JP3459196B2 - Hollow profile for friction stir welding - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hollow profile for a structure. For example, the present invention relates to a hollow extruded shape member made of an aluminum alloy used for a structure such as a railway vehicle or a building.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the friction stir welding method, a round bar (referred to as a rotary tool) inserted into a joint is rotated and moved along a joint line to heat the joint, soften it, and cause it to plastically flow to solid-phase. It is a method of joining. The rotary tool is composed of a small diameter portion to be inserted into the joint and a large diameter portion located outside. The small diameter portion and the large diameter portion are coaxial. The boundary between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion is slightly inserted in the joint portion. This is disclosed in JP-A-9-3091.
No. 64 (EP0797043A2). FIG. 9 of this document shows that the two faces of the hollow extruded frame are joined from one face. Also, a joint for preventing deformation of the hollow frame is shown.

[0003]

The difference between friction stir welding and arc welding is that a large load acts on the members to be welded by the insertion of the rotary tool. This load mainly acts in the inserting direction (axial direction) of the rotary tool. That is, the insertion force of the rotary tool acts on the members to be joined.

In the case of friction stir welding of a hollow extruded shape member, the insertion force acts on the face plate or the rib connecting the two parallel face plates to deform the hollow shape member. Therefore, it is necessary to have a structure that prevents the joint portion from being deformed.

This deformation preventing means is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-309.
No. 164 (EP0797043A2). In this structure, a vertical plate (referred to as a vertical rib) for joining two face plates is provided at the joining portion. The vertical rib is on an extension of the axis of the rotary tool. The vertical rib is one of the ribs that connect the two face plates. Since a large load concentrates on the vertical ribs, it is necessary to increase the plate thickness. Therefore, there is a limit to the weight reduction of the joint.

The vertical rib will be examined from another viewpoint. It is known that, when an out-of-plane bending force is applied to the hollow shape member, ribs are the parts that dominate the overall rigidity. In order to improve the rigidity against the out-of-plane bending force, it is desirable to arrange the ribs so as to be aligned at 45 degrees with respect to the face plate, which is the principal stress direction of the shearing force. However, the vertical ribs perpendicular to the two face plates hardly contribute as a strength member.

From the above, although the vertical ribs hardly contribute to the improvement of rigidity when the structure is used as a strength member, it is necessary to increase the plate thickness to support the insertion force at the time of friction stir welding. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the weight of the joint. An object of the present invention is to provide a hollow profile for a structure that is lightweight and highly rigid.

[0008]

The above object is to connect two face plates to each other in a truss shape by a plurality of ribs, and the end of one face plate is the apex of the truss at the end of the hollow frame. is in the neighborhood of the end portion of the other face plate is projected from the end of the one surface plate, near the apex of the truss of the end Ri Ah at a portion friction stir welding, the said end Construct truss
The thickness of the ribs to be formed depends on the thickness of the rotary tool during friction stir welding.
It is thickness for supporting the insertion force can be achieved depending on the hollow shape member for friction stir welding according to claim.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
Will be described. In the following description, reference numerals not shown in FIG. 1 may be used. In that case, refer to the reference numerals in the right half of FIG.

The vehicle body 200 has a side structure 20 constituting a side surface.
1. A roof structure 202 that forms a roof, an underframe 203 that forms a floor, and a gable structure 204 that forms an end in the longitudinal direction. The side structure 201, the roof structure 202, and the underframe 203 are each configured by joining a plurality of extruded frame members. The longitudinal direction of the extruded frame member is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The extruded profile is a hollow profile made of aluminum alloy.

Hollow frame members 10 and 2 constituting the side structure 201.
The configuration of 0 and the joining method will be described. Other places,
The same applies to other structures. The hollow frame members 10, 20 are composed of two face plates 11, 12, 21, 22 and a plurality of ribs 13, 23 arranged in a truss shape. Two face plates 11, 12 (2
1, 22) are substantially parallel. The pitch of the truss by the ribs 13 and 23 is the same. The truss is rib 13,2
3, the center plate of the plate thickness of the face plates 11, 12, 21, and 22. Vertex Ru <br/> Oh the face plate 11, 12, 21 and 22 side.

