Vehicle frame structure

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of vehicle frame structure, can realize light weight and promote structural rigidity, and simultaneously have good casting forming effect.The vehicle frame structure includes: a pair of side parts, extend along the front and rear direction of vehicle, and are installed on the vehicle body;And connecting part, is provided with the long structure of a pair of long sides, and is connected between the pair of side parts, wherein the pair of side parts and the connecting part are integrally cast by injecting molten metal from one side of the pair of long sides of the connecting part, the connecting part has the film surface connecting the pair of side parts, and the connecting part has a plurality of long holes extending radially from the center of the film surface to the other side of the pair of long sides.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame structure for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, to improve the energy efficiency of vehicles as mobile objects, there is a desire to reduce the weight of the vehicle's body structure. In addition to the main body, the vehicle's body structure typically includes a subframe, such as a vehicle frame, that supports vehicle devices such as the suspension system. Typically, the subframe is manufactured using a metal casting process, and during the casting process, multiple lightweight holes are formed in the subframe to reduce the weight of the vehicle body structure.

[0003] However, during the casting process, when molten metal is poured into the mold from the front portion corresponding to the subframe, it radially expands toward the rear portion of the mold corresponding to the subframe. At this point, the mold structure corresponding to the lightweight holes can hinder the flow of the molten metal, resulting in poor casting results. Furthermore, when lightweight holes are provided, other reinforcements to increase structural rigidity must be considered, and these reinforcements may also affect the flow path of the molten metal.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5879438 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a vehicle frame structure, which can achieve lightweight and improved structural rigidity, and has a good casting forming effect.

[0008] The present invention provides a frame structure for a vehicle, comprising: a pair of side portions extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle and mounted on the vehicle body; and a connecting portion configured as an elongated structure having a pair of long sides and connected between the pair of side portions, wherein the pair of side portions and the connecting portion are integrally cast by injecting molten metal from one side of the pair of long sides of the connecting portion, the connecting portion having a membrane surface connecting the pair of side portions, and the connecting portion having a plurality of long holes extending radially from the center of the membrane surface toward the other side of the pair of long sides.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the plurality of long holes each has a shape in which an opening width decreases toward the other side of the pair of long sides.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion has a plurality of ribs radially extending from the center of the membrane surface toward the other side of the pair of long sides.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of ribs and the plurality of long holes are arranged alternately with each other, so that each of the plurality of ribs is located between every two adjacent ones of the plurality of long holes.

[0012] Based on the above, in the vehicle frame structure of the present invention, a pair of side portions and a connecting portion are integrally cast by injecting molten metal from one side of a pair of long sides of the connecting portion, and the connecting portion has a membrane surface connecting the pair of side portions, and the connecting portion has a plurality of long holes extending radially from the center of the membrane surface toward the other side of the pair of long sides. In this way, the plurality of long holes extending radially can be used as lightweight holes of the vehicle frame structure, and the membrane surface on the connecting portion can increase the structural rigidity. Moreover, during the casting process, the plurality of long holes extending radially can cooperate with the molten metal that is radially expanded without hindering the flow of the molten metal. Accordingly, the vehicle frame structure of the present invention can achieve lightweighting and improved structural rigidity, while having a good casting effect.

[0013] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, embodiments are given below with reference to the accompanying drawings for detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle frame structure shown is taken along the tangent line AA;

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The illustrated schematic plan view of another modified example of the vehicle frame structure.

[0017] Description of reference numerals:

[0018] 100: Frame structure for vehicles;

[0019] 110a, 110b: side;

[0020] 120, 120A: connecting portion;

[0021] 122: membrane surface;

[0022] 122a, 122b: long side;

[0023] 124, 124A: long hole;

[0024] 126: ribs;

[0025] C1, C2, C3: center lines;

[0026] D: vehicle down direction;

[0027] Fr: vehicle front direction;

[0028] I: imaginary line;

[0029] L: vehicle left direction;

[0030] P: injection point;

[0031] R: right direction of vehicle;

[0032] Rr: rear direction of the vehicle;

[0033] U: vehicle upward direction;

