Body frame member

Abstract

A lightweight body frame component (10) is provided. The body frame component includes: a first metal component (20) including a body (21) and a plate-shaped rib (22) protruding from the body; a second metal component (30) including a plate-shaped end (31); and a joining component (40) that, when the rib and the end are aligned, passes through at least one of the rib and the end in the portion where the rib and the end are aligned, and mechanically joins the rib and the end. The rib includes: a root (22a) connected to the body; and a joining portion (22c) where the plate thickness decreases from the root side toward the opposite front end (22b) side, and is provided with the joining component. The centerline (L1) of the joining portion, passing through the centroid of the joining portion, intersects the centerline (L2) of the end, passing through the centroid of the end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a body frame component that supports the vehicle body. Background Technology

[0002] In components constituting a vehicle body, a joint structure is known in which two sheet metal plates, one in the form of a first sheet and the other in the form of a second sheet metal plate, are mechanically joined by a joining member (self-piercing rivet) in a state where the plates overlap in the thickness direction. Patent Document 1 discloses the following prior art: with the inclined surfaces (joining surfaces) of the first and second sheet metal plates in contact with each other, the joining member penetrates through the first sheet metal, and the non-joining surface located on the side opposite to the inclined surface is parallel.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-142296 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the prior art, since the non-joining surfaces on the side opposite to the inclined surface are parallel to each other, the main body connected to the joint portion where the joining member is arranged is thicker than the joint portion, thus creating a problem that hinders weight reduction.

[0008] This invention was made to solve this problem and its purpose is to provide a lightweight vehicle body frame component.

[0009] Solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] To achieve this objective, a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle body frame component comprising: a first metal component including a body and a plate-shaped rib protruding from the body; a second metal component including a plate-shaped end; and a joining member that mechanically joins the rib to the end when the rib is aligned with the end, the rib comprising: a root connected to the body; and a joining portion, the plate thickness of which decreases from the root side toward the opposite front end side, and the joining member is disposed thereon, wherein a centerline of the joining portion passing through the centroid of the joining portion intersects a centerline of the end passing through the centroid of the end.

[0011] According to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the engaging member has a shaft portion and a head portion connected to the root portion of the shaft portion, the shaft portion extending at least through the end portion, the front end portion of the shaft portion being located in the engaging portion in a state of being extended relative to the root portion of the shaft portion, and the angle between the center line of the engaging portion and the center line of the end portion being 1.5° or less.

[0012] According to the third aspect, in the second aspect, in a cross-section cut by a plane including the centerline of the joining member and along the direction in which the plate thickness of the joining portion decreases, the distance between the outer surface of the root of the shaft portion and the front end of the shaft portion in the extension direction of the end centerline is longer on the front end side of the rib than on the root side, and the distance between the root of the shaft portion and the front end of the shaft portion in the vertical direction of the end centerline is longer on the root side of the rib than on the front end side.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the first aspect, since the centerline of the joint passing through the centroid of the joint intersects the centerline of the end passing through the centroid of the end, the thickness of the second component can be reduced compared to the prior art. As a result, the vehicle body frame components can be made lighter.

[0015] According to the second aspect, since the shaft portion extends at least through the end portion, and the front end portion of the shaft portion is located in the joint portion in a state of expansion relative to the root portion of the shaft portion, and the center line of the joint portion passing through the centroid of the joint portion intersects the center line of the end portion passing through the centroid of the end portion, it is possible to join the first component and the second component with the joint member (shaft portion) configured along the extension direction of the first component. As a result, compared to the case where the center line of the joint portion passing through the centroid of the joint portion is parallel to the center line of the end portion passing through the centroid of the end portion, the amount by which the front end portion of the shaft portion is disposed in the joint portion can be increased relative to the extension direction of the first component. Therefore, the joint strength relative to the pull-out direction of the joint member can be improved.

[0016] Furthermore, since the angle between the centerline of the joint and the centerline of the end is 1.5° or less, it is possible to prevent gaps from forming between the head of the joint member and the upper surface of the second member (end). This makes it easy to ensure the length of the shaft joint with both the first and second members. Consequently, a decrease in joint strength can be suppressed. Therefore, the joint strength of the first and second members relative to the pull-out direction of the joint member can be ensured.

