Adhesive joining device and adhesive joining method for a metal surface

{
  "publication_number": "US12049708B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Adhesive joining device and adhesive joining method for a metal surface",
  "abstract": "An adhesive joining device for providing a connection between a metal surface and a body using an electrochemical etching device. The device has a vacuum holder to form a vacuum connection between the adhesive joining device and the metal surface. A tool changing holder receives at least two different tools in a time-staggered manner. A first tool can be an electrochemical etching cell for an electrolyte with an etching chamber which is oriented towards the metal surface, a feed for electrolyte, a drain, and two electrodes, one electrode being mechanically and electrically connected to the metal surface and the second electrode coming into contact with the electrolyte. A second tool is for holding and positioning the body to be adhered to the etched metal surface. The distance, position, alignment, and/or parallelity of the body to be adhered can be configured in a reliable and defined manner for the adhesion process.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An adhesive joining device for preparing and/or producing an adhesive connection in an adhesive point and/or adhesive section on a metallic surface (5) to a body and/or component (4) to be adhered thereon and an adhesive by means of an electrochemical etching device, comprising: a vacuum holder (1) with a vacuum connection (11) and a seal, wherein the seal is adapted to provide a vacuum seal whereby a vacuum can be formed between the adhesive joining device and the metal surface (5) around the adhesive point and/or adhesive section to be produced, wherein the vacuum holder (1) can be attached to the metal surface (5) and firmly held in place by the vacuum at any positional orientation of the metal surface (5), and wherein the vacuum holder (1) can be removed from the metal surface (5) by ending the vacuum; a tool changing holder (2) which receives at least two different tools (31, 32) in a time-offset manner and in a defined position; a first tool (31) which can be inserted into the tool holder (2) and used in a time-offset manner, namely an electrochemical etching cell for an electrolyte with an etching chamber which is oriented towards the metal surface (5), a feed for supplying an electrolyte (311) to the etching chamber, a drain for the etching chamber (312), and two electrodes (12, 313) with corresponding electric contacts, one electrode (12) being mechanically and electrically connected to the metal surface (5) to be structured and the second electrode (313) coming into contact with the electrolyte; and a second tool (32) which can be inserted into the tool holder (2) and used in a time-offset manner for holding and positioning the body and/or component (4) to be adhered to the etched metal surface (5) with a defined position within the tool holder (2), wherein the distance, position, alignment, and/or parallelism of the body (4) to be adhered can be secured and aligned in a defined manner.",
    "2. The adhesive joining device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first tool (31) is flexibly conformable to the metallic surface (5) to be etched with regard to curvature and/or expansion.",
    "3. The adhesive joining device according to claim 1, wherein the first tool (31) which can be inserted and used in the tool holder (2) with a time delay is also adapted for cleaning the etched metallic surface (5), adapted to being provided with corresponding supply and discharge lines for cleaning and/or rinsing liquids and/or rinsing medium (69) and/or the existing supply (311) and the outlet (312) adapted to being switched for a cleaning and/or rinsing liquid and/or rinsing medium (69).",
    "4. The adhesive joining device according to claim 1, wherein a third tool, adapted to being inserted and used with a time offset in the tool holder (2), is provided for cleaning the etched metallic surface (5) after the etching process.",
    "5. The adhesive joining device according to claim 1, wherein a fourth tool, adapted to being inserted and used with a time delay in the tool holder (2), is provided for the local deposition of copper on structured aluminum surfaces in order to produce at least one electrical contacting point.",
    "6. The adhesive joining device according to claim 1, including at least one of at least one vacuum pump (61), which is line-connected to the vacuum holder (1) via the vacuum connection (11, 66), at least one electrolyte reservoir (67) for storing an electrolyte, at least one electrolyte collecting container (68) for receiving the used electrolyte, at least one pump (61) for supplying the first tool (31) with an electrolyte at least one pump (61) for supplying flushing medium to the first and/or the third tool, and at least one control unit (61) for device control and/or process control.",