[0034] W1, W2: opening width. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the vehicle frame structure shown is taken along the tangent line AA. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The following is a schematic top view of the vehicle frame structure in other modified examples. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The specific structure of the vehicle frame structure 100 of this embodiment is described. Figure 3 While other modified examples of the vehicle frame structure 100 are described, the vehicle frame structure 100 is merely one example of the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment, the vehicle frame structure 100 is suitable for installation at the front or rear of a vehicle as a part of the vehicle body (not shown). The vehicle frame structure 100 includes a pair of side portions 110a, 110b and a connecting portion 120. The pair of side portions 110a, 110b are arranged along the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle (e.g., Figure 1The vehicle frame structure 100 extends in the vehicle front direction Fr and the vehicle rear direction Rr) and is mounted on the vehicle body (not shown). The connecting portion 120 is configured as an elongated structure having a pair of long sides 122a, 122b and is connected between the pair of side portions 110a, 110b. Furthermore, the pair of side portions 110a, 110b of the vehicle frame structure 100 and the connecting portion 120 are integrally cast by injecting molten metal from one side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b of the connecting portion 120 (for example, the long side 122a corresponding to the vehicle front direction Fr). In addition, the connecting portion 120 has a membrane surface 122 connecting the pair of side portions 110a, 110b, and the connecting portion 120 has a plurality of long holes 124 extending radially from the center of the membrane surface 122 toward the other side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b (for example, the long side 122b corresponding to the vehicle rear direction Rr).

[0037] Specifically, in this embodiment, the vehicle frame structure 100 is a single frame structure formed by casting molten metal, for example, aluminum or other metal is used as the molten metal and poured into a corresponding mold (not shown) for casting. The single frame structure obtained by casting includes a pair of side portions 110a, 110b and a connecting portion 120, and the connecting portion 120 has a membrane surface 122 and a plurality of long holes 124. In particular, since the entire vehicle frame structure 100 is generally elongated due to the arrangement of the connecting portion 120, for example, along the width direction of the vehicle (for example, Figure 1 The molten metal extends in the vehicle left direction L and the vehicle right direction R) in the vehicle direction, but is not limited thereto. Thus, during the casting process, molten metal is injected from one side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b of the connecting portion 120, causing the molten metal to flow toward the other side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b. Compared to injecting from the short side of the connecting portion 120 (i.e., corresponding to one side of the pair of side portions 110a, 110b), the molten metal flow path is shortened, thereby better forming the vehicle frame structure 100. However, the present invention does not limit which side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b the molten metal is injected from, and this can be adjusted according to needs.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the molten metal is injected into the mold from one side (e.g., the long side 122a) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b of the mold corresponding to the connecting portion 120, it is preferably injected from the center of one side (e.g., the long side 122a) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b, for example. Figure 1The injection point P is shown to cause the molten metal to flow uniformly to the left and right, thereby presenting a radial spread toward the other side (e.g., the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b of the connecting portion 120 in the mold. However, the present application is not limited to which side (e.g., the long side 122a) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b the molten metal is injected from, which can be adjusted as needed.

[0039] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 , the film surface 122 is a surface of the connecting portion 120 formed by the molten metal during casting, and thus the pair of long sides 122a, 122b can be considered as edges of the film surface 122, and the film surface 122 is a long structure extending in the vehicle width direction (e.g., the vehicle left direction L and the vehicle right direction R in Figure 1 ), further connecting the pair of side portions 110a, 110b. That is, the formation of the film surface 122 enables the connecting portion 120 to be more firmly connected to the pair of side portions 110a, 110b. Thus, even if the connecting portion 120 is provided with a plurality of long holes 124 as lightweight holes, the connecting portion 120 can improve the structural rigidity via the film surface 122 on the connecting portion 120.

[0040] Further, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 120 is provided with a plurality of long holes 124 as lightweight holes, thereby enabling lightweight. Among them, the plurality of long holes 124 are arranged in a curved shape in the vehicle width direction (e.g., the vehicle left direction L and the vehicle right direction R in Figure 1 ), for example, along an imaginary line I as shown in Figure 1 . The imaginary line I is an imaginary curve that protrudes in the vehicle width direction from one side (e.g., the long side 122a) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b to the other side (e.g., the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b. Further, the plurality of long holes 124 are shown to extend radially, which means that the center lines (e.g., the center lines C1, C2, C3, etc. shown in Figure 1 ) of the long holes 124 are relatively close at a position adjacent to the center of the film surface 122 and relatively far apart at a position adjacent to the other side (e.g., the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b, and thus the long holes 124 extend radially from one side (e.g., the long side 122a) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b to the other side (e.g., the long side 122b).

