JP2002067807A - Vehicular step member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular step member having a lighter weight and a lower cost without causing the lowering of rigidity. SOLUTION: The step member 10 comprises a hollow plate body member 12 blow molded from a parison and a rod reinforcing member 14 being rigid as required and hard to flexibly deform. The body member 12 has an upper-side outer face formed as a footresting face 20 and a lower-side outer face provided with a strip recessed portion 22 extending to the longitudinal direction. The reinforcing member 14 is fitted and mounted to the recessed portion 22. The body member 12 mounted with the reinforcing member 14 becomes hard to flexibly deform in the longitudinal and cross directions and is improved in rigidity as a whole. The reinforcing member 14 is formed of a metal pipe material showing a required sectional shape and can be reduced in weight.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a step member for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a step member for a vehicle which is mounted on a lower portion of a side surface of a vehicle body and on which an occupant puts his / her feet when getting on and off.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, recreational beagle
In a vehicle such as a (RV) vehicle having a passenger compartment at a high position, as shown in FIG. It is attached to. Since the side steps 50 need to have sufficient strength to support the weight of the occupant getting on and off, the main body member 52 is generally made of an extruded product made of aluminum or the like. In such a main body member 52, a necessary and sufficient strength can be obtained by appropriately bending the cross-sectional shape. As shown in FIG. 10, the main body member 52 is fixed to a bracket 59 fixed to the vehicle body 58 with bolts 60 or the like. By doing
It is used as a side step 50.

[0003]

However, the above-described side step 50 has the following problems. First, since the extrusion molding method for molding the main body member 52 can mold only the one having the same cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal direction due to the molding mode, the side step 50 can reduce the outer shape, design, etc. Is greatly restricted. Therefore, in order to increase the degree of freedom in designing the side step 50, a method of mounting a separately formed resin cover body 54 or the like on the upper surface or side surface of the main body member 52 is adopted. However, in this case, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps are reduced. However, there is a problem that the production cost is increased and the weight is increased due to the increase in the weight. Also, the main body member 52
At both ends in the longitudinal direction, the cross-sectional shape of the main body member 52 is exposed as it is, resulting in deterioration of appearance and deterioration of texture. Therefore, end caps 56, 56 made of a separately molded synthetic resin are attached to each end. Therefore, the cost increase and the weight increase due to this need not be ignored. Further, the extrusion molding method has a problem that equipment cost is increased since large-scale molding equipment and equipment are required, which also has been a major obstacle to cost reduction.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to suitably solve the above-mentioned problems, and comprises a main body member blow-molded from a parison and a reinforcing member mounted below the main body member. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle step member capable of reducing weight and cost without reducing rigidity.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the intended object, the present invention is directed to a step member for a vehicle which is mounted on a lower portion of an outer surface of a vehicle body, and which is used by an occupant when the passenger gets on and off. In, a hollow plate-shaped body blow-molded from a parison, the upper outer surface is a footrest surface,
A main body member provided with an elongated concave portion extending along the longitudinal direction on the lower outer surface, and a rod-shaped body having a required rigidity and hardly deforming, and fitted and mounted to the concave portion. The reinforcing member attached to the concave portion makes it difficult to bend the main body member in the longitudinal direction, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the main body member. It is characterized by.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a step member for a vehicle according to the present invention. In the embodiment, a side step for an occupant who is mounted on a lower part of a side surface of a vehicle body and puts his / her foot is illustrated as a vehicle step member.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a side step 10 of the embodiment comprises a hollow main body member 12 which constitutes the side step 10 as a whole,
And a bar-shaped reinforcing member 14 mounted on the lower surface side of the main body.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the main body member 12 is a hollow plate-shaped body blow-molded from a parison P made of, for example, polypropylene (PP) containing about 20% glass fiber. A base portion 16 fixed to the vehicle body 58 along the lower edge of the vehicle body 58 and a footrest portion 18 having a required thickness on which an occupant rests have an outer shape integrally formed in a substantially L-shaped side surface. ing. The overall length L in the longitudinal direction is about 600 mm, and the overall width W in the transverse direction is about 150 m
m, and the thickness dimension H of the footrest portion 18 is about 50 mm. The thickness t of the main body member 12 is desirably about 3 to 5 mm, assuming both high rigidity and light weight.

