Joining of tubular parts in a T-joint by riveting/brazing
First Claim
1. A method of joining an end of a first sheet metal tubular or channel shaped member to the side of a second sheet metal tubular or channel shaped member, said method comprising:
- forming at least one flange strip at said end of said first member from the first member, said flange strip being adapted for shaping into conformance with the surface of the side of said second member at which the joint is to be formed;
forming corresponding location holes in said flange strip and in the surface of said second member for locating said flange strip;
fixing a brazing filler material to a side of said flange strip intended to lie against the surface of said second member;
shaping said flange strip against said side of said second member with said location holes aligned;
mechanically attaching said flange strip to said second member with rivets; and
brazing said flange strip to said second member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In attempting to reduce deformity when joining vehicle frame components, a riveting/brazing process has been proposed. This process includes joining tubular members, such as hydroformed parts, by cutting at least one flange into one end of a first body member, shaped in conformance with the surface of a second body member. Location holes are formed into each flange as well as into the surface of the second member in suitable alignment with each other. A brazing filler material is fixed into a side of the flange, usually within a pocket, intending to lie on the surface of the second member when the two structures are attached. The flange(s) are initially attached to the surface of the second member by means of a rivet to formed an actual vehicle body assembly. Heat is then applied to the assembly to form a brazed T-joint.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of joining an end of a first sheet metal tubular or channel shaped member to the side of a second sheet metal tubular or channel shaped member, said method comprising:
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forming at least one flange strip at said end of said first member from the first member, said flange strip being adapted for shaping into conformance with the surface of the side of said second member at which the joint is to be formed;
forming corresponding location holes in said flange strip and in the surface of said second member for locating said flange strip;
fixing a brazing filler material to a side of said flange strip intended to lie against the surface of said second member;
shaping said flange strip against said side of said second member with said location holes aligned;
mechanically attaching said flange strip to said second member with rivets; and
brazing said flange strip to said second member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of joining an end of a first sheet metal tubular or channel shaped member to a second sheet metal tubular or channel shaped member in a T-shaped joint where said first member is to be the vertical portion of the T and the second member is the crossing portion of the T, said method comprising:
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cutting from said end of said first member to form a plurality of flanges for shaping into conformance with the surface of said second member at which the joint is to be formed, and with respect to each said flange;
forming corresponding location holes in each of said flange and in the surface of said horizontal body member for locating said flange;
forming a pocket into said flange to receive a body of brazing filler material;
fixing said body of brazing material in said flange such that said body protrudes from said pocket;
shaping said flange against said second member with said location holes in alignment such that said protruding body defines a gap between said flange and the underlying surface for the flow of braze alloy;
mechanically attaching said flange to said second member with rivets; and
brazing said flange to said second member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of joining an end of a first hydroformed member to a second hydroformed member, comprising steel or aluminum, in a T-shaped joint where said first member is to be the vertical portion of the T and the second member is the crossing portion of the T, said method comprising:
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cutting from said end of said first member to form at least one flange strip for shaping into conformance with the surface of said second member at which the joint is to be formed;
forming corresponding location holes in each of said flange strip(s) and in the surface of said horizontal body member for locating said flange strip(s);
forming a pocket into said flange strip(s) to receive a body of brazing filler material, such that said body protrudes from said pocket to define a brazing gap;
fixing said brazing filler body in said pocket of said flange strip(s), where said brazing filler material comprises a silver-copper-zinc alloy in application to steel body members or an aluminum-silicon alloy in application to aluminum body members;
shaping said flange strip(s) against said side of said second member with said location holes in alignment of the two so that the protruding brazing body causes a brazing fillet gap between said flange strip(s) and said second member;
mechanically attaching said flange strip(s) to said second member with rivets, where said rivets are inserted through said location holes to which said flange strips(s) and said second member to preserve said brazing gap among said flange strip(s) and said second member; and
brazing said flange strip(s) to said second member.
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Specification