Fastening method for components

Abstract

Methods for fastening or coupling dissimilar materials to each other may include providing a first component with a first through hole and a second component with a second through hole that is at least partly aligned with the first through hole. A mixture including a first material and a second material may be injected into the aligned through holes of the first component and the second component. The mixture of the first material and the second material may expand in the through holes, e.g., due to a chemical reaction, thereby connecting the first component and the second component together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastening method for components, comprising:
 providing a first component with a first through hole;   providing a second component with a second through hole;   aligning the through holes of the first component and the second component;   forming a mixture by mixing a first material with a second material; and   injecting the mixture of the first material and the second material into the aligned through holes of the first component and the second component,   wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material expands in the through holes, thereby connecting the first component and the second component together.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first material comprises isocyanate, and the second material comprises polyol.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the expansion of the mixture of the first material and the second material forms an outer edge with an area greater than an area of the through holes.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the lightweight fastening method for components is used for connecting two components of an electric vehicle.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first component and the second component are made of dissimilar metal materials.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material expands in the through holes due to a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising hardening the expanded mixture, wherein the hardened mixture is softer than at least one of the first component, the second component, or a cladding layer provided on the first or second components. 
     
     
         8 . A fastened assembly, comprising:
 a first component, wherein the first component is formed with a first through hole;   a second component, wherein the second component is formed with a second through hole, and during assembly, the first through hole on the first component is aligned with the second through hole on the second component; and   a connecting component arranged in the aligned first through hole and the second through hole, the connecting component being formed by:
 Injecting a liquid mixture of a first material and a second material into the aligned through holes of the first component and the second component, wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material expands and hardens in the through holes, thereby connecting the first component and the second component together. 
   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first material comprises isocyanate, and the second material comprises polyol.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the expansion of the mixture of the first material and the second material forms an outer edge with an area greater than an area of the through holes.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first component and the second component are two components of an electric vehicle.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first component and the second component are made of dissimilar metal materials.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material has expanded in the through holes due to a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the hardened mixture is softer than at least one of the first component, the second component, or a cladding layer provided on the first or second components. 
     
     
         15 . An automotive assembly, comprising:
 a first auto body component formed with a first through hole;   a second auto body component formed with a second through hole that is at least partially aligned with the first through hole; and   a monolithic connecting component disposed at least partially in the first through hole and the second through hole, the monolithic connecting component being formed from a hardened mixture of at least a first material and a second material, and including a first expanded portion that is wider than the first through hole and a second expanded portion that is wider than the second through hole.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first material comprises isocyanate, and the second material comprises polyol.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first expanded portion and the second expanded portion are formed via expansion of the mixture of the first material and the second material during hardening of the mixture. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first component and the second component are two components of an electric automobile.   
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first component and the second component are made of dissimilar metal materials.   
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the mixture of the first material and the second material has expanded in the through holes due to a chemical reaction.