HEAT STAKING PROCESS WITH INCREASED RETENTION FORCE
A heat staking method and apparatus is provided for use in deforming a heat-stake so that it becomes mechanically coupled to an encapsulate. The deformed portion of the heat-stake contacts a retention component that provides additional composition strength and fastening surface to the encapsulate.
This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/877,744, entitled Increased Molding Retention to Injected Material, filed Dec. 29, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference.
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses regarding the manufacture and assembly of plastic components, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses regarding the heat staking of a plastic molding.
B. Description of the Related Art
With reference to
Although many known methods of heat staking work well for their intended purposes, various disadvantages exist. One disadvantage relates to the fastening surface of the encapsulate available to contact the mushroom cap of the heat-stake. Commonly the fastening surface available is relatively small. Additionally, the process of heating the leading end of the heat-stake may further reduce the amount of fastening area. When an encapsulate is comprised of a softer composition than that of the heat-stake, the small amount of surface area available for the heat-stake's mushroom head to contact may be insufficient to achieve a high retention force. Often, the heat from the heat staking process tends to melt some of the encapsulate's softer material. This melting may create a loose condition that may further reduce retention force.
What is needed, therefore, is a heat staking process that increases retention force by increasing the amount of fastening area available to contact with the heat-stakes' mushroom cap while also increasing the retention characteristics of the encapsulate.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; attaching a retention component to the thermoplastic encapsulate; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; attaching a retention component to the first opening of the thermoplastic encapsulate; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; forming a retention component of a composition that is harder than the thermoplastic encapsulate; attaching a retention component to the thermoplastic encapsulate; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; forming a retention component of a thermoplastic; attaching a retention component to the thermoplastic encapsulate; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; forming a retention component of a thermoplastic; attaching a retention component to the thermoplastic encapsulate using an over-molding process; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; forming a retention component of a thermoplastic; attaching a retention component to the thermoplastic encapsulate using a co-injection molding process; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to one embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; attaching a retention component to the thermoplastic encapsulate; forming a thermoplastic heat stake of a composition that is harder than the thermoplastic encapsulate; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a thermoplastic encapsulate comprising at least a first opening; attaching a retention component to the thermoplastic encapsulate; forming a thermoplastic heat stake of a composition that has a higher melting point than the thermoplastic encapsulate; inserting a thermoplastic heat stake having a first end through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to overlap or surround at least part of the retention component.
According to one embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; attaching a first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent to the first opening; providing a second automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; forming a first retention component of a composition that is harder than the first thermoplastic encapsulate; attaching the first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent to the first opening; providing a second automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; attaching a first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent to the first opening; forming a thermoplastic heat stake of a composition that has a higher melting point than the thermoplastic encapsulate; providing a second automotive part comprising at least the first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; forming a thermoplastic heat stake of a composition that has a higher melting point than the thermoplastic encapsulate; attaching a first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent to the first opening; providing a second automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; attaching a first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate such that the first retention component substantially encircles the first opening; providing a second automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to one embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; forming a first retention component of a thermoplastic; attaching the first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent to the first opening; providing a second automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; forming a first retention component of a thermoplastic; attaching the first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent to the first opening using an over-molding process; providing a second automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening; forming a first retention component of a thermoplastic; attaching the first retention component to the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent to the first opening using a co-injection molding process; providing a second automotive part comprising at least a first thermoplastic heat stake having a first end; inserting the first thermoplastic heat stake through the first opening so that the first end extends through the first opening; heating the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake; and, deforming the first end of the thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the retention component.
According to one embodiment of this invention, a vehicle comprises a first automotive part and a second automotive part. The first automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening and a first retention component adjacent to the first opening. The second automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic heat stake that comprises a first end. The thermoplastic heat stake is received within the first opening of the first automotive part such that the first end extends through the first opening. When the first end of the first thermoplastic heat stake is heated, the first end of the first thermoplastic heat stake deforms to at least partially cover the first retention component and to form a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a vehicle comprises a first automotive part and a second automotive part. The first automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening and a first retention component adjacent to the first opening and a second thermoplastic encapsulate having a second opening and a second retention component. The second automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic heat stake that comprises a first end and a second thermoplastic heat stake that comprises a second end. The first and second thermoplastic heat stakes are received within the first and second opening of the first automotive part such that the first end extends through the first opening and the second end extends through the second opening. When the first and second ends of the first and second thermoplastic heat stakes are heated, the first and second ends of the first and second thermoplastic heat stakes deform to at least partially cover the first and second retention components respectively and to form a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part.
