JP2003306164A - Beam structure for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beam structure for vehicles, which can improve the rigidity and strength and can attain the weight saving. <P>SOLUTION: The beam structure for vehicles, in a form of a pipe formed from a plate material, is characterized in that the plate material is folded back and folded onto itself to form a reinforcing portion extending in a longitudinal direction; that the reinforcing portion is arranged substantially inside the pipe; and that both the side edges of the plate material are substantially abutted against and secured to a predetermined folded-back portion of the reinforcing portion or a folded-on portion near the predetermined folded-back portion. The reinforcing portion has a cross-sectional shape, for example, of a substantially straight line. Both the side edges of the plate material are substantially abutted against and secured to the folded-back portion forming the substantially- straight reinforcing portion or the folded-on portion near the folded-back portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle beam structure which can be used mainly for a beam (cross beam or stehan beam) which is a cross member installed in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle, a door impact beam, a side beam and the like. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a vehicle beam structure, for example, there is a beam 101 (cross beam or steering beam) which is a cross member installed in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle as shown in FIG. The beam 101 shown in FIG. 7 is a cylindrical pipe structure having a predetermined thickness, the cross-sectional shape of which is a circle having substantially the same diameter, and the shape of which is linear in the longitudinal direction.
Alternatively, the bent portion 102 is bent and formed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0003]

By the way, a beam structure for vehicles such as a beam, a door impact beam, and a side beam, which are cross members of a frame of a vehicle body, has a common technical problem of being more rigid and stronger. At the same time, it is required to improve the weight of the beam for vehicles, and at the same time, it is possible to obtain higher rigidity and strength at almost the same weight as the conventional vehicle beam, or to achieve the same level of rigidity and strength. There is a strong demand for a beam structure for a vehicle that can be made lighter while holding the beam structure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and mainly relates to a beam structure for a vehicle such as a beam such as a cross beam or a Stehan beam which is a cross member of a frame, a door impact beam, a side beam, and the like.
An object of the present invention is to provide a beam structure for a vehicle, which can be improved in rigidity and strength and can be reduced in weight.

[0005]

The vehicle beam structure of the present invention is a pipe-shaped vehicle beam structure formed from a plate material, and a reinforcing portion extending in the longitudinal direction is formed by folding and folding the plate material. Then, the reinforcing portion is substantially provided in the pipe, and both side ends of the plate member are fixedly provided so as to substantially abut on a predetermined folded portion of the reinforcing portion or a folded portion in the vicinity of the predetermined folded portion. To do. With the above configuration, it is possible to improve rigidity and strength and reduce weight, and it is possible to reduce the thickness of the plate material as compared with a conventional vehicle beam having substantially the same strength. The cost can also be reduced.

Further, in the beam structure for a vehicle according to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion is formed in a substantially single letter, and both side ends of the plate member are formed at or near the folded portion forming the substantially one letter of the reinforcing portion. It is characterized in that it is substantially in contact with the folded portion and is fixed. By making the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion approximately one letter, in addition to being able to exhibit the above advantages,
It can be manufactured more easily and the weight can be further reduced.

Further, in the beam structure for a vehicle of the present invention, the reinforcing portion is formed in a cross-section in a cross shape, and both side ends of the plate member are folded back to form one of the cross-shaped reinforcement portions. It is characterized by being substantially abutted to the portion or the folded portion in the vicinity of the folded portion and fixedly provided. By making the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion approximately cross-shaped, it is possible to exert the above-mentioned advantages and further increase the rigidity and strength.

Further, the vehicle beam structure of the present invention is characterized in that both side ends of the plate member and the folded portion or a folded portion in the vicinity of the folded portion are welded at predetermined positions.
By welding at the predetermined location, the plate material can be formed into a predetermined shape, for example, by roll forming, and the vehicle beam structure can be easily fixed in the predetermined shape. It should be noted that the present invention also includes additions, deletions, and changes of the respective components of the present invention within the limit that the rigidity and strength can be improved and the weight can be reduced.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A beam structure for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described below based on a specific embodiment of the beam structure. FIG. 1A is a front view of the beam of the first embodiment,
1B is a sectional view of the beam shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the beam of FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining the process of forming the beam of FIG.

