Core element fastening and assembly method

• US 7,293,358 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Watkins, Gregory D., Wildrick, Donald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant; David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Afzali; Sarang
• Application Number:
  US10/975,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20050081356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 295/250.1, 298/880.1, 294/32, 297/98
• US Class Current: 29/888.01
• CPC Class Codes: B22C 21/14 for reinforcing or securing moulding materials or cores, e.g. gaggers, chaplets, pins, bars
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/024 Belt drive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49231 I.C. [internal combustion] engine making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49833 Punching, piercing or reaming part by surface of second part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5343 Means to drive self-piercing work part

Abstract

Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained in an assembly by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. Such an assembly method comprises positioning at least two core elements in a core assembly, positioning a smooth surface fastener for entry into the at least two core elements, and driving the smooth surface fastener into the two core elements to fasten them in the core assembly. In such a preferred method, the smooth surface fastener comprises a staple with two smooth surface tines connected by a crown and the staple is positioned for entry of one tine into each of two core elements with the crown of the staple spanning the interface between the two core elements.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

assembling at least two core sand elements into a core assembly for casting an internal combustion engine part;

providing a fastening fixture comprising a plurality of staple guns oriented for insertion of a plurality of staples into the at least two core sand elements of the core assembly;

positioning the fastening fixture adjacent the core assembly with each of the plurality of staple guns located for insertion of a staple into the at least two core sand elements; and

driving with rectilinear motion a plurality of staples into the at least two core sand elements to span an interface between the at least two core sand elements without clenching the tines of the staples to fasten the core assembly together.

2. A method of fastening a core assembly together in casting parts for an internal combustion engine comprising:

assembling a plurality of core elements into a core assembly for casting an internal combustion engine part;

providing a fastening fixture comprising a plurality of staple guns oriented for insertion of a plurality of staples Into the core elements of the core assembly;

positioning the fastening fixture adjacent the core assembly with each of the plurality of staple guns located for insertion of a staple into two core elements; and

simultaneously driving a plurality of staples into the core elements of the core assembly without clenching the tines of the staples to fasten the core assembly together;

wherein at least one of the plurality of staples is oriented for insertion of a staple with only one tine in a first one of the two adjacent core elements, with the staple crown extending between the at least two adjacent core elements.

3. The Improvement of claim 2, wherein the staple is driven with rectilinear motion through the plurality of core elements by an air-driven gun.