According to one embodiment of this invention, a vehicle comprises a first automotive part and a second automotive part. The first automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening and a first retention component adjacent to the first opening. The second automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic heat stake that comprises a first end. The thermoplastic heat stake is received within the first opening of the first automotive part such that the first end extends through the first opening. When the first end of the first thermoplastic heat stake is heated, the first end of the first thermoplastic heat stake deforms to substantially cover the first retention component and to form a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part.
According to one embodiment of this invention, a vehicle comprises a first automotive part and a second automotive part. The first automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic encapsulate having a first opening and a first retention component adjacent to the first opening. The second automotive part comprises a first thermoplastic heat stake that comprises a first end. The thermoplastic heat stake is received within the first opening of the first automotive part such that the first end extends through the first opening. When the first end of the first thermoplastic heat stake is heated, the first end of the first thermoplastic heat stake deforms to at least partially cover the first retention component without the first thermoplastic heat stake contacting the first thermoplastic encapsulate and to form a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part.
One advantage of this invention is that the retention component provides an increased retention force for the mechanical coupling of parts.
Another advantage of this invention is that the retention component may be comprised of a different composition than that of either the encapsulate or the heat-stake. This allows a person of skill in the art to choose the specific composition of the retention component based on a variety of factors and considerations, such as required retention force and cost, specific to any one application.
Still another advantage of this invention is that the retention component optimizes the load transfer between the molding and the encapsulate and allows this load to be spread over a greater surface area than conventional heat-stake methods.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
With reference now to
With continuing reference to
With continuing reference to
With reference now to
Various embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a first automotive part;
- a second automotive part;
- a first thermoplastic heat stake comprising a base portion attached to the first automotive part and a shaft portion having an end that extends from the base portion;
- a first thermoplastic encapsulate attached to the second automotive part and having an opening;
- a first thermoplastic retention component having a passage that is over-molded or co-injection molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent the opening of the first thermoplastic encapsulate; and,
- wherein a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part is formed by: (1) inserting the shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake through the opening in the first thermoplastic encapsulate and through the passage in the first thermoplastic retention component; and, (2) heating the end of the shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake to deform the heated end of the inserted shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the first thermoplastic retention component.
22. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 further comprising:
- a second thermoplastic heat stake comprising a base portion attached to the first automotive part and a shaft portion having an end that extends from the base portion;
- a second thermoplastic encapsulate attached to the second automotive part and having an opening;
- a second thermoplastic retention component having a passage that is over-molded or co-injection molded onto the second thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent the opening of the second thermoplastic encapsulate; and,
- wherein a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part is also formed by: (1) inserting the shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake through the opening in the second thermoplastic encapsulate and through the passage in the second thermoplastic retention component; and, (2) heating the end of the shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake to deform the heated end of the inserted shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the second thermoplastic retention component.
23. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein:
- the opening in the first thermoplastic encapsulate has a perimeter; and,
- the first retention component substantially covers the perimeter of the opening in the first thermoplastic encapsulate after the mechanical coupling is formed.
24. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein the deformed end of the of the shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake does not contact the first thermoplastic encapsulate after the mechanical coupling is formed.
25. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein when the first thermoplastic retention component is over-molded or co-injection molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate, the passage in the first thermoplastic retention component is substantially co-linear with the opening in the first thermoplastic encapsulate.
26. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein the first thermoplastic retention component is over-molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate.
27. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein the first thermoplastic retention component is co-injection molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate.
28. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein:
- the first thermoplastic retention component is formed of a first composition;
- the first thermoplastic encapsulate is formed of a second composition; and,
- the first composition is harder than the second composition.
29. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein:
- the first thermoplastic heat stake is formed of a first composition;
- the first thermoplastic encapsulate is formed of a second composition; and,
- the first composition is harder than the second composition.
30. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein:
- the first thermoplastic heat stake is formed of a first composition;
- the first thermoplastic encapsulate is formed of a second composition; and,
- the first composition has a higher melting point than the second composition.
31. The automotive vehicle of claim 21 wherein:
- the opening in the first thermoplastic encapsulate has a first diameter;
- the passage in the first thermoplastic retention component has a second diameter; and,
- the second diameter is less than the first diameter.
32. An automotive manufacturing assembly comprising:
- a shaping device;
- a first automotive part;
- a second automotive part;
- a first thermoplastic heat stake comprising a base portion attached to the first automotive part and a shaft portion having an end that extends from the base portion;
- a first thermoplastic encapsulate attached to the second automotive part and having an opening;
- a first thermoplastic retention component having a passage that is over-molded or co-injection molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent the opening of the first thermoplastic encapsulate; and,
- wherein a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part is formed by: (1) inserting the shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake through the opening in the first thermoplastic encapsulate and through the passage in the first thermoplastic retention component; and, (2) using the shaping device to heat the end of the shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake to deform the heated end of the inserted shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the first thermoplastic retention component.
33. The automotive manufacturing assembly of claim 32 further comprising:
- a second thermoplastic heat stake comprising a base portion attached to the first automotive part and a shaft portion having an end that extends from the base portion;
- a second thermoplastic encapsulate attached to the second automotive part and having an opening;
- a second thermoplastic retention component having a passage that is over-molded or co-injection molded onto the second thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent the opening of the second thermoplastic encapsulate; and,
- wherein a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part is also formed by: (1) inserting the shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake through the opening in the second thermoplastic encapsulate and through the passage in the second thermoplastic retention component; and, (2) using the shaping device to heat the end of the shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake to deform the heated end of the inserted shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the second thermoplastic retention component.
34. The automotive manufacturing assembly of claim 32 wherein the first thermoplastic retention component is over-molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate.
35. The automotive manufacturing assembly of claim 32 wherein the first thermoplastic retention component is co-injection molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate.
36. An automotive assembly comprising:
- first and second automotive parts;
- a first thermoplastic heat stake comprising abuse portion attached to the first automotive part and a shaft portion having an end that extends from the base portion;
- a first thermoplastic encapsulate attached to the second automotive part and having an opening;
- a first thermoplastic retention component having a passage that is over-molded or co-injection molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent the opening of the first thermoplastic encapsulate; and,
- wherein a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part is formed by: (1) inserting the shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake through the opening in the first thermoplastic encapsulate and through the passage in the first thermoplastic retention component; and, (2) heating the end of the shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake to deform the heated end of the inserted shaft portion of the first thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the first thermoplastic retention component.
37. The automotive assembly of claim 36 further comprising:
- a second thermoplastic heat stake comprising abuse portion attached to the first automotive part and a shaft portion having an end that extends from the base portion;
- a second thermoplastic encapsulate attached to the second automotive part and having an opening;
- a second thermoplastic retention component having a passage that is over-molded or co-injection molded onto the second thermoplastic encapsulate adjacent the opening of the second thermoplastic encapsulate; and,
- wherein a mechanical coupling of the first automotive part to the second automotive part is also formed by: (1) inserting the shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake through the opening in the second thermoplastic encapsulate and through the passage in the second thermoplastic retention component; and, (2) heating the end of the shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake to deform the heated end of the inserted shaft portion of the second thermoplastic heat stake to at least partially overlap the second thermoplastic retention component.
38. The automotive assembly of claim 36 wherein the first thermoplastic retention component is over-molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate.
39. The automotive assembly of claim 36 wherein the first thermoplastic retention component is co-injection molded onto the first thermoplastic encapsulate.
40. The automotive assembly of claim 36 wherein:
- the first thermoplastic heat stake is formed of a first composition;
- the first thermoplastic encapsulate is formed of a second composition; and,
- the first composition is harder than the second composition or the first composition has a higher melting point than the second composition.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 20, 2012
Publication Date: Nov 15, 2012
Inventors: Christopher Salvador , Oscar Caraan , Brock Stull , Takuji Ohara , Stewart Rich
Application Number: 13/554,726
International Classification: F16B 12/04 (20060101);