[0009] In the footrest portion 18, an outer surface (upper surface) pointing upward when mounted on the vehicle body is formed in a substantially flat plate shape, and an outer surface (lower surface) pointing downward is formed in an uneven corrugated plate shape. Have been. That is, the upper surface of the footrest portion 18 is a footrest surface 20 on which the occupant gets on and off directly, and a plurality of (four in the embodiment) protruding pieces 20a extending in the longitudinal direction are required in the width direction. Projections are formed at intervals. Each of these projections 20a mainly functions as a non-slip,
Also has a function of making it difficult to bend in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the lower surface of the footrest portion 18 is formed with an elongated concave portion extending in the longitudinal direction between the convex portions,
In the embodiment, two of the three concave portions are connected to the reinforcing member 1.
4 installation part 22. That is, each installation section 2
2 are vertical side walls 22a, 22a which are opposed to the main body member 12 in the lateral direction and extend in the longitudinal direction;
0 and a top wall 22b which is in close contact with the upper wall 22b, and has a U-shaped groove opening downward.

As a result, in the main body member 12 of the embodiment, the base 16 and the footrest 18 have an L-shaped side surface, and the lower surface of the footrest 18 has an uneven shape due to the formation of the concave portion (installation portion 22). By being formed, it is difficult to bend in the longitudinal direction because it has moderate rigidity itself. Moreover, since the main body member 12 is a hollow body, the weight is reduced as compared with the external size.

The reinforcing member 14 is a square pipe member having a rectangular longitudinal section made of a metal such as iron or aluminum, and is formed to have a length on the assumption of the entire length of the installation portion 22. At the same time, it has appropriate rigidity and is hardly deformed in the longitudinal direction. Then, each of the mounting portions 22 provided on the main body member 12 is fitted and mounted from the outside. In addition, in the main body member 12 of the embodiment, the two installation portions 22 are formed in parallel. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the reinforcing members 14, 14 may be installed in the respective installation portions 22, 22, respectively. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcing member 14 may be installed in only one of the installation sections 22. For example, when priority is given to the strength of the side step 10, it can be coped with by installing the reinforcing members 14 in both the installation portions 22, and when it is necessary to consider weight reduction, either one of them is required. Reinforcing member 1 only for installation part 22
4 can be dealt with.

The width dimension D of the reinforcing member 14 is the width dimension E of the mounting section 22 in the lateral direction (the main body member 12).
(Interval between the side walls 22a, 22a opposed to each other in the short direction).
Therefore, when the reinforcing member 14 is mounted on the corresponding mounting portion 22, the side surfaces 14a, 14a of the reinforcing member 14 and the side walls 22a, 22a of the mounting portion 22 can be brought into contact. For this reason, for example, when a load is applied from above to the distal end side of the footrest portion 18 of the main body member 12 in the short direction, the reinforcing member 14 causes the short deformation of the footrest portion 18 in the short direction. By making it difficult, the rigidity of the footrest portion 18 can be further improved. In addition, the reinforcing members 14 are attached to the respective installation portions 22 and 22.
It can be expected that the rigidity of the footrest portion 18 will be further improved by installing each.

In the side step 10 of the embodiment, assuming that the texture of the main body member 12 is improved, the upper edge of the footrest portion 18 (a position that can be visually recognized from above when mounted on the vehicle body). It is necessary to prevent the parting line from coming, and to position the parting line PL at the lower edge of the tip of the footrest portion 18 (a position that is invisible from above when mounted on the vehicle body). Therefore, in the blow molding of the main body member 12, as shown in FIG. 6, the first molding die 32 and the first molding die 32 in which the parting line PL is located at the upper edge of the base 16 and the lower edge of the tip of the footrest 18 are located. A blow molding die 30 composed of two molding dies 34 is used, and blow molding is performed in an appropriately inclined state in consideration of mold release after molding. However, when the parting line PL is set at the above-mentioned position, as is clear from FIG. Since the mold cannot be removed, the blow mold 30 according to the embodiment includes a slide mechanism 36 for forming each of the installation portions 22.

