Abstract: A chassis assembly having mixed material for reduced mass is provided. The assembly comprises an upper structure comprised of metal. The upper structure has a plurality of first bond surfaces, each of which is parallel with each other at varying elevations relative to a z-axis of a 3-dimensional coordinate thereof. The assembly further comprises a lower structure made of a polymer composite. The lower structure has a plurality of second bond surfaces, each of which is parallel with each other at varying elevations relative to the z-axis thereof. The second bond surfaces are arranged to align with the first bond surfaces in complementing relation such that the lower structure is joined with the upper structure at the first and second bond surfaces. The assembly further comprises an adhesive disposed between the first and second bond surfaces to join the lower and upper structures at the first and second bond surfaces, defining a bond gap between the first and second bond surfaces.

Abstract: A chassis assembly having mixed material for reduced mass is provided. The assembly comprises an upper structure comprised of metal. The upper structure has a plurality of first bond surfaces, each of which is parallel with each other at varying elevations relative to a z-axis of a 3-dimensional coordinate thereof. The assembly further comprises a lower structure made of a polymer composite. The lower structure has a plurality of second bond surfaces, each of which is parallel with each other at varying elevations relative to the z-axis thereof. The second bond surfaces are arranged to align with the first bond surfaces in complementing relation such that the lower structure is joined with the upper structure at the first and second bond surfaces. The assembly further comprises an adhesive disposed between the first and second bond surfaces to join the lower and upper structures at the first and second bond surfaces, defining a bond gap between the first and second bond surfaces.

Abstract: An extendable windshield wiper system includes a wiper blade assembly having: a resilient material wiper blade; and a wiper extension rod connected to the wiper blade. A wiper sleeve is configured to move about an arc of rotation with respect to an axis of rotation of the wiper sleeve. A bore of the wiper sleeve has the wiper extension rod slidably disposed within the bore. An actuation portion directs a pressurized fluid to outwardly extend the wiper extension rod from the wiper sleeve and thereby to outwardly extend the wiper blade in an extension direction during a first portion of the arc of rotation. The wiper blade is induced to traverse an extended arc of travel during rotation of the wiper extension rod and the wiper sleeve along the arc of rotation.

Abstract: An extendable windshield wiper system includes a wiper blade assembly having: a resilient material wiper blade; and a wiper extension rod connected to the wiper blade. A wiper sleeve is configured to move about an arc of rotation with respect to an axis of rotation of the wiper sleeve. A bore of the wiper sleeve has the wiper extension rod slidably disposed within the bore. An actuation portion directs a pressurized fluid to outwardly extend the wiper extension rod from the wiper sleeve and thereby to outwardly extend the wiper blade in an extension direction during a first portion of the arc of rotation. The wiper blade is induced to traverse an extended arc of travel during rotation of the wiper extension rod and the wiper sleeve along the arc of rotation.

Abstract: A system for spot welding two metal sheets together includes a plurality of conductive particles placed in an interface between the two metal sheets, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to clamp the two metal sheets together such that the conductive particles become embedded into the metal sheets at the interface between the metal sheets. A conductive path is formed from the first electrode to the second electrode through the metal sheets and the plurality of metallic particles.

Abstract: Discloses herein is a structural adhesive that includes a curable resin composition, a photoinitiator and a thermal curing agent. The structural adhesive can be used to join two parts together.

Abstract: A system for spot welding two metal sheets together includes a plurality of conductive particles placed in an interface between the two metal sheets, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to clamp the two metal sheets together such that the conductive particles become embedded into the metal sheets at the interface between the metal sheets. A conductive path is formed from the first electrode to the second electrode through the metal sheets and the plurality of metallic particles.

Abstract: A material composition and a method are provided for improved laser ablation of a surface portion of a part made from the material composition. The material composition includes an additive having known electromagnetic energy absorption characteristics for enhancing energy transfer from a laser beam to the surface portion of the part. The laser beam may have a primary electromagnetic wavelength. The additive may absorb energy at the primary electromagnetic wavelength to enhance energy transfer from the laser beam to the surface portion of the part.

Abstract: A panel, a panel assembly having an adhesive bond and a method of adhesively bonding the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a first panel and a second panel and at least one main adhesive channel formed in at least one of the first and second panels. At least one branched adhesive channel in fluid communication with the at least one main adhesive channel and an adhesive for joining the first and second panels to form an adhesive bond therebetween. By such structure, the placement of an adhesive into the main adhesive channel and subsequent joining of the first and second panels, any excess adhesive flows into the branched adhesive channel to avoid an over-filling or under-filling situation in the main adhesive channel.

Abstract: An emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes a first element and a second element. The first element is configured for attachment to the vehicle and has a first surface and a second surface recessed from the first surface. The second element is configured for attachment to the first element and has a third surface, a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface, and a fifth surface extending between the third and fourth surfaces, wherein the fifth surface is spaced apart from the second surface to define a channel therebetween. The assembly includes a first coating disposed on the third surface and a tape disposed in contact with at least a portion of each of the second surface, the first coating, and the fifth surface to thereby fill at least a portion of the channel. A method of forming the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A panel, a panel assembly having an adhesive bond and a method of adhesively bonding the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a first panel and a second panel and at least one main adhesive channel formed in at least one of the first and second panels. At least one branched adhesive channel in fluid communication with the at least one main adhesive channel and an adhesive for joining the first and second panels to form an adhesive bond therebetween. By such structure, the placement of an adhesive into the main adhesive channel and subsequent joining of the first and second panels, any excess adhesive flows into the branched adhesive channel to avoid an over-filling or under-filling situation in the main adhesive channel.

