Vehicle body frame molding product

Abstract

The present application is provided with a rib connecting the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion at the substantially central portion of the overflow portion in the vehicle front-rear direction at the portion provided with the overflow portion. Thus, the rigidity of the upper member is improved compared with the case where the rib is not provided, and the rib functions as a reinforcing structure, is able to resist the bending moment, and is able to suppress the cracking of the vehicle body frame molded product that occurs when the overflow portion is cut.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a molded vehicle frame. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-111488 discloses a technology related to a trimming device for cutting off the overflow portion of a casting using a trimming die. This prior art is a trimming method for cutting / removing the overflow portion of a casting using upper and lower trimming dies. In this trimming method, the workpiece receiving end of the lower die makes line contact with the workpiece, and shearing occurs from the upper surface of the workpiece by the cutting edge of the upper die. Then, the workpiece is fractured using the line contact portion with the lower die as a fulcrum, and the fracture surface is guided to the line contact portion. Summary of the Invention

[0003] When a vehicle frame is integrally formed by die casting, it is assumed that an overflow section is provided on the outer side of the front upper component or other parts in the vehicle width direction to suppress splattering. In this case, the overflow section is broken (cut off) by a trimming die (trimming press) after the vehicle frame is formed.

[0004] Considering the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to obtain a vehicle frame molded article that can suppress cracks in the main body of the vehicle frame molded article generated when the overflow portion is cut off.

[0005] The vehicle frame molded product involved in Method 1 is a vehicle frame molded product integrally formed by casting, which has the following characteristics: The upper component is located on the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is open on the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle. The cross-sectional shape cut along the width direction and in the vertical direction of the vehicle is approximately U-shaped. An overflow mark is provided on the upper wall portion of the upper end portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle constituting the upper member, and is a mark indicating that the overflow portion extending from the front end of the upper wall portion toward the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle has been cut off; and A rib is formed on the lower side of the upper wall portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle in the part where the overflow mark is provided, and connects the lower wall portion constituting the lower end portion in the vertical direction of the upper member with the upper wall portion.

[0006] In the vehicle frame molded article according to the first method, the vehicle frame molded article integrally formed by casting has an upper component, overflow marks and ribs. The upper component is provided on the upper side of the vehicle frame molded article in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is open on the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle. The cross-sectional shape cut along the width direction and in the vertical direction of the vehicle is approximately U-shaped.

[0007] An overflow mark is provided on the upper wall portion of the upper component, which forms the upper end portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle, as a mark where the overflow portion extending from the front end of the upper wall portion toward the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle is cut off. In this embodiment, by providing an overflow mark on the upper wall portion of the upper component, splattering can be suppressed during casting.

[0008] On the other hand, the rib is formed on the lower side of the upper wall of the upper member in the vehicle vertical direction in the part where the overflow mark is provided, and connects the lower wall of the lower end of the upper member in the vehicle vertical direction with the upper wall.

[0009] The outer side of the upper component in the vehicle width direction is open, and the cross-sectional shape cut along the vehicle width direction and in the vehicle vertical direction is approximately U-shaped, and it is composed of an upper wall and a lower wall. Therefore, in this embodiment, by providing ribs connecting the upper and lower walls of the upper component, the rigidity of the upper component is improved compared to the case where no ribs are provided.

[0010] After the vehicle frame is molded, the overflow section is cut off, for example, by a trimming stamping machine, along the overflow section mark. When the overflow section is cut off, a bending moment in the vertical direction of the vehicle acts on the upper wall side of the upper member where the overflow section is provided, starting from the root of the upper wall.

[0011] In this method, a rib is provided in the upper component to connect the upper wall and the lower wall. Therefore, the rib functions as a reinforcing structure and can resist bending moments. As a result, in this method, cracks in the vehicle frame molding caused when the overflow section is cut off can be suppressed.

[0012] In the vehicle frame molded article of the second embodiment, the front end of the upper wall portion is connected to the overflow portion via a notch portion that is thinner than other portions of the upper wall portion.

[0013] In the vehicle frame molded article involved in the second method, the front end of the upper wall is connected to the overflow portion via a notch. Since the notch is thinner than other parts of the upper wall of the upper component, when the overflow portion is cut off by a trimming stamping machine, the notch becomes the starting point for breaking off (removing) the overflow portion.

[0014] Thus, in this method, by setting the starting point for the breakage of the upper wall of the upper component, the overflow portion can be effectively cut off. Accordingly, the deformation load acting on the upper wall of the upper component can be reduced, thereby suppressing cracks in the vehicle frame molded product.