[0017] According to the third aspect, in a cross-section cut along a plane including the centerline of the joining member and in a direction where the plate thickness of the joining portion decreases, since the distance between the outer surface of the root of the shaft portion and the front end of the shaft portion in the direction extending from the end centerline is longer on the front end side of the rib than on the root side, and the distance between the root of the shaft portion and the front end of the shaft portion in the direction perpendicular to the end centerline is longer on the root side of the rib than on the front end side, it is possible to join the first member (jointing portion) and the second member (end) in a state where the shaft portion extends longer in the vertical direction relative to the thicker portion of the first member and extends in a transversely attached manner relative to the thinner portion of the first member. As a result, the joining area of ​​the first member and the second member relative to the joining member can be ensured. Therefore, the joining strength of the first member and the second member relative to the joining member in the pull-out direction can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle body frame component in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the body frame component at line II-II.

[0020] Figure 3 (a) is a partial cross-sectional view of the body frame component before it is joined by the joining parts, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of the body frame component after it is joined by the joining parts.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the test piece in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following is for reference Figure 1 The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below. Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of the vehicle body frame component 10 in one embodiment. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In the diagram, the arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R are used to represent the vehicle's up, down, forward, backward, left, and right directions, respectively. Figure 2 , 3 (The same applies in the middle). The vehicle body frame component 10 is the component that supports the vehicle body after removing the vehicle's power system such as engine or motor, drive system such as transmission or gears, running system such as chassis, and auxiliary equipment components.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, as an example, the case in this embodiment where the vehicle body frame component 10 is a component on the rear side of the vehicle, that is, the first component 20 is the rear frame and the second component 30 is a floor plate component that is connected to the rear frame, will be described.

[0024] The vehicle body frame component 10 includes a pair of first components 20 and second components 30, one on each side. The second component 30 is disposed between the pair of first components 20, and its two ends in the width direction engage with each of the first components 20. The second component 30 engages with the first components 20 through a plurality of engaging components 40. It should be noted that the vehicle body frame component 10 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. In addition, the vehicle body frame component 10 may also be a component in which the first components 20 on the left and the first components 20 on the right have different shapes.

[0025] There are no restrictions on the materials used for the first component 20 and the second component 30, as long as they are metallic. For example, steel-based materials, aluminum-based materials, and magnesium-based materials can be used. Furthermore, the first component 20 and the second component 30 can be made of the same material or different materials. In this embodiment, the second component 30 is made of a material with a higher specific gravity than the material of the first component 20. It should be noted that the second component 30 can also be made of a material with a lower specific gravity than the material of the first component 20 or the same material.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 The joining structure of the first component 20 and the second component 30 of the vehicle body frame component 10 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal section view of the body frame component 10 at line II-II. Figure 2 The left side of the body frame component 10 is omitted from the illustration (in the diagram). Figure 3 (The same applies in China). It should be noted that in... Figure 2 The lower side of the C-shaped main body 21 in the right side of the body frame component 10 is also omitted from the illustration.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the first component 20 is made of aluminum alloy and has a C-shaped, plate-like main body 21 that is bent and opens to the outside of the vehicle, and ribs 22 that stand out from one side 21a of the main body 21 facing inwards towards the vehicle. Suspension towers, tires, and other vehicle running gear (not shown) are connected to the other side 21b of the main body 21 facing outwards towards the vehicle. The main body 21 is strengthened by the ribs 22. It should be noted that ribs other than ribs 22 can also be provided on the main body 21 as needed. The shape of the main body 21 can be freely varied according to the shape of the vehicle body.

[0028] The first component 20 is manufactured by die casting using a fixed mold and a movable mold that is movable relative to the fixed mold. Specifically, the first component 20 is formed by filling a cavity formed between the fixed mold and the movable mold with molten aluminum alloy and pressurizing the molten liquid. At this time, one side 21a of the main body 21 of the first component 20 is in contact with the cavity surface of the fixed mold, and the other side 21b is in contact with the cavity surface of the movable mold. After pressurization, the movable mold is moved back relative to the fixed mold, and the formed first component 20 is demolded from the movable mold. To ensure good peelability, the ribs 22 of the first component 20 have draft angles of 1.5° on the upper surface and -1.5° on the lower surface in the direction of movement (demolding direction) relative to the movable mold. It should be noted that the draft angles of the upper and lower surfaces of the ribs 22 can also be other than these.

[0029] The draft angles of the upper and lower surfaces of rib 22 are preferably set to 1.5° or less and -1.5° or less, respectively. In this case, it is easy to set the plate thickness of the root 22a of rib 22 to be thinner. As a result, rib 22 can be made lighter. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the plate thickness of rib 22 is set to 3 to 5 mm, and the plate thickness of the end 31 is set to 1.5 mm.

