JP3293459B2 - Extruded material connection structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an extruded material joining structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a vehicle body structure using a light alloy extruded material for a frame member has been proposed for the purpose of reducing the weight of an automobile (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-8057 as a similar technique).
No. 0). For example, the front pillars and the side roof rails in the vehicle body skeleton are frame members that have a closed cross-sectional shape and are continuously arranged along the vehicle body front-rear direction.
There is a vehicle body structure formed by one light alloy extruded material having the same cross section along the longitudinal direction.

[0003]

However, if the two skeletal members in the vehicle body structure are to be formed by one extruded material, the strength performance of both skeletal members is reduced by the one extruded material. In order to satisfy the above, it is necessary to design the strength of the extruded material in accordance with the skeletal member requiring higher strength. Therefore, the strength is excessive for the skeleton member whose strength is not so required,
There is room for a reduction in the cross-sectional size and a reduction in the cross-sectional thickness for further weight reduction. However, since it is a single extruded material, it cannot be performed, and the original extruded material is used. Insufficiency remains in terms of the purpose of weight reduction of the vehicle body.

[0004] Therefore, in order to achieve a sufficient weight reduction, two extruded members having the appropriate strength required for each of the two skeleton members are prepared, and their corresponding ends are joined together and joined. It is also possible to do. However, with such a joint structure, although sufficient weight reduction can be achieved, the strength suddenly changes at the joint portion between the two extruded materials, so that when a load is applied in the bending direction or the torsion direction, the joint portion is deformed. Another problem arises in that it becomes easier to do so.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a conventional technique, and has a structure in which two extruded members having appropriate strength are joined together, while ensuring sufficient strength at the joint. It is intended to provide an extruded material joining structure that can be manufactured.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A joint structure of extruded members for joining corresponding ends of a first extruded member and a second extruded member having different closed cross-sectional shapes each having a flange with an intermediate member also having a flanged closed cross-sectional shape. The intermediate member is formed from a first end portion having a closed cross-sectional shape that can be inscribed with a corresponding end portion of the first extruded material;
The second extruded material has an overall shape that gradually changes toward a second end portion having a closed cross-sectional shape capable of being inscribed with a corresponding end portion of the second extruded material, and has an intermediate shape between each corresponding end portion of the first extruded material and the second extruded material. a notch for inserting the flange members are formed respectively, and said intermediate member, first
The first extruded material and the second extruded material are formed by a plurality of flanges each other.
At least one of the flanges of the intermediate member
One has a different rotation direction than the other flanges, and the first extrusion
The extruded material is in a structure in which the extruded material is in surface contact with the flange of the material and the second extruded material .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first end and the second end of the intermediate member are inscribed in the corresponding ends of the first extruded material and the second extruded material, respectively. Since the intermediate member has an overall shape that gradually changes from the first end portion to the second end portion, even when receiving loads in various bending directions, local load concentration does not occur, and high strength is provided at the joint portion. Can be secured. Moreover, since the notch part which inserts the flange of an intermediate member is formed in each corresponding end part of a 1st extruded material and a 2nd extruded material, respectively, even if an intermediate member has a closed cross-sectional shape which has a flange. As a result, a reliable inscribed state with respect to the first extruded member and the second extruded member can be obtained. Moreover, several flanges have different rotation directions
For torsional input in any direction of rotation
Even higher strength can be secured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, corresponding ends of the first extruded material and the second extruded material, each having a different closed cross-sectional shape with a flange, are connected to an intermediate member having the same closed cross-sectional shape with a flange. Wherein the intermediate member is connected to a corresponding end of the second extruded material from a first end of a closed cross-section that can be circumscribed to a corresponding end of the first extruded material. Notch having an overall shape that gradually changes toward a second end portion of a closed cross-sectional shape that can be circumscribed and that inserts respective flanges of the first extruded material and the second extruded material into the first end portion and the second end portion. Department
Were respectively formed, and said intermediate member, first extruded member and the
2 extruded material has a plurality of flanges with each other,
At least one of the flanges of the inter-member is
1st extruded material and 2nd extruded material
Structure of extruded material in surface contact with the flange of the material
It is characterized by having.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first end and the second end of the intermediate member are circumscribed and fitted to corresponding ends of the first extruded material and the second extruded material, respectively. The same effect as described above can be obtained. Moreover, multiple flanges
What kind of rotation is required to make surface contact with different rotation directions
High strength against torsional input
Wear.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the intermediate member is formed by bulging.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily and surely form an intermediate member having a variable cross-sectional shape by employing bulge forming.

[0016]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing, X is the inside of the vehicle, and Y is the inside.
Indicates forward and Z indicates upward.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a front pillar as a “first extruded member”, 2 denotes a side roof rail as a “second extruded member”, and 3 denotes an intermediate member. The front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2 are all made of extruded material as they are, and the intermediate member 3 is formed by bulging the extruded material.

