EP1984164A1

EP1984164A1 - Method for joining items using a fluid joint filler

Info

Publication number: EP1984164A1
Application number: EP06706050A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steen Rubaek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-13
Filing date: 2006-02-13
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Also published as: WO2007093173A1

Abstract

A method for joining two or more items consisting of any kind of material, by using a fluid joint filler which is applied to one or more joint faces and/or joint cavities of one or more items, where the items are fixed in relation to each other with the said joint faces and/or cavities in the desired mutual jointing position, where the fluid joint filler is then applied to the joint faces and/or cavities, as the items are designed with one or more inlet openings for introducing the fluid joint filler to the joint faces and/or joint cavities, and where the fluid joint filler is then allowed to harden or to set. hi a simple way is hereby achieved that it becomes possible to control the distribution of a fluid joint filler so that one may avoid joint filler on unwanted places and to ensure that the joint filler has the optimal joint thickness and shape with consequent optimal strength for the joint.

Description

Method for Joining Items

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a method for joining items and of the kind indicated in the preamble of claim 1.

Background of the Invention

In prior art methods for joining by means of a fluid joint filler, e.g. glue, the fluid joint filler is applied more or less accurately to the jointing surfaces of the items, whereafter the latter are subsequently assembled and held or fixed until hardening.

It often occurs that joint filler is inadvertently applied outside the wanted areas, or on the other hand that joint filler is missing uncontrolled on parts of the joint faces. It may be particularly problematic with items to be joined and where the joint faces overlap by being mutually inserted, as the joint filler is partially scraped off during the fixing operation.

By the prior art methods of the present kind it is very difficult to ensure an optimal joint thickness of the joint filler. Besides, it maybe a problem that the joint strength is really not known, which in practice often lead to "destructive testing" with consequent waste of material and time. Finally, the prior art methods for assembling items are not suited for automatisation due to lack of uniformity.

Object of the Invention

It is the purpose of the invention to indicate an improved method of the kind indicated in the introduction, which by means of simple measures enables controlling the distribution of a fluid joint filler so that one may avoid joint filler on unwanted places and to ensure that the joint filler has the optimal joint thickness and shape with consequent optimal strength for the joint.

Short Description of the Invention

The method according to the invention is characterised in that the items are fixed in relation to each other with the said joint faces and/or cavities in the desired mutual jointing position, that the fluid joint filler is then applied to the joint faces and/or cavities, as the items are designed with one or more inlet openings for introducing the fluid joint filler to the joint faces and/or joint cavities, and that the fluid joint filler is then allowed to harden or to set. In a simple way is hereby achieved that it becomes possible to control the distribution of a fluid joint filler so that one may avoid joint filler on unwanted places and to ensure that the joint filler has the optimal joint thickness and shape with consequent optimal strength for the joint.

In a particularly suitable way, the method according to the invention may be modified so that one or more items are designed, shaped or machined with one or more joint areas with a shape ensuring a controlled distribution of the joint filler and an optimal shape of the selected joint filler for attaining optimal strength of the joint.

The method according to the invention may further be modified with advantage so that the joint faces of one or more outer/upper items or components and joint faces of one or more inner/lower items or components to be joined are mutually fixed when one or more joint faces are overlapping each other by being laid upon each other.

Alternatively, the method according to invention may be thus modified so that joint faces of one or more outer/upper items or components and joint faces of one or more inner/lower items or components to be joined are mutually fixed when one or more joint faces are overlapping each other by being inserted into each other.

With regard to ensure an optimal distribution of the joint filler, the method according to the invention may be further modified so that distribution channels/grooves are designed, shaped or machined between the joint faces in order to optimise the distribution of the j oint filler.

The method according to the invention may be further modified in that there is used one or more outlet apertures for discharging excess air and joint filler, so that visually/by sensing it may be controlled that a correct amount of joint filler has been introduced. In addition, it may be advantageous to use a modified method according to the invention where discharge areas are used for receiving excess joint filler and for ensuring that joint areas are filled with joint filler.

With the intention of establishing a mechanical locking function between the joined items, the method according to the invention may be advantageously modified in such a way that locking features are designed, shaped or machined with the intention of establishing a mechanical locking function only by the setting of the joint filler, so that a permanent joint without requirements to the joint filler adhering on the joint faces is obtained.

Finally, the method according to the invention may be modified so that fixing features are designed, shaped or machined with the intention of creating a stable, preferably centred initial fixing of the items, so that greater uniformity and possibility of handling the items during hardening/setting is achieved.