Rails 19 and 29 for mounting equipment are integrally provided near the top of the truss inside the vehicle. The rails 19 and 29 are composed of two L-shaped members. The rail serves as a seat for mounting equipment such as interior boards and chairs.

The end portions of the face plates 12 and 22 located on the outer surface side of the vehicle body project toward the hollow shape members 20 and 10 adjacent to the end portions of the face plates 11 and 21 on the inner side of the vehicle. The protruding face plates are referred to as 12b and 22b. The end portions of the face plates 12b and 22b are butted against each other and friction stir welding is performed. Face plate 12b,
The plate thickness of 22b is thicker than the plate thickness of the face plates 12 and 22 of the other parts.

The end portion of the face plate 11 and the end portion of the face plate 21 inside the vehicle are joined via a connecting member 30. Connection material 3
The abutting portions of 0 and the face plates 11 and 21 are friction stir welded. The joint between the connecting member 30 and the face plates 11 and 21 is near the apex of the truss formed by the ribs 13 and 23 and the face plates 11, 12, 21 and 22. Hollow members 10 and 20 are face plates 1
It is placed on the bed 240 with the parts 2 and 22 facing downward. The face plates 11 and 21 side is upward. Rotating tool 25 from above
Insert 0 into the joint and perform friction stir welding. It can be said that friction stir welding is performed from the inside of the car.

At the end portions of the face plates 12b and 22b, there are convex portions 16 and 26 projecting toward the inside of the vehicle (that is, the face plates 11 and 21 side). Near the ends of the face plates 11 and 21 (that is, the apexes of the trusses at the ends), there are convex portions 15 and 25 that project to the inside of the vehicle (that is, the outer surface side of the face plates). At the end of the connecting member 30, there are convex portions 35, 35 that project to the inside of the vehicle (that is, the outer surface side of the face plates 11, 21 and the outer surface side of the hollow shape member). Convex parts 15 and 2
The heights and widths of 5, 35, 16, and 26 are substantially the same. Although the convex portion 15 and the abutting surface 15b are not shown, the face plate 1 such as the convex portion 25 and the abutting surface 25b is not shown.
At the end of 1.

The abutting surfaces 15b and 25b of the convex portions 15, 25, 35, 16 and 26 are vertical. The abutting surface of the end portion of the connecting material 30 corresponding to this is also vertical. The ends of the connecting member 30 are mounted on seats 17 and 27 which are provided so as to project near the apex of the truss. The seats 17 and 27 are ribs 13A,
It projects from 23A. The vertical surfaces 15b and 25b and the upper surfaces of the seats 17 and 27 form a recess. This concave portion is on the surface side along the face plates 11 and 21 and the hollow frame member 1.
It is open to the end side of 0 and 20.

The abutting surfaces 15b and 25b are face plates 11,
It is orthogonal to 12, 21, and 22. That is, it is along the normal to the face plate. The abutting surfaces 15b and 25b are along the thickness direction of the hollow frame members 10 and 20. Butt surface 15
The positions of b and 25b are located on the other end side of the hollow frame members 10 and 20 with respect to the normal line passing through the apex of the truss. When the abutting surfaces 15b and 25b are on the normal line passing through the apex of the truss and the width of the connecting member 30 is short (within the allowable error), the insertion position of the rotary tool 250 is closer to the connecting member 30 side. This is because. In this case, the loads on the ribs 13A and 23A at the ends may become excessive. Two convex portions 15 (2
5), the width of 35 is detected, and the rotary tool 250
Align the axes of.

