JP2004359082A - Vehicle frame structure and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle frame structure for providing a platform skeleton structure with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle frame structure is formed of a frame body 1 having corners 5 formed by folding a hollow extruded material 3 made of light alloy. The corners 5 formed by folding are formed by cutting the hollow extruded material 3 in a triangular shape from a wall 3B side defining the inner periphery of the frame body 1 leaving a wall 3A defining the outer periphery of the frame body 1, folding the left wall 3A defining the outer periphery to contact the cut surfaces of the triangular shape, and welding the cut surfaces to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle frame structure and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a vehicle frame structure suitable for being formed from a hollow extruded member made of a light alloy such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and a method of manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a vehicle frame structure has been proposed in which hollow extruded members made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy (hereinafter, simply referred to as a light alloy) are welded to each other and formed (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
This is intended for a subframe of an automobile, a cross member of a light alloy hollow extruded profile having a reinforcing partition wall portion formed integrally with a peripheral wall portion and partitioning a hollow portion, and a side member of a light alloy hollow extruded profile. A part of the peripheral wall portion at the end of the side member is joined to the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion connected to the reinforcing partition wall portion of the cross member at a substantially right angle by MIG welding or the like along the connection portion, and the cross member and the side member are joined together. It is configured to increase the connection strength with the members.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-337722 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional platform skeleton structure, since the hollow extruded members made of the light alloy material are joined by MIG welding or the like, there is a possibility that skeleton accuracy may be reduced due to thermal deformation during welding.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle frame structure made of a light alloy that can obtain a highly accurate platform skeleton structure, and a method of manufacturing the same.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention consists of a frame formed by bending a hollow extruded profile made of a light alloy to form a corner, and forming a corner formed by bending the hollow extruded profile, leaving a wall that becomes the outer periphery of the frame formed by the hollow extruded profile. A triangular shape is cut off from the inner wall of the frame, and the remaining outer wall is bent so that the triangular cut surfaces are in contact with each other, and the contact surfaces are joined by welding. I did it.
[0008]
【The invention's effect】
Therefore, according to the present invention, the hollow extruded section made of a light alloy is formed by bending a frame to be a corner, and the corner formed by bending the hollow extruded section is formed by forming a wall which becomes the outer periphery of the frame by the hollow extruded section. Trim off from the wall that is the inner periphery of the frame and leave the remaining outer wall to bend so that the triangular cut surfaces are in contact with each other, and the contact surfaces are joined by welding Since it is formed, the welding length at the corner can be shortened, and the heat effect at the time of welding can be suppressed, and the skeleton accuracy of the frame can be improved.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a vehicle frame structure and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a vehicle frame structure and a manufacturing method to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire vehicle frame structure, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle frame structure in parts. FIG. 3 is a process diagram showing the manufacturing process of the component parts, and FIG. 4 is a process diagram explaining the assembling and welding processes. Here, a member referred to as a vehicle frame structure is used for a floor structure or a subframe structure serving as a platform of a vehicle body.
[0010]
1 and 2, the vehicle frame structure according to the present embodiment is formed by bending a hollow extruded member made of a light alloy into a frame shape, and welding four corners 5 by MIG welding 6 or the like, so as to face each other. The frame 1 is composed of a frame member that forms a side member or a cross member, and a light alloy reinforcing member 2 that is assembled to a corner 5 of the frame 1 and integrated by MIG welding 7 or the like.
[0011]
First, the configuration of the frame 1 will be described together with the manufacturing process shown in FIG.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 3A, first, a hollow extruded profile 3 is prepared. The cross-sectional shape of the hollow extruded shape member 3 is preferably a quadrangle as shown in the figure, but may be a triangular or polygonal shape, or may be a specially shaped hollow body. In the following, a description will be given of a case where a box-shaped cross section 3 having four side walls is used.
