JP2003341547A - Vehicular roof panel mounting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular roof panel mounting structure preventing coating failure by eliminating an electric joining portion between dissimilar metals, resolving the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion, enabling the use of aluminum roof facilitating being separately made from a steel roof. <P>SOLUTION: An aluminum roof panel 5 is mounted to steel bodies 1, 2 by mechanical joints 1A, 4A, 2A, 4B, and 4C, 5B through a joint panel 4 coated in advance. The steel panels 1, 2 and the aluminum panel 5 are mechanically joined with each other through the joint panel 4 coated on the surface thereof in advance, so that electric joint portion between dissimilar metals does not exist. Consequently, the generation of electrolytic corrosion is effectively suppressed, and there is no fear of causing chemical conversion failure (coating failure) at the time of electrodeposition to the aluminum member side. <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 roof panel mounting structure for a vehicle such as an automobile, in which an aluminum roof panel is mounted on a steel body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle such as an automobile, as shown in FIG. 5, a side edge of a roof panel 25 is attached to an upper surface of a panel side outer 21 which constitutes an upper frame portion of a side member of a vehicle body. Usually, inside the panel side outer 21, a rail side outer 22 and a rail side inner 23, which are reinforcing members having a closed cross-sectional shape, are arranged. And since each of these panel members is made of steel,
The assembly lower ends of the panel side outer 21, the rail side outer 22, and the rail side inner 23 and the side edges of the roof panel 25 attached to the upper ends of the assembly are joined and fixed by spot welding S.

As described above, if all the panel members are made of steel, they can be fixed by spot welding S, but as in recent years, they are heavy parts for lowering the center of gravity and weight of the vehicle. Various problems have arisen since it has been proposed to construct the roof structure from aluminum panels. That is, when electrodepositing an aluminum member and a steel member, which are different metals having different electrical characteristics, in close contact with each other, the close contact portion forms an electrical connection portion having different characteristics. However, there is a possibility that a chemical conversion treatment failure (painting failure) may occur particularly on the aluminum member side. Further, no consideration was given to the position where the joint portion between these dissimilar metals is arranged, and electrical corrosion was likely to occur when exposed to rainwater.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION From such a thing,
A technique has been proposed in which a joint between a vehicle body body and a roof made of different kinds of metals is arranged on the indoor side where the rust environment is not severe so as to avoid the problem of occurrence of electrolytic corrosion or the like. However, such a configuration is structurally unreasonable, and causes an increase in weight and cost, and is therefore used only in some luxury cars. On the other hand, a structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-132855 as shown in FIG. 6 has been proposed as a structure in which an aluminum roof can be adopted at a low cost while avoiding structural restrictions. This is a lower horizontal part formed at the end of the aluminum roof panel 35 and the side roof rail upper 3
1 and a lower horizontal portion of the side roof rail lower portion 33 are joined to each other to form a drip groove for drainage, and a clad formed by combining an aluminum-based metal and an iron-based metal between the horizontal portions. The material 34 is interposed so that the similar metals correspond to each other, and the horizontal portion is joined by welding means through the clad material 34.

With such a structure, it is possible to bond dissimilar metals to each other with a relatively simple structure. However, the clad material 34 is composed of an aluminum-based metal and an iron-based metal, and both characteristics are satisfied. In addition, since it is directly joined to the aluminum roof panel 35 and the steel side roof rail upper 31, the chemical conversion treatment on the aluminum side still occurs, causing a coating problem. Furthermore, the joint between different kinds of metals is exposed to the drip groove for drainage, and the problem of occurrence of electrolytic corrosion and the like has not been avoided, and the risk of rust has not been eliminated.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional vehicle roof panel mounting structure, eliminates electrical joints between dissimilar metals, does not cause defective coating, and causes electrical corrosion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle roof panel mounting structure that can adopt an aluminum roof that can be easily eliminated from a steel roof.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, in a vehicle roof panel mounting structure configured to mount an aluminum roof panel to a steel body, mechanical joining is performed through a prepainted joint panel. Is characterized by mounting an aluminum roof panel on a steel body. In the present invention, the joint panel is formed in an L shape, an aluminum roof panel and a steel rail side outer are attached above and below a substantially horizontal portion of the joint panel, and a panel side is provided at a substantially vertical portion of the joint panel. It is characterized in that the end of the outer is attached. Further, the present invention configures the joint panel into an L shape having a step portion, and additionally installs an aluminum roof panel and a steel rail side outer above and below a substantially horizontal portion with the step portion of the joint panel as a boundary, It is characterized in that the end portion of the panel side outer is attached to the substantially vertical portion of the joint panel. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the joint panel is formed in a flat plate shape, and an aluminum roof panel and a steel panel side outer are additionally provided above and below the joint panel. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the joint panel is made of aluminum. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the joint panel is made of steel. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the joint panel and an aluminum roof panel are laser-welded. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the joint panel and an aluminum roof panel are mechanically fixed.

