Joining method

{
  "publication_number": "US10279784B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Joining method",
  "abstract": "The invention relates to a method for joining a first and second planar part each having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein in a first step a lowered area is provided at two joining regions of the planar parts, which joining regions face each other, wherein the lowered areas are shaped in such a way that the level of the outer surface in the region of said lowered areas lies below the level of the outer surface of the adjacent regions of the planar parts; wherein in a further step the two planar parts are positioned in relation to each other, while an adhesive is used, in such a way that the two lowered areas form a recess, wherein either one joining region overlaps the other joining region and the adhesive is provided directly between the overlapping joining regions or a joining aid is used, which at least partially overlaps the joining regions of the planar parts, wherein the adhesive is provided between each joining region of the two planar parts and the joining aid; wherein in a further step a mechanical joint is installed in the region of the recess between the joining regions or, if a joining aid is used, between the joining regions and the joining aid in order to provide an assembly connection; wherein in a further step the recess is filled with a filling mass in order to allow leveling with respect to the level of the outer surface of the adjacent regions of the planar parts.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for joining first and second planar parts, each of the planar parts having an outer surface and an inner surface, the method comprising: providing a lowered area at two joining regions of the planar parts, which the joining regions face each other, wherein the lowered areas are shaped in such a way that the level of the outer surface in the region of the lowered areas lies below the level of the outer surface of the adjacent regions of the planar parts; positioning the two planar parts in relation to each other in such a way that the two lowered areas form a recess, wherein either (a) one joining region having a plurality of holes defined thereon overlaps the other joining region having a plurality of holes defined thereon so that at least some of the joining region holes are aligned and an adhesive is disposed between the overlapping joining regions or (b) the joining regions are separated by a gap and a joining aid having a plurality of holes defined thereon is provided and at least partially overlaps the joining regions of the planar parts so that at least some of the holes are aligned with the gap, and the adhesive is provided between each joining region of the two planar parts and the joining aid; disposing a mechanical connector through aligned joining region holes in the recess between the joining regions or, if a joining aid is used, between the gap and through the joining aid hole to provide an assembly connection; and filling the recess with a filling mass to allow leveling with respect to the level of the outer surface of the adjacent regions of the planar parts.",
    "2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one said planar part is metallic, whereby its joining region is formed by a cold forming process on the front side in the region of the lowered area before contact by the adhesive.",
    "3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the two planar parts are metallic, whereby both joining regions are tooled by the cold forming process on the front side in the region of the lowered area before contact by the adhesive.",
    "4. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of providing the recess and regions defining the recess of the planar parts with corrosion protection, after curing of the adhesive and before filling with the filling mass.",
    "5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lowered area of at least one planar part has a step or multiple steps.",
    "6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the lowered area of at least one planar part is in the range between one to three times a thickness of that planar part.",
    "7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a multicomponent adhesive and/or the filling mass is a multicomponent filling mass.",
    "8. The method according to claim 1, used to repair automotive bodywork sector.",
    "9. The method according to claim 1, wherein one planar part is a part of an auto body and the other planar part is a replacement part for the auto body.",
    "10. A connecting region of first and second planar parts, each of the planar parts having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the two planar parts have lowered areas on joining regions, wherein the planar parts are positioned such that the two lowered areas form a recess, wherein either (a) one joining region having a plurality of holes defined thereon overlaps the other joining region having a plurality of holes defined thereon and an adhesive is provided directly between the overlapping joining regions or (b) a joining aid having a plurality of holes defined thereon is used, which at least partially overlaps the joining regions of the planar parts, wherein the adhesive is provided between each joining region of the two planar parts and the joining aid, and wherein the recess is filled with a filling mass."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to a method for joining surfaces, particularly made of sheet metal. For example, such a joining method can be used for repairing metallic surfaces, particularly of vehicle bodies.\n\nThere are many repair methods for metallic surfaces in the prior art. Sills, damaged by accidents, can be removed from vehicle bodies in the case of a sheet steel structure, for example, in a directional manner or partially and replaced. Repairing sills made of light metal is more difficult. EP 0591227 B1 proposes a repair method for this purpose in which the sill is completely removed by means of oblique cuts and then, with use of sleeve inserts, a replacement girder portion is welded all around to the remaining girder stub.\n\nRepair methods can also be found in the prior art which provide for removing the damaged part, whereby a replacement part is installed with use of an adhesive connection. This is also suitable particularly when it concerns different materials to be connected such as, for example, GRP, aluminum, and sheet steel. For example, DE 19633911 discloses a repair method for a separable sill, which has an inner and outer profile. The outer profile in this case covers the inner profile from the outer side of the vehicle and serves as a deformable protective element for the inner profile and protects it from damage in minor to moderately severe collisions. DE 19633911 for this purpose provides a repair method for such a sill, which calls for the replacement of the outer profile, whereby provisions are also made for bonding together the outer and inner profile.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60S 5/00",
    "B23P 11/00",
    "B62D 27/026",
    "F16B 11/006"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 11/00",
    "B60S 5/00",
    "B62D 27/02",
    "F16B 11/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Henkel AG and Co KGaA"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Joachim Plotzitzka",
    "Hermann J. Schwarze"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-03-14",
  "publication_date": "2019-05-07",
  "grant_date": "2019-05-07",
  "priority_date": "2013-09-16",
  "application_number": "US-201615069359-A",
  "family_id": "51422082",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
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    "DE19633911A1",
    "EP0975439B1",
    "DE19748786A1",
    "DE19831982A1",
    "JP2000179513A",
    "US20030005995A1",
    "DE10329231B3",
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  ]
}