That is, the slide mechanism 36 is mounted on each of the installation sections 2.
2 and 22, and a fluid pressure cylinder 40 for sliding these slide pieces 38 forward and backward.
0a is advanced so that each slide projection 38 protrudes from the molding surface of the second molding die 34, and the fluid pressure cylinder 4
If the rod 40a is controlled to retreat from 0, each slide protrusion 38 retreats from the molding surface of the second molding die 34. Thereby, each side wall 22a, 22a forming each installation part 22, 22, can be formed substantially perpendicularly to the footrest surface 20.

Using such a blow molding die 30,
In forming the main body member 12 in the side step 10 of the embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 5, each slide projection 38 is held in a state of being protruded from the molding surface of the second molding die 34 by the fluid pressure cylinder 40. Keep it. Then, the parison P formed into a required shape by a molding machine (not shown) is sandwiched between the first molding die 32 and the second molding die 34 of the blow molding die 30 and air is fed into the parison P to form an image inside. In the formed cavity 42, the main body member 12 in which the base portion 16 and the footrest portion 18 are integrated is molded (FIG. 6). The slide protruding pieces 38 projecting into the cavity 42 form the installation portions 22 on the back side of the footrest 18 at the same time.

When the blow molding of the main body member 12 is completed, as shown in FIG.
While the mold 34 is opened, each slide projection 38 is retracted from the molding surface of the second mold 34 by the fluid pressure cylinder 40. Thereby, the removal of the main body member 12 is allowed (FIG. 8).

The main body member 1 blow-molded as described above.
The reinforcing member 14 separately molded is attached to each of the installation portions 22 and 22 (FIG. 3). Here, since the width dimension D of the reinforcing member 14 is set to be the same as or slightly larger than the width dimension E of the installation section 22 in the short direction,
The mounting is performed by pressing the reinforcing member 14 into the main body member 12 so as to press-fit the main member 12.
Is fixed without falling off with an appropriate engaging force. If an adhesive, a metal fitting, a screw, or the like is used, the mounting strength of the reinforcing member 14 to the main body member 12 can be further improved.

The side step 10 of the embodiment formed as described above comprises a hollow main body member 12 blow-molded from the parison P and a reinforcing member 14 mounted on the installation portion 22 of the main body member 12. This can improve rigidity while reducing weight. Moreover, since the reinforcing member 14 is also made of a hollow square pipe material, the rigidity can be improved without increasing the weight. Further, since the side surfaces 14a, 14a of the reinforcing member 14 and the side walls 22a, 22a of the installation portion 22 can be brought into contact with each other, bending deformation of the main body member 12 in the lateral direction can be suitably prevented. In addition, since the two installation portions 22 are provided at a required interval in the short direction, the rigidity can be greatly improved if the reinforcing member 14 is attached to each of the installation portions 22.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an installation portion 22 having substantially the same length as the entire length of the footrest portion 18 of the main body member 12 is provided. An example in which the member 14 is installed on the installation section 22 is illustrated. However, the installation portion 22 having a required length is provided at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the footrest portion 18 where the amount of flexural deformation is greatest, and the reinforcing member 14 having substantially the same length as the entire length of the installation portion 22 is provided on the installation portion 22. It may be installed.

Further, the reinforcing member 14 is not limited to the above-described metal square pipe material, and if it is assumed that the reinforcing member 14 can abut against the side walls 22a, 22a of the installation portion 22, for example, the longitudinal section A U-shaped or H-shaped pipe, a round or elliptical pipe, or the like may be used.