According to the above-mentioned solution means, by adopting mechanical joining or the like through a joint panel whose surface is preliminarily painted, an electrical joining portion where an aluminum roof and a steel body, which are different metals, directly contact each other is formed. Since it can be solved, there is no risk of chemical conversion treatment failure (painting failure) on the aluminum member side due to electrodeposition coating, and the joint part via these painted surfaces is not exposed to the outside by being protected by the joint panel. Therefore, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion and the like can be eliminated.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a vehicle roof panel mounting structure of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of essential parts. The present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a roof panel 5 made of aluminum (illustrated without hatching in the drawing) and a body 1 made of steel (illustrated by hatching in the drawing),
In a vehicle roof panel mounting structure configured to be mounted on a vehicle body 2, the aluminum roof panel 5 is made of a steel body by mechanical joining 1A, 4A and 4C, 5A and 2A, 4B through a prepainted joint panel 4. It is characterized in that it is attached to 1 and 2.

The details will be described below. Steel panel side outer 1 that constitutes the upper frame of the side member of the vehicle body
The substantially horizontal portion at the upper end is cut. When the substantially horizontal portion is not cut, the substantially horizontal portion is joined to the steel roof panel. Therefore, as will be described later in detail, the steel roof and the aluminum roof can be easily manufactured separately depending on the presence or absence of the cut in the substantially horizontal portion at the upper end portion of the panel side outer 1. Inside the panel side outer 1, a rail side outer 2 and a rail side inner 3 which are also reinforcing members made of steel and having a closed cross section are arranged. Then, these steel panel members are joined by spot welding S at the lower end of the assembly, and the upper end portions of the rail side outer 2 and the rail side inner 3 are also joined by spot welding S.

In order to connect and join the three substantially vertical parts of the steel panel side outer 1 with the substantially horizontal part cut, the steel rail side outer 2 and the aluminum roof panel 5 made of different metals, In the embodiment, the L-shaped joint panel 4 is used.
The joint panel 4 of the present embodiment is made of aluminum, but it goes without saying that it may be made of steel or the like. The most important point is that the joint panel 4 is pre-painted. It is easy and inexpensive to pre-paint a joint panel, which is a simple and relatively small component, in advance by itself. In the illustrated example, a bent locking groove 4A is formed in a substantially vertical portion of the L-shaped joint panel 4,
On the substantially horizontal portion, a locking projection 4C that constitutes a rivet (after being inserted into a locking hole 5C of an aluminum panel described later,
The head is crushed to prevent it from coming off, and the locking projection 4B is also projected downward.

Corresponding to the locking groove 4A and the locking projections 4B and 4C in the joint panel 4, the locking projection 1A and the rail side outer 2 which are bent and formed in a substantially vertical portion of the panel side outer 1 are formed. A locking groove 2A formed by bending the horizontal portion and a locking hole 5A formed in the aluminum roof panel 5 are formed. Joint panel 4
The mechanical joint is formed by the firm engagement of these engagement grooves or engagement holes with the engagement projections through the press. After the panels are joined in this way, the vehicle body is painted by a painting process such as electrodeposition painting.

