Frame connection structure and body

Abstract

This application discloses a frame connection structure and a vehicle body. The exemplary frame connection structure includes a plurality of body components and a plurality of connecting members. Each body component has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, wherein threads are formed on the outer surfaces of the first end and the second end, and the threads formed on the first end are opposite in direction to the threads formed on the second end. Each connecting member has a plurality of component connection portions that can engage with the corresponding body component.

Description

[0001] Cross-citation of related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0145013, filed on November 3, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a frame connection structure for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, a frame is a component on which the vehicle body or various equipment constituting the vehicle are mounted, and the frame is a structure that can be conceived as a framework for supporting the loads transmitted from the vehicle body and the reaction forces of the front and rear axles.

[0005] A space frame is a type of frame that is formed by welding together components in the form of steel plates or hollow tubes. It has the advantages of being lightweight and strong, and is therefore used in ultra-lightweight and small-scale production vehicles.

[0006] Within this spatial frame, the components bear all the loads applied to the vehicle body; therefore, ensuring the robustness of the component connections is crucial.

[0007] However, if welding, adapter welding, bolting, etc., are applied to the outside of the component, fracture may occur due to fatigue, impact and torsional loads, resulting in the separation of the connection between the components.

[0008] The information disclosed in this background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background technology of this invention, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This disclosure relates to a frame connection structure for a vehicle. Specific embodiments relate to a connection structure for a space frame of a vehicle.

[0010] An exemplary frame connection structure includes multiple body members and multiple connectors. The body members have threads formed in different directions on the outer surfaces of two ends. Each connector has multiple member connections that can be threadedly engaged with the corresponding body member.

[0011] Each of the multiple body components can be positioned along a corresponding direction among multiple axial directions, including the vehicle length direction, the vehicle width direction, and the vertical direction.

[0012] Each of the multiple connectors can be configured to connect to the corresponding body component via a component connector that protrudes in the direction of the corresponding body component.

[0013] The main body components and component connections can be formed with a circular cross-section.

[0014] The body component may include a first external thread portion formed on the outer surface of a first end and a second external thread portion formed on the outer surface of a second end, wherein the thread direction of the second external thread portion is opposite to the thread direction of the first external thread portion.

[0015] The connector may include a first internal thread portion and a second internal thread portion. The first internal thread portion is formed on the inner surface of the component connection portion that is threadedly engaged with the first external thread portion. The second internal thread portion is formed on the inner surface of the component connection portion that is threadedly engaged with the second external thread portion. The thread direction of the second internal thread portion is opposite to the thread direction of the first internal thread portion.

[0016] The first external thread and the second external thread can be threadedly engaged with the first internal thread and the second internal thread through a spare thread section within the effective engagement section.

[0017] The body component may also include a tapered guide portion, with the guide portion formed at the first external thread portion and the second external thread portion of the body component, respectively.

[0018] The first external thread section and the second external thread section of the body component can be formed along the same axis, and the section located between the first external thread section and the second external thread section can be formed in the form of a straight line.

[0019] The first external thread section and the second external thread section of the body component can be formed along the same axis, and the section located between the first external thread section and the second external thread section can be formed in the form of a curve.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, body members with the same closed cross section are connected by mating the entire surface, thereby increasing the connection strength and torsional strength of the entire space frame.

[0021] In the detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, other effects that can be obtained or predicted through exemplary embodiments will be described, either explicitly or implicitly. That is, various effects predicted according to exemplary embodiments will be described in the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings are intended to serve as a reference for describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the technical spirit of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1This is a perspective view of the spatial frame of the vehicle body, and the frame connection structure according to the exemplary embodiment can be applied to this spatial frame.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view applied to the body components and connectors of the frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The assembly process of a frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0028] Figure 7 An exemplary variation is shown that is applied to a body component of a frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention can be described using the following elements in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] 1: Spatial Framework

[0031] 10: Body Components

[0032] 11: First external thread section

[0033] 12: Second external thread section

[0034] 15: Reserve thread section

[0035] 19: Guidance Department

[0036] 50: Connecting component

[0037] 51: Component connection part

[0038] 61: First internal thread section

[0039] 62: Second internal thread section

[0040] 65: Effective joint section

[0041] O: Axis

[0042] S1: First Section

[0043] S2: Second Section

[0044] 100: Frame connection structure Detailed Implementation

[0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications can be made to the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0046] To clarify embodiments of the invention, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and the same elements or equivalents will be referred to by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0047] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each element are shown arbitrarily in the accompanying drawings, so the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Also, for clarity, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, sections, etc., are enlarged in the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Additionally, in the following description, the names of the components are divided into First, Second, etc., to distinguish components with the same name from each other, and not to specifically restrict the order of the components.

