JP2007268589A - Skeletal structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A first object is to provide a skeletal structure in which another structure is coupled to the side of the structure while ensuring high rigidity. A second object is to provide a skeletal structure capable of friction stir welding even at a portion where two structures intersect perpendicularly.
A skeleton structure 1 includes a side frame 2 (hollow structure) in which an insertion hole 22 is provided on a side surface 21, and an inner surface 23 that is inserted into the insertion hole 22 and faces the insertion hole 22. A pair of brackets 41 and 41 (intermediate member 4) having a contact part 41b that comes into contact with and a fitting part 42 into which the cross member 3 (another structure) can be fitted; The part 41b and the side frame 2 were joined.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a skeleton structure formed by joining two members.

  Conventionally, it is known to form a skeleton structure such as a frame structure of a vehicle by joining extruded materials made of an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy.

  In the joining of the extruded materials, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the end surface 102a (see FIG. 7B) of the other extruded material 102 is simply abutted against the side surface 101a of one extruded material 101. In general, a technique of MIG welding the abutted portion (joint portion 103) is performed.

Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle member coupling structure configured by coupling a side frame and a cross member. As shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle member coupling structure 200 includes a front side frame 201, a rear side frame 202, and a cross member 203 along the vehicle width direction that are continuous along the vehicle longitudinal direction. Are connected through. According to this, each flange 204a formed in the bracket 204 abuts against the inner surface of the corresponding end portion 201a, 202a, 203a of each frame 201, 202, 203, and each corresponding end portion 201a, 202a, In order to prevent the cross-sectional deformation of 203a, it has high bending strength and torsional strength.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-301216 (paragraphs 0017 to 0024, FIG. 1)

  However, in the method (see FIG. 7A) in which the extruded materials are simply brought into contact with each other (see FIG. 7A), as shown in FIG. 7B, a single surface (the back side) such as the side surface 101a of the extruded material 101 is reinforced. Since the extruded material 102 is welded to a simple flat surface), the side surface 101a of the extruded material 101 is liable to undergo out-of-plane deformation, and it is difficult to ensure rigidity. In addition, when the extruded material 102 is joined to the side surface of the extruded material 101 so as to intersect vertically, friction stir welding (FSW joining), which is a technique for joining flat portions, cannot be applied.

  Here, the friction stir welding is a technique that has attracted wide attention in recent years as a joining technique that is less distorted and deformed due to the thermal effect during joining. In the friction stir welding, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotating tool 305 is inserted into the part (joining portion 303) where the two materials to be joined 301 and 302 come into contact with each other by rotating the rotating tool 305. The members 301 and 302 are joined together by plastic flow around the contact portion by the rotational force. That is, in this technique, a flat portion where the rotary tool 305 is operable (can be inserted into the material to be joined) must be secured, and corners as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are joined. It is not possible to apply.

  On the other hand, the vehicle member coupling structure 200 (see FIG. 8) described in Patent Document 1 can increase the rigidity, but since the three frames 201, 202, and 203 are coupled, There is a problem that it cannot be applied when another extruded material is bonded to the side surface (that is, in the case of FIGS. 7A and 7B).

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a skeletal structure in which another structure is coupled to the side of the structure while ensuring high rigidity. A second object is to provide a skeletal structure capable of friction stir welding even at a portion where two structures intersect perpendicularly.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a skeleton structure having a hollow structure provided with an insertion hole on a side surface, and an inner surface inserted into the insertion hole and facing the insertion hole. And an intermediate member having a fitting portion capable of fitting another structure, and the abutting portion of the intermediate member and the hollow structure are joined together. And