In other words, the main aspect of the method according to the invention is that possibility of fixing the items in the desired jointing position before supplying joint filler is provided. Items to be joined may provided with one or more inlet apertures for introducing the fluid joint filler to joint faces and/or joint cavities.

Alternatively, one or more of the items to be joined may be designed, shaped or machined with the object of forming one or more joint areas with a shape ensuring controlled distribution of the joint filler and additionally ensuring an optimal shape of the joint for the selected joint filler for attaining optimal strength of the joint.

The indicated method furthermore ensures that the calculated jointing area is attained and that no unnecessary waste will occur. The method makes the joining process very predictable, so that one may calculate a minimum strength and thereby avoid costly tests. Or, in other words, by the method it is also possible to provide a non-destructive control whereby the method becomes even more secure in practice.

As a novelty, by the method it is enabled working with joints where joint faces are overlapping by being inserted into each other, as the joint filler is only applied after fixing the items. It is therefore possible to join all geometric shapes which may be inserted into each other. By the indicated method, there may furthermore be achieved a joint which is liquid- and gastight.

By using the method according to the invention, much time can be saved in a manual production. Furthermore, compared with prior art methods, the method is well suited for automatised production since the distribution of the joint filler may be predicted to a high degree so that the desired joint strength is attained. An automatised process furthermore provides very great benefits to the working environment.

When the joint filler is only applied after the fixing, by means of the special design of the items it becomes possible to apply the joint filler to the desired areas in a joint shape which can be optimised according to the selected joint filler. The jointing area may be adapted to the actual task and determined by the chosen shape of item and machining, respectively.

The joint faces are shaped so that there is less resistance against the joint filler in the jointing area than in the slots, channels and holes where the joint filler otherwise would be spread. Hereby it is ensured that the joint filler will fill up the jointing area completely before spreading to unintended areas.

By the method, a minimum and maximum cavity volume/joint area may be calculated on the basis of tolerances of the items, whereafter a joint strength may be calculated with different amounts of joint filler. Hereby, a very reliable result may be achieved and, as mentioned above, destructive tests may be omitted. The method furthermore opens the possibility of a new control method where the feeding pressure of the joint filler is measured, as the feeding pressure rises when the jointing area is filled up. By the method it is possible to guarantee fluid-tight joints where joint faces overlap by being inserted into each other by choosing a shape of the joint that envelopes the item or items.

Short Description of the Drawing

The invention is now explained more closely in connection with the drawing, in which:

Fig. IA shows a plane side view of an embodiment of an item with join areas for assembling with joint filler according to the method according to the invention;

Fig. IB shows a sectional view, cf. the section line B-B in Fig. IA, Fig. 1C shows a sectional view, cf. the section line C-C in Fig. IA;

Fig. 2A shows a plane side view of a second embodiment of an item for joining according to the method according to the invention; Fig. 2B shows a sectional view, cf. the section line B-B in Fig. 2A, Fig. 3 A shows a plane side view of a third embodiment of an item for joining according to the method according to the invention;

Fig. 3B shows a sectional view, cf. the section line B-B in Fig. 3 A,

Fig. 4A shows a plane side view of a fourth embodiment of an item for joining according to the method according to the invention; Fig. 4B shows a sectional view, cf. the section on line B-B in Fig. 4A, Fig. 4C shows a plane sectional view, cf. the section on line C-C in Fig. 4A; Fig. 5A shows a plane side view of yet an embodiment of an item for joining according to the method according to the invention;

Fig. 5B shows a plane sectional view, cf. the section on line B-B in Fig. 5A; Fig. 6A shows a plane sectional view of yet an embodiment of an item for joining according to the method according to the invention;

Fig. 6B shows a plane sectional view, cf. the section line B-B in Fig. 6A;

Fig. 7A shows a plane sectional view of yet an embodiment of an item for joining according to the method according to the invention; Fig. 7B shows a plane sectional view, cf. the section line B-B in Fig. 7A;

Fig. 8 A shows a plane sectional view of yet an embodiment of an item for joining according to the method according to the invention; and Fig. 8B shows a plane sectional view, cf. the section line B-B in Fig. 8A;

Detailed Description of the Invention

For illustrating an embodiment of a joint established according to the method according to the invention, it includes the item 2, an item member 4 and an item member 6 shown in Fig. IA- 1C, of which the item member 4 is designed with a recessed rectangular joint face 8, while the item member 4 is designed with an inlet 10 through which fluid joint filler, e.g. glue - illustrated by 12 - may be introduced and distributed and fill the recessed joint face 8, so that item members 4 and 6 are joined when the joint filler hardens or sets, as it is presupposed that relevant surface parts of item members 4 and 6 are capable of forming a bond with the joint filler.

