Connecting device, assembly and method for manufacturing an assembly

• US 9,474,339 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2013
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Soeffker, Axel, Benthien, Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): Omgba, Essama
• Application Number:
  US14/076,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20140059813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0073 Attaching means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/562 using extra joining elements, i.e. which are not integral with the parts to be joined using plastic snap elements B29C65/58; using plastic rivets B29C65/601
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/564 hidden in the joint, e.g. dowels or Z-pins B29C65/603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/112 Single lapped joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/131 Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1312 Single flange to flange joints, the parts to be joined being rigid the parts to be joined being flexible B29C66/133
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/431 Joining the articles to themselves B29C66/4322 and B29C66/4332 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43441 with two right angles, e.g. for making T-shaped pieces, H-shaped pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/721 Fibre-reinforced materials B29C66/729 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7212 characterised by the composition of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/72141 Fibres of continuous length
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/72143 Fibres of discontinuous lengths
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73941 characterised by the materials of both parts being thermosets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/543 Fixing the position or configuration of fibrous reinforcements before or during moulding for non-woven fabrics D04H3/08
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/68 by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers , e.g. foam blocks mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/882 partly or totally electrically conductive, e.g. for EMI shielding conductive floors or floor coverings H05F3/025; EMI shielding in general H05K9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2063/00 Use of EP, i.e. epoxy resins or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2307/04 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2309/08 : Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3076 : Aircrafts blades, propellers B29L2031/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/07 : by means of multiple interengaging protrusions on the surfaces, e.g. hooks, coils,
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 : Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2717 : with distinct structure for sealing securement joint
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 : by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 : Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4995 : Nonthreaded
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49966 : with supplemental joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49968 : Metal fusion joining

Abstract

A connecting device for manufacturing a peeling-stress-resistant connection between two components. The connecting device includes a carrier, which has a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The connecting device further includes a plurality of hook and loop elements which extend both from the first and the second surface of the carrier and each have at their free ends facing away from the first or the second surface of the carrier a hook and loop head, which is arranged to enter into a hook and loop connection with a component comprising a fiber-reinforced composite material.

Claims

1. A connecting device for manufacturing a peeling-stress-resistant connection between two components comprising:

a carrier, comprising a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface,

a plurality of hook and loop elements, which extend both from the first and from the second surface of the carrier and each have, at their free ends facing away from the first or the second surface of the carrier, a hook and loop head, which is arranged to enter into a hook and loop connection with fibers integrated into a component or a component section at the respective one of the first and second surface, each component comprising a fiber-reinforced composite material, and

a plurality of securing elements, which are each assigned to a hook and loop element and extend from at least one of the first and the second surface of the carrier adjacent to the hook and loop element, wherein free ends of the securing elements facing away from the first or the second surface are each arranged at a shorter distance from the first or the second surface of the carrier than the hook and loop head of the hook and loop element, each securing element configured to prevent the hook and loop head of the assigned hook and loop element and the fibers of the component or component section caught by the hook and loop head from becoming disengaged,

wherein a securing element, which is assigned to a hook and loop element equipped with a hook-shaped hook and loop head, extends adjacent to the hook and loop element from one of the first and the second surface of the carrier in such a way that the free end of the securing element facing away from the one of the first and the second surface of the carrier opposes a free end of the hook-shaped hook and loop head of the hook and loop element facing the one of the first and the second surface of the carrier.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the hook and loop elements extend from the first or the second surface of the carrier substantially perpendicular to the first or the second surface of the carrier.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the hook and loop heads of the hook and loop elements is formed hook-shaped.

4. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the hook and loop heads of the hook and loop elements is formed one of spherical, ellipsoid and cuboid in shape.

5. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of securing elements extend substantially parallel to the hook and loop element.

6. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein a hook and loop element extending from the first surface of the carrier is formed in one piece with a hook and loop element extending from the second surface of the carrier.

7. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein a securing element extending from the first surface of the carrier is formed in one piece with a securing element extending from the second surface of the carrier.

8. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is formed by a fiber prepreg.

9. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the hook and loop elements and the securing elements comprises a fiber material.

10. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the hook and loop elements and the securing elements comprises an electrically conductive material.

11. An assembly comprising:

a first component, which comprises a fiber-reinforced composite material, and

a second component, which comprises a fiber-reinforced composite material, wherein the first and the second component are connected to one another by means of a connecting device according to claim 1 by a hook and loop connection.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the hook and loop elements and the securing elements of the connecting device extend from at least one of the first and the second surface of the carrier of the connecting device substantially perpendicular to the fibers incorporated into the at least one of the first and the second component.

13. A method for manufacturing an assembly comprising the steps:

connecting a first component, which comprises a fiber-reinforced composite material, to a connecting device according to claim 1, and

connecting a second component, which comprises a fiber-reinforced composite material, to the connecting device connected to the first component, whereby a hook and loop connection arises between the first and the second component.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the assembly comprising the first component, the connecting device and the second component is subjected to a hardening process.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the hardening process is carried out under increased pressure.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the hardening process is carried out under an increased temperature.