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the abutting portion that is inserted into the insertion hole of the hollow structure and abuts against the opposing inner surface of the insertion hole, and the fitting portion that can be fitted with another structure. An intermediate member is provided. Thus, since the intermediate member abuts on the inner surface of the hollow structure, input from another structure is transmitted to the entire cross section of the hollow structure, so that the rigidity of the hollow structure is increased. Moreover, since another structure is fitted to the fitting portion, the positioning can be easily performed. Further, when the intermediate member is joined to the hollow structure, the portion where the contact portion of the intermediate member and the side surface of the hollow structure are overlapped is joined from the outer surface of the hollow structure. That is, the corner portion is not joined as in the conventional case, but the flat portion is joined, so that the joining operation is facilitated. In particular, friction stir welding is also possible.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the skeleton structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate member is provided with a locking portion that is locked to the peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole, and the locking portion and the peripheral edge The part is joined.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, while the contact part of an intermediate member and the inner surface of a hollow structure are joined, the latching | locking part of an intermediate member and the peripheral part of a hollow structure are joined. Thus, joining strength can be raised by joining an intermediate member and a hollow structure in two places. Moreover, the rigidity of a peripheral part can be improved by joining the latching | locking part of an intermediate member, and the peripheral part of a hollow structure.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the skeletal structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate member includes a pair of brackets each having the abutment portion independent from each other, and the pair of brackets The fitting portion is formed between the two.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, an intermediate member can be produced in a simple structure. Moreover, since each bracket can be separately joined to the hollow structure, joining workability is also improved. Furthermore, each bracket is not configured as a single member, but is divided into the minimum necessary members (a pair of brackets), thereby reducing the weight.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the skeleton structure according to claim 3, wherein the contact portions of the pair of brackets are connected to each other.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, since the intermediate member is comprised as one component, it can acquire the same effect with a structure simpler than the intermediate member of the frame | skeleton structure described in Claim 3. Can do. In addition, the number of parts can be reduced and the management thereof becomes easy. Furthermore, in the skeleton structure described in claim 3, since there are two contact portions of each bracket, it is necessary to perform the joining operation twice. Are connected to each other only once.

  According to the skeleton structure according to the present invention, another structure can be coupled to the side portion of the structure while ensuring high rigidity. Further, friction stir welding can be performed even at a portion where the two structures intersect perpendicularly.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a frame structure of a vehicle body using a skeleton structure according to a first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the frame structure F of the vehicle body is configured by a cross member 3 (another structure) being laid between a pair of left and right side frames 2, 2 (hollow structure) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. ing. A cross member 3 is coupled to the side frame 2 so as to intersect vertically. The skeletal structure 1 (see FIG. 2) according to the present embodiment is used at a site A where the side frames 2 and 2 and the cross member 3 are coupled.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the skeleton structure according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the skeletal structure 1 is a structure for connecting a cross member 3 to a side frame 2 and is configured by joining an intermediate member 4 to the side frame 2 (see FIG. 3). .

  The side frame 2 is a hollow structure having a rectangular cross section, and is formed from, for example, an extruded material made of an aluminum alloy. A rectangular insertion hole 22 is formed in the side surface 21 of the side frame 2 so that the cross member 3 and the intermediate member 4 can be inserted.

  The cross member 3 is a hollow structure having a rectangular cross section like the side frame 2, and is formed from an extruded material made of an aluminum alloy. The cross member 3 is fitted to the intermediate member 4.

  The intermediate member 4 is a member composed of a pair of brackets 41, 41, for example, a member composed of an aluminum alloy. Each of the brackets 41 and 41 is formed in the same shape, and includes a base portion 41a, a contact portion 41b formed by bending from a tip portion of the base portion 41a, and a contact portion 41b from an intermediate portion of the base portion 41a. A first locking portion 41c and a second locking portion 41d that are convex in the same direction are provided. The distance between the first locking portion 41c and the second locking portion 41d is substantially the same as the thickness of the side surface 21 of the side frame 2, and the second locking portion 41d is more than the first locking portion 41c. It is formed slightly longer.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a connecting portion between the side frame and the cross member.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of brackets 41, 41 are joined to the side frame 2 so as to face each other. Specifically, the bracket 41 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the side frame 2, and the abutting portion 41 b abuts against the inner side surface 23 facing the insertion hole 22 of the side frame 2. Further, the first locking portion 41 c and the second locking portion 41 d are attached so as to sandwich the peripheral edge portion 22 a of the insertion hole 22 of the side frame 2. And the cross member 3 is fitted by the fitting part 42 between each base part 41a, 41a of each bracket 41,41.