The joint shown in Figs. 2A and 2B includes a tubular item member 14 with square cross-section and a tubular item member 16 also having square cross-section, but with an inner transverse dimension largely corresponding to the outer transverse dimension of the item member 14. I.e. this may be inserted into the item member 16 in a telescoping way. The latter is a section within an end part 18 of an inner wall 17 designed with a recessed annular connecting zone 20 which has a longitudinal extension 22 and which is connected with an inlet 24 in a sidewall 26.

IQ Fig. 2B is shown how the item member 14 is disposed inside the item member 16 in such a way that an end part 28 of the item member 14 is moved past the connecting zone 20 and further into the item member 16. When the item members 14 and 16 have been placed in desired mutual position, these are fixed mutual in a suitable way. Then the fluid joint filler is introduced through the inlet 24 until the connecting zone 20 is completely filled with joint filler, and when this is hardened or set, there is established a permanent joint between the item members 14 and 16.

The joint shown in Figs. 3A and 3B includes a tubular item member 30 and a tubular item member 32. Both item members 30 and 32 have complementary figure-of-eight cross-sections, as the item member 30 fits relatively tightly internally of the item member 32. Thus we are again talking about a telescopic connection where the item member 30 may be inserted into the item member 32. A short distance from an end part 34, the item member 30 is designed with an external recessed connecting zone 35 having a longitudinal extension 36. Spaced apart from an end part 38, the item member 32 is designed with a radial inlet 40 which, as shown in Fig. 3B, is connected with the connecting zone 35.

When the item members 30 and 32 have been placed in desired mutual position, these are fixed mutually in a suitable way. Then the fluid joint filler is introduced through the inlet 40 until the connecting zone 35 is completely filled with joint filler, and when this is hardened or set, there is established a permanent joint between the item members 30 and 32.

Figs. 4A-4C show a joint between an item member 42 and an item member 44, of which the item member 42 in a surface member 46 are designed with a recessed rectangular connecting zone 46, which is further designed with a pattern of distribution channels 48 having the purpose of ensuring rapid supply of joint filler to the entire connecting zone. The item member 44 is designed with an inlet 50 for introducing fluid joint filler, e.g. a suitable glue, the properties of which determined by the material of which the items 42 and 44 are constituted.

When the items 42 and 44 have been fixed mutually, cf. Fig. 4c, joint filler is introduced through the inlet 50, whereafter the joint filler will rapidly find its way via the distribution channels 48 to the entire connecting zone 46, so that a superior joining of the item members 42 and 44 is ensured when the joint filler has had time to harden or set. Hereby is ensured a more uniform and simultaneous filling of the connecting zone 46 and that an amount of joint filler close to 100% of the calculated maximum maybe introduced before it penetrates out at unintended points.

The joint shown in Figs. 5A and 5B includes an item member 52 and an item member 54, where the item member 52 either may be a solid cylindric item or a tubular item with relatively large wall thickness, as the item member 52 within an end part 56 is designed with an external recessed connecting zone 58, which is furthermore provided with a central annular distribution channel 60. About at the centre of the connecting zone 58, the item member 54 is designed with a radial inlet 62, and at the upper end of the connecting zone 58 designed with an outlet aperture 64. It is presupposed that the item member 52 fits relatively tightly inside the item member 54.

When the items 52 and 54 are disposed as shown in Fig. 5B and have been mutually fixed, fluid joint filler is introduced through the inlet 62, whereafter the joint filler is rapidly distributed evenly in the connecting zone 58 via the distribution duct 60, until joint filler penetrates out of the outlet 64, indicating that the entire connecting zone 58 has been filled with joint filler, whereafter the feeding of joint filler may be terminated. It may thus be visually/tangibly be ascertained that the correct amount of joint filler has been introduced.

Figs. 6A and 6B show a joint consisting of a solid item member 66 and a tubular item member 68. The item member 66, which fits relatively tightly inside the item member 68, is by shaping or machining at a short distance from an end part 70 designed with an external connecting zone 72 comprising a central annular distribution channel 74. Opposite the connecting zone 72, the item member 66 is designed with a radial inlet 75.