The beam 1 of the first embodiment is, for example, a cross member (cross beam or steering beam) installed in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,
It is a substantially cylindrical pipe structure formed of a single plate material having a predetermined thickness, and is formed in a straight line shape in the longitudinal direction thereof, and its cross-sectional shape is a circular shape of the outer periphery in which the reinforcing portion 3 extends in the diameter direction. The reinforcing portion 3 extends in the longitudinal direction of the beam 1 or the pipe and is substantially internally provided.
The reinforcing portion 3 extends in the longitudinal direction two spaces having a substantially semicircular cross section. The beam 1 may have a configuration in which the bent portion 2 is not formed in a straight line shape but is formed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction thereof. In this case, for example, the configuration other than the configuration in which the bent portion 2 is formed is the present embodiment. The beam 1 has the same configuration as the linear beam 1. It should be noted that the shape other than the straight pipe shape and the shape having the bent portion 2 may be used, and the configuration is not limited to this.

The reinforcing portion 3 is a substantially one-letter shape in which the plate material is folded back at the folding portion 31, and the folding material 32 is provided in close contact with or adjacent to each other. The stacked plate materials are welded to each other at a welded portion 61 at the substantially center and fixed to each other. The folded plate material of the reinforcing portion 3 is bent outward at the end portion on the opposite side of the folded portion 31, and the bent plate material is curved in the circumferential direction to form the curved portion 4 and both curved portions 4・ 4 forms the outer circumference of the beam 1. The side edges 5 of the plate material corresponding to the ends of the curved portion 4 contact the folded portion 31 of the plate material or the folded portion 32 in the vicinity of the folded portion 31, respectively, and both side ends 5.5 are formed at the contact points. The folded-back portion 31 or the folded-over portion 32 is welded and fixed at a welded portion 62 provided so as to cover the folded-back portion 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, the beam 1 is bent, for example, by roll forming to form a predetermined shape having a folded portion 31, a folded portion 32, and a curved portion 4, and the length of the beam 1 is inline. Seam welding in the direction to fix both plate materials of the folded portion 32 to each other at the welded portion 61, and to form the side edges 5 and the folded portion 31 or the folded portion 3
It is formed and manufactured by spot-welding 2 at the abutting portion at intervals of about 50 mm and fixing at a welded portion 62.

The type of welding, the welding interval, and the welding location of the beam 1 can be set appropriately, and the spot welding or seam welding location is seam welding or spot welding. It is possible to do so. Further, the fixing method is not limited to welding, and other fixing methods can be used. Further, the structure of the beam 1 can be used for other beams used in vehicles such as door impact beams and side beams.
The plate material has a predetermined thickness of 1 mm, 2 mm, or the like. Further, the outer shape of the pipe is not limited to a substantially cylindrical shape, and may be any suitable shape such as a substantially elliptic cylinder shape or a substantially prismatic shape.

In the beam 1 of the first embodiment, for example, the load A in the width direction of the reinforcing portion 32 is directly supported and received by the reinforcing portion 32 erected in the diametrical direction with a substantially one-character cross section. For example, with respect to the load B in the longitudinal direction of the beam 1, the reinforcing portion 32 is formed over the entire length or substantially the entire length of the beam 1 in the longitudinal direction, and the reinforcing portion 32 directly supports and receives the reinforcing portion 32. With respect to the moment M in the outer peripheral direction of 1, the support is provided by the reinforcing portion 32 that is laid in the diameter direction of the beam 1 and is formed over the longitudinal direction of the beam 1, thereby exhibiting high rigidity and high strength,
The deformation can be eliminated or prevented as much as possible. Furthermore, since only the reinforcing portion 32 is formed in a substantially one-letter shape, a very high level of weight reduction can be achieved.