In the above embodiment, the blow molding step of the main body member 12 and the installation portion 22 of the molded main body member 12 are performed.
The step of mounting the reinforcing member 14 on the main body member 12 is performed separately from the step of mounting the reinforcing member 14 on the second molding die 34 of the blow molding die 30.
May be blow-molded. In this case, the blow molding step of the main body member 12 and the reinforcing member 14
Since the mounting process is performed in the same process, it is possible to expect a rationalization of manufacturing work and a reduction in cost. Further, it is not necessary to equip the blow mold 30 with the slide mechanism 36.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the side step mounted on the lower part of the side surface of the vehicle body is exemplified as the vehicle step member, but the vehicle step member also includes a rear step mounted on the lower rear part of the vehicle body. It is targeted.

[0023]

As described above, according to the vehicle step member according to the present invention, the hollow main body member blow-molded from the parison and the reinforcing member attached to the concave portion provided in the main body member are provided. The configuration has an advantage that the rigidity can be improved while reducing the weight. In addition, since the reinforcing member is made of a metal pipe, the rigidity can be improved without increasing the weight. In addition, by setting the width of the reinforcing member to be the same as or slightly larger than the width of the concave portion, the side surface of the reinforcing member and the side wall of the concave portion can be brought into contact with each other. Bending deformation can also be suitably prevented. In addition, if a plurality of concave portions are formed at required intervals in the short direction, the rigidity can be significantly improved by attaching a reinforcing member to each concave portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle step member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected and shown in the transverse direction crossing a longitudinal direction, Comprising: One reinforcement member was attached to the concave part.

FIG. 2 shows a vehicle step member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected and shown in the short direction which cross | intersects a longitudinal direction, Comprising: Two reinforcement members were attached to each concave part.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main body member and a reinforcing member constituting the vehicle step member in a state in which the reinforcing member is attached to a concave portion provided in the main body member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main body member partially broken away.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a step of blow molding the main body member in a stepwise manner, and shows a state before the parison is sandwiched between the first and second molding dies of the blow molding die.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a step of blow molding the main body member in a stepwise manner, and shows a state where the main body member is molded by clamping the parison between the first molding die and the second molding die.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the step of blow molding the main body member in a stepwise manner, showing a state in which after the molding of the main body member is completed, the first molding die is opened and each slide protrusion is retracted.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the step of blow molding the main body member in a stepwise manner, and shows a state in which the molded main body member is removed from the second molding die.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a side step as an example of a conventional step member for a vehicle in a used state.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the side step shown in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Main body member 14 Reinforcement member 20 Foot surface 22 Installation part (concave part) 22a Side wall 58 Body D Width of reinforcement member E Width of concave part P Parison

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Fumito Tominaga 8-1, Tocho, Fujii-cho, Anjo-shi, Aichi Prefecture F-term in the INOAC Corporation Sakurai Office 3D022 AA03 AB04 AC01 AC04 AD02 AE01 4F202 AG06 AG28 AH17 CA15 CB01 CK52 CS10 4F208 AG06 AG28 AH17 LA01 LA09 LB01 LD16 LN01 LW02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A step member for a vehicle mounted on a lower portion of an outer surface of a vehicle body (58) for hanging a foot when an occupant gets on and off, wherein the step member is a hollow plate-shaped body blow-molded from a parison (P),
A body member (12) having an upper outer surface as a footrest surface (20) and an elongated concave portion (22) extending along the longitudinal direction on the lower outer surface; and having a required rigidity. A reinforcing member (14) fitted and mounted on the concave portion (22), and the reinforcing member (14) mounted on the concave portion (22). This makes it difficult to bend the body member (12) in the longitudinal direction,
A step member for a vehicle, wherein the step member is configured to improve the overall rigidity of the main body member (12). 2. A step member for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing member is a metal pipe material having a required sectional shape. 3. The width dimension (D) of the reinforcing member (14) is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the width dimension (E) of the concave portion (22) in the lateral direction. ) Is mounted on the concave portion (22), and can be brought into contact with the side walls (22a, 22a) extending in the longitudinal direction of the main body member (12) and forming the concave portion (22). The vehicle step member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. A plurality of the concave portions (22) are formed at required intervals in the short direction of the main body member (12), and each of the concave portions (22) is formed.
The reinforcing member (14) can be attached to the
4. The step member for a vehicle according to any one of 3.