The lower surface of the end portion of the connecting member 30 (that is, the face plate 1)
2b, 22b side surface) gradually protrudes to the lower surface side.
The reason why the ends project to the lower surface is to thicken the joining bead. The plate 31 of the connecting member 30 (a part excluding the upper and lower convex portions of the end) is on an extension line of the face plates 11 and 21 of the hollow frame members 10 and 20. The plate thickness of the plate 31 is the same as or thicker than the plate thickness of the face plates 11 and 21. The connecting member 30 is an extruded frame member made of the same material as the hollow frame members 10 and 20. The length of the connecting member 30 is the same as the length of the hollow frame members 10 and 20.

The distance P from the end of the face plate 11 to the end of the face plate 21 (the distance from the apex of the truss at the end of the hollow frame 10 to the apex of the truss at the end of the hollow frame 20) is at another position. It is the same as the pitch P of the truss.

The hollow-shaped truss is composed of face plates 11, 12, 2
It is an isosceles triangle when the 1 and 22 sides are the vertices. However, the trusses at the ends of the hollow frame members 10 and 20 are not isosceles triangles. The angle formed by the rib 13A forming the truss at the ends of the hollow frame members 10 and 20 with respect to the vertical line is θ1.
The angle formed by the rib 13B forming the truss at the end with respect to the vertical line is θ2. θ1 <θ2. Therefore, the rib 13A (23A) is connected to the face plate 12 (22). A space for inserting the friction stir welding device is formed between the connecting portion between the rib 13A and the face plate 12 and the connecting portion between the rib 23A and the face plate 22.

The ribs 13A and 23A are ribs 13B and 23A.
Since it stands up compared to (the θ1 is small), the rib 13
The plate thickness of A and 23A is larger than the plate thickness of ribs 13B and 23A. The plate thickness of the ribs 13B and 23B is larger than the plate thickness of the other ribs 13. Ribs 13A, 13B, 13 and face plate 11,
The connecting portions with 12, 21, 22 are arcuate. Further, the thickness of the connection portion is determined from the viewpoint of strength.

The end portions of the face plates 11 and 21 (end portions of the convex portions 15 and 25) joined to the connecting member 30 are on a vertical extension line passing through the apices of the truss by the ribs 13A and 13B. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the face plates 11, 12, 21, 22, 35 are horizontal.

A method of manufacturing this structure will be described. The hollow frame members 10 and 20 are placed and fixed on a bed 240. The abutting portions of the end portions of the face plates 12b and 22b are in contact with or close to each other. The convex portions 16 and 26 of the abutting portions of the face plates 12 and 22 are temporarily fixed from above by arc welding. Temporary fixing welding is intermittent.

The upper surface of the bed 240 on which the abutting portions of the face plates 12b and 22b rest is flat. Face plates 12b, 22b
Of the ribs 12A and 22B and the face plate 12
b, 22b near the intersection, ribs 12B, 12B and face plate 1
Beds 240 of the same height are located near the intersection with 2 and 22.
It is listed in. In this state, the rotary tool 250 of the friction stir welding apparatus is inserted from above into the abutting portions of the projections 16 and 26, and is moved along the welding line to perform friction stir welding. The axis of the rotary tool 250 is in the vertical direction (direction along the normal to the joint). However, the rotary tool 250
As is known, the axis is inclined with respect to the traveling direction of. The widths of the two convex portions 16 and 26 are detected and the axis of the rotary tool 250 is positioned at the center thereof.

The rotary tool 250 comprises a large diameter portion 252 and a small diameter portion 251 at its tip. The tip of the small diameter portion 251 is located near the lower surface of the face plates 12b and 22b. Large diameter part 2
The lower end of 52 is the top of the convex portions 16 and 26 and the face plates 12b and 22b.
Is located between the vehicle inner surface (the surface on the side of the face plates 11 and 21). The diameter of the large diameter portion 252 is smaller than the width formed by the two convex portions 16 and 26. The small diameter portion 251 is a screw.