At both sides of connecting zone 72, the item member 66 is additionally designed with annular outlet areas 76 which are to ensure that the whole connecting zone 72 will be filled with joint filler. Due to the higher friction/resistance in the outlet areas 76, the joint filler will be distributed in the connecting zone at first, while the outlet areas 76 may accommodate the excessive joint filler appearing due to volume tolerances of the connecting zone 72.

Figs. 7A and 7B show a joint including a solid item member 78 and a tubular item member 80 which are both shaped/machined so that a permanent joint can be obtained by setting only - without requiring adhesion - of joint filler onto specially designed joint faces which are formed by the item member 78 being designed with an external annular recess 84 with spacing to an end part 82, and in that the item member 80 at a short length from an end part 86 is also designed with an internal annular recess 88. Besides, opposite the recesses 84 and 88 the item member 80 is designed with a radial inlet 90 intended for introducing joint filler when the item members 78 and 80 assume the mutual position shown in Fig. 7B. After hardening/setting, the joint filer will hereby form a mechanical lock so that the items cannot be separated.

Figs. 8A and 8B show a joint consisting of a cylindric item member 92 and a tubular item member 94. Externally of the item member 92 and spaced apart from an end part 96 there is provided annular fixing lips 98 which are intended for centrering and securing the item member 92 internally of the item member 94, as the fixing lips 98 furthermore form a connecting zone 100 between each other, with a central annular distribution duct 102. The fixing lips 98 also act as spacers with the purpose of ensuring optimal joint thickness of the joint filler. Opposite the connecting zone 100, the item member 94 has a radial inlet 104.

The fixing lips 98 may be designed as barbs that taper radially outwards, i.e. the longer the distance to the centre of the item, and hereby is achieved a centring during the fixing, as the bending resistance of the fixing lips 98 rises when approaching the centre of the item. The fixing lips 98 may have slightly greater external diameter than internal diameter of the item member 94, so that the tops of the fixing lips 98 by joining will bend and subsequently exert a pressure against the other item. Hereby is achieved that the fixing lips 98 will centre and secure the other item.

Fig. 9 shows a corner joint 106 of plastic which is intended for joining aluminium sections for making e.g. serigraphical frames. Each of the legs 108 of the corner joint

106 is designed with thin annular sealings 110 which also have the purpose of ensuring correct joint thickness of the joint filler when this, when this after via an inlet drilled into the aluminium section opposite an annular distribution channel 112.

Finally, the corner joint 106 is designed with an external inclining collar 114 extending at 45°, and which is intended as abutment for internal edges of the aluminium sections; when these have been inserted into the corner joint 106 and fixed in mutually correct disposition, joint filler is introduced through the inlet for final mutual fixation of the parts of the serigraphical frame.

Claims

1. A method for joining two or more items consisting of any kind of material, by using a fluid joint filler which is applied to one or more joint faces and/or joint cavities of one or more items, characterised in that the items are fixed in relation to each other with the said joint faces and/or cavities in the desired mutual jointing position, that the fluid joint filler is then applied to the joint faces and/or cavities, as the items are designed with one or more inlet openings for introducing the fluid joint filler to the joint faces and/or joint cavities, and that the fluid joint filler is then allowed to harden or to set.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that one or more items are designed, shaped or machined with one or more joint areas with a shape ensuring a controlled distribution of the joint filler and an optimal shape of the selected joint filler for attaining optimal strength of the joint.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the joint faces of one or more outer/upper items or components and joint faces of one or more inner/lower items or components to be joined are mutually fixed when one or more joint faces are overlapping each other by being laid upon each other.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that joint faces of one or more outer/upper items or components and joint faces of one or more inner/lower items or components to be joined are mutually fixed when one or more joint faces are overlapping each other by being inserted into each other.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that distribution channels/grooves are designed, shaped or machined between the joint faces in order to optimise the distribution of the joint filler.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that there is used one or more outlet apertures for discharging excess air and joint filler, so that visually/by sensing it may be controlled that a correct amount of joint filler has been introduced.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that discharge areas are used for receiving excess joint filler and for ensuring that joint areas are filled with joint filler.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that locking features are designed, shaped or machined with the intention of establishing a mechanical locking function only by the setting of the joint filler, so that a permanent joint without requirements to the joint filler adhering on the joint faces is obtained.

9. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that fixing features are designed, shaped or machined with the intention of creating a stable and centred initial fixing of the items, so that greater uniformity and possibility oaf handling the items during hardening/setting is achieved.