The beam 1 of the first embodiment and the conventional beam 101 shown in FIG. 7 have the same material, the same cross-sectional diameter and length, and the same shape, but both ends are fixed ends. As a result of setting the contents of the rigidity test by the load A, the load B, and the moment M and analyzing the displacement such as the maximum displacement by the finite element method, the beam 1 of the first embodiment has the plate thickness of the conventional beam 101 of FIG. 7 ( For example, it has been found that even when the plate thickness is half (for example, 1 mm) with respect to 2 mm, it is possible to obtain substantially the same or higher rigidity and a light weight effect (for example, -16.5%).

Next, another embodiment of the vehicle beam structure of the present invention will be described. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the beam of the second embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the beam of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view illustrating a process of forming the beam of FIG.

The beam 1a of the second embodiment is a cross member installed in front of the driver's seat of a vehicle, like the first embodiment, and has a predetermined thickness as shown in FIGS. It is a substantially cylindrical pipe structure formed from a single plate material, and is formed in a linear shape in the longitudinal direction. As with the beam 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to perform appropriate modification such as forming a bent portion at the substantially center in the longitudinal direction. As for the cross-sectional shape of the beam 1a, a substantially cross-shaped reinforcing portion 3a is provided substantially in a circular shape on the outer periphery, and the reinforcing portion 3a extends in the longitudinal direction of the beam 1a or the pipe and is provided substantially by the reinforcing portion 3a. In the pipe, a space whose cross-sectional shape is divided into four substantially fan-shaped extends in the longitudinal direction.

The reinforcing portion 3a has a substantially cross-shaped cross section, and is provided with folded portions 31a at its three ends. The folded portions 31a bend the plate material and the plate materials are in close contact with each other. Folded or adjacent to each other 32a
Is provided. The plate material folded at the folding portion 32a has a bent portion 3 at the end opposite to the folded portion 31a.
3a, each of them is bent outward by about 90 degrees and reaches the other folded portion 32a. At the end portions of the remaining cross-section other than the above-mentioned three locations, the folded plate members of the folding portion 32a are respectively bent outward, and the bent plate members are curved in a circumferential shape. The curved portion 4a serves as the curved portion 4a, and the curved portions 4a and 4a form the outer circumference of the beam 1a. The plate materials folded at the folding portion 32a up to the curved portion 4a are welded and fixed to each other at the welding portion 63a at the substantially center.

The side end 5a of the plate member corresponding to the end of the curved portion 4a is opposite to or symmetrical to the portion bent from the folded portion 32a to the curved portion 4a in the substantially cross shape of the reinforcing portion 3a. Abutting on the folded-back portion 31a of the plate material or the folded-back portion 32a in the vicinity of the folded-back portion 31a, and at the abutting portions, both side edges 5a, 5a and the folded-back portion 31a or the folded-back portion 32a are It is welded and fixed at a welded portion 62a provided so as to cover 31a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the beam 1a is bent by roll forming, for example, to form a predetermined shape having a folded-back portion 31a, a folded-over portion 32a and a curved portion 4a. Direction and seam welding to fix both plate members of the folded portion 32a to each other at the welded portion 63a, and the side edges 5a and 5a and the folded portion 31a or the folded portion 32a are spaced about 50 mm apart at their abutting portions. It is formed and manufactured by spot-welding at, and fixing at the welded portion 62a.

The welding portion in the beam 1a of the second embodiment is provided at a required folding portion 32a of each folding portion 32a having a substantially cross shape, or at all folding portions 32a, or at the folding portion 32a. It is possible to appropriately change it in the same manner as the first embodiment, such as to be provided at
The configurations such as the welding interval, the type of welding, the fixing method, the thickness of the plate material, the outer shape of the pipe, and the like can be appropriately changed as in the first embodiment.

The beam 1a of the second embodiment supports the beam in the centripetal direction by being supported and supported by the reinforcing portion 32a having a cross shape in cross section, and also in the longitudinal direction, for example. By directly supporting and receiving by the reinforcing portion 32a formed over the entire length or substantially the entire length of 1a in the longitudinal direction, for example, with respect to the moment in the outer peripheral direction, the cross-section has a substantially cruciform shape, and the total length in the longitudinal direction or the substantially entire length is obtained. By supporting the reinforcing portion 32a formed over the entire length, it is possible to exhibit extremely high rigidity and strength and eliminate or prevent deformation as much as possible.