[0041] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 1As shown, when the molten metal is injected into the mold from an injection point P corresponding to one side (e.g., the long side 122a) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b of the connecting portion 120, the molten metal spreads from the injection point P along the imaginary curve shown by the imaginary line I in the directions indicated by the plurality of arrows, and flows around the structure for forming the long holes 124 on the mold to a position in the mold corresponding to the other side (e.g., the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b. After the molten metal fills the entire mold to complete the casting forming, the single frame structure formed by the molten metal is removed from the mold, and the vehicle frame structure 100 including the pair of side portions 110a, 110b and the connecting portion 120 having the film surface 122 and the plurality of long holes 124 is obtained. Figure 1 As shown, the connecting portion 120 has a plurality of convex ribs 126 extending radially from the center of the film surface 122 toward the other side (e.g., the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b. The convex ribs 126 are provided on the surface of the connecting portion 120 corresponding to the upward direction U as shown. However, in other embodiments not shown, the plurality of convex ribs 126 can be provided on the surface of the connecting portion 120 corresponding to the downward direction D, or on both the upward and downward surfaces of the connecting portion 120. The number, size, and position of the convex ribs 126, and whether or not to provide the convex ribs 126, can be selected as desired, and the present application is not limited in this regard.

[0042] Thus, in the present embodiment, during the casting forming process, the plurality of long holes 124 extending radially from the center of the film surface 122 of the connecting portion 120 toward the other side (e.g., the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b, and the molten metal spreading radially, cooperate with each other without interfering with the flow of the molten metal. That is, the structure for forming the plurality of long holes 124 extending radially in the mold cooperates with the flow path of the molten metal without interfering with the flow of the molten metal, thereby achieving a good casting forming effect.

[0043] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 2 , the connecting portion 120 has a plurality of convex ribs 126 extending radially from the center of the film surface 122 toward the other side (e.g., the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b. The convex ribs 126 are provided on the surface of the connecting portion 120 corresponding to the upward direction U as shown. However, in other embodiments not shown, the plurality of convex ribs 126 can be provided on the surface of the connecting portion 120 corresponding to the downward direction D, or on both the upward and downward surfaces of the connecting portion 120. The number, size, and position of the convex ribs 126, and whether or not to provide the convex ribs 126, can be selected as desired, and the present application is not limited in this regard. Figure 1

[0044] ​Specifically, in this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 126 extend radially, meaning that the ribs 126 are linear and relatively close to each other near the center of the membrane surface 122 and relatively distant from each other near the other side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b (e.g., long side 122b). Thus, the ribs 126 extend radially from one side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b (e.g., long side 122a) to the other side (e.g., long side 122b). Preferably, the plurality of ribs 126 and the plurality of elongated holes 124 are arranged in an alternating pattern, such that each rib 126 is located between each pair of adjacent elongated holes 124. That is, one rib 126 is provided between each pair of adjacent elongated holes 124.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, when molten metal is injected into the mold from a location corresponding to one side (e.g., long side 122a) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b of the connecting portion 120, the molten metal bypasses the structure on the mold used to form the long holes 124 and flows toward the structure on the mold used to form the ribs 126. In other words, the structure on the mold used to form the ribs 126 has sufficient space to guide the flow of the molten metal, allowing the molten metal that bypasses the structure on the mold used to form the long holes 124 to flow more smoothly toward the location on the other side (e.g., long side 122b) of the mold corresponding to the pair of long sides 122a, 122b, and increasing the thickness around the plurality of long holes 124 that serve as lightweight holes.