[0013]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), at three portions of the profile 3, one wall 3A is cut away from the other wall 3B in a triangular shape toward the one wall 3A of the profile 3. At the end of the hollow extruded section 3, one wall 3A is cut obliquely so as to be longer than the other wall 3B to form four trapezoidal portions 4 connected by the one wall 3A. The positions of the three cut-off portions 8 are set such that the length of each of the four trapezoidal portions 4 is the same as that of the trapezoidal portion 4 that is further adjacent to the adjacent trapezoidal portion 4. The triangular shape to be cut off needs to be a right-angled triangle in which the apex angle on one wall 3A side is 90 degrees, and also between the end portions 3E of the hollow extruded shape members 3 with respect to the one wall 3A. It is necessary to make the sum of the angles 90 degrees. The cut-off triangle in the illustrated example is a right-angled isosceles triangle having a vertex angle of 90 degrees, and the cut-off portions 8 have the same end face length. Accordingly, the cut end face of the triangle is formed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to one wall 3A and at an angle of 135 degrees (90 degrees + 45 degrees) with respect to the other wall 3B. Is cut off so as to have the same angle at the end portion as the end surface 3E. The cut-off piece 9 cut into the triangular shape has a shape of a right triangle with a vertical angle of 90 degrees or a right isosceles triangle.
[0014]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (C), at the three triangular cut-off portions 8, one of the remaining walls 3A is bent, and the opposing cut surfaces are brought into contact with each other to form a right angle (angle 90 °). Bend and frame. Further, as shown in the figure, the end portions of the hollow extruded shape member 3 also form one corner portion 5 with their oblique end surfaces 3E facing each other. When the cut surfaces are brought into contact with each other at the four corners 5, as shown in FIG. 2, the cut surfaces are joined together by MIG welding 6 or the like to form three corners 5 and the hollow extruded shape 3. The end faces 3E are joined to each other by MIG welding 6 or the like to form the frame 1 including one corner 5. One of the walls 3A to 3D adjacent to the four corners 5 is connected to the adjacent wall 3A integrally or by welding 6 to form an outer peripheral wall of the frame 1, and the other wall 3B is a cut-off surface. Is connected to the other adjacent wall 3B by welding to form the inner peripheral wall of the frame 1, and the remaining upper and lower walls 3C and 3D are connected to the adjacent upper and lower walls 3C and 3D by welding the cut surfaces to form the frame 1 And the upper and lower walls.
[0015]
The size and shape of the triangular shape cut off from the hollow extruded shape member 3 to form the three corners 5 is a right angle having a vertex angle of 90 degrees except for one wall 3A which is the apex of the corner 5. It is explained that if a triangular shape is cut, even if the cut surfaces have different lengths, if one wall 3A is bent and the cut surfaces are welded together, it can be formed at a right-angled corner. did. However, when the cut surfaces have different lengths, the cut surface on the long side is exposed inside the frame 1, and the adjacent inner peripheral wall of the frame 1 is not connected. Therefore, when there is a concern that the strength of the frame 1 itself is insufficient, if the frame 1 is cut into a right isosceles triangular shape having a vertical angle of 90 degrees, the adjacent cut surfaces can be joined by welding all around. Also, the entire periphery of the cut surface of the adjacent wall surface can be connected by welding also on the inner peripheral wall 3B and the upper and lower walls 3C and 3D of the frame body 1.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2, the reinforcing member 2 assembled inside the corner portion 5 of the frame body 1 and integrated by welding has a square or rectangular base 2A, and both sides rising from opposing edges of the base 2A. 2B is formed as a right triangle or a right isosceles triangle having a vertical angle of 90 degrees. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the edge of the bottom side 2 </ b> A where the side 2 </ b> B does not exist and the edge forming the vertical angle which is a right angle between the both sides 2 </ b> B are brought into contact with the inner peripheral wall 3 </ b> B of the frame 1. The frame 1 is reinforced by welding the contact portion to the inner peripheral wall 3 </ b> B of the frame 1 and integrating it. The reinforcing member 2 can be configured by using the cut-off pieces 9 in FIG. 3B in the process of manufacturing the frame 1. That is, the other wall 3B of the cut-off piece 9 can be used as the bottom side 2A, and the upper and lower walls 3C and 3D can be used as both side sides 2B.