[0049] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the words “including” and variations such as “contains” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated elements, but not the exclusion of any other elements.

[0050] Furthermore, each of the terms described in the specification, such as “...unit,” “...device,” “...part,” and “...component,” refers to a unit of a complex element that performs at least one function or operation.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a spatial frame, which serves as a vehicle body to which a frame connection structure can be applied according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0052] refer to Figure 1 The frame connection structure 100 according to the exemplary embodiment can be applied to, for example, special purpose vehicles (PBVs), such as autonomous vehicles.

[0053] Such a PBV vehicle may include an upper body and a skateboard-type lower body, with the lower body serving as the chassis and the upper body serving as the body mounted on the lower body.

[0054] Additionally, the upper body can be a spatial frame 1 formed by connecting steel plates or tubes. Furthermore, the frame connection structure 100 according to the exemplary embodiment can be applied to the connection structure of the spatial frame 1 formed by connecting multiple body parts.

[0055] Here, the space frame 1 may include a bottom frame disposed at the bottom side of the space frame 1, an upper frame disposed at the top side of the space frame 1, and a side frame that is perpendicularly interconnected with the bottom frame and the upper frame.

[0056] However, the scope of the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the spirit of this disclosure can be applied to various frame connection structures to connect multiple vehicle body parts.

[0057] Furthermore, in the following text, “one end (one end, the other end, etc.)” can be defined as either any end or as a portion of that end (one end, the other end, etc.).

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, body components with closed cross sections (hereinafter referred to as body components) are connected by a full-surface fit, thereby increasing connection strength and torsional strength.

[0059] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0060] refer to Figures 1 to 3 According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame connection structure 100 includes a plurality of body components 10 and a plurality of connectors 50.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the body member 10 is a vehicle body member that forms the space frame 1. The bottom frame, upper frame, and side frames of the space frame 1 may be composed of a plurality of body members 10 connected together by connectors 50.

[0062] The body component 10 can be arranged along multiple axial directions, including the vehicle length direction, the vehicle width direction, and the vertical direction. Each body component 10 can have threads 11 and 12 formed on the outer surface of opposite ends. The threads 11 and 12 can have different thread directions. Here, the body component 10 can be formed with a predetermined shape and length, and can be configured as a hollow tube with a circular cross-section.

[0063] The body component 10 may include a first external thread portion 11 formed on the outer surface of the first end and a second external thread portion 12 formed on the outer surface of the second end, wherein the thread direction of the second external thread portion 12 is opposite to the thread direction of the first external thread portion 11.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling 50 is configured to interconnect the body members 10. The coupling 50 includes a plurality of member connection portions 51 that are threadedly engaged with the ends of the body members 10. The member connection portions 51 may be integrally formed with the coupling 50, and, depending on the coupling 50, may extend in multiple axial directions, including the vehicle length direction, the vehicle width direction, and the vertical direction. Here, each member connection portion 51 is configured as a cylindrical hollow tube of a predetermined length having a circular cross-section.

[0065] The construction of the main body component 10 and the connecting member 50 is described below. Figure 4 Further detailed description. The body component 10 includes two first sections S1 and a second section S2, wherein the two first sections are respectively formed with a first external thread 11 and a second external thread 12, and the second section is located between the first external thread 11 and the second external thread 12. The first sections S1 and the second section S2 are interconnected along the same axis to form a body component 10 in a generally linear form.

[0066] The connecting member 50 includes a first internal thread portion 61, which is formed on the inner surface of the member connecting portion 51 that is threadedly engaged with the first external thread portion 11 of the body member 10. Furthermore, the connecting member 50 includes a second internal thread portion 62, which is formed on the inner surface of the member connecting portion 51 that is threadedly engaged with the second external thread portion 12 of the body member 10. The thread direction of the second internal thread portion 62 is opposite to the thread direction of the first internal thread portion 61.

[0067] Here, the first external thread portion 11 and the second external thread portion 12 can be threadedly engaged with the first internal thread portion 61 and the second internal thread portion 62 in the effective engagement section 65 through the allowance thread section 15.