  Next, a method for connecting the side frame and the cross member will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of joining the side frame and the cross member.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, first, after the insertion hole 22 is formed in the side frame 2, the brackets 41 and 41 are inserted into the insertion hole 22 as shown in FIG. Each bracket 41, 41 abuts the abutting portion 41b on the inner side surface 23 of the side frame 2, and sandwiches the peripheral edge portion 22a between the first locking portion 41c and the second locking portion 41d. Set on the side frame 2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the contact portion 41b and the side frame 2 are friction stir welded. Specifically, while rotating the rotary tool 5, the probe 51 of the rotary tool 5 is inserted to a predetermined depth in the portion where the contact portion 41 b and the side frame 2 are overlapped, and along the joining line (perpendicular to the paper surface). Then, the rotary tool 5 is joined by moving. The material in the vicinity of the probe 51 of the rotary tool 5 is heated and softened by frictional heat and processing heat generated between the probe 51 and the side frame 2, and the softened material is stirred by the rotation of the probe 51, thereby rotating the rotary tool. Behind 5 is solid phase bound.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), the portion a where the contact portion 41b and the side frame 2 are overlapped, the first locking portion 41c, the second locking portion 41d, and the side frame. The skeleton structure 1 is formed by sequentially friction stir welding the portion b where the two peripheral portions 22a are overlapped. If the length of the second locking portion 41d is too short, the rotary tool 5 interferes with the base portion 41a. Therefore, the second locking portion 41d is formed to be larger than the radius of the shoulder 52 of the rotary tool 5, and the rotary tool 5 is operable. Area is reserved. In the present embodiment, the first locking portion 41c is joined together with the second locking portion 41d and the side frame 2, but at least the second locking portion 41d and the side frame 2 are joined. If the length of the first locking part 41c is shortened (when it is equal to or smaller than the radius of the shoulder 52), it is not necessary to join the first locking part 41c.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), after the cross member 3 is fitted into the fitting portion 42 between the pair of brackets 41, 41, the end portion c of the base portion 41a and the cross member 3 overlap each other. Are welded by a laser irradiated from the torch 6. As a result, the cross member 3 is coupled to the side frame 2. Of course, this part c may be joined by friction stir welding.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
Since the bracket 41 is provided in the side frame 2, the input from the cross member 3 is transmitted to the entire cross section of the side frame 2, so that the rigidity of the side frame 2 is enhanced. In particular, in this embodiment, since the cross member 3 is fitted over the entire length between the brackets 41, 41, the rigidity is further improved. Further, since the cross member 3 is fitted between the brackets 41, 41, the positioning can be easily performed. Furthermore, when the bracket 41 is joined to the side frame 2, an area in which the rotary tool 5 can be operated is secured, so that friction stir welding, which is a technique for joining flat portions, can be performed.

  Further, since the intermediate member 4 is composed of the pair of brackets 41, 41, each bracket 41 can be separately joined to the side frame 2, so that the joining workability is also improved. Further, the brackets 41 and 41 are not configured as one member, but are divided into the minimum necessary members, whereby the weight can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the bracket 41 and the side frame 2 are joined at the two parts a and b, the joining strength is increased. In particular, the rigidity of the peripheral portion 22a of the insertion hole 22 can be increased by joining the first engaging portion 41c and the second engaging portion 41d and the peripheral portion 22a.

As mentioned above, although this embodiment was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement with a various form.
In the above embodiment, the case where the skeleton structure 1 (see FIG. 4) is applied to the frame structure F (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle body has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the frame structure of the vehicle body. The present invention can be applied to the case where another structure is coupled to the side of one hollow structure.

  In the embodiment, the side frame 2, the cross member 3, and the bracket 4 are all members made of an aluminum alloy. However, the material of each member of the present invention is not limited, such as magnesium alloy or steel steel. The member which consists of may be sufficient. In addition, according to the friction stir welding, since different metals can be joined, each member to be joined may be made of different metals.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the side frame 2 and the bracket 4 are joined by friction stir welding has been described. However, the joining method of the present invention is not limited, and various joining methods such as laser welding and MIG welding are used. Can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the intermediate member 4 is configured as a pair of brackets 41 and 41. However, the contact portions 41b and 41b may be extended in opposite directions, and the contact portions 41b and 41b may be connected to each other. . According to this, since it is comprised as one component, while being able to reduce a number of parts, the management can be performed easily.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a skeletal structure according to the second embodiment. In addition, since 2nd Embodiment is a form which changed the structure of the skeleton structure which concerns on 1st Embodiment partially, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure and the description is abbreviate | omitted. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the skeletal structure 1A is a structure for connecting the cross member 3 to the side frame 2, and is configured by joining an intermediate member 7 to the side frame 2 (see FIG. 6). .