Therefore, since the steel panel and the aluminum panel are mechanically joined to each other through the joint panel 4 whose surface is coated, there is no electrical joint between different kinds of metals. In addition, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion is effectively suppressed, and there is no fear that a chemical conversion treatment failure (painting failure) will occur especially when electrodeposition coating is performed on the aluminum member side. Moreover, the joint portion between these dissimilar metals is located at a position not exposed to rainwater such as the back side of the substantially vertical portion of the panel side outer 1 or the joint panel 4.
Since it is arranged in the shade of, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion due to water is also suppressed. As the mechanical joining method, self-piercing, rivets, mechanical clinch, or the like is adopted as the engagement between the engagement groove and the engagement projection.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of a vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to the present invention. The joint panel 4 to be pre-painted is formed into an L-shape having a step portion 4E and the joint is formed. An aluminum roof panel 5 and a steel rail side outer 2 are additionally provided above and below a substantially horizontal portion with a step portion 4E of the panel 4 as a boundary, and an end of the substantially vertical portion of the panel side outer 1 is provided at a substantially vertical portion of the joint panel 4. It is characterized by the addition of a section. In the present embodiment, a joint is used by utilizing a step portion 4E of a substantially horizontal portion of the joint panel 4 (the step portion 4E causes a gap between the substantially horizontal portion and the substantially horizontal portion of the rail side outer 2). Aluminum roof panel 5 attached to the substantially horizontal part of panel 4
The substantially horizontal portion of the above is joined by laser welding 6. Therefore, in this embodiment, the joint panel 4 is preferably made of aluminum. Thus, laser welding is used instead of the engagement between the engagement projection 4C and the engagement hole 5A of the first embodiment, the work hole can be eliminated, and the strength and the degree of freedom in design are improved.

FIG. 3 shows a joining process of the second embodiment of FIG. 2, and in FIG. 3 (A), a locking projection 1A formed on a substantially vertical portion of the steel panel side outer 1.
A substantially vertical part of an L-shaped joint panel 4 made of aluminum having a pre-painted step is additionally attached to the locking groove 4A.
Lock. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the locking projections 4C at the lower portion of the substantially horizontal portion of the joint panel 4 are locked in the locking grooves 2A of the substantially horizontal portion of the steel rail side outer 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the rail side inner 3 is attached to the lower portion of the steel rail side outer 2.
And the upper end and the lower end of the assembly are joined by spot welding S or the like. Then, FIG.
As shown in (D), the substantially horizontal portion of the roof panel 5 made of aluminum is attached to the substantially horizontal portion above the stepped portion of the joint panel 4, and these are joined by laser welding 6. . After that, the whole is painted in the painting process.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of a vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 is formed in a flat plate shape, and an aluminum roof panel 5 and a steel panel side outer 1 are additionally provided above and below the joint panel 4. In the illustrated example, the flat plate-like joint panel 4 of the present embodiment is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4B, locked to a plate made of steel (or aluminum) for rivets. The holes 4D and 4D are drilled in advance, and rivets (preferably made of aluminum) 7 and 8 are inserted into the locking holes 4D and 4D of the joint panel 4 after the coating, and these rivets are inserted. After inserting and locking 7 and 8 into the locking holes 1B in the substantially horizontal portion of the steel panel side outer 1 and the locking holes 5A in the substantially horizontal portion of the aluminum roof panel 5, respectively, crush their heads. Will be removed. Thus, in the present embodiment, the joint panel 4 can have a simple flat plate structure, and the panel side outer 1 can be made to have an aluminum roof and a steel roof without modification of the shape (cutting of a substantially horizontal portion or the like). Can be shared.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the shapes and materials of the roof panel and the body panel (the roof panel may be made of an aluminum-based lightweight similar metal) within the scope of the gist of the present invention. , Panel-side outers, rail-side outers and inners can also be made of similar steel-based metal), shapes such as locking grooves and holes and locking projections including rivets (self-piercing,
Any other suitable form may be adopted as long as it is a system that withstands permanent coupling having a retaining function such as rivets and mechanical clinch), L-shaped, L-shaped with stepped portion, flat panel-shaped joint panel, etc. The overall shape (a sharp or obtuse L-shape, a flat plate shape may be a shape having a slight vertical portion), a material (aluminum or steel is preferable, but other metals to be coated may be adopted), And its form of engagement with the body panel (in addition to the arrangement relationship between the joint panel and the body panel as shown in the example in the figure, dissimilar metal joints are hidden, and a joint panel coated between dissimilar metals is provided. Any suitable arrangement relationship can be adopted as long as it is a desired form), and the form of laser welding and the like can be appropriately selected.

[0018]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the vehicle roof panel mounting structure in which the aluminum roof panel is mounted on the steel body, the machine is mounted through the joint panel which is pre-painted. By attaching the aluminum roof panel to the steel body by mechanical joining, the steel panel and the aluminum panel are mechanically joined together through the joint panel with the surface coated, so dissimilar metal Since there is no electrical joint between them, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion is effectively suppressed,
In particular, there is no fear of a chemical conversion treatment failure (painting failure) occurring during electrodeposition coating on the aluminum member side.