[0068] In addition, the body component 10 includes a tapered guide portion 19, which is formed at the first external thread portion 11 and the second external thread portion 12 of the body component 10.

[0069] In the following, the assembly process of the frame connection structure 100 according to an exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The assembly process of a frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0071] refer to Figure 5 In an exemplary embodiment, the first end (i.e., the left end) of the body member 10 is initially engaged with the member connection portion 51 of the connector 50 shown on the left.

[0072] In this case, the first end of the body member 10 is inserted into the member connection portion 51 via the guide portion 19, and then the body member 10 moves along... Figure 5 The body component 10 rotates in the first direction shown. Thus, the body component 10 is initially engaged with the first internal thread portion 61 of the component connection portion 51 through the allowance thread section 15 of the first external thread portion 11.

[0073] Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, it is ensured that there is space in front of the component connection portion 51 of the connector 50 shown on the right for receiving the second end (i.e., the right end) of the body component 10.

[0074] Subsequently, in an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown, the main body component 10 along Figure 6 Rotation in the second direction shown, this second direction is related to Figure 5 The arrows shown are in opposite directions. Thus, the body member 10 is slightly released from the first internal thread 61 of the member connection portion 51 via the first external thread 11. Therefore, the first end of the body member 10 is effectively engaged with the effective engagement section 65 of the first internal thread 61 via the first external thread 11.

[0075] Meanwhile, the second end of the main body component 10 is inserted into the component connection portion 51 of the connector 50 shown on the right via the guide portion 19, and is effectively engaged at the component connection portion 51 via the effective engagement section 65 of the second external thread portion 12 and the second internal thread portion 62.

[0076] Here, in an exemplary embodiment, based on the allowable thread section 15 of the first external thread portion 11 and the allowable thread section of the second external thread portion 12, the loosening direction of the body member 10 at the left connecting member 50 is the same as the tightening direction of the body member 10 at the right connecting member 50.

[0077] Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, loosening of the body member 10 relative to the left connector 50 and the right connector 50 is prevented, and the body member 10 can maintain normal engagement with the effective engagement section 65 of the first internal thread 61 and the effective engagement section 62 of the second internal thread 62 of the connector 50 through the first external thread 11 and the second external thread 12.

[0078] Based on the frame connection structure 100 according to the exemplary embodiment, the body member 10 can be threadedly engaged with the connector 50 by a first external thread portion 11 and a second external thread portion 12, wherein the first external thread portion and the second external thread portion have opposite thread directions and are formed on two ends of the body member 10.

[0079] Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, the connection strength and torsional strength of the entire space frame 1 can be increased by fitting the entire surface of the body members 10 with closed cross-sections of the same shape. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, fracture due to fatigue, impact, and torsional loads can be prevented, thus preventing separation of the connections between the body members 10.

[0080] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the body member 10 and the connecting member 50 are interconnected by a plurality of external threads and a plurality of internal threads with different thread directions, thereby preventing the body member 10 from loosening.

[0081] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the body components 10 can be interconnected by using the entire periphery of the cross section through threaded engagement, thereby easily enabling frames of various sizes and styles.

[0082] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, since no auxiliary materials or welding equipment are required for interconnecting the body components 10 other than the connector 50, the frame manufacturing time and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0083] Figure 7 An exemplary variation is shown that is applied to a body component of a frame connection structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0084] refer to Figure 7 In the modified body component 10, two first sections S1, which are respectively formed with a first external thread portion 11 and a second external thread portion 12, are formed along the same axis O, while the second section S2 located between the first external thread portion 11 and the second external thread portion 12 can be set as a curve.

[0085] That is, the body component 10 adopts a curved profile, and even if the profile of the body component 10 is not linear, the body component 10 can still engage with the component connection portion 51 of the connector 50 through the first external thread portion 11 and the second external thread portion 12. It is understood that the axis O can be formed as inclined, and various integral frame forms can be easily obtained.

[0086] While the invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments now considered practical, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A frame joint structure comprising: a plurality of body members each having opposite first and second end portions, wherein threads are formed on an outer surface of the first end portion and an outer surface of the second end portion, and the threads formed on the first end portion are different in direction from the threads formed on the second end portion; and a plurality of joints each having a plurality of member connecting portions engageable with corresponding ones of the body members, wherein the frame joint structure is part of a vehicle body, wherein the frame joint structure forms a space frame, and wherein the space frame includes a floor frame, an upper frame, and side frames.