[0017]
FIG. 4 shows a configuration of the correction jig and welding jig and a method of assembling a vehicle frame structure using the correction jig and welding jig.
[0018]
The correction jig / welding jig 10 comes into contact with the outer peripheral wall 3A of the trapezoidal portion 4 located in the longitudinal direction of the frame 1 bent in a frame shape, and approaches each other to a predetermined longitudinal dimension. The longitudinal pressing portion 11 for correcting the frame body 1 and the outer peripheral wall 3A of the trapezoidal portion 4 positioned in the width direction of the frame body 1 are brought into contact with each other to a predetermined widthwise dimension by contacting the outer peripheral wall 3A. And a width direction pressing portion 12 for correcting the pressure. The pair of longitudinal pressing portions 11 and the pair of width pressing portions 12 are configured to be movable in a direction of approaching and separating from each other by an air cylinder or the like (not shown), and are bent inside into a frame shape. With the frame 1 set, the frame 1 is corrected to a predetermined longitudinal dimension and width dimension, and the state is maintained to function as a welding jig when welding the corner 5 of the frame 1. I do.
[0019]
In the method of assembling the frame 1 using the correcting jig and the welding jig 10, first, the longitudinal pressing section 11 and the width pressing section 12 are separated from each other and opened, and the frame 1 after the bending processing is performed. Is set on the correction jig and welding jig 10 (see FIG. 4A).
[0020]
Next, the interval between the longitudinal pressing plates 11 and the interval between the width pressing plates 12 are reduced to a set dimension (design dimension) by an air cylinder or the like, and the longitudinal dimension and the width dimension of the frame 1 are corrected. . In the frame 1 in this corrected state, the trapezoidal portions 4 on each of the four sides are positioned at right angles to the adjacent trapezoidal portions 4, and the cut-off surfaces at both ends thereof are in contact with no gap.
[0021]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the frame 1 is clamped 13 to each of the holding portions 11 and 12 in a state where the frame 1 has been corrected to an accurate size, and the cut surfaces of the frame 1 are joined by MIG welding or the like. . The amount of heat input by MIG welding tends to raise the temperature of the frame 1, but since the outer peripheral wall 3A of the frame 1 is in contact with each of the pressing portions 11 and 12 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, welding is performed by welding. Dissipation of the heat input to the holding portions 11 and 12 is promoted, and the temperature rise of the frame 1 is suppressed. When the temperature of the frame 1 rises remarkably, although not shown, a cooling water passage is formed inside each of the holding parts 11 and 12 so that the cooling water is circulated to flow, so that the holding parts 11, 12 and The temperature rise of the frame 1 that is in contact therewith can be suppressed. Since the trapezoidal portions 4 of the frame 1 are connected to each other by the outer peripheral wall 3A, thermal distortion due to welding of the frame 1 suppresses mutual deformation, and the clamps 13 are applied to the holding portions 11 and 12 by the clamps 13. By being restrained, it is suppressed to a minimum.
[0022]
Next, the reinforcing member 2 is welded to the corner 5 of the frame 1. Also in the welding of the reinforcing member 2, the fact that the trapezoidal portions 4 of the frame 1 are welded to each other, that the holding members 11 and 12 are restrained by the clamps 13, and that the temperature of the frame 1 increases. The heat distortion of the frame 1 can be suppressed to a minimum by being suppressed by contacting the holding portions 11 and 12.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0024]
(A) The frame 1 is formed by bending a hollow extruded profile 3 made of a light alloy into a corner 5 and forming the corner 5 by bending the hollow extruded profile 3 with the outer periphery of the frame 1. The wall 3A, which is the inner periphery of the frame 1, is cut off in a triangular shape while leaving the wall 3A, and the remaining outer wall 3A is bent to bring the triangular cut surfaces into contact with each other. Since the two are formed by welding, the welding length of the corner portion 5 can be shortened, and the heat influence during welding can be suppressed, and the skeleton accuracy of the frame 1 can be improved.