[0030] Rib 22 has a root portion 22a connected to the main body 21, and a joint portion 22c whose thickness decreases from the root portion 22a side toward the front end 22b side. The joint portion 22c is the portion that joins with the end 31 of the second component 30, which will be described below, in an overlapping state. A raised portion 22f is formed in the joint portion 22c, which protrudes from the non-joining surface 22e. In this embodiment, the portion extending from the root portion 22a toward the front end 22b side is defined as the joint portion 22c. The raised portion 22f is configured such that the step difference between the thinner side of the joint portion 22c and the thicker side of the joint portion 22c and the non-joining surface 22e is greater.

[0031] Here, as part of improving development efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs, the standardization of various components has recently been promoted, enabling the use of components regardless of the vehicle model. In the case of manufacturing the first component 20 using a stamped part in the body frame component 10, the main body 21 is manufactured by stamping the material between a pair of dies to cause plastic deformation, and other sheet materials (ribs 22) different from the main body 21 are used, which are positioned and welded to the main body 21.

[0032] In contrast, in this embodiment, since the first component 20 is manufactured by casting, the position of the rib 22 relative to the main body 21 can be freely designed. Therefore, design changes (e.g., model changes) involving changes in the configuration of the rib 22 relative to the main body 21 can be easily addressed. Thus, even in the event of a design change, the configuration and shape of the rib 22 of the first component 20 relative to the main body 21 can be appropriately modified, eliminating the need for a process of positioning and joining (welding) other sheet metal (rib 22) to the main body 21.

[0033] The center line that divides the thickness of the joint 22c into two equal parts is set as the joint center line L1 that passes through the centroid of the joint 22c. However, the centroid of the joint 22c is set as the centroid after ignoring the raised portion 22f in the joint 22c.

[0034] The second component 30 is a stamped steel product, having a flat end 31 that engages with each rib 22 (joint portion 22c) of the pair of first components 20 on the left and right, and a plate-shaped base 32 connecting the ends 31. The end 31 is bent upward relative to the base 32. The engagement surface 22d of the joint portion 22c faces the engagement surface 31b of the end 31, and the non-engagement surface 22e of the joint portion 22c and the non-engagement surface 31a of the end 31 face outward relative to each other. The recessed portion 31c is a portion that protrudes downward from the engagement surface 31b in the end 31. It should be noted that the base 32 may also be a bent, flexed, or corrugated base. This can improve the strength of the base 32.

[0035] The thickness of the end plate 31 is set to a constant, and the center line that bisects the thickness of the end plate 31 is set as the end center line L2 passing through the centroid of the end plate 31. In this embodiment, in the joined state where the joint 22c is joined to the end plate 31, the angle θ1 formed by the end center line L2 and the joint center line L1 is set to 1.5°. The end plate 31 of the second component 30 of the vehicle body frame component 10 is joined to the joint 22c of the first component 20 by the joining member 40. By making the thickness of the end plate 31 constant and setting the angle θ1 to 1.5°, the thickness of the end plate 31 can be reduced compared to the prior art. As a result, the vehicle body frame component 10 can be made lighter.

[0036] As described above, the second component 30 is made of a material with a higher specific gravity than the first component 20. Therefore, when the plate thickness is reduced, the second component 30 has a greater impact on the overall weight of the vehicle frame component 10 than the first component 20. Thus, compared to the case where the first component 20 is made of a material with a higher specific gravity than the second component 30, it is easier to further reduce the weight of the vehicle frame component 10.

[0037] In this embodiment, the joining member 40 is a self-piercing metal rivet, having a cylindrical shaft portion 41 extending from one end 41a to the other end 41b, and a generally circular head 42 forming the bottom of the shaft portion 41 at one end 41a. The shaft portion 41 is the portion that passes through the end portion 31 and is disposed in the joining portion 22c, and the head 42 is the portion that is pressed by the punch 54, which will be described below. The inner edge of the other end 41b of the shaft portion 41 is chamfered. In the joining process described below, the joining member 40 is driven into the joining portion 22c and the end portion 31 and undergoes plastic deformation.