[0015] As explained above, the vehicle frame molded article of the present invention can suppress cracks in the main body of the vehicle frame molded article that occur when the overflow portion is cut off. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and wherein: Figure 1 This is a perspective view taken from the right front and above side of the vehicle, showing the vehicle frame molded article as it is removed from the mold according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a perspective view taken from the oblique front and lower side of the main part of the vehicle frame molded article according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a perspective view taken from the oblique front and upper side of the main part of the vehicle frame molded article according to this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the vehicle frame molded article according to this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the trimming stamping press used in the vehicle frame molding product according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6A This is a top view schematically showing the main part of the vehicle frame molded article according to this embodiment and showing the case where there is one rib provided in the vehicle frame molded article.

[0022] Figure 6B This is a top view schematically showing the main parts of the vehicle frame molded article according to this embodiment, and showing the case where there are 2 ribs. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, the vehicle frame molded article according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings. In addition, arrows appropriately shown in each figure indicate the front side in the vehicle's front-rear direction, and arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle's vertical direction. Arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction, and in this embodiment, it indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, if the directions of front-rear, vertical, and left-right are used for description, unless otherwise specified, they represent the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction (vehicle width direction).

[0024] Structure of vehicle frame molded parts First, the structure of the vehicle frame molded article involved in this embodiment will be described.

[0025] exist Figure 1The image shows a vehicle frame molded article 14 according to this embodiment. This vehicle frame molded article 14 is integrally molded using aluminum alloy or the like as a material through casting. Furthermore, in Figure 1 In the image, the vehicle frame molded part 14 is shown in a state where it has been demolded (removed) from the mold (not shown). Figure 1 In the vehicle frame molded part 14, there are residual main runner 16, gating 18, gate 20, overflow part 22 and exhaust passage 24.

[0026] The vehicle frame molded article 14 is, for example, a vehicle frame component provided at the front part (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle front") 12 of the vehicle 10. In addition, although not shown, the vehicle 10 is, for example, a battery electric vehicle or a fuel cell electric vehicle that is powered by a power unit.

[0027] Here, in the vehicle frame molded article 14, wheel covers 26 are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the front part 12 of the vehicle, with the front wheels (not shown) arranged on the left and right sides. The right wheel cover 26 and the left wheel cover 26 are connected by a crossbeam 28. At the upper end of each wheel cover 26, an upper member 30 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a suspension support tower (hereinafter referred to as "suspension tower") 32 is provided on the inner side of the upper member 30 in the vehicle width direction. Then, on the lower side of the suspension tower 32, a front member 34 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0028] Here, as Figure 4 As shown, the upper member 30 is configured to include an upper wall portion 30A, a lower wall portion 30B, and a rear wall portion 30C. The upper wall portion 30A forms the upper end portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The lower wall portion 30B forms the lower end portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The rear wall portion 30C connects the inner end portion of the upper wall portion 30A in the vehicle width direction and the inner end portion of the lower wall portion 30B in the vehicle width direction. That is, the outer side of the upper member 30 in the vehicle width direction is open, and the cross-sectional shape cut along the vehicle width direction and in the vertical direction of the vehicle is approximately U-shaped.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the gate 20 of the vehicle frame molded article 14 is located on the lower end side of the vehicle frame molded article 14, which is the front part 34 side in this case. When molding the vehicle frame molded article 14, the molten metal flowing in from the gate 20 fills the mold in which the vehicle frame molded article 14 is molded.

[0030] The upper component 30 is positioned away from the gate 20. That is, the upper component 30 is located downstream of the flow direction of the molten metal. Therefore, multiple overflow portions 22 are provided on the outer side of the upper component 30 in the vehicle width direction. In this way, by providing the overflow portions 22, the generation of short injections and shrinkage of the upper component 30 can be suppressed, and the pressure inside the mold can be easily released, thereby preventing molten metal spraying during molding.

[0031] In this embodiment, the overflow portion 22 is, for example, a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as the longitudinal direction, extending from the front end of the upper wall portion 30A of the upper member 30 toward the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the shape of the overflow portion 22 is not particularly limited.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, the overflow portion 22 is connected to the front end of the upper wall portion 30A of the upper member 30 via a notch portion 36. The notch portion 36 is formed by cutting in a roughly trapezoidal shape that narrows toward the lower side of the vehicle, and is thinner than other parts of the upper wall portion 30A.

[0033] Furthermore, the notch 36 only needs to be thinner than other parts of the upper wall 30A, so its shape is not particularly limited. For example, the notch 36 can be formed by cutting a V-shape or an arc shape.

[0034] Furthermore, in the upper component 30, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, at the location where the overflow section 22 is provided, a rib 38 is provided at approximately the center of the overflow section 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, connecting the upper wall section 30A and the lower wall section 30B. The front end of the rib 38 is slightly shorter than the front ends of the upper wall section 30A and the lower wall section 30B, and is formed so as not to protrude from the front ends of the upper wall section 30A and the lower wall section 30B.

