Gasket and vehicle structure

Abstract

Provided is a structure that can ensure the contact surface pressure on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of a gasket even if the thickness of the gasket is suppressed. A gasket (1) for a fastening portion of a vehicle is configured such that a contact surface (5) is divided into two portions, an inner side abutting surface (3) and an outer side abutting surface (4), by an annular groove (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to gaskets and vehicle structures using the gaskets. Background Technology

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a technique for improving the handling stability of a vehicle has been developed. Besides Patent Document 1, other techniques for improving vehicle handling stability can be considered, one of which involves increasing handling stability by inserting a thicker washer into the fastener. The inventors of this invention, focusing on this technique, conducted experiments to determine how handling stability changed by installing washers into the fastener.

[0003] Specifically, handling stability was assessed with three scenarios: no washer used, a 4mm thick washer used, and an 8mm thick washer used. The experiment showed that handling stability was unsatisfactory without a washer, and slightly unsatisfactory with a 4mm thick washer. However, good handling stability was achieved with an 8mm thick washer.

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-219841 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, increasing the thickness of the gasket leads to an increase in weight. Therefore, the inventors of this invention considered whether it was possible to obtain a vehicle structure that maintains good handling stability while minimizing gasket thickness. To investigate this, firstly, analytical values ​​of the contact surface pressure were obtained. Specifically, analytical values ​​were obtained when using a gasket with a thickness of 2 mm, a gasket with a thickness of 4 mm, and a gasket with a thickness of 8 mm. It should be noted that the diameter of each gasket is approximately 22 mm. The results are as follows... Figure 7 As shown. Figure 7 The vertical axis represents the magnitude of the contact surface pressure at the end of the collar, and the horizontal axis represents the radial length. Figure 7 The text only provides information related to... Figure 8 The resolution value at the right half of the contact area of ​​the flat washer 101 shown.

[0007] By obtaining Figure 7The results shown indicate that, in the case of using a washer having a thickness of 8 mm, the contact surface pressure is distributed in a manner of increasing on both the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side. This increases the rigidity of the fastening portion. On the other hand, it is confirmed that the thinner the thickness of the washer, the lower the contact surface pressure on the outer diameter side. Thus, the inventors of the present application believe that if a structure is adopted in which the contact surface pressures on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the washer can be ensured even if the thickness of the washer is suppressed, it is possible to increase the handling stability of the vehicle while suppressing an increase in the thickness of the washer.

[0008] The present application was conceived in view of the above, and the object thereof is to provide a structure in which the contact surface pressures on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of a washer can be ensured even if the thickness of the washer is suppressed.

[0009] To solve the above object, the following solutions are adopted. The first solution is a washer for a fastening portion of a vehicle, which is configured such that a contact surface is divided into an inner side abutting portion and an outer side abutting portion by a ring-shaped groove.

[0010] The second solution is based on the first solution, and is configured such that the depth of the groove is shorter than the length in the radial direction of the groove.

[0011] The third solution is a vehicle structure in which the washer of the first or second solution is interposed between a vehicle component and the head portion of a bolt, and is configured to have a ring-shaped space divided by the ring-shaped groove and the vehicle component.

[0012] In the first solution, the contact surface pressures on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the washer can be ensured even if the thickness of the washer is suppressed.

[0013] In the second solution, the rigidity of the washer can be ensured, and the contact surface is divided into an inner side abutting portion and an outer side abutting portion.

[0014] In the third solution, a vehicle structure in which the handling stability is ensured while the weight of the washer is suppressed can be produced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view obtained by facing the surface provided with the groove of the washer of the embodiment upward.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view obtained by facing the surface on the opposite side of Figure 1 to the surface provided with the groove upward.

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the relationship of the washer, the bolt, and the vehicle component (collar) of the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 is an IV-IV cross-sectional view of Figure 1 .

[0019] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a partial enlarged view of the V region of

[0020] Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the contact surface pressure on the collar end portion and the position in the radial direction of the washer, for the washer of the embodiment and a flat washer with a thickness of 8 mm. The analytical values were taken at 6 points different in the radial direction.