[0038] In the joining member 40, the shaft portion 41B on the inclined front end 22b side of the joining portion 22c extends further outward than the shaft portion 41A on the inclined root 22a side of the joining portion 22c. Furthermore, the vertical distance of the shaft portion 41A on the inclined root 22a side of the joining portion 22c is longer than that of the shaft portion 41B on the inclined front end 22b side of the joining portion 22c. Therefore, by arranging the shaft portion 41B, which is located in the thinner portion of the joining portion 22c, in a shape that bites into the joining portion 22c, the body frame member 10 can improve the joining strength of the joining portion 22c and the end portion 31 relative to the joining member 40 in the pull-out direction (vertically above the non-joining surface 31a of the end portion 31).

[0039] Reference Figure 3 The joining method of the first component 20 and the second component 30 will be described. Figure 3 (a) is a partial cross-sectional view of the body frame component 10 before it is joined by the joining component 40. Figure 3 (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of the body frame component 10 after being joined by the joining component 40.

[0040] like Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 As shown in (b), the first component 20 and the second component 30 are joined together using a riveting machine 50. The riveting machine 50 is mounted on the front end of a multi-joint robot (not shown) equipped with three or more rotary joints.

[0041] The riveting machine 50 includes a main body (not shown) mounted on the front end of a multi-joint robot, a C-shaped frame 51 connected to the main body, a cylindrical receiver 53 connected to one end 51a of the frame 51, and a cylindrical die 52 connected to the other end 51b of the frame 51. The front end face 53a of the receiver 53 is opposite to the upper surface 52a of the die 52.

[0042] The receiver 53 is driven by an electric servo motor, enabling it to move closer to and further away from the upper surface 52a of the die 52 in the vertical direction. Thus, the joined parts (in this embodiment, the joining portion 22c and the end portion 31) are clamped by the front end face 53a of the receiver 53 and the upper surface 52a of the die 52. The outer diameter of the receiver 53 is set to be approximately the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the die 52.

[0043] A punch 54 capable of moving up and down along the inner circumferential surface is disposed inside the receiver 53. On the front end face 54a side of the punch 54, the engaging member 40 is positioned with its head 42 facing the front end face 54a of the punch 54. The receiver 53 is connected to a hopper containing a plurality of engaging members 40. The engaging members 40 are transferred one by one to the inside of the receiver 53 through the hopper, and the descending action of the punch 54 presses the transferred engaging member 40 toward the die 52, thereby pinning the engaging member 40 into the part to be engaged.

[0044] The die 52 is a cylindrical component with a groove 52b formed in the center of its upper surface 52a. In this embodiment, the bottom of the groove 52b is flat, and the inner diameter of the groove 52b is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 41 of the engaging member 40. The frame 51 is made of a rigid material capable of withstanding the clamping action of the receiver 53 and the die 52, as well as the punch load of the punch 54.

[0045] The joining method for mechanically joining the first component 20 and the second component 30 includes: a fixing step in which the joining portion 22c and the end portion 31 are fixed in a state in which the joining surface 31b is aligned with the joining surface 22d of the joining portion 22c; and a joining step in which the joining portion 22c fixed in the fixing step is joined to the end portion 31 by bringing the upper surface 52a of the die 52 against the non-joining surface 22e of the joining portion 22c and pressing the joining member 40 against the non-joining surface 31a of the end portion 31 with the punch 54.

[0046] In the joining process, by bringing the receiver 53 close to the die 52 with the upper surface 52a of the die 52 abutting against the non-joining surface 22e, the die 52 and the receiver 53 clamp the joining portion 22c and the end portion 31, thereby causing at least a portion of the joining portion 22c and the end portion 31 to elastically deform, so that the joining surface 22d of the joining portion 22c and the non-joining surface 31a of the end portion 31 are aligned with the front end surface 53a of the receiver 53. The following describes each step (fixing step, joining step) of the joining method in detail.

[0047] like Figure 3As shown in (a), in the fixing process, with the joint 22c of the first component 20 coinciding with the end 31 of the second component 30, the main body 21 of the first component 20 and the base 32 of the second component 30 are fixed by a fixing jig (not shown).

[0048] Then, as Figure 3 As shown in (b), in the joining process, with the main body 21 and the base 32 fixed by the fixing process, the riveting machine 50 is moved using a multi-joint robot, so that the receiver 53 and the die 52 are positioned to clamp the portion where the joint 22c and the end 31 overlap. The receiver 53 of the riveting machine 50 moves from this state toward the upper surface 52a of the die 52. As a result, the joint 22c and the end 31 are clamped by the front end face 53a of the receiver 53 and the upper surface 52a of the die 52.

