Method of joining rail vehicle components and subassemblies by adhesion

A process for joining components and assembly units of rail-borne vehicles by bonding is described, in which the use of an adhesive, which produces fatigue strength but cures more slowly, is combined with the use of an adhesive that ensures sufficient strength for handling in a short time, wherein complicated design of the bonded joints as well as the need for a large amount of devices are to be avoided, manufacturing tolerances are to be equalized, and defined minimum bonded gap widths are to be maintained. Furthermore, the wetting by the adhesive shall be limited to selected joining surfaces, without having to remove and dispose of the edge limitation. This object is accomplished by applying a quick-bonding first adhesive layer having an intrinsic dimensional stability to first joining surfaces and a more slowly curing second adhesive layer to second joining surfaces and by joining the components before or after the application of the second adhesive layer, wherein the first adhesive layer rapidly ensures sufficient strength for handling and maintains a predetermining joining space, while the second adhesive layer fills out the joining space set and ensures fatigue strength after its curing. The adhesive used for the first adhesive layer is also used as a permanent edge limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial view of a side wall section in the joint area of a side wall sheet metal section with a profile section;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a side wall sheet metal section according to FIG. 1 with adhesives applied before joining;

FIG. 3 is a cross section through a bonded joint of the side wall section according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a section through a side wall section in the joined area of a side wall sheet metal section with a reinforcement against buckling.

1. A process for joining components of rail-borne vehicles by bonding including joining a preformed first component to a shape-adapted second component by means of the two-dimensionally separate application of adhesives with different reaction characteristics until a strength sufficient for handling is reached wherein the first component is brought into the position for joining and fixed in the form of use in the usual manner, the process comprising the steps of:

2. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first joining surface provided is selected such that at least part of said second joining surfaces provided is limited by parts of said adhesive body and undesired wetting of additional surfaces of the component by the adhesive of said adhesive layer is prevented.

3. The process in accordance with claim 2, wherein the adhesive body comprises a contact-adhesive.

4. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the adhesive body comprises a contact-adhesive.

5. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein a reactive adhesive is used for said second adhesive layer.

6. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein an adhesive that has the same elasticity as or a higher elasticity than the adhesive for the second adhesive layer after the final curing of the second adhesive layer is used for the first adhesive layer.

7. The process in accordance with claim 6, wherein a plurality of first and second joining surfaces are arranged alternatingly adjacent to one another in a joined connection such that the joined connection acquires increased safety against failure.

8. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein differences in the shape and size of the components to be joined are equalized by varying the thickness of one or more of the adhesive body and the adhesive layer.

9. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least two adhesives with different viscosities and/or with different properties in the cured state are applied two-dimensionally next to each other as the second adhesive layer in the area of the second joining surfaces.

10. A process for joining components of rail-borne vehicles by bonding, in which a preformed first component is joined to a shape-adapted second component by means of the two-dimensionally separate application of adhesives possessing different reaction properties to reach a strength sufficient for handling, the process comprising the steps of:

11. The process in accordance with claim 10, wherein said first joining surface provided is selected such that at least part of said second joining surfaces provided is limited by parts of said adhesive body and undesired wetting of additional surfaces of the component by the adhesive of said adhesive layer is prevented.

12. The process in accordance with claim 11, wherein the adhesive body comprises a contact-adhesive.

13. The process in accordance with claim 10, wherein the adhesive body comprises a contact-adhesive.

14. The process in accordance with claim 10, wherein a reactive adhesive is used for said second adhesive layer.

15. The process in accordance with claim 10, wherein an adhesive that has the same elasticity as or a higher elasticity than the adhesive for the adhesive layer after the final curing of the adhesive layer is used for the adhesive body.

16. The process in accordance with claim 15, wherein a plurality of first and second joining surfaces are arranged alternatingly adjacent to one another in a joined connection such that the joined connection acquires increased safety against failure.

17. The process in accordance with claim 10, wherein differences in the shape and size of the components to be joined are equalized by varying the thickness of one or more of the adhesive body and adhesive layer.

18. The process in accordance with claim 10, wherein at least two adhesives with different viscosities and/or with different properties in the cured state are applied two-dimensionally next to each other as the second adhesive layer in the area of the second joining surfaces.