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Method for joining members

a member and method technology, applied in the field of joining members, can solve the problems of low formability of high-tensile steel, low dimensional accuracy, and low strength of high-tensile steel, so as to reduce the load on the member, improve the fit accuracy, and prevent local deformation

Inactive Publication Date: 2019-07-11
KOBE STEEL LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for joining two members together using an elastic body. By causing the elastic body to expand from the inside to the outside, the method prevents local deformation and reduces the load on the members, improving fit accuracy and increasing joint strength. Compared to other methods, the technique is easier and less expensive.

Problems solved by technology

Although effective for weight reduction and improved safety, such high-tensile steel is still heavy compared with low specific gravity materials, such as aluminum.
Moreover, high-tensile steel is problematic in terms of low formability due to its high strength, increasing forming load, and also low dimensional accuracy.
A problem with this multi-material process is in the joining of the steel component and the aluminum component.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0106]A method for joining a steel component (first member) 10 and an aluminum pipe (second member) 20 together by clinching will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2D.

[0107]As shown in FIG. 1A, the steel component 10 is composed of high-tensile steel and has a shape of a channel. The steel component 10 includes a bottom wall (first section) 11, two side walls 12 and 13 extending vertically upward from the base wall 11, and upper walls 14 extending horizontally outward from the two side walls 12 and 13. The bottom wall 11 is provided with a hole (first hole) 15 in which the aluminum pipe 20 is fittable. The aluminum pipe 20 is composed of an aluminum alloy, has a hollow and circular cross-sectional shape, and extends along an axis L. The axis L extends through the center of the aluminum pipe 20 and through the center of the hole 15 in the steel component 10.

[0108]As shown in FIG. 1B, with regard to the aluminum pipe 20 and the steel component 10, the aluminum pipe 20 expands...

second embodiment

[0123]A joining method according to this embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is similar to that in the first embodiment in FIGS. 2A to 2D except for a feature related to an outer-frame mold 41. Therefore, parts identical to those in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D will be given the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0124]As shown in FIG. 7A, in this embodiment, the steel component 10 and the aluminum pipe 20 are clinched together by using the outer-frame mold 41. The outer-frame mold 41 has a cylindrical shape concentric with the aluminum pipe 20. The outer-frame mold 41 is disposed between the strike plate 42 and the steel component 10 and at the outer side of the aluminum pipe 20. When set in the pressing device 40, the aluminum pipe 20 and the outer-frame mold 41 have a gap therebetween. By applying pressure using the indenter 43 in this state, the aluminum pipe 20 can conform to the shape of the inner surface of the outer-frame mold 41 when...

third embodiment

[0126]A joining method according to this embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A to 10B is similar to that in the first embodiment in FIGS. 2A to 2D except for a feature related to an expanding region 22 of the aluminum pipe 20. Therefore, parts identical to those in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D will be given the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0127]As shown in FIG. 9A, in this embodiment, the rubber piece 30 to be inserted into the aluminum pipe 20 is reduced in length, such that the rubber piece 30 is disposed only near the joining section of the aluminum pipe 20. Moreover, the strike plate 42 has a columnar protrusion 42a extending upward. The protrusion 42a is inserted into the aluminum pipe 20 and supports the rubber piece 30. In other words, the lower end of the rubber piece 30 is in contact with the upper end of the protrusion 42a, and the upper end of the rubber piece 30 is in contact with the lower end of the indenter.

[0128]According to thi...

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Abstract

In the present invention, a method for joining members involves preparing a steel component having a bottom wall in which a hole is provided, and a hollow aluminum pipe. The aluminum pipe is slipped through the hole in the steel component and passed through the bottom wall, rubber is inserted into the interior of the aluminum pipe, and the rubber is compressed in the direction of the axis (L) of the aluminum pipe and induced to distend towards the outside from the inside. As a result of the foregoing, at least a section of the aluminum pipe slipped through the hole is induced to undergo expansion and is joined by clinching to the bottom wall. This method for joining members reduces the load on the members, improves the joint strength, and enables two members to be joined at reduced cost.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 546,021 filed Jul. 25, 2017, which is the U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT / JP2016 / 050046 filed Jan. 4, 2016, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2015-124075 filed Jun. 19, 2015 and 2015-022573 filed Feb. 6, 2015.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to methods for joining members.BACKGROUND ART[0003]In order to achieve weight reduction and improved safety in automobiles, high-strength steel sheets composed of so-called high-tensile steel are used. Although effective for weight reduction and improved safety, such high-tensile steel is still heavy compared with low specific gravity materials, such as aluminum. Moreover, high-tensile steel is problematic in terms of low formability due to its high strength, increasing forming load, and also low dimensional accuracy. In order to solve these problems, a multi-mat...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B21D39/06B21D39/20B21D39/03
CPCB21D39/06B21D39/206B21D39/20B21D39/032B21D39/044
Inventor MAEDA, YASUHIROIWAYA, JIRONAITOU, JUNYAKATSUMA, HIDETO
Owner KOBE STEEL LTD