[0025]
(A) The hollow extruded shape member 3 made of a light alloy is cut into a right angled isosceles triangle from the inner wall 3B side while leaving the outer wall 3A at three positions, and the cut surfaces contact each other. By forming the corners 5 to be welded and joined by welding, the rectangular frame 1 can be formed from one hollow extruded shape member 3 and is connected by the outer peripheral wall 3A. A high frame 1 can be formed.
[0026]
(C) The bent frame 1 is formed into a frame shape set in advance by a correction jig 10 having pressing portions 11 and 12 that come into contact with hollow extruded profiles (trapezoidal portions 3) between the corners 5 respectively. When correcting and welding the cut-off surfaces of the corners 5, the skeleton accuracy of the frame 1 can be further improved.
[0027]
(D) When the frame 1 is reinforced, a right-angled isosceles triangular cut-off piece 9 cut off from the hollow extruded shape member 3 as the reinforcing member 2 is joined to the inner periphery of the corner 5 of the frame 1 by welding. Thereby, the end material of the hollow extruded shape member 3 can be used as the reinforcing member 2, the yield of the material is improved, and the cost can be reduced.
[0028]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the square frame 1 is formed from one light-alloy hollow extruded shape member 3 has been described. For example, it may be a frame formed of one hollow extruded profile and a U-shaped hollow extruded profile cut and bent and welded at two places, or formed into a triangular or polygonal shape. Frame may be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle frame structure showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the vehicle frame structure in a disassembled manner in parts.
FIG. 3 is a process diagram showing a manufacturing process of the frame body divided into (A) to (C).
FIG. 4 is an assembly process diagram showing an assembling method of a vehicle frame structure using a correction jig and a welding jig, which is divided into steps (A) and (B).
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Frame 2 Reinforcement member 3 Hollow extruded profile 4 Trapezoid part 5 Corner part 6, 7 Welding 8 Cut-off part 9 Cut-off piece 10 Correction jig and welding jig 11, 12 Holding part 13 Clamp

Claims (7)

A vehicle frame structure including a frame body formed by bending a hollow extruded light alloy material into a corner portion,
The corners formed by bending are formed by cutting the hollow extruded shape into a triangular shape from the inner peripheral wall of the frame body, leaving the outer peripheral wall of the frame body, and folding the remaining outer peripheral wall. A frame structure for a vehicle, characterized in that triangular cut surfaces are bent to contact each other, and the contact surfaces are joined by welding. The frame body is formed by cutting a hollow extruded shape made of a light alloy at three positions, cutting off a right-angled isosceles triangle shape from the inner peripheral wall side while leaving the outer peripheral wall, and bringing the cut surfaces into contact with each other. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle frame structure is formed in a quadrangular shape having corner portions joined by welding. 3. The vehicle frame according to claim 2, wherein a reinforcing member formed by a right-angled isosceles triangular cut-off piece cut from a hollow extruded shape member is welded to an inner periphery of a corner of the frame body. Construction. A method for producing a vehicle frame structure comprising a frame body formed by bending a hollow extruded shape member made of a light alloy and forming a corner,
At a plurality of places formed by bending and cutting at the corners, the hollow extruded profile is cut off in a triangular shape from the inner wall side leaving the outer wall of the frame,
Bend the remaining outer wall to bring the triangular cut surfaces into contact with each other,
A method for manufacturing a frame structure for a vehicle, wherein the cut-off surfaces in contact with each other are joined to each other by welding to form a frame. 5. A rectangular frame body is formed by cutting off a hollow extruded shape member at a position of a hollow extruded shape member formed at three corners of the frame body into a right-angled isosceles triangle. 3. The method for manufacturing a vehicle frame structure according to claim 1. The bent frame body is corrected to a predetermined frame shape by a correction jig having a pressing portion that comes into contact with each hollow extruded shape member between the corners, and the cut-off surfaces of the corners are welded to each other. A method for manufacturing a vehicle frame structure according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that: 7. A right-angled isosceles triangular cut-off piece cut from a hollow extruded section as a reinforcing member is welded to the inner periphery of a corner of the frame body by welding. A method for manufacturing a vehicle frame structure.

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