By this friction stir welding, the face plate 12b,
The gap of the abutting portion of 22b is filled and joined. The outer surface side (outside the vehicle) of the butted portion is flatly joined. There is no concave portion of the joining line on the outer surface side of the face plates 12b and 22b.

Next, the seat 17 of the face plate 11 and the seat 2 of the face plate 21
The connecting material 30 is placed on 7. The end portion of the connecting material 30 is the face plate 1
It touches or is close to the ends of 1, 21. Next, the convex portions 35, 35 and the convex portions 15, 25 of the face plates 11, 21 are temporarily fixed by arc welding. Temporary fixing welding is intermittent.

Next, the rotary tool 250 of the friction stir welding apparatus.
While being inserted from above into the abutting portion of the connecting member 30 and the face plate 11, it is moved along the joining line to perform friction stir welding. The widths of the two convex portions 15 and 35 are detected and the axis of the rotary tool 250 is positioned at the center thereof. The axis of the rotary tool 250 is in the vertical direction. However, the axis is inclined with respect to the traveling direction of the rotary tool 250 as is known.

Therefore, the axis of the rotary tool 250 is on the vertical line passing through the apex of the truss formed by the two ribs 13A and 23B or in the vicinity thereof. For this eccentricity, the rib 13
This is dealt with by increasing the plate thickness of A and 13B, the shape of the arc connecting the rib and the face plate, the thickness of the connecting portion, and the like.

The tip of the small diameter portion 251 of the rotary tool 250 is inserted deeper than the upper surface of the seat 17. The lower end of the large-diameter portion 252 is located between the tops of the protrusions 15 and 35 and the inner surface of the face plates 11 and 31 (the outer surface of the hollow frame member 10).
The diameter of the large diameter portion 252 is smaller than the width formed by the two convex portions 15 and 35. The small diameter portion 251 is a screw.

Next, friction stir welding of the abutting portion of the connecting member 30 and the face plate 21 is performed as described above. Face plates 12b, 2
The face plates 11, 21 and the connecting member 30 are joined using the rotary tool 250 used for joining the abutting portions of 2b. Therefore, the face plate 11 is joined, and then the face plate 21 is joined. If two rotary tools are used, both ends of the connecting material 30 can be joined at the same time.

According to this, it is possible to join both surfaces of the hollow shape member from one surface side. Therefore, it is not necessary to invert the structure having the one surface joined. Therefore, it can be manufactured at low cost and with high precision. Also, the face plate 1
The outer surfaces of the joint portions 2b and 22b can be joined flatly. The convex portions 16, 26, 15, 25, and 35 are located inside the structure or inside the vehicle, and are not present at places where smooth surfaces are required (outer surface side, vehicle outside). Further, there is no concave portion formed on the outer surface side by cutting with a rotary tool. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for cutting the convex portion and the like, and the vehicle body can be manufactured at low cost.

The inserting force at the time of joining the connecting member 30 and the face plate 11 (21) is supported by the two ribs 13A, 13B (23A, 23B) arranged toward the axis of the rotary tool 250. Therefore, the ribs 13A, 13B (2
3A, 23B) can be suppressed. 13A, 13B
The plate thickness of (23A, 23B) can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. Of course, the bending of the face plates 11, 21, 31 can also be suppressed. Since the beds 240 supporting the ribs 13A and 13B (23A and 23B) are at the same height, the face plates 12 and 2 are
A bend of 2 can also be prevented.

Considering the case of using as a structure after joining, substantially all of them are constructed by a truss structure. The joint between the hollow frame members 10 and 20 also has a truss structure. Therefore, the out-of-plane bending rigidity is improved and the weight can be reduced.

Since the connecting members 30, the face plates 12b and 22b between the ribs 13A and 23A, and the ribs 13A and 23A substantially form a truss, this portion is not particularly weak. However, the plate thickness should be considered.

Further, the inclination angle θ1 of the ribs 13A and 23A can be made larger than the inclination angle θ2 of the ribs 13B and 23B. According to this, the width of the connecting member 30 becomes large, it becomes necessary to increase the plate thickness, and the weight becomes large. However, it can be used when a large opening is required for inserting the friction stir welding device.

The inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the ribs are the same, and 2
It can be an equilateral triangle. According to this, the rib 13
The plate thicknesses of A and 13B (23A and 23B) can be made the same.
Further, the plate thickness of the ribs 13B and 23B can be made thinner than that in the case of FIG. However, if the size of the isosceles triangle truss is the same as the size of the truss at other places, the width of the connecting member 30 becomes large.

However, the two ribs 13A and 13B (23
If the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of (A, 23B) are the inclination angles θ1 in FIG. 1, the truss at the end can be made into a small isosceles triangle. The size of the base of the truss at this end is smaller than the size of the base of the trusses at other locations. According to this
The distance from the intersection of the rib 13B (23B) and the face plate 12 (22) to the end of the hollow frame member 10 (20) can be reduced. Therefore, the width of the connecting material 30 can be made similar to the width of the connecting material 30 of FIG.

The pitch of all trusses including the portion of the connecting member 30 is the same. The size of the truss is the same except for the truss at the end. Therefore, the design of the hollow frame can be standardized. Two ribs 13A, 13B (23A, 23B)
The apex may be on the outer surface side of the face plates 21 and 31. The abutment surface 15 on the connecting material 30 side with respect to the apex of the truss formed by the two ribs 13A and 13B (23A and 23B)
b and 25b may be installed. However, this is rib 13
This is a case where it is appropriate depending on the angle θ of A (23A), the plate thickness, the load, and the like.

The two ribs 13A and 13B (23
The rotary tool 250 may be inserted at an angle toward the middle of the angles formed by A and 23B). The axis in this case should be directed to the top of the truss.

In the above embodiment, the joining material 30 is joined by friction stir welding, but it may be joined by arc welding. When arc welding, there is no load during joining, so rib 1
3A, 13B (23A, 23B) could be thinned. Moreover, the joining of the connecting material 30 can be performed intermittently. Alternatively, the face plates 12b and 22b may be joined by arc welding. When the face plates 12b and 22b are arc-welded, they are welded so that a weld bead can be formed on the back surface, and therefore it is necessary to cut the bead after welding.

In the above embodiment, the face plates 11, 12, 21, 22 are used.
Are parallel to each other, but can also be applied to the case where one face plate is inclined with respect to the other face plate. Rib 13
A, 13B (23A, 23B) plate thickness, face plate 1
The plate thicknesses of the 1 and 21 sides are made thicker on the face plates 12 and 22 sides. The reason why the face plates 11 and 21 are thickened is that the temperature tends to be high during joining.

FIG. 5 shows the case where the normal to the face plate at the joint is inclined. One end of the hollow frame member 20 is horizontal. The hollow frame members 10 and 20 are mounted on the bed 240. This is likely to occur at the joining line at the end of the side structure 201. In this case, the axis of the rotating body is along the normal to the face plate. This normal passes near the apex of the truss. The arrow indicates the position and direction of the rotary tool 250.

In FIG. 6, the surface of the seat 27 on which the connecting member 30 is placed is an inclined surface 27b. The inclined surface is inclined toward the end of the face plate 22b. The end portion of the connecting material 30 is similarly inclined. When the face plates 12b and 22b are joined together, the interval between the convex portions 15 and 25 becomes small. Since the inclined surface 27b is provided, the connecting material 30 can be easily arranged.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described. Face plate 12
The lengths of b and 22b are short. The face plates 12b and 22b are thick. After friction stir welding of the face plates 12b and 22b from above,
This face plate is cut into an arc shape from above. This arc is cut so as to contact the ribs 13A and 23A. As a result, strength reduction due to stress concentration can be prevented.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 will be described. Hollow profile 10c
The rib 13C at the end of is orthogonal to the face plates 11c and 12c (along the normal to the face plates). Face plate 11c and ribs 13
The connecting portion with C has the recess and the seat 17c as described above.
Reference numeral 17d is a protruding piece connected to the seat 17c, on which an end portion of the connecting material 30 is placed. The abutting surface 16bc of this joint is the rib 1
It is within the range of the plate thickness of 3C. The butting surface 16bc is along the normal line of the face plate. A convex portion 15 is provided at the end of the face plate 11c.
There is c. With this, the rib 1
Support with 3C. This will be done if a truss cannot be placed at the end of the hollow profile.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the wording described in each claim of the claims or the wording described in the section of means for solving a problem, and those skilled in the art can easily replace it. It extends to a range.