Further, the joint panel is formed in an L shape, and an aluminum roof panel and a steel rail side outer are additionally provided above and below a substantially horizontal portion of the joint panel, and a panel side is provided at a substantially vertical portion of the joint panel. When the end of the outer is attached, the joint between dissimilar metals is placed at a position where it is not exposed to rainwater, such as the back side of the substantially vertical part of the panel side outer, or behind the joint panel, so it is possible to use electricity from water. The occurrence of erosion is also effectively suppressed.

Further, the joint panel is formed in an L shape having a step portion, and an aluminum roof panel and a steel rail side outer are additionally provided above and below a substantially horizontal portion with the step portion of the joint panel as a boundary. When the end of the panel side outer is attached to the substantially vertical part of the joint panel, the joint between dissimilar metals is placed at a position not exposed to rainwater such as the back side of the substantially vertical part of the panel side outer or behind the joint panel. Since it is installed, the occurrence of galvanic corrosion due to water is effectively suppressed, and the joint panel and aluminum roof panel can be easily joined by using the gap created at the step difference as a workability. Is improved.

Further, when the joint panel is formed in a flat plate shape and an aluminum roof panel and a steel panel side outer are additionally provided above and below the joint panel, the joint panel has a simple flat plate structure. Besides, the panel side outer can be used for both aluminum roof and steel roof without changing the shape (cutting of the substantially horizontal part, etc.). Further, when the joint panel is made of aluminum, it has good compatibility with the aluminum roof panel and can be joined by laser welding or the like, and the degree of freedom of the joining form is improved. Furthermore, when the joint panel is made of steel, electrical connection is cut off by painting, so that it is possible to expect a joint function as well as a stiffening effect by using steel.

When the joint panel and the aluminum roof panel are laser-welded, the welding between the joint panel and the aluminum roof panel is replaced by the laser-welding instead of the locking projections and the locking holes. Use, work holes can be eliminated, and strength and design flexibility are improved. Furthermore, when the joint panel and the roof panel made of aluminum are mechanically fixed, regardless of the material of the joint panel,
The aluminum roof panels, which are the final step, can be joined by simple mechanical work. Thus, according to the present invention, the use of an aluminum roof that eliminates the electrical joint between dissimilar metals and does not cause coating defects, eliminates the occurrence of galvanic corrosion, etc., and can be easily separated from the steel roof There is provided a vehicle roof panel mounting structure that enables the above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first part of a vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to the present invention.
It is a principal part sectional view which shows embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a second mounting structure for a vehicle roof panel according to the present invention.
It is a principal part sectional view which shows embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a joining process of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a third mounting structure for a vehicle roof panel according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment and an enlarged view of a joint panel.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional vehicle roof panel mounting structure.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an essential part of an improved conventional roof panel mounting structure for a vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 panel side outer (steel body) 1A locking protrusion (mechanical joint) 1B locking hole (mechanical joint) 2 Rail side outer (steel body) 2A locking groove (mechanical joint) 3 Rail side inner (steel body) 4 joint panel 4A locking groove (mechanical joint) 4B locking protrusion (mechanical joint) 4C locking protrusion (mechanical joint) 4D locking hole (mechanical joint) 4E step 5 Aluminum roof panel 5A locking hole (mechanical joint) 6 Laser weld 7 Rivet (mechanical joint) 8 rivets (mechanical joints) S spot weld

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle roof panel mounting structure configured to mount an aluminum roof panel on a steel body, wherein the aluminum roof panel is mounted on the steel body by mechanical joining through a prepainted joint panel. Vehicle roof panel mounting structure characterized by being mounted. 2. The joint panel is formed in an L shape, an aluminum roof panel and a steel rail side outer are attached above and below a substantially horizontal portion of the joint panel, and a panel side is provided at a substantially vertical portion of the joint panel. 2. The vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein an end of the outer is attached. 3. The joint panel is formed in an L shape having a step portion, and an aluminum roof panel and a steel rail side outer are additionally provided above and below a substantially horizontal portion with the step portion of the joint panel as a boundary. The vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the panel side outer is attached to a substantially vertical portion of the joint panel. 4. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the joint panel is formed in a flat plate shape, and an aluminum roof panel and a steel panel side outer are additionally provided above and below the joint panel. Panel mounting structure. 5. The vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the joint panel is made of aluminum. 6. The vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the joint panel is made of steel. 7. The joint panel and an aluminum roof panel are laser-welded together.
Alternatively, the vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to item 5. 8. The joint panel and an aluminum roof panel are mechanically fixed to each other.
7. The vehicle roof panel mounting structure according to any one of 1 to 6.