[0046] Thus, in this embodiment, during the casting process, the multiple ribs 126 extend radially from the center of the membrane surface 122 of the connecting portion toward the other side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b (e.g., long side 122b). Therefore, the multiple ribs 126 extending radially can cooperate with the radially extending molten metal to more smoothly guide the flow of the molten metal. The staggered arrangement of the multiple ribs 126 and the multiple long holes 124 allows the molten metal to flow smoothly in all locations. In other words, the structure used to form the multiple ribs 126 in the mold extends radially and cooperates with the flow path of the molten metal, which can enhance the flow of the molten metal and achieve a good casting effect.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 126 are also formed simultaneously in the aforementioned casting process. In other words, the plurality of ribs 126 are also part of the connecting portion 120. Thus, the provision of the ribs 126 can increase the vertical direction of the connecting portion 120 (for example, Figure 1The local thickness in the vehicle upper direction (U) and the vehicle lower direction (D) of the vehicle is increased, that is, the structural rigidity of the connection portion 120 can be increased by the provision of the ribs 126. Therefore, even if the connection portion 120 is provided with multiple elongated holes 124 as lightweight holes, the structural rigidity of the connection portion 120 can be improved by the ribs 126.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the connecting portion 120 is further provided with a plurality of circular holes 128 as cooling holes for cooling a driving source (not shown) in a vehicle on which the vehicle frame structure 100 is installed. The elongated holes 124 are formed along the respective center lines (e.g., Figure 1 The circular hole 128 refers to a hole extending on the center line C1, C2, C3, etc. shown in the figure (with the extension direction of each center line as the long side direction), and the circular hole 128 refers to a hole (not limited to a perfect circle) that is constructed without an obvious long side direction in the planar direction of the connecting part 120.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of circular holes 128 are arranged on the center lines of the plurality of long holes 124 (eg Figure 2 In the extension direction of the center line C1, C2, C3, etc. shown in ). That is, the multiple circular holes 128 are arranged radially. In this way, when the molten metal is injected into the mold from one side (for example, the long side 122a) of a pair of long sides 122a, 122b corresponding to the connecting portion 120 in the mold, the molten metal bypasses the structure on the mold for forming the circular holes 128, and the multiple circular holes 128 arranged radially can cooperate with the molten metal that is radially expanded without hindering the flow of the molten metal, thereby achieving a good casting forming effect. At the same time, the multiple circular holes 128 serving as cooling holes also have a lightweight effect (that is, they can be used as lightweight holes). However, the number, size, setting position and whether the multiple circular holes 128 are set can be selected according to demand, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, Figure 3 and Figure 3 The plurality of long holes 124 shown are holes having substantially the same opening width at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction (ie, the extending direction of the center line C1). Figure 3 In the modified example, at least a portion of the plurality of long holes of the connecting portion 120A (for example, the long hole 124A) each has an opening width that becomes smaller toward the other side of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b (for example, the long side 122b). ​ The positions shown are in the vehicle width direction (eg, ​a central long hole 124A in the center of the vehicle left direction L and the vehicle right direction R, which has an opening width W1 at one end corresponding to the center of the film surface 122, and an opening width W2 at a position corresponding to the other side (for example, the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b, and the opening width W1 is larger than the opening width W2.

[0051] Thus, in the present embodiment, during the casting process, since the opening width of the long hole 124A decreases toward the other side (for example, the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b, the flow path of the molten metal outside the long hole 124A increases toward the other side (for example, the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b, thereby preventing the flow rate of the molten metal flowing toward the other side (for example, the long side 122b) of the pair of long sides 122a, 122b from decreasing. That is, by setting the long hole 124A to have an opening width that decreases toward the direction away from the injection point P to match the flow path of the molten metal, the flow of the molten metal can be improved, thereby achieving a good casting effect.

[0052] In summary, in the vehicle frame structure of the present application, the pair of side portions and the connecting portion are integrally cast by injecting molten metal from one side of the pair of long sides of the connecting portion, the connecting portion has a film surface connecting the pair of side portions, and the connecting portion has a plurality of long holes extending radially from the center of the film surface toward the other side of the pair of long sides. Preferably, the connecting portion has a plurality of ribs extending radially from the center of the film surface toward the other side of the pair of long sides, the plurality of ribs and the plurality of long holes are arranged alternately with each other, and each of the plurality of ribs is positioned between every adjacent two of the plurality of long holes. In this way, the plurality of long holes extending radially can be used as lightening holes of the vehicle frame structure, and the film surface on the connecting portion can increase the structural rigidity. Moreover, during the casting process, the plurality of long holes extending radially can match the molten metal spreading radially without hindering the flow of the molten metal. Accordingly, the vehicle frame structure of the present application can achieve lightening and improve the structural rigidity while having a good casting effect.

[0053] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than limit the present application; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A vehicle frame structure, characterized in that: include: a pair of side portions extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and mounted on the vehicle body; as well as The connecting portion is configured as an elongated structure having a pair of long sides and connected between the pair of side portions, wherein The pair of side portions and the connecting portion are integrally cast by pouring molten metal from one of the pair of long sides of the connecting portion. The connecting portion has a membrane surface connecting the pair of side portions, and The connecting portion has a plurality of long holes extending radially from the center of the membrane surface toward the other side of the pair of long sides. The plurality of elongated holes are configured to extend along respective center lines in the planar direction of the connecting portion. The plurality of long holes have the extending direction of the center line of each as the long side direction, and The plurality of long holes are relatively close to each other at positions adjacent to the center of the membrane surface and relatively distant from each other at positions adjacent to the other side of the pair of long sides along the center lines of the respective long holes.

2. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of the plurality of long holes each has a shape in which the opening width decreases toward the other side of the pair of long sides.

3. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The connecting portion includes a plurality of ribs radially extending from the center of the membrane surface toward the other side of the pair of long sides.

4. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 3, wherein: The plurality of ribs and the plurality of long holes are arranged alternately with each other, so that each of the plurality of ribs is located between every two adjacent ones of the plurality of long holes.

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