The shape of the reinforcing portion in the beam of the present invention may be a cross-sectional shape other than the above-mentioned approximately one-letter shape or approximately ten-letter shape. However, as in the beam 1 of the first embodiment, the one-letter shape is used. In this case, required strength and rigidity can be obtained, and a very high light weight effect can be obtained. On the other hand, when the beam 1a of the second embodiment is cross-shaped,
The required light weight effect can be obtained, and extremely high strength and rigidity can be obtained, and deformation at the time of impact or load is reduced. That is, since the beam 1 of the first embodiment is more excellent in weight reduction, it is suitable for a portion such as a cross beam or a Stehan beam that requires more weight reduction together with required strength and rigidity. Beam of form 1
Since “a” is superior in strength and rigidity, it is suitable for a portion such as a door impact beam or a side beam that requires extremely high strength and rigidity together with required weight reduction.

Furthermore, the strength and rigidity can be further improved by shortening the welding interval of the welded portions such as the welded portions 61 and 62 of the beam 1 and the welded portions 62a and 63a of the beam 1a or by seam welding. Since the beam 1a of the second embodiment has higher strength and rigidity than the beam 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to lengthen the welding interval by spot welding, for example. In addition, the beam 1 of the first embodiment can be formed into a substantially one-letter shape and can have a beam structure having high strength and rigidity while achieving a high light weight effect by shortening the welding interval or performing seam welding. .

[0025]

Since the vehicle beam structure of the present invention has the above-described structure, it has the effects of being able to further increase the rigidity and strength, and also to reduce its weight, thereby improving rigidity and strength and at the same time being lightweight. It is possible to achieve higher rigidity or strength with substantially the same weight as a conventional vehicle beam, or to reduce the weight while maintaining the rigidity and strength at substantially the same level. Therefore, by using the vehicle beam structure of the present invention for a beam such as a cross beam or a Stehan beam which is a cross member of a frame, a door impact beam, a side beam, etc., the rigidity and strength of these beams are improved and the weight is reduced. Can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view of a beam of a first embodiment according to the present invention. (B) Sectional drawing of the beam of the same figure (a).

2 is a partial perspective view of the beam of FIG. 1. FIG.

3A and 3B are cross-sectional explanatory views for explaining the beam forming process of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a beam of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

5 is a partial perspective view of the beam of FIG.

6A and 6B are cross-sectional explanatory views illustrating a process of forming the beam in FIG.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a conventional beam (Stehan beam). (B) Sectional drawing of the beam of the same figure (a).

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 101 beams 2, 102 bend 3, 3a Reinforcement part 31, 31a Folding part 32, 32a folding part 33a Bent section 4, 4a curved part 5, 5a side edge 61, 62, 62a, 63a Welded part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pipe-shaped vehicle beam structure formed from a plate material, wherein a reinforcing portion extending in a longitudinal direction is formed by folding back and folding the plate material, and the reinforcing portion is provided substantially inside the pipe. A beam structure for a vehicle, characterized in that both side ends of the plate member are fixed to a predetermined folded portion of the reinforcing portion or a folded portion in the vicinity of the predetermined folded portion so as to substantially abut. 2. The cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion is formed into a substantially single letter, and both side ends of the plate material are substantially abutted against the folded portion or the folded portion in the vicinity of the folded portion that forms the substantially single letter of the reinforcing portion and are fixed. The beam structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the beam structure is provided. 3. A cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion is formed into a cross shape, and either side of the plate material is folded back to form a reinforcing portion of the cross shape, or a folded portion in the vicinity of the folded back portion is formed. The beam structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the beam structure is abutted on and fixed to the portion. 4. The beam structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein both side ends of the plate member and the folded portion or a folded portion near the folded portion are welded at predetermined positions.