Suspension arm member and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

The present invention provides a suspension arm member and a method for manufacturing the same, which greatly reduces manufacturing difficulty by forming a cylindrical portion into which a bush is press-fitted without welding a steel pipe member. In a suspension arm member according to one embodiment of the present invention, a main body part and a cylindrical part for pressing a bush are configured from a single steel plate, and the cylindrical part is formed by flanging the peripheral edge part of a through-hole provided in a side wall part standing in the pressing direction in the main body part. Therefore, a suspension arm member that can be manufactured more easily is provided without requiring welding of a steel pipe member, which is a tubular portion for bush press-fitting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to suspension arm components and methods for manufacturing the same. Background Technology

[0002] For example, the lower arm of the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is manufactured by welding a steel pipe member for bushing press-in to the main body of a stamped steel plate.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-137037 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the aforementioned lower arm and other suspension arm components, when welding the steel pipe component to the main body, it is required that the steel pipe component be welded perpendicular to the stamping direction of the main body. In this case, the steel pipe component is welded after processing the steel pipe welding part using other processes. However, due to the need to ensure dimensional accuracy when processing the steel pipe welding part, ensure the welding quality when welding the steel pipe component, and the shape being difficult to form, it is difficult to manufacture.

[0007] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a suspension arm component and a method for manufacturing the suspension arm component that can be manufactured more easily.

[0008] One embodiment of the suspension arm component disclosed herein has:

[0009] The main body is constructed from stamped steel plates; and

[0010] The cylindrical portion is provided on the main body such that the bushing is pressed in in a direction perpendicular to the stamping direction of the main body.

[0011] The main body and the cylindrical part are both made of a single steel plate.

[0012] The cylindrical portion is formed by flanging the periphery of the through hole, which is provided in the main body portion in the side wall portion that stands upright along the stamping direction.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main body and the cylindrical portion for bushing press-in are constructed from a single steel plate. The cylindrical portion is formed by flanging the periphery of a through hole, which is located in the main body on a side wall portion that rises along the stamping direction. Therefore, welding of the cylindrical portion for bushing press-in, i.e., the steel pipe component, is unnecessary, making manufacturing easier.

[0014] A method for manufacturing a suspension arm component according to one aspect of this disclosure includes:

[0015] The process of stamping and forming steel plates;

[0016] The process of setting through holes in the steel plate;

[0017] A process of locally induction heating the periphery of the through hole;

[0018] The process of forming a cylindrical portion for press-fitting a bushing by flanging the periphery of the through hole; and

[0019] The process of bending the portion of the steel plate in which the cylindrical portion is formed to form a side wall portion that stands upright in the stamping direction.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, a method for manufacturing a suspension arm component involves induction heating of the periphery of a through hole in a steel plate, followed by flanging to form a cylindrical portion for bushing insertion. The portion of the steel plate in which the cylindrical portion is formed is then bent to form a sidewall portion that stands upright along the stamping direction. Therefore, welding of the cylindrical portion (i.e., the steel pipe component) for bushing insertion is unnecessary, making it easier to manufacture the suspension arm component.

[0021] Alternatively, during the process of forming the cylindrical portion, the flange portion can be extended by repeatedly performing induction heating and flanging of the periphery of the through hole. This structure ensures that the length of the cylindrical portion is sufficient to support the bushing.

[0022] According to this disclosure, a suspension arm component and a method for manufacturing the suspension arm component can be provided that are easier to manufacture. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of the suspension arm component disclosed herein.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic side view of the suspension arm component disclosed herein.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a suspension arm component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, for clarity, the following description and drawings have been appropriately simplified.

[0028] <Structure of Suspension Arm Components>

[0029] First, regarding the construction reference of a suspension arm component of one embodiment of this disclosure... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Please provide an explanation. Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of the suspension arm component disclosed herein. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The side view. There are no particular limitations on the type of suspension arm; examples include the front lower arm, front upper arm, rear lower arm, rear upper arm, and trailing arm. Figure 1 As an example, a schematic three-dimensional view of the forearm is shown.

[0030] It should be noted that, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The right-handed xyz orthogonal coordinate system shown is for the convenience of representing the positional relationships of the constituent elements. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the diagram, the positive z-axis is vertically upward, and the xy-plane is horizontal; these are common to all the attached diagrams.

[0031] Figure 1 The suspension arm component shown includes: a main body 1, which is made of a stamped steel plate; and a cylindrical part 2, which is provided in the main body such that a bushing is pressed into it in a direction perpendicular to the stamping direction of the main body (positive y-axis direction). The cylindrical part 2 is formed around the periphery of a through hole 12, which is provided in a side wall part 11 of the main body 1 that stands upright in the stamping direction.

[0032] The main body 1 and the cylindrical part 2 are constructed from a single steel plate. The main body 1 can also be modified in shape to fulfill its function as a suspension arm, for example... Figure 1 In the middle, the main body is L-shaped, extending along the positive x-axis and positive y-axis. The body has protrusions and recesses covering its entire surface and includes multiple holes for purposes such as weight reduction, stress distribution, and connection with other components. However, the shape, presence of protrusions and recesses, and the size and number of holes are not limited to a specific configuration. Figure 1 .