Abstract: An emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes a first element having a first surface and a second surface recessed from the first surface, wherein the first element defines at least one void therethrough extending through the second surface. The emblem assembly includes a second element having a third surface, a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface, and a fifth surface extending between the third surface and the fourth surface, wherein the second surface is spaced apart from the fifth surface to define a channel therebetween. The emblem assembly includes a coating disposed on the third surface and a sealant disposed adjacent and in contact with at least a portion of each of the void, the second surface, the coating, and the fifth surface to thereby fill at least a portion of the channel. A method of forming the emblem assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes a first element and a second element. The first element is configured for attachment to the vehicle and has a first surface and a second surface recessed from the first surface. The second element is configured for attachment to the first element and has a third surface, a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface, and a fifth surface extending between the third and fourth surfaces, wherein the fifth surface is spaced apart from the second surface to define a channel therebetween. The assembly includes a first coating disposed on the third surface and a tape disposed in contact with at least a portion of each of the second surface, the first coating, and the fifth surface to thereby fill at least a portion of the channel. A method of forming the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes a first element having a first surface and a second surface recessed from the first surface, wherein the first element defines at least one void therethrough extending through the second surface. The emblem assembly includes a second element having a third surface, a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface, and a fifth surface extending between the third surface and the fourth surface, wherein the second surface is spaced apart from the fifth surface to define a channel therebetween. The emblem assembly includes a coating disposed on the third surface and a sealant disposed adjacent and in contact with at least a portion of each of the void, the second surface, the coating, and the fifth surface to thereby fill at least a portion of the channel. A method of forming the emblem assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing sheet molding compound comprising a fiber processing unit for forming a fiber web. The apparatus also includes a precompaction unit for squeezing air out of the fiber web and a resin mixture paste dispenser for applying paste to the fiber web. The apparatus functions to minimize entrapped air from the resin mixture paste and fiber web.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing sheet molding compound including a fiber processing unit for forming a fiber web, and a vacuum chamber unit having a resin paste dispenser, wherein the paste is applied to the fiber web within the vacuum chamber for minimizing entrapped air within the compound.

Abstract: An efficient, low cost method and apparatus for controlling fiber deposition in a fiber reinforced preform is provided. In the method, a main screen is placed in a tank filled with liquid. The main screen has a major surface, upright side walls and a plurality of openings formed therein. Reinforcing fibers are added to the liquid to create a slurry. The main screen is raised through the slurry to a level beneath the top of the slurry, thereby causing the reinforcing fibers to be deposited on the main screen. A retainer screen is inserted into the slurry so that the reinforcing fibers are sandwiched between the main screen and the retainer screen. Both the main screen and retainer screen are raised out of the tank effectively forming a preform with minimal deformation. An alternative embodiment includes a bubbler zone control device for mixing the slurry. The tank is divided into separate areas or zones whereby the supply of fluid to each bubbler zone is controlled.

Abstract: An efficient, low cost method and apparatus for controlling fiber deposition in a fiber reinforced preform is provided. In the method, a main screen is placed in a tank filled with liquid. The main screen has a major surface, upright side walls and a plurality of openings formed therein. Reinforcing fibers are added to the liquid to create a slurry. The main screen is raised through the slurry to a level beneath the top of the slurry, thereby causing the reinforcing fibers to be deposited on the main screen. A retainer screen is inserted into the slurry so that the reinforcing fibers are sandwiched between the main screen and the retainer screen. Both the main screen and retainer screen are raised out of the tank effectively forming a preform with minimal deformation. An alternative embodiment includes a bubbler zone control device for mixing the slurry. The tank is divided into separate areas or zones whereby the supply of fluid to each bubbler zone is controlled.

Abstract: A method for adhesively joining two members includes the steps of mixing non-compressible beads with an adhesive, applying the resulting mixture to one of the members and hemming one member over the other in overlapping relationship. Apparatus for performing this method includes a container for containing a mixture of an adhesive and a plurality of non-compressible beads, an applicator for applying the mixture to one of the members, and hemming apparatus for hemming one member over the other in overlapping relationship. A metering device for dispensing adhesive fluid is constructed with a dispensing rod having a cooling apparatus for facilitating operation of the metering device. The present invention finds particular utility in bonding together the inner and outer panels of an automotive door assembly.

Abstract: A method for adhesively joining two members includes the steps of mixing non-compressible beads with an adhesive, applying the resulting mixture to one of the members and hemming one member over the other in overlapping relationship. Apparatus for performing this method includes a container for containing a mixture of an adhesive and a plurality of non-compressible beads, an applicator for applying the mixture to one of the members, and hemming means for hemming one member over the other in overlapping relationship. A metering device for dispensing adhesive fluid is constructed with a dispensing rod having a cooling means for facilitating operation of the metering device. The present invention finds particular utility in bonding together the inner and outer panels of an automotive door assembly.