[0021] Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the contact surface pressure at the collar end portion and the position in the radial direction of the washer, for flat washers with thicknesses of 2 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm. The analytical values were taken at 6 points different in the radial direction.

[0022] Figure 8 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship of the bolt, the washer, and the vehicle component (collar) in the test.

[0023] Explanation of symbols:

[0024] 1 - washer, 2 - groove, 3 - inner abutting surface, 4 - outer abutting surface, 5 - contact surface, 6 - bolt, 7 - vehicle component, 8 - vehicle structure, 61 - head portion, 93 - space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A specific embodiment will be given below. Figure 1 is a perspective view obtained by facing the surface provided with the groove 2 of the washer 1 of the embodiment upward. Figure 2 is a perspective view obtained by facing the surface on the opposite side of Figure 1 upward. Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the relationship of the washer of the embodiment, the bolt, and the vehicle component 7. Figure 4 is a IV-IV cross-sectional view of Figure 1 Figure 5 is a partial enlarged view of the V region of Figure 4

[0026] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the washer 1 of the embodiment is configured in a circular ring shape with a through hole 92 in the center of the disc as the basic form, and with a ring-shaped groove 2 on one surface thereof. The washer 1 is used in the fastening portion 98 of a vehicle, and is provided with the ring-shaped groove 2 on the contact surface 5 abutting against the vehicle component 7. The contact surface 5 is divided into two parts, the inner diameter side portion and the outer diameter side portion, by the ring-shaped groove 2. The inner diameter side portion of the ring-shaped groove 2 is the inner abutting surface 3 abutting against the vehicle component 7, and is configured in a flat shape. In addition, the outer diameter side portion of the ring-shaped groove 2 is the outer abutting surface 4 abutting against the vehicle component 7, and is configured in a flat shape.​​

[0027] As Figure 3 shown, in the vehicle structure 8 in which the gasket 1 is interposed between the vehicle member 7 and the head portion 61 of the bolt 6 to be fastened, a load is applied from the head portion 61 of the bolt 6 toward the vehicle member 7. Since the load is not transmitted to a portion not in abutment with the vehicle member 7, the annular space 93 delimited by the annular groove 2 and the vehicle member 7 does not constitute a load transmission path, and only the inner abutment surface 3 and the outer abutment surface 4 constitute the load transmission path. Therefore, the load is transmitted in a manner that is dispersed to the inner abutment surface 3 and the outer abutment surface 4 of the gasket 1.

[0028] The surface of the gasket 1 of the present embodiment, which is opposite to the surface on which the groove 2 is formed, is flat from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side. At the outer diameter side end portion of the gasket 1, both the surface on which the groove 2 is formed and the surface on the opposite side thereof are chamfered.

[0029] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the gasket 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the depth Id of the groove 2 is shorter than the length Iw in the radial direction of the groove 2. Therefore, the rigidity of the gasket 1 can be ensured, and the inner abutment surface 3 and the outer abutment surface 4 can be delimited. Note that in the present embodiment, the ratio of the depth Id of the groove 2 to the length Iw in the radial direction of the groove 2 is set to a range of 2:5 to 1:4. In addition, the gasket 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the area of the inner abutment surface 3 is larger than the area of the outer abutment surface 4. Furthermore, the length Ii in the radial direction of the inner abutment surface 3 is configured to be longer than the length Io in the radial direction of the outer abutment surface 4. Moreover, the length Iw in the radial direction of the groove 2 is configured to be shorter than the length (Ii + Io) obtained by adding the length Ii in the radial direction of the inner abutment surface 3 to the length Io in the radial direction of the outer abutment surface 4, and the ratio of Iw to (Ii + Io) is set to a range of 1:2 to 1:3. Note that the length Iw in the radial direction of the groove 2 of the present embodiment is configured to be shorter than the length Ii in the radial direction of the inner abutment surface 3 and to be longer than the length Io in the radial direction of the outer abutment surface 4.

