US 12,280,552 B2
Connector element and method of bonding such connector element to a substrate
Cyrille Aeby, Billens (CH); and Stéphane Audriaz, Bern (CH)
Assigned to MULTIMATERIAL-WELDING AG, Biel (CH)
Filed by MULTIMATERIAL-WELDING AG, Biel (CH)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/296,619.
Application 18/296,619 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2022/068256, filed on Jul. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 070009/2021 (CH), filed on Jul. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0241844 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 65/00 (2006.01); F16B 37/06 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 66/30221 (2013.01) [B29C 66/7392 (2013.01); B29C 66/8322 (2013.01); F16B 37/061 (2013.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connector element for being bonded to a substrate by pressing the connector element and the substrate together and mechanically exciting the connector element and the substrate relative to each other when being pressed together, comprising:
a base portion having a distal surface;
a plurality of protrusions distally extending from the distal surface of the base portion, wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise a thermoplastic material configured to liquefy when the connector element is pressed to the substrate and mechanically excited; and
at least a part of link members being equipped with a sharp edge that comprises a thermoplastic material configured to liquefy when the connector element is pressed to the substrate and mechanically excited, wherein each link member connects two neighboring protrusions of the plurality of protrusions.