric circles defining a center, the frame defines a longitudinal centerline, and the center is located on the centerline.
A method for attaching a plastic molded automobile body to a steel frame, comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing a body adhesive layer on the body in an arcuate pattern;
- (b) depositing a frame adhesive layer on the frame in an arcuate pattern;
- (c) urging the body toward the frame to bond the body to the frame;
- and
- (d) bolting the body to the frame, wherein the arcuate patterns are arcs of concentric circles defining a center, the frame defines a longitudinal centerline, and the center is located on the centerline.
A system for bonding a plastic automobile body to a steel frame, comprising:
- a body adhesive layer deposited on the body in an arcuate pattern;
- a frame adhesive layer deposited on the frame in the arcuate pattern;
- wherein the arcuate pattern is arcs of concentric circles defining a center, the frame defines a longitudinal centerline, and the center is located on the centerline when the body is bonded to the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.