[0030] Example

[0031] The relationship between the use of washers 1 in the fastening parts of the dashboard reinforcement and the vehicle body and handling stability was evaluated. It should be noted that each washer 1 is made of metal and has a diameter of approximately 22 mm. The vehicle component 7 that abuts against the washers 1 uses a collar, and the bolts 6 use flange bolts. The diameter of the through hole 92 of the invention is 7.3 mm, the radial length li of the inner abutment surface 3 is 3.2 mm, the radial length lw of the groove 2 is 1.7 mm, the radial length lo of the outer abutment surface 4 is 1.5 mm, and the depth ld of the groove 2 is 0.5 mm. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

[0032] Table 1

[0033]

[0034] Without using a washer, the handling stability is not ideal; with a 4mm thick flat washer, the handling stability is slightly unsatisfactory. With an 8mm thick flat washer, and with the invention's product where an annular groove 2 is provided on the contact surface 5 of a 4mm thick washer, good handling stability is achieved. That is, by using the product of the present invention, the increase in washer thickness can be suppressed, and good handling stability can be obtained. Furthermore, since the washer thickness can be suppressed, the weight of the washer 1 and bolt 6 can be reduced, and the space required for the fastening part can be reduced.

[0035] For the product of this invention with a thickness of 4 mm and the flat washer with a thickness of 8 mm, the results obtained by analyzing the contact surface pressure at the end of the collar (the end of vehicle component 7) are shown below. Figure 6 It should be explained that... Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the washer 1, bolt 6, and collar (vehicle component 7) in the embodiment. Figure 6 As can be seen from the above, the contact surface pressure of the 4mm thick product of the present invention exhibits a similar distribution to that of the 8mm thick flat washer 101. Furthermore, through the analysis of… Figure 6 and Figure 7 A comparison of the items shown shows that, compared to a flat washer 101 of the same thickness, the deviation in contact surface pressure is suppressed in the product of the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to ensure the contact surface pressure on both the outer and inner diameter sides of the washer 1.

[0036] It is also known that if the washer 1 of this embodiment is used, the deformation of the component on the opposite side that abuts against the contact surface 5 is suppressed compared with the case of using a normal flat washer 101.

[0037] The embodiments have been described above; however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various solutions can be adopted. For example, the application of the gasket is not limited to the fastening parts between the dashboard reinforcement and the vehicle body, and it can be used in various places.

[0038] Washers do not need to be chamfered on both sides. They can be designed with no chamfer on either side or with chamfer on only one side.

[0039] The location, width, length, and thickness of the groove, as well as the thickness of the gasket, are not limited to the configuration of the embodiment. For example, the groove may also be positioned approximately at the center of the surface that contacts the component on the opposite side. In this case, the radial length of the inner contact surface and the radial length of the outer contact surface are approximately the same.

Claims

1. A washer used in a vehicle fastener in a manner between a vehicle component and the head of a bolt. The washer is characterized in that... The contact surface is divided into two parts, an inner contact surface and an outer contact surface, by an annular groove. The inner abutment surface is planar, and the outer abutment surface is also planar. The groove is provided only on one side of the washer and is the contact surface that abuts against the vehicle component. The ratio of the depth of the groove to its radial length is in the range of 2:5 to 1:

4. The radial length li of the inner abutment surface is greater than or equal to the radial length lo of the outer abutment surface. The ratio of the radial length lw of the groove to the sum of the radial length li of the inner abutment surface and the radial length lo of the outer abutment surface, i.e., (li+lo), is set to a range of 1:2 to 1:

3. The trench is an empty area.

2. The washer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gasket is used to fasten the dashboard reinforcement to the vehicle body.

3. A vehicle structure, wherein, The washer as described in claim 1 or 2 is located between the vehicle component and the head of the bolt. The vehicle structure is characterized by the following features: It has a ring-shaped space divided by ring-shaped grooves and vehicle components.

Images