Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Matthew Forsyth

Dragan B Stojkovic

Colleen Hoffman

Vince Anthony Chimento

A method of manufacturing a grounding connection is disclosed that comprises assembling a non-ferrous grounding connector to a non-ferrous part, and melting brazing material between the grounding connector and the part to secure the grounding connector to the part. The step of assembling the connector to the part may be performed by clinching the connector to the part. The ground connector may comprise a nut secured to the vehicle body by a clinch joint and a deposit of braze metal applied to the nut at the location of the clinch joint. Alternatively, the ground connector for a vehicle body may comprise a nut defining an opening for receiving a fastener and a deposit of brazing material attaching the nut to the vehicle body.

Brazed ground terminal for non-ferrous vehicle components

A support assembly for an assembly comprised of an extruded member that defines a cavity, the member including an opening having a plurality of sides, and a crush tube inserted into the cavity of the member and mechanically retained in the member at or near a desired location by flanging the sides of the opening into an open end of the crush tube.

Variable radii flanges for mechanically retained crush tubes

A rivet-nut for a vehicle component includes a tubular barrel and a head attached to the barrel. The barrel includes a sidewall having a threaded section with the first wall thickness and a crush section with the second wall thickness that is less than the first sidewall thickness. The head is attached to one end of the crush section and includes a channel recessed into a part engaging surface of the head around a perimeter of the barrel. The rivet-nut may be installed onto a part. When installed the rivet-nut includes a compressed annular locking ring that engages the part opposite the head to clinch the rivet-nut to the part.

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Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

Matthew Forsyth