    "7. The adhesive joining device according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive-joining device is mobile and/or transportable.",
    "8. An adhesive joining method for a metallic surface using the adhesive joining device according to claim 1, comprising the steps: selecting the adhesion point, positioning the adhesive joining device and attaching the vacuum holder (1) by creating and maintaining a vacuum; simultaneous or subsequent insertion of the first tool (31) into the tool holder (2); creation of a structure on the metallic surface (5) at the selected adhesion point and surface by electrochemical etching by means of the first tool (31); cleaning and drying the structured metallic surface (5) using the first tool (31) or a third tool, wherein when using the third tool, a tool change takes place; removing the tool (31) from the tool holder (2) establishing a bond by: insertion of the second tool (32) into the tool holder (2) and positioning the body and/or component (4) to be adhered in the second tool (32) and applying the adhesive to the structured metallic surface (5) and/or the body and/or component (4) and subsequent application of the body and/or component (4) to be adhered by means of the second tool (32) for producing a defined gap width, alignment to the structured metallic surface (5) in a fixed position directly above the previously structured metallic surface (5), wherein the tool holder (2) with the vacuum holder (1) remains stationary; or positioning the body and/or component (4) to be adhered and the adhesive on the structured metallic surface (5) and subsequent insertion of the second tool (32) in the tool holder (2) and using the second tool (32) for producing a defined gap width, alignment to the structured metallic surface (5) in a fixed position directly above the previously structured metallic surface (5), wherein the tool holder (2) with the vacuum holder (1) remains stationary; hardening or curing and/or allowing the adhesive to harden or cure while the tool holder (2) with the vacuum holder (1) remains stationary; and removing the adhesive joining device.",
    "9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the etching is nanoscale sculpturing.",
    "10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive is applied using an adhesive application aid and/or the curing of the adhesive takes place under defined conditions, supplying for this purpose a defined amount of thermal energy and/or achieving a defined temperature and/or applying UV lighting."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to an adhesive joining device for preparing and/or producing an adhesive connection at an adhesive point and/or adhesive section on a metallic surface with a body and/or component to be adhered thereon and an adhesive by means of an electrochemical etching device.\n\nThe invention also relates to an adhesive-joining method for a metallic surface with an adhesive-joining device designed according to the invention for preparing and/or producing an adhesive connection at an adhesive point and/or adhesive section on a metallic surface with a body and/or component to be adhered thereon and an adhesive.\n\nThe technical field of the invention relates to joining by means of adhesive techniques and the preparation and/or production of corresponding adhesive connections, particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of the manufacture of ships, aircraft, vehicles, as well as special machines or supporting structures.\n\nFrom the state of the art different joining techniques are known for joining two components or structures, including, but not limited to, welding, soldering, screwing and/or riveting, all of which being widely employed and highly developed. Nevertheless, these joining techniques can not optimally be used in various applications. For example, heat input during welding or soldering for joining can be too high for structures or coatings, in particular components, so that materials or the environment, as well as already applied coatings and the like, can be damaged. Screws and rivets require holes which, for example, are not allowed in many metallic outer walls.",
  "cpc": [
    "C25F 3/14",
    "C25F 7/00",
    "F16B 5/08"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "C25F 3/14",
    "C25F 7/00",
    "F16B 5/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Nascit GmbH"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Joerg Bahr",
    "Melike Baytekin-Gerngroß",
    "Mark-Daniel Gerngroß",
    "Juergen Carstensen",
    "Rainer Adelung",
    "Ingo Paulowicz"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-04-17",
  "publication_date": "2024-07-30",
  "grant_date": "2024-07-30",
  "priority_date": "2018-04-20",
  "application_number": "US-201917048607-A",
  "family_id": "66529723",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US3546088A",
    "US4428815A",
    "US4810343A",
    "US4986889A",
    "US5571389A",
    "DE69402952T2",
    "US6569282B1",
    "US8974656B2",
    "US20130327353A1",
    "EP3140438A1",
    "US20180087170A1",
    "DE102016113641A1"
  ]
}