[0048]

According to the present invention, contact in the vicinity of the apex of the truss according to the two ribs for connecting the two face plates as the junction
Since the friction stir welding is performed via the connecting member, it is possible to provide a lightweight and highly rigid hollow member for a structure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of a joint according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a joint portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a pair of hollow frame members according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle body of a railway vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the essential parts of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the essential parts of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the essential parts of another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a vertical cross-sectional view after joining the members of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the essential parts of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10c, 20 Hollow frame members 11, 11c, 12, 12c, 12b, 21, 22, 2
2b Face plate 13, 13A, 13B, 23, 23A, 23B Rib 17 Seat 27 Piece 30 Connecting material 201 Side structure 202 Roof structure 203 Underframe 240 Bed 250 Rotating tool

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B23K 20/12

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A truss-like connection between two face plates with a plurality of ribs, the end of one face plate being near the apex of the truss at the end of the hollow profile, and the other face plate. Ends of the one face plate project more than the ends of the one face plate, and the vicinity of the apex of the truss of the one end is friction stir welded
The ribs that make up the truss at the end are frictional
A hollow shape member for friction stir welding, which has a plate thickness that supports the insertion force of the rotary tool at the time of stir welding. 2. A friction stir welding hollow shape members according to claim 1, the first end portion of the hollow frame member before cut blanking and truss according to the second of said ribs adjacent to the first rib The hollow profile for friction stir welding, wherein the distance from the apex to the end of the protruding face plate is substantially half the pitch of the other truss. 3. A friction stir welding hollow shape members according to claim 2, wherein the first rib inclination angle is friction stir welding hollow shape, wherein the smaller that than the inclination angle of the second rib Material. 4. The hollow profile for friction stir welding according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of ribs other than the first rib have an inclination angle substantially the same as an inclination angle of the second rib. thing,
Hollow profile for friction stir welding . 5. The hollow profile for friction stir welding according to claim 1, wherein the truss composed of the first rib of the truss at the end of the hollow profile and the second rib adjacent to the first rib is A hollow stirrer for friction stir welding, wherein the hollow stylus has a substantially isosceles triangle shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction . 6. The friction stir welding hollow shape members according to claim 1, the size of the bottom side of the truss <br/> friction stir welding, wherein the small things, than the size of the base of the other truss Hollow frame. 7. The friction stir welding hollow shape members according to claim 1, before the said protruding from the top of the previous SL truss of the end portion
The hollow profile for friction stir welding, wherein the distance to the end of the other face plate is substantially half the pitch of the other truss. 8. The hollow shape member for friction stir welding according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is provided near the apex of the truss at the end portion.
Wherein there are recesses on the end portion of the other surface plate, said recess is open to each of the end portions of the outer surface side and the hollow shape member in the thickness direction of the hollow shape member, the recess the one surface plate consists of a plane along the thickness direction of the surface and the hollow shape member along the side, said recessed portion along the thickness direction of the hollow shape member is a part of stir welding rubbing friction, characterized by Hollow profile for friction stir welding. 9. The hollow profile for friction stir welding according to claim 8, wherein the surface of the hollow profile along the thickness direction is a line along the thickness direction of the hollow profile, It said that at the other end, the friction stir welding hollow shape members, wherein the hollow than the line passing through the frame members.