2. The frame joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: each of the body members is disposed in a corresponding one of a plurality of axial directions including a vehicle longitudinal direction, a vehicle widthwise direction, and a vertical direction; and each of the joints is configured to connect corresponding ones of the body members by the member connecting portions protruding in directions of the corresponding body members.

3. The frame link structure of claim 1, wherein, The body members and the member connecting portions are formed to have circular cross sections.

4. The frame joint structure according to claim 1, wherein the body members include hollow tubes having circular cross sections.

5. The frame link structure of claim 1, wherein, Each of the body members is tapered at the first and second end portions.

6. A frame joint structure comprising: a plurality of body members each having a first outer threaded portion formed on an outer surface of a first end portion and a second outer threaded portion formed on an outer surface of a second end portion, wherein a thread direction of the second outer threaded portion is opposite to a thread direction of the first outer threaded portion; and a plurality of joints each having a plurality of member connecting portions threadably engageable with corresponding ones of the body members, wherein the frame joint structure is part of a vehicle body, wherein the frame joint structure forms a space frame, and wherein the space frame includes a floor frame, an upper frame, and side frames.

7. The frame link structure of claim 6, wherein, Each of the joints includes: a first inner threaded portion formed on an inner surface of a member connecting portion of the member connecting portions threadably engaged with the first outer threaded portion; and a second inner threaded portion formed on an inner surface of a member connecting portion of the member connecting portions threadably engaged with the second outer threaded portion, and a thread direction of the second inner threaded portion is opposite to a thread direction of the first inner threaded portion.

8. The frame link structure of claim 7, wherein, The first and second outer threaded portions are threadably engaged with the first and second inner threaded portions, respectively, by a surplus threaded section within an effective engagement section.

9. The frame link structure of claim 6, wherein, Each of the body members further includes a guide portion formed at the first and second outer threaded portions of the body member and in a tapered shape.

10. The frame joint structure according to claim 6, wherein: sections of the first and second outer threaded portions of the body members are formed along a same axis; and a section located between the first and second outer threaded portions is formed in a straight line form.

11. The frame coupling structure according to claim 6, wherein: the segments of the first and second outer threaded portions of the body member are formed along the same axis; and the segment between the first and second outer threaded portions is formed in the form of a curve.

12. A vehicle body comprising: a lower body that is a chassis; and an upper body mounted on the lower body, the upper body comprising: a plurality of body members each having a first outer threaded portion formed on an outer surface of a first end portion and a second outer threaded portion formed on an outer surface of a second end portion, wherein the second outer threaded portion has a thread direction opposite to that of the first outer threaded portion; and a plurality of couplings each having a plurality of member connecting portions threadably engageable with the corresponding body members, wherein the upper body forms a space frame, and wherein the space frame includes a floor frame, an upper frame, and a side frame.

13. The vehicle body according to claim 12, wherein: each of the body members is disposed in a corresponding one of a plurality of axial directions including a vehicle longitudinal direction, a vehicle widthwise direction, and a vertical direction; and each of the couplings is configured to connect the corresponding body member by the member connecting portion protruding in the direction of the corresponding body member.

14. The vehicle body of claim 12, wherein, the body members and the member connecting portions are formed to have a circular cross section.

15. The vehicle body of claim 12, wherein, each of the body members is tapered at the first and second end portions.

16. The vehicle body according to claim 12, wherein each of the couplings includes: a first inner threaded portion formed on an inner surface of the member connecting portion threadably engaged with the first outer threaded portion; and a second inner threaded portion formed on an inner surface of the member connecting portion threadably engaged with the second outer threaded portion, and having a thread direction opposite to that of the first inner threaded portion. the first and second outer threaded portions are threadably engaged with the first and second inner threaded portions by a margin threaded section within an effective engagement section.

17. The vehicle body of claim 16, wherein, 18. The vehicle body according to claim 12, wherein: the segments of the first and second outer threaded portions of the body member are formed along the same axis; and the segment between the first and second outer threaded portions is formed in the form of a straight line.

19. The vehicle body according to claim 12, wherein: the segments of the first and second outer threaded portions of the body member are formed along the same axis; and the segment between the first and second outer threaded portions is formed in the form of a curve. ​

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