  The intermediate member 7 is formed from a base portion 71 having a U-shaped cross section, and a central surface of the base portion 71 serves as a contact portion 71a. Further, on the opposing surfaces of the base portion 71, outwardly protruding locking portions 71b and 71b are formed, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a joint portion between the side frame and the cross member.
As shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate member 7 is joined to the side frame 2. Specifically, the intermediate member 7 abuts on the inner side surface 23 facing the insertion hole 22 of the side frame 2. Further, the locking portions 71 b and 71 b are locked outside the peripheral edge portion 22 a of the insertion hole 22 of the side frame 2. And the intermediate member 7 and the side frame 2 are joined in the site | part of the contact part 71a and the inner surface 23, and the site | part of the latching | locking part 71b and the peripheral part 22a. As a joining method, various methods such as friction stir welding, MIG joining, and TIG joining can be used. Thereafter, the cross member 3 is fitted into the fitting portion 72 in the base 71 of the intermediate member 7, and the intermediate member 7 and the cross member 3 are welded.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
Since the intermediate member 7 is provided in the side frame 2, the input from the cross member 3 is transmitted to the entire cross section of the side frame 2, so that the rigidity of the side frame 2 is enhanced. In particular, in this embodiment, since the cross member 3 is fitted to the entire inside of the base portion 71 of the intermediate member 7, the rigidity is further improved. Further, since the cross member 3 is fitted between the intermediate members 7, the positioning can be easily performed. Furthermore, when joining the intermediate member 7 to the side frame 2, since the area | region which the rotary tool 5 can act | operate is ensured, the friction stir welding which is a technique which joins a flat part can be performed.

  Further, by configuring the intermediate member 7 as one component, the number of components can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment, and the management thereof can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, since the intermediate member 7 and the side frame 2 are joined at two locations, the joining strength is increased. In particular, the rigidity of the peripheral portion 22a of the insertion hole 22 can be increased by joining the locking portion 71b and the peripheral portion 22a.

As mentioned above, although this embodiment was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement with a various form.
In the above-described embodiment, only one locking portion 71b is provided in the intermediate member 7. However, as in the first embodiment, one locking portion that is locked to the inner surface side of the peripheral edge portion 22a is added. (A total of two may be provided). In this case, when the intermediate member 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 22, it can be considered that the added locking portion interferes, but it may be inserted while bending both sides of the base portion 71 of the intermediate member 7 inward.

1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body frame structure in which a skeleton structure according to a first embodiment is used. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the frame structure which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional top view which shows the coupling | bond part of a side frame and cross member. It is a figure explaining the coupling | bonding method of a side frame and a cross member. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the frame structure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional top view which shows the coupling | bond part of a side frame and cross member. It is a figure which shows the skeleton structure which concerns on a 1st prior art example, Comprising: (a) is a perspective view of a skeleton structure, (b) is a cross-sectional top view of a skeleton structure. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the frame structure which concerns on a 2nd prior art example. It is a figure explaining friction stir welding.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A Skeletal structure 2 Side frame 3 Cross member 4 Intermediate member 5 Rotating tool 7 Intermediate member 41 Bracket 41b Abutting part 41c 1st latching | locking part 41d 2nd latching | locking part 71 Base 71a Abutting part 71b Engagement Part F Frame structure

Claims (4)

A hollow structure provided with an insertion hole on a side surface;
An intermediate member that is inserted into the insertion hole and has an abutting portion that abuts against an inner surface facing the insertion hole, and a fitting portion into which another structure can be fitted;
Have
A skeleton structure in which the contact portion of the intermediate member is joined to the hollow structure.   The skeleton structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate member is provided with a locking portion that is locked to a peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole, and the locking portion and the peripheral edge portion are joined.   The said intermediate member is comprised by a pair of bracket which has the said contact part respectively independent, The said fitting part is formed between this pair of brackets, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The skeleton structure described.   The skeleton structure according to claim 3, wherein the contact portions of the pair of brackets are connected to each other.

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