Joining polymer workpieces to other components
First Claim
1. A method of attaching a shape memory polymer workpiece to a second workpiece where the workpieces have facing surfaces for the attachment, the method comprising:
- forming an attachment hole in the facing surface of the second workpiece;
placing the facing surface of the polymer workpiece overlying the attachment hole of the second workpiece, the facing surface of the polymer workpiece having no preformed protuberance for entry into the attachment hole;
activating at least a facing surface region of the shape memory polymeric workpiece to a softened condition;
applying a force to push and deform softened shape memory material from the surface region of the shape memory polymer workpiece into the attachment hole;
retaining a force against the softened polymeric material while the deformed softened shape memory material flows, in an attempt to recover its original shape, to form a mechanical attachment with the second workpiece; and
cooling the softened material, while maintaining an external force on it, to strengthen the mechanical attachment between the polymer workpiece and the second workpiece.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shape memory polymer workpiece is attached to a second workpiece. A face of the SMP workpiece is placed against an attachment surface of the second workpiece. The second workpiece has an attachment hole(s). The SMP workpiece is activated (e.g., heated) to a softening temperature and a portion extruded into the attachment hole of the facing surface of the second workpiece. The SMP piece is held while still heated against the second workpiece, the material flowing as result of the shape memory effect to form an attachment. As the SMP material cools while still under load its modulus increases fixing the attachment geometry. Reheating the attached parts without pushing them together reverses the process.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of attaching a shape memory polymer workpiece to a second workpiece where the workpieces have facing surfaces for the attachment, the method comprising:
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forming an attachment hole in the facing surface of the second workpiece; placing the facing surface of the polymer workpiece overlying the attachment hole of the second workpiece, the facing surface of the polymer workpiece having no preformed protuberance for entry into the attachment hole; activating at least a facing surface region of the shape memory polymeric workpiece to a softened condition; applying a force to push and deform softened shape memory material from the surface region of the shape memory polymer workpiece into the attachment hole; retaining a force against the softened polymeric material while the deformed softened shape memory material flows, in an attempt to recover its original shape, to form a mechanical attachment with the second workpiece; and cooling the softened material, while maintaining an external force on it, to strengthen the mechanical attachment between the polymer workpiece and the second workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of attaching a shape memory polymer workpiece to a metal workpiece where the workpieces have facing surfaces for the attachment, the method comprising;
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forming an attachment hole in the facing surface of the metal workpiece; placing the facing surface of the polymer workpiece with its attachment portion overlying the attachment hole of the metal workpiece, the facing surface of the polymer workpiece having no preformed protuberance for engagement with the attachment hole; heating at least the intended attachment region of the polymeric part to a shape memory softened condition; pushing softened attachment portion material into the attachment hole; retaining a pushing load against the heated region of the polymer workpiece while the pushed portion flows, in an attempt to recover its original shape, to form a mechanical attachment with the metal part at the hole; and cooling the extruded softened material, while maintaining an external force on it, to fix and strengthen the mechanical attachment to the metal part. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification