JP2001328564A - Reinforcing tool for hollow structure and its reinforcing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fill a reinforcement region of a hollow structure with foam throughout its entire length for favorably reinforcing the reinforcement region of the hollow structure by a desired strength throughout its entire length. SOLUTION: This reinforcing tool for reinforcing the required reinforcement region 6a of a hollow chamber 6 of the hollow structure 1 is provided with a pair of support plates 11 arranged on both longitudinal end parts of the reinforcement region 6a of the hollow chamber 6 of the hollow structure 1, a connecting body 30 connecting the pair of support plates 11 so as to maintain an interval corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement region 6a, and a required number of foamable base materials 40 arranged inside the reinforcement region 6a and foamed into foam 43 by external heating for reinforcing the reinforcement region 6a. The foamable base materials 40 are movably and adjustably provided in a longitudinal direction of the connecting body 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reinforcing member for a hollow structure and a method for reinforcing the same, and more particularly to a hollow panel (for example, a center pillar of a vehicle body, Front pillar, quarter pillar, roof side panel, rocker panel, etc.)
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hollow structural reinforcing tool for reinforcing steel and a reinforcing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, it has been known to reinforce a hollow panel of a vehicle body using a reinforcing member mainly composed of a foam in order to reinforce the hollow panel while suppressing an increase in weight. For example, a pair of support plates are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement region of the hollow chamber of the hollow panel, and the foamable base material is disposed in the reinforcement region between the pair of support plates. Thereafter, it is known that a foamable base material is foamed by external heating to form a foam, and the foam reinforces the reinforcing region of the hollow chamber of the hollow panel.

[0003]

By the way, the hollow panel includes a hollow panel extending in a horizontal direction, a hollow panel extending in an inclined manner, a hollow panel extending in a vertical direction, and the like. When the hollow panel extends in an inclined manner or extends in the up-down direction, when the foamable base material which is arranged at a substantially central portion in the reinforcing region between the pair of support plates is foamed by external heating to become a foam. In some cases, the foamable base material is foamed downward under the action of gravity to form a foam. In this case, the foam cannot be filled over the entire length of the reinforcing region, and an unfilled portion of the foam may occur above the reinforcing region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to be able to fill a foam over the entire length of a reinforcing region of a hollow structure and to obtain a desired strength over the entire length of the reinforcing region of a hollow structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hollow structure reinforcing device and a reinforcing device capable of reinforcing the hollow structure.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reinforcing member for a hollow structure.
The gist is the configuration as described in (1). Therefore, in consideration of the extension direction of the hollow chamber of the hollow structure, the gravity, and the like, the required number of the foamable base materials are adjusted to move to the required positions in the longitudinal direction of the connected body of the reinforcement. In this state, the required number of foamable substrates are foamed by the external heating to form a foam, and the foam is filled without gaps over the entire length of the reinforcing region of the hollow chamber. As a result, it is possible to substantially uniformly reinforce the reinforcing region over the entire length thereof, and it is possible to prevent a problem due to an unfilled portion of the foam.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a reinforcing member for a hollow structure, wherein the reinforcing member has a structure as described in the second aspect. Therefore, a plurality of plate-like foamable base materials can be easily moved and adjusted in the respective insertion holes with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connection member of the reinforcing member, and the frictional force between the insertion hole and the connection member can be used. It can be held at a desired adjustment position. Further, the plurality of plate-like foamable base materials can prevent the occurrence of a defective foam portion inside the lump of the foamable base material. For this reason, the plurality of plate-like foamable base materials foam well at a predetermined expansion ratio to form a foam.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a reinforcing member for a hollow structure, the gist of which is as described in claim 3. Therefore, during the foaming of the required number of foamable base materials, the gas generated by the foamable base material flows into the gas vent passage from the gas inlet of the connector, and from the end opening of the gas vent passage to the reinforcing region. It is discharged outside. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the generation of a cavity due to the gas inside the foam, and it is possible to prevent problems due to the cavity.

Further, a method for reinforcing a hollow structure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention has the gist of the structure as described in claim 4. Therefore, the reinforcement tool manufacturing process, the setting process,
And foaming the foamable base material through the steps of the foaming step,
The reinforcing region of the hollow structure can be satisfactorily reinforced over its entire length by the foam based on the foam.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 2 and 3, a hollow panel (for example, a center pillar) 1 is formed in a hollow box-shaped closed cross section by the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 4 being spot-welded at their mutual flanges 3, 5. ing. The hollow panel 1 is reinforced by mounting a reinforcing member 10 in a desired reinforcing area 6 a of the hollow chamber 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcing device 10 includes a pair of support plates 11, a connecting body 30, and a required number of foamable substrates 40. The pair of support plates 11 are made of a metal plate such as an iron plate, and have a support plate portion 12 extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hollow chamber 6, and an attachment bent at one end of the support plate portion 12 at right angles. It has the part 13 integrally. In addition, the pair of support plates 11 are integrally connected by a connecting body 30 formed of a metal tubular body such as an iron pipe at an interval corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of the reinforcing region 6a of the hollow chamber 6.

In this embodiment, a connection hole 14 is formed in the center of each support plate 12 of the pair of support plates 11, while each connection hole 14 is formed in the outer periphery of both ends of the connection body 30. Are formed, and small-diameter portions 30a are formed, each of which has a distal end protruding by a length of caulking. Then, the small diameter portions 30a at both ends of the connecting body 30 are fitted into the respective connecting holes 14. Thereafter, the tip end protruding portions of the small diameter portions 30a are caulked to form caulking portions 30b, respectively, so that the pair of support plates 11 are integrally formed while maintaining an interval corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of the reinforcing region 6a of the hollow chamber 6. It is connected in a shape.

A pair of support plates 11 are kept at an interval corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of the reinforcing region 6a of the hollow chamber 6.
The connecting body 30 integrally connects the gas vent passage 31 with the center hole of the cylindrical portion and the gas vent passage 3.
Both ends of 1 are open to the outside of the reinforcing region 6 a of the hollow chamber 6, that is, to the outside surfaces of the support plates 12 of the pair of support plates 11. Further, at a predetermined position of the connecting body 30 (for example, at a plurality of places separated by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the connecting body 30), a plurality of gas inlets for connecting the reinforcing region 6 a of the hollow chamber 6 to the gas vent passage 31 are provided. Each gas intake hole 32 is provided. The gas vent passage 31 and the gas intake hole 32 constitute gas venting means.

A required number (three in this embodiment) of foamable substrates 40 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the connecting body 30 so as to be movable and adjustable. These plurality of foamable substrates 4
No. 0 is formed into a flat plate with a required plate thickness from a synthetic resin-based foamable material mixed with a foaming agent which foams by external heating. At substantially the center of the plurality of foamable base materials 40, insertion holes 41 having substantially the same diameter as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting body 30 are respectively provided. The plurality of foamable base materials 40 are inserted in the insertion holes 41 so as to be movable and adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the connecting body 30, and these insertion holes 41 are provided.
It is held at a required adjustment position by a frictional force between the connecting member 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 30. That is,
Before the plurality of foamable base materials 40 are attached to at least one support plate 11 with respect to the end of the connector 30,
It is assembled so as to be movable and adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the connecting body 30.

When the plurality of foamable substrates 40 are foamed by external heating, they are integrally joined to each other to form one foam 43, and a gap is formed in the reinforcing area 6a of the hollow chamber 6 of the hollow panel 1. The adjustment position of each foamable base material 40 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connection body 30 and the volume (capacity) of each foamable base material 40 are set so as to fill the connection body 30 without filling. In addition, the plurality of foamable substrates 40 are
The main component is a synthetic resin that has adhesiveness to metal and synthetic resin surfaces. This is mixed with a foaming agent and a reinforcing material such as a fibrous substance such as glass fiber, and the heat generated during baking painting of the vehicle body (For example, a temperature of about 110 ° C. to 190 ° C.)
It is desirable to be formed from a foamable material that is foamed to form a highly rigid foam. Examples of the foamable material having such an adhesive property and being a highly rigid foam include, for example, JP-A-8-208871, JP-A-11-15831.
No. 3 publication.

Next, a method of reinforcing the reinforcing area 6a of the hollow chamber 6 of the hollow panel 1 using the reinforcing tool 10 will be described in the order of steps. First, a pair of support plates 11, a connecting body 30, and a foamable base material 40 are formed in a reinforcing tool manufacturing process. Then, the small diameter portion 30 at one end of the connecting body 30
The one support plate 11 is fixed to “a” by the caulking portion 30b. Further, a plurality of foamable base materials 40 are inserted into the insertion holes 41 from the other end of the connecting body 30 and assembled. Then, the other support plate 11 is fixed to the small-diameter portion 30a at the other end of the connector 30 by the caulking portion 30b. Thereby, the reinforcement 10
(See FIG. 1).

Next, in the setting step, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 4 constituting the hollow panel 1 are spot-welded to each other at the flanges 3 and 5 thereof. A pair of support plates 11 of the reinforcing member 10 are spot-welded at respective mounting portions 13 thereof at required positions on the inner wall surface of the panel 2, that is, positions corresponding to both longitudinal end portions of the reinforcing region 6a of the hollow chamber 6. Fix it. In addition, the plurality of foamable substrates 40 are moved and adjusted to required positions in the longitudinal direction of the connector 30 in consideration of gravity.

For example, when the hollow panel 1 is a pillar extending in the vertical direction, the plurality of foamable substrates 40 foam downward by gravity, so that the foamable substrate 4 located on the upper side is formed.
0 approaches the support plate portion 12 of the upper support plate 11,
Alternatively, the movement is adjusted to the contact position. The foamable base material 40 located on the lower side is moved and adjusted to a position separated from the support plate portion 12 of the lower support plate 11 by a predetermined height, and the middle foamable base material 40 is The movement is adjusted to a position slightly above the intermediate position of the member 40. The plurality of foamable substrates 40 moved and adjusted to the respective positions are held at the respective adjustment positions by a frictional force between the insertion hole 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the connector 30. Then, after the plurality of foamable base materials 40 are moved and adjusted to required positions in consideration of gravity in the longitudinal direction of the connecting body 30, the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 4 are connected to the mutual flange 3. , 5
Are spot-welded to form a hollow panel 1 having a hollow box-shaped closed cross section.

Next, in the foaming step, a plurality of foamable substrates 40 are heated by external heating, for example, by external heating during baking of the vehicle body having the hollow panel 1.
Respectively foam. Then, (A) and (B) of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the foam 43a formed by foaming the plurality of foamable base materials 40 is subjected to the action of gravity to form a pair of support plates 1.
It foams downward of the reinforcement area 6a between the one support plate portions 12. Foam 43 by foaming a plurality of foamable substrates 40
Immediately before the completion of the foaming of a, these two foams 43a are connected to each other to form an integrated foam 43. In particular, the plurality of foamable base materials 40 are moved and adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the connector 30 in consideration of gravity. For this reason,
As shown in FIG. 4 (A), when the foaming of each foamable base material 40 is completed, the integrated foam 43 is filled into the reinforcing region 6a of the hollow chamber 6 of the hollow panel 1 without gaps, thereby forming a hollow space. The reinforcement can be performed substantially uniformly over the entire reinforcement region 6a of the panel 1. As a result, problems caused by insufficient filling of the foam 43 can be prevented.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, during the foaming of the plurality of foamable substrates 40, the gas generated by these foamable substrates 40 The gas flows into the gas vent passage 31 through the intake hole 32, and is discharged from the openings at both ends of the gas vent passage 31. That is, the gas in the reinforcing area 6a is discharged to the hollow chamber 6 outside the reinforcing area 6a. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4B, a foam 43a formed by foaming a plurality of foamable base materials 40 is combined with each other to form an integrated foam 43.
When it becomes, it is possible to prevent the generation of a cavity due to the gas inside the foam 43, and it is also possible to prevent problems due to the cavity.

In addition, the plurality of foamable substrates 40 are prevented from having a defective foaming portion inside, and foam more favorably at a predetermined expansion ratio than one lump of the foamable substrate. For example, when the foamable base material 40 is formed of a foamable material in which a reinforcing material such as a fibrous substance such as glass fiber is mixed, the foam is favorably foamed at a foaming ratio of about 2 to 3 times. Further, the plurality of foamable base materials 40 are formed of a foamable material that becomes a highly rigid foam body 43 by mixing a reinforcing material such as a fibrous substance such as glass fiber, thereby reinforcing the hollow panel 1. Great effect.

When the hollow panel 1 is a rocker panel or a roof side panel (also referred to as a roof side rail) extending in a substantially horizontal direction, the plurality of foamable substrates 40 foam in a state that is hardly affected by gravity. As shown in FIG. 6, the foamable base materials 40 located at the left and right ends are moved and adjusted to positions where they approach or abut the support plate portions 12 of the left and right support plates 11. Foamable substrate 40 located in the middle
Is adjusted to move to an intermediate position where the distances from the left and right foamable substrates 40 are substantially equal. The plurality of foamable substrates 40 moved and adjusted to the respective positions are held at the respective adjustment positions by a frictional force between the insertion hole 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the connector 30. And in the foaming process, by external heating,
When the plurality of foamable base materials 40 are foamed to form an integrated foam 43, as shown in FIG. 7, the integrated foam 43 is formed like a rocker panel or a roof side panel extending in the horizontal direction. The hollow area 1 of the hollow panel 1 is filled with no gap in the reinforcing area 6 a of the hollow chamber 6, whereby the reinforcing area 6 a of the hollow panel 1 can be reinforced almost uniformly over the entire area, and a problem caused by insufficient filling of the foam 43 is prevented. can do.

In the above embodiment, the pair of support plates 11 include the support plate portion 12 and the mounting portion 13 and are formed of a metal plate such as an iron plate, and are formed by bending substantially in an L shape. Although the case where the mounting portion 13 on one side is fixed to the inner surface of the hollow panel 1 by spot welding has been exemplified, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pair of support plates may be formed of synthetic resin, and a clip that elastically engages with a mounting hole of the hollow panel by a inserting operation may be integrally formed at a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the support plate portion. In this case, the pair of support plates can be easily attached to the reinforcing region 6a of the hollow chamber of the hollow panel. Further, in the above embodiment, the hollow structure is a pillar of a vehicle body, a rocker panel,
Although the case where the hollow panel 1 is a roof panel or the like is illustrated, the hollow structure may be a hollow structure other than a vehicle body, for example, a building such as a building or a ship.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Poor foam filling can be prevented from occurring in a part of the reinforcing region of the hollow structure, and the entire region of the reinforcing region is filled with the foam, and the reinforcing region is satisfactorily reinforced at a desired strength. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a pair of support plates, a connector, and a foamable base material of a reinforcing member for a hollow structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a reinforcing member is mounted in a hollow chamber of the hollow panel.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a reinforcing member is mounted in a hollow chamber of the hollow panel.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view sequentially showing a state in which a foamable base material of the reinforcing device foams to form a foam.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the foamable base material of the reinforcing device is foamed to form a foam.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a plurality of foamable base materials of a reinforcing tool are moved and arranged in a hollow chamber of a hollow panel extending in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a plurality of foamable base materials are foamed into one foam to fill a reinforcing region.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hollow panel (hollow structure) 6 Hollow room 10 Reinforcement tool 11 A pair of support plates 12 Support plate part 30 Connected body 31 Gas vent passage 32 Gas intake hole 40 Foamable base material 43 Foam

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A reinforcing tool for reinforcing a required reinforcing area of a hollow chamber of a hollow structure, comprising: a pair of reinforcing members disposed at both longitudinal ends of the reinforcing area of the hollow chamber of the hollow structure. A support plate, and a connecting body that connects the pair of support plates at an interval corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the reinforcing region, and is disposed in the reinforcing region, and foamed by external heating to form a foam. A reinforcing member for a hollow structure, comprising: a required number of foamable substrates for reinforcing the reinforcing region; wherein the foamable substrate is provided so as to be movable and adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the connector. 2. The reinforcing tool for a hollow structure according to claim 1, wherein the foamable base material is constituted by a plurality of divided plate-like foamable base materials, and the plurality of foamable base materials. A reinforcing member for a hollow structure, wherein a through hole is provided at a predetermined position, through which a connecting body is movably inserted in a longitudinal direction thereof. 3. The reinforcing member for a hollow structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is formed in a cylindrical shape having a gas vent passage opening outside the reinforcing region. A reinforcing tool for a hollow structure, wherein a gas intake portion that connects the reinforcing region to the gas vent passage is formed at a predetermined position of the connector. 4. A reinforcing method for reinforcing a required reinforcing area of a hollow chamber of a hollow structure, wherein a required number of foamable substrates are moved and adjusted with respect to a connecting body extending in a longitudinal direction of the reinforcing area. While arranging as possible, a pair of support plates are connected by the connecting body to form a stiffener, and a stiffener is arranged, and the stiffener is arranged in a reinforced region of the hollow chamber of the hollow structure, A setting step of moving and adjusting the required number of foamable substrates in the longitudinal direction of the connecting body; and a foaming step of foaming the required number of foamable substrates by external heating to form a foam. Method for reinforcing hollow structures.