[0049] Next, with the joint 22c and end 31 held between the front end face 53a of the receiver 53 and the upper surface 52a of the die 52, the punch 54 is lowered toward the die 52. The front end face 54a of the punch 54 is lowered to a position flush with the front end face 53a of the receiver 53. As a result, the engaging member 40, which is positioned closer to the die 52 than the punch 54, is pressed by the punch 54 and driven into the end 31 and the joint 22c toward the die 52.

[0050] The shaft portion 41 of the nailed-in engagement member 40 extends through the end portion 31, and the other end 41b of the shaft portion 41 is inserted into the engagement portion 22c. As a result, the portion of the end portion 31 into which the engagement member 40 is nailed (especially the portion inside the inner surface 41d of the shaft portion 41) undergoes plastic deformation toward the engagement portion 22c, forming a recess 31c.

[0051] The other end 41b of the shaft portion 41 of the engaged member 40, which is pinned in, causes the engaged portion 22c to undergo downward plastic deformation. The engaged portion 22c, which undergoes downward plastic deformation, forms a bulge 22f by entering the groove 52b of the die 52. The downward plastic deformation of the engaged portion 22c is restricted by the bottom of the groove 52b, and the other end 41b of the shaft portion 41 undergoes plastic deformation in a manner that expands in the horizontal direction, so that the engaged portion 22c is engaged in the horizontal direction while the shaft portion 41 of the engaged member 40 passes through the end portion 31. Therefore, the end portion 31 and the engaged portion 22c are joined by the engaged member 40.

[0052] During the joining process, since the joining portion 22c away from the main body 21 and the end portion 31 away from the base 32 are clamped while the main body 21 is fixed to the base 32 by the fixing process, the clamped joining portion 22c and end portion 31 undergo elastic deformation by flexing along the front end face 53a of the receiver 53 at that instant. In this state, the joining member 40 is nailed into the end portion 31 and the joining portion 22c.

[0053] According to the joining method and vehicle body frame component 10 in this embodiment, while the shaft portion 41 of the joining component 40 passes through the end portion 31, the other end 41b of the shaft portion 41 is plastically deformed into a shape that bites into the joining portion 22c in the horizontal direction (parallel to the extending direction of the end portion 31), and the joining component 40 is disposed in the end portion 31 and the joining portion 22c. As a result, the joining strength of the end portion 31 and the joining portion 22c relative to the pull-out direction of the joining component 40 (the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the end portion 31) can be improved.

[0054] Because at least a portion of the rib 22 (joint 22c) and the end portion 31 undergoes elastic deformation, the joint surface 22d of the joint 22c and the non-joint surface 31a of the end portion 31 are aligned with the front end face 53a of the receiver 53. Therefore, even when the non-joint surface 22e of the joint 22c abutting against the die 52 and the non-joint surface 31a abutting against the receiver 53 are inclined, the joining member 40 can be driven into the end portion 31 and the joint 22c while the head 42 is approximately parallel to the non-joint surface 31a of the end portion 31. Thus, the end portion 31 and the joint 22c can be joined while reducing the gap between the head 42 and the non-joint surface 31a of the end portion 31. Therefore, compared to the case where the rib 22 and the end portion 31 do not undergo elastic deformation, a larger area of ​​the joining member 40 driven into the end portion 31 can be ensured. Therefore, the joint strength of the end portion 31 and the joint 22c can be improved.

[0055] According to the joining method and vehicle body frame component 10 in this embodiment, since the joint 22c is joined to the end 31 with the non-joining surface 22e of the joint 22c inclined to the non-joining surface 31a of the end 31, it is not necessary to process the casting surface (the upper or lower surface of the rib 22 with the draft angle) of the joint 22c in a manner that makes the joining surface 22d of the joint 22c parallel to the joining surface 31b of the end 31. Therefore, the joint 22c can be joined to the end 31 directly using the casting surface. As a result, corrosion resistance can be improved compared to the case where the casting surface is processed after casting the first component 20.

[0056] Example

[0057] Reference Figure 4 The present invention will be described in more detail through embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Figure 4 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the test piece 60 in the embodiment. Figure 4 The diagram shows a plane including the center line of the joining member 40, and along the inclined direction of the joining portion 61b. Figure 4 The cross-section after cutting along a plane (left-right direction) on the paper. It should be noted that... Figure 4In the text, the directions of arrows U and D are used as the upward and downward directions of the test piece 60, respectively.