[0035] Functions and effects of vehicle frame molding Next, the function and effects of the vehicle frame molded article involved in this embodiment will be explained.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, in the state after being removed from the mold, the main runner 16, sprue 18, gate 20, overflow portion 22, and venting channel 24 are integrally provided in the vehicle frame molded article 14 (in a residual state). Therefore, after the vehicle frame molded article 14 is removed from the mold, the main runner 16, sprue 18, gate 20, overflow portion 22, and venting channel 24 remain in... Figure 5The trimming stamping press 40 shown shows the parts being completely cut off and removed from the vehicle frame molded article 14. Hereinafter, the main runner 16, sprue 18, gate 20, overflow section 22, and exhaust section 24 that are to be removed are sometimes collectively referred to as the removal section.

[0037] The trimming stamping machine 40 is configured to include an upper die 44 with an upper cutting edge 42 and a lower die 48 with a lower cutting edge 46, and the vehicle frame molded article 14 is supported by the lower die 48. Then, the upper die 44 moves downward relative to the lower die 48 (in the direction of arrow A), and the upper cutting edge 42 contacts the removal parts such as the overflow part 22, thereby cutting off these removal parts.

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown, the outer side of the upper member 30 in the vehicle width direction is open, and the cross-sectional shape formed by cutting along the vehicle width direction and in the vehicle vertical direction is approximately U-shaped. Therefore, the upper member 30 cannot be supported by the lower cutting edge.

[0039] In this case, when the upper blade 42 (reference) Figure 5 When the material comes into contact with the overflow section 22, the bending moment M along the vertical direction of the vehicle acts on the upper wall section 30A side of the upper member 30, starting from the root 30A1 of the upper wall section 30A. That is, applying a deformation load to the upper member 30 side may cause deformation or cracks in the vehicle frame molded article 14.

[0040] Therefore, in this embodiment, at the location where the overflow portion 22 is provided, a rib 38 is provided at approximately the center of the overflow portion 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction to connect the upper wall portion 30A and the lower wall portion 30B. As a result, in this embodiment, compared with the case where the rib 38 is not provided, the rigidity of the upper member 30 is improved, and the rib 38 functions as a reinforcing structure to resist the bending moment M.

[0041] As a result, in this embodiment, cracks in the vehicle frame molded article 14 generated when the overflow section 22 is cut off can be suppressed.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front end of the upper wall portion 30A of the upper member 30 is connected to the overflow portion 22 via a notch portion 36. Thus, when the overflow portion 22 is cut off by the trimming punch 40, the notch portion 36 becomes the starting point for breaking off the overflow portion 22.

[0043] Thus, in this embodiment, by setting the breakage point of the upper wall portion 30A of the upper member 30, the overflow portion 22 can be effectively cut off. As a result, in this embodiment, the deformation load acting on the upper wall portion 30A of the upper member 30 can be reduced, and cracks in the vehicle frame molded article can be suppressed.

[0044] Additionally, regarding the overflow section 22, after the vehicle frame molded part 14 is removed from the mold, it is used... Figure 5 The trimming stamping press 40 shown cuts and removes the excess material. That is, the overflow portion 22 is cut off from the vehicle frame molded part 14. Therefore, Figure 2 , Figure 4 A portion of the notch 36 shown remains as an overflow mark 50 on the vehicle frame molded part 14.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 6A As shown, the rib 38 is located approximately at the center of the overflow portion 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction within the upper member 30 where the overflow portion 22 is provided. However, the arrangement of the rib 38 is not limited to this.

[0046] For example, such as Figure 6B As shown, the overflow portion 22 can also be provided at both ends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. That is, multiple ribs 38 can be provided in the upper member 30 at the locations where the overflow portion 22 is provided. As a result, the rigidity of the upper member 30 is further improved. Furthermore, the stress (deformation load) generated when the overflow portion 22 is cut relative to the upper wall portion 30A of the upper member 30 can be dispersed. As a result, cracks in the vehicle frame molded article 14 can be further suppressed.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vehicle frame molded article 14 provided at the front of the vehicle was described as a vehicle frame molded article integrally formed by casting, but it can of course also be applied to vehicle frame parts provided at the rear of the vehicle.

[0048] The present invention has been described above as one embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The present invention can be used in combination with various modifications as appropriate. The present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A vehicle frame molded article, integrally formed by casting, characterized in that it comprises: The upper component is located on the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is open on the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle. The cross-sectional shape of the component cut along the width direction and in the vertical direction of the vehicle is approximately U-shaped. An overflow mark, which is provided on the upper wall portion constituting the upper end portion of the upper member in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is a mark indicating that the overflow portion extending from the front end of the upper wall portion toward the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle has been cut off; and A rib is formed on the lower side of the upper wall portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle in the part where the overflow mark is provided, and connects the lower wall portion constituting the lower end portion in the vertical direction of the upper member with the upper wall portion.

2. The vehicle frame molded article according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end of the upper wall is connected to the overflow portion via a notch that is thinner than other parts of the upper wall.

Images