[0033] The cylindrical portion 2 is provided on the side wall portion 11. The cylindrical portion 2 is formed by repeatedly performing induction heating and flanging processing relative to the periphery of the through hole 12. It should be noted that, in Figure 2 In this configuration, the cylindrical portion 2 extends in the positive y-axis direction, but it can also extend in the negative y-axis direction. The extension direction is uniquely determined by the direction in which the bushing BS is pressed in. Furthermore, the length of the cylindrical portion 2 in the y-axis direction is not particularly limited, as long as it is sufficient to support the bushing BS; for example, it is approximately 10-15 mm. Additionally, in... Figure 1In this configuration, the cylindrical portion 2 is formed at the end of the sidewall portion 11, but its formation position is not particularly limited. Alternatively, multiple cylindrical portions 2 may be provided on the sidewall portion 11.

[0034] The side wall portion 11 is configured to stand at a certain angle in the z-axis direction relative to the xy-plane of the main body portion 1. It should be noted that... Figure 2 In the diagram, the side wall portion 11 is depicted as standing upright (in the negative z-axis direction) relative to the main body portion 1, but the angle at which the side wall portion 11 stands upright relative to the main body portion 1 can also vary to the extent that the cylindrical portion 2 and the bushing BS pressed into the cylindrical portion 2 do not interfere with the main body portion 1 and the side wall portion 11.

[0035] The through hole 12 is formed, for example, by punching out a stamped steel sheet. The diameter of the through hole 12 is determined according to the size of the pressed-in bushing BS.

[0036] As explained above, in one embodiment of the suspension arm component of the present invention, the main body 1 and the cylindrical portion 2 for bushing press-in are constructed from a single steel plate. The cylindrical portion 2 is formed by flanging the periphery of the through hole 12, which is located in the side wall portion 11 erected in the main body 1 along the stamping direction. That is, in one embodiment of the suspension arm component of the present invention, welding of the cylindrical portion (i.e., the steel pipe component) for bushing press-in is unnecessary, making manufacturing easier.

[0037] <Manufacturing Method of Suspension Arm Components>

[0038] Next, refer to Figure 3 The manufacturing method of the suspension arm component is explained. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the suspension arm component.

[0039] First, such as Figure 3 As shown, the main body 1 is formed by stamping a steel plate (step ST1). At this time, in order to meet the function of a suspension arm, the shape is changed and concave and convex parts are provided as needed.

[0040] Next, as Figure 3 As shown, a through hole 12 is formed in the main body 1 (step ST2). The through hole 12 is formed, for example, by punching the steel plate after stamping.

[0041] Next, as Figure 3 As shown, induction heating is performed on the periphery of the through hole 12 (step ST3). Here, the heating conditions for induction heating are, for example, a heating temperature of about 500~830°C and a heating time of less than 10 seconds. However, the heating time may also exceed 10 seconds.

[0042] Next, as Figure 3As shown, the cylindrical portion 2 is formed by flanging the periphery of the through hole 12 (step ST4). Here, in order to ensure the required length of the cylindrical portion 2 for the support bushing, the induction heating and flanging of the periphery of the through hole 12 can be repeatedly performed to extend the cylindrical portion 2. In addition, there is no particular limitation on the number of times the induction heating and flanging are repeated.

[0043] Finally, as Figure 3 As shown, the main body 1, on which the cylindrical portion 2 is formed, is bent to form a sidewall portion 11 containing the cylindrical portion 2 (step ST5). At this time, it is not limited whether the main body 1 is bent with the side on which the cylindrical portion 2 is formed as the inner side or as the outer side.

[0044] As explained above, in the manufacturing method of the suspension arm component according to one aspect of the present invention, a through hole 12 is formed in the main body portion 1 of the stamped steel plate, and a cylindrical portion 2 is formed by flanging the periphery of the through hole 12. That is, in the manufacturing method of the suspension arm component according to one aspect of the present invention, welding of the cylindrical portion 2, i.e., the steel pipe component, for bushing pressing is not required, and manufacturing can be made easier.

[0045] Programs can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disks), optical-magnetic recording media (e.g., optical discs), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash memory ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). Additionally, programs can also be provided to a computer using various types of transient computer-readable media. Examples of transient computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Transient computer-readable media can provide programs to a computer via wired communication paths such as wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication paths.

[0046] Based on the disclosure described above, it is obvious that embodiments of this disclosure can vary in many ways. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and all such modifications that will be apparent to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A suspension arm component, comprising: The main body is constructed from stamped steel plates; and The cylindrical portion is provided on the main body such that the bushing is pressed in in a direction perpendicular to the stamping direction of the main body. in, The main body and the cylindrical part are both made of a single steel plate. The cylindrical portion is formed by flanging the periphery of the through hole, which is provided in the main body portion in the side wall portion that stands upright along the stamping direction.

2. A method for manufacturing a suspension arm component, wherein, include: The process of stamping and forming steel plates; The process of setting through holes in the steel plate; A process of locally induction heating the periphery of the through hole; The process of forming a cylindrical portion for press-fitting a bushing by flanging the periphery of the through hole; and The process of bending the portion of the steel plate in which the cylindrical portion is formed to form a side wall portion that stands upright in the stamping direction.

3. The method for manufacturing a suspension arm component according to claim 2, wherein, In the process of forming the cylindrical part, the cylindrical part is extended by repeatedly performing induction heating of the periphery of the through hole and flanging of the periphery of the through hole.

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