Method for Joining a First Component Formed of a Plastic Material to a Second Component, and Joining Element and Device

Abstract

This invention firstly relates to a method for joining a first component made of a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material, to a second component by applying a joining element on the first component, wherein the joining element has a supporting plate formed of a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material and comprising a connecting means and a supporting plate bore. The method comprising the steps of incorporating a bore into the first component; welding the supporting plate to the first component; and joining the first component and the second component by incorporating a joining means arranged on the second component into the connecting means. Due to welding of the supporting plate to the first component, a rivet joint, otherwise generally required for joining the supporting plate to the first component, can be omitted, whereby the production of a junction by means of the inventive joining means is considerably simplified. Moreover, weakening of the first component as well as formation of corrosion processes due to different materials used for riveting being adjacent can be avoided. In addition, the invention relates to a joining element for creating a junction in accordance with the method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device, in particular for performing the method.

1 . A method for joining a first component formed of a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material, to a second component by applying a joining element on the first component, wherein the joining element has a supporting plate formed of a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material, and wherein the supporting plate comprises an connecting means and a supporting plate bore, the method comprising the steps of:
 incorporating a bore into the first component;   welding the supporting plate to the first component; and   joining the first component and the second component by incorporating a joining means arranged on the second component into the connecting means.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing the first component formed of a thermosetting plastic material with an interface layer, in particular a layer of thermoplastic plastic material, at least in a joining region, before being welded to the supporting plate.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein welding the supporting plate to the first component and incorporating the bore into the first component takes place substantially at the same time. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to any of  claims 1  to  3 , further comprising the step of:
 incorporating and fastening the connecting means into the supporting plate only after the supporting plate has been welded to the first component.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to any of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the supporting plate is welded to the first component by friction welding. 
     
     
         6 . A joining element for creating a junction in accordance with the method according to any of  claims 1  to  5  between a first component and a second component, the joining element comprising:
 a supporting plate, which is adapted to be fastened to a first component and which comprises a supporting plate bore; and   a connecting means, which in configured to be received in the supporting plate;   wherein the connecting means is configured for incorporating a joining means arranged at the second component, so as to establish a junction with the second component,   wherein the first component is formed of a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material,   wherein the supporting plate is configured to be weldable to the first component.   
     
     
         7 . The joining element according to  claim 6 , wherein the supporting plate and/or the connecting means are formed of a thermoplastic and/or a thermosetting plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The joining element according to  claim 6  or  7 , wherein the supporting plate and/or the connecting means have a fiber reinforcement. 
     
     
         9 . The joining element according to any of  claims 6  to  8 , wherein the supporting plate and/or the connecting means are formed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and/or polyetherimide (PEI). 
     
     
         10 . The joining element according to any of  claims 6  to  9 , wherein the connecting means is removably received in the supporting plate. 
     
     
         11 . The joining element according to any of  claims 6  to  10 , wherein the supporting plate has at least two retaining cams, arranged laterally with respect to the supporting plate bore, respectively comprising one recess, wherein the recesses can receive a fastening means, in particular a spring element or the like, for detachably fastening the connecting means. 
     
     
         12 . The joining element according to any of  claims 6  to  11 , wherein the connecting means is a screw nut. 
     
     
         13 . The joining means according to any of  claims 6  to  12 , wherein the joining means is a stud, which is configured to be screwed into the screw nut, for producing the solid junction between the first and second component. 
     
     
         14 . A device, in particular for performing the method according to any of  claims 1  to  5 , for creating a junction between a first component formed of a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material, and a second component by means of a joining element, wherein the device is configured for producing a weld joint between the first component and the joining element. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a drive unit comprising a clamping device for receiving the joining element.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 14  or  15 , wherein the clamping device is configured to be actuated by the drive unit in a linearly and/or rotationally oscillating movement in order to obtain a weld between the supporting plate of the joining element and the first component. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to any of  claims 14  to  16 , wherein the device is configured to press the supporting plate of the joining element on a top side of the first component by means of the clamping device at a defined pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to any of  claims 14  to  17 , wherein by means of a counter piece arranged in the region of a bottom side of the first component, deformation of the first component due to pressure is largely avoided. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to any of  claims 14  to  18 , wherein the clamping device has a pilot pin for guiding and centering the joining means during the welding operation in the bore in the first component. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to any of  claims 14  to  19 , wherein the pilot pin is additionally realized as a boring fixture for incorporating the bore into the first component during the welding operation. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to any of  claims 14  to  20 , further comprising:
 a control and regulation device, which is configured to control the frequency and/or amplitude of the linearly and/or rotationally oscillating movement imparted by the drive unit to the clamping device.   
     
     
         22 . The device according to any of  claims 14  to  21 , wherein the control and regulation device has at least one signal transmitter for displaying proper termination of the welding operation.