The front pillar 1 has an irregular cross-sectional hexagonal shape, and is integrally provided with a lower flange 1a and a side flange 1b for joining a panel (not shown). The side roof rails 2 have an irregular pentagonal cross section,
Similarly, a lower flange 2a and a side flange 2b are integrally provided. In the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2, each of the lower flanges 1a, 2a is farther from the cross-sectional center S than the side flanges 1b, 2b.

Further, each of the corresponding ends 4 and 5 of the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2 has a lower flange 1.
a and 2a are formed with notches 6 and 7 at positions adjacent to each other in the counterclockwise direction B, and the respective side flanges 1b and 2b are formed with notches 8 and 9 at positions adjacent to the clockwise direction A. I have.

The intermediate member 3 has a closed cross-sectional shape having a lower flange 3a and a side flange 3b.
It has a first end 10 corresponding to the front pillar 1 and a second end 11 corresponding to the side roof rail 2.
The first end 10 has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the front pillar 1, and is inwardly fitted into the corresponding end 4 of the front pillar 1 by a thickness greater than the corresponding end 4. Small size. The second end 11 has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the side roof rail 2, and the second end 11 is also fitted in the corresponding end 5 of the side roof rail 2 so as to be inscribed therein. It is smaller by the thickness of the plate.

The lower flange 3a of the intermediate member 3 is
The front flange 1 and the side roof rail 2 are formed at positions corresponding to the cutouts 6 and 7, and the side flanges 3 b are formed at positions corresponding to the cutouts 8 and 9.

The intermediate member 3 has a first end 1
The cross-sectional shape gradually changes from 0 to the second end 11. This shape change is obtained by bulge forming, so that a sudden change in cross section does not occur.

Therefore, the first end 10 of the intermediate member 3 is inserted into the corresponding end 4 of the front pillar 1 to be inscribed therein, and the second end 11 is connected to the corresponding end 5 of the side roof rail 2.
If the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2 are connected to each other by the intermediate member 3, the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2 can be connected. After joining, necessary parts are welded to ensure a perfect joining state.

In the connected state, the lower flange 3a and the side flange 3b of the intermediate member 3 are inserted into the corresponding notches 6, 7, 8, 9 respectively. In addition, this notch 6,
Due to the presence of 7, 8, and 9, the degree of freedom in inserting the first end 10 and the second end 11 of the intermediate member 3 into the corresponding ends 4, 5 is increased, and the insertion workability is improved. Also, the lower flange 3a and the side flange 3b of the intermediate member 3 inserted into the cutouts 6, 7, 8, 9 are in surface contact with the corresponding lower flanges 1a, 2a and the side flanges 1b, 2b, respectively. I do.

According to this coupling structure, the first member 3
The end 10 and the second end 11 correspond to the corresponding ends 4, 5 of the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2, respectively.
And the intermediate member 3 itself has an overall shape that gradually changes from the first end portion 10 to the second end portion 11, so that the intermediate member 3 receives loads in various bending directions. However, local concentration of load does not occur, and high strength can be secured at the joint.

Further, since the lower flanges 1a, 2a, 3a and the side flanges 1b, 2b, 3b are in surface contact with each other, the strength against torsional input applied around the center S of the cross section is also improved. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a torsional input in the counterclockwise direction B is applied to the front pillar 1, the torsional input is transmitted from the first end 10 itself to the corresponding end 4. In addition, the torsional input is transmitted to the lower flange 3a of the intermediate member 3 from the lower flange 1a in surface contact with each other.

Further, since the side flange 1b of the front pillar 1 is in surface contact with the side flange 3b of the intermediate member 3 from the opposite side, the torsional deformation of the intermediate member 3 in the counterclockwise direction B causes this side. It will be suppressed by the direction flange 1b. In this way, the torsional input is reliably transmitted by the lower flanges 1a, 3a, and the side flanges 1b, 3b
Since b suppresses torsional deformation of the intermediate member 3, high strength can be ensured even for torsional input. In particular, since the transmission of the torsional input is performed via the lower flanges 1a, 3a far from the center S of the cross section, the strength against the torsional input is further increased. The same effect can be obtained even when the same torsional input is applied to the side roof rail 2. Even if the torsional input is applied to the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2 in the opposite clockwise direction A (see FIG. 2), the same effect is obtained. The same effect as in the case of the torsional input in the clockwise direction B can be obtained.

