Taper-lock laser weld for an air induction component

An air induction component assembly comprising:

• a first shell made from a laser-transparent material defining a first laser weld surface and including a first taper locking surface opposite from said first laser weld surface wherein said first shell includes a first wall extension having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, said first wall extension extending from a first base end to a first distal end with said first laser weld surface and said first taper locking surface being formed on said first wall extension;
• a second shell made from a laser absorbing material defining a second laser weld surface and including a second taper locking surface opposite from said second laser weld surface wherein said first laser weld surface comprises a first tapered surface portion defining a first angle and said second laser weld surface comprises a second tapered surface portion defining a second angle different than said first angle, and wherein said second shell includes a second wall extension having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, said second wall extension extending from a second base end to a second distal end with said second laser weld surface and said second taper locking surface being formed on said second wall extension, and wherein said first and said second wall extensions overlap each other such that said first and said second taper locking surfaces directly abut each other;
• and
• a laser weld joint area formed at said first and second laser weld surfaces to permanently attach said first shell to said second shell wherein said first and second taper locking surfaces cooperate with each other to lock said first and second laser weld surfaces into abutting engagement at a predetermined pressure during a laser welding process.

An air induction component assembly comprising:

• a first shell made from a laser-transparent material defining a first laser weld surface and including a first taper locking surface opposite from said first laser weld surface, and wherein said first shell includes a first transition surface that transitions from said first laser weld surface to said first taper locking surface;
• a second shell made from a laser absorbing material defining a second laser weld surface and including a second taper locking surface opposite from said second laser weld surface, and wherein said second shell includes a second transition surface that transitions from said second laser weld surface to said second taper locking surface, and wherein said first laser weld surface comprises a first laser surface portion defining a first angle and said second laser weld surface comprises a second tapered surface portion defining a second angle different than said first angle;
• said first transition surface including a flat segment and said second transition surface including a curved segment that directly faces said flat;
• and
• a laser weld joint area formed at said first and second laser weld surfaces to permanently attach said first shell to said second shell wherein said first and second taper locking surfaces cooperate with each other to lock said first and second laser weld surfaces into abutting engagement at a predetermined pressure during a laser welding process.