Finally, according to this embodiment, the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2 having different cross-sectional shapes can be joined to the intermediate member 3 with higher strength. Each can be formed with an optimum strength and an optimum shape. That is, since the front pillar 1 and the side roof rails 2 can be formed with their respective optimum strengths, the original purpose of using the extruded material to reduce the weight of the vehicle body can be maximized, and the shape is limited. Therefore, it is possible to select an optimal shape in terms of visual requirements and design requirements.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first end 13 and the second end 14 of the intermediate member 12 are “circumscribed” with the corresponding ends 4 and 5 of the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2. . Accordingly, in the case of this embodiment, the first end portion 13 and the second end portion 14 of the intermediate member 12 have the lower cutouts 15 and 16 and the side cutouts 17 and 1.
8 are formed. Further, the lower flanges 1a and 2a of the front pillar 1 and the side roof rail 2 are opposite to the lower flanges 12a of the intermediate member 12, as opposed to the previous embodiment.
Surface contact in the clockwise direction A, and the side flange 1
b, 2b are in surface contact with the side flange 12b of the intermediate member 12 in the counterclockwise direction B. In the case of this embodiment, the lower flange 1a far from the cross-sectional center S,
2a is in surface contact with the lower flange 12a of the intermediate member 12 in the clockwise direction A.
(Or the side roof rail 2), the strength increases when a clockwise A torsional input is applied. The other configuration and operation and effect are the same as those of the previous embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the front pillar 1, the side roof rail 2, and the intermediate members 3, 12 are respectively provided with the lower flanges 1a, 2a, 3a, 12a and the side flanges 1b, 2b, 3b, 12b. A "flange" was formed for each sheet, but is not limited to this.
The number may be three or more.

Further, the frame member applicable as the "first extruded member" or "second extruded member" is not limited to the front pillar 1 or the side roof rail 2, but may be other side members or cross members. Is also good. in addition,
The intermediate member 3 may be formed by a manufacturing method other than bulge forming.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first end and the second end of the intermediate member are connected to the first extruded material and the second extruded member, respectively.
The intermediate member has an overall shape that is inscribed in each corresponding end of the extruded material and the intermediate member gradually changes from the first end to the second end. The concentration of a heavy load does not occur, and a high strength can be secured at the joint. Moreover, since the notch part which inserts the flange of an intermediate member is formed in each corresponding end part of a 1st extruded material and a 2nd extruded material, respectively, even if an intermediate member has a closed cross-sectional shape which has a flange. As a result, a reliable inscribed state with respect to the first extruded member and the second extruded member can be obtained. Moreover, several flanges have different rotation directions
For torsional input in any direction of rotation
Even higher strength can be secured.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first end and the second end of the intermediate member are circumscribed with corresponding ends of the first extruded material and the second extruded material, respectively. Claim 1
The same effect can be obtained. Moreover, multiple flanges
What kind of rotation is required for surface contact in different rotation directions?
Ensuring high strength against torsional input in the rolling direction
Can be.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sectional shape is
Even if the intermediate member changes, if bulge molding is adopted
It can be formed easily and reliably.

[0035]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a state before coupling a first extruded material, a second extruded material, and an intermediate member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a front pillar.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a side roof rail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection state of a first extruded material, a second extruded material, and an intermediate member.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line SA-SA shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line SB-SB shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second embodiment and corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the second embodiment and corresponding to FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front pillar (1st extruded material) 1a, 2a, 3a, 12a Lower flange 1b, 2b, 3b, 12b Side flange 2 Side roof rail (2nd extruded material) 3, 12 Intermediate member 4, 5 Corresponding end 6- 9, 15-18 Notch 10, 13 First end 11, 14 Second end S Center of section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B62D 25/06 B62D 25/04

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. The corresponding extruded ends of a first extruded material and a second extruded material, each having a different closed cross-sectional shape with a flange,
A joint structure for extruded materials joined by an intermediate member also having a closed cross-sectional shape with a flange, wherein the intermediate member has a first cross-sectional shape capable of being inscribed with a corresponding end of the first extruded material. It has an overall shape that gradually changes from an end to a second end having a closed cross-section that can be inscribed with a corresponding end of the second extruded material, and corresponds to each of the first extruded material and the second extruded material. a notch for inserting the flanges of the intermediate member to the end portion to form respective said intermediate member, the first extruded member and the second extruded member, to each other
It has a plurality of flanges, the flange of the intermediate member
At least one of them has a different rotation than the other flanges
Directionally, with respect to the flanges of the first and second extruded materials
A joint structure of extruded materials characterized by being in surface contact . 2. Corresponding ends of a first extruded material and a second extruded material, each having a different closed cross-sectional shape with a flange,
A joint structure for extruded materials joined by an intermediate member also having a flanged closed cross-sectional shape, wherein the intermediate member has a first end having a closed cross-sectional shape that can be circumscribed to a corresponding end of the first extruded material. The first extruded material has a general shape that gradually changes from a portion to a second end having a closed cross-sectional shape that can be circumscribed to the corresponding end of the second extruded material, and the first extruded material is provided on the first end and the second end. and notch were formed respectively for inserting each flange of the second extrudate, the intermediate member, the first extruded member and the second extruded member, to each other
It has a plurality of flanges, the flange of the intermediate member
At least one of them has a different rotation than the other flanges
Directionally, with respect to the flanges of the first and second extruded materials
A joint structure of extruded materials characterized by being in surface contact . 3. The coupling structure of the extruded material according to any one of claims 1-2 intermediate member is one that is bulge forming.