[0058] (Production of Experimental Piece 60)

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, a first test piece 61, with a width of 50 mm, a length of 150 mm, and a thickness of 1.0 or 1.2 mm, is placed on a second test piece 62, with a width of 50 mm, a length of 150 mm, and a thickness of 3.5 mm or 5.0 mm. The first test piece 61 and the second test piece 62 are joined at a 90° angle, with their central portions (the mating surfaces 61c of the first test piece 61 and 62b of the second test piece 62 facing each other) overlapping. The jointing is then performed using the above-described joining method, resulting in six test pieces 60 for each of Examples 1, 2, and the Comparative Example. It should be noted that the test pieces 60 in Examples 1, 2, and the Comparative Example are manufactured under the same conditions, except for the materials and thicknesses of the first test piece 61 and the second test piece 62.

[0060] In Example 1, the following first test piece 61 and second test piece 62 were used. The first test piece 61 was an A365 series alloy, specified by the Aluminum Association (AA) as an aluminum alloy die-casting material. Its flat portion 61a had a thickness of 5.0 mm, and the central portion (hereinafter referred to as the joint portion) into which it was nailed to the joint member 40 had a thickness of 4.5 mm. The second test piece 62 was JSC780Y, a high-tensile steel specified by JFS standard (Japan Iron and Steel Federation standard) A2001, with a thickness of 1.2 mm.

[0061] In Example 2, the following first test piece 61 and second test piece 62 were used. The first test piece 61 was the same as the first test piece 61 in Example 1. The second test piece 62 was JAC590R-45 / 45, a high-tensile steel specified in JFS standard (Japan Iron and Steel Federation standard) A2001, with a thickness of 1.0 mm. It should be noted that 45 / 45 is a symbol for the double-sided adhesion of galvanized steel, indicating that the minimum double-sided adhesion of the coating, measured by the three-point method according to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) H0401:2021, is 60 g / m². 2 .

[0062] In the comparative example, the following first test piece 61 and second test piece 62 were used. The first test piece 61 was an A365 series alloy (the same alloy used in Examples 1 and 2) as specified by the AA (Aluminum Association of America) for aluminum alloy die casting, and its thickness was fixed at 3.5 mm. The second test piece 62 was the same test piece as the second test piece 62 in Example 1.

[0063] It should be noted that in the first test piece 61 before joining in Examples 1 and 2, the 50mm portion in the center along the length direction is such that the plate thickness varies from one end along the length direction ( Figure 4 (Left side of the paper) facing the other end ( Figure 4 The non-joining surface 61d is thinned in a manner to form the joining portion 61b. The two ends of the joining portion 61b in the length direction are flat plate portions 61a. In Examples 1 and 2, the test piece 60 is set such that the center line (not shown) passing through the centroid of the joining portion 61b of the first test piece 61 intersects the center line (not shown) passing through the centroid of the second test piece 62, and the angle of intersection of these center lines is 1.5°.

[0064] In Examples 1, 2 and the first test piece 61 and the second test piece 62 of the comparative examples, local heat treatment was performed by irradiating the joint surface 61c and the non-joint surface 62a with laser under the same conditions using the same laser device before joining.

[0065] After the aforementioned local heat treatment, the first test piece 61 and the second test piece 62 were joined by using a riveting machine 50 to drive in the joining component 40 (self-piercing rivet). It should be noted that the joining component 40 is made of steel and is cylindrical, with a head 42 having a diameter of 7.75 mm, a head 42 thickness of 0.6 mm, a total length (length in the driving direction) of 6 mm, a shaft 41 length of 4.5 mm, an outer diameter of 5.3 mm, and an inner diameter of 2.9 mm. The die 52 is made of steel and is cylindrical, with a groove 52b having an inner diameter of 12 mm, a groove 52b depth of 0.6 mm, and a flat bottom shape.

[0066] In the test piece 60 of Examples 1, 2 and the comparative examples, the joint portion 61b is deformed by the joint member 40, thereby forming a raised portion 61e that rises from the non-joint surface 61d.

[0067] (Measurement and results of the cross-section)

[0068] With the centerline of the joining member 40 and along the inclined direction of the joining portion 61b ( Figure 4 Three out of six test pieces 60 from Examples 1, 2 and Comparative Examples were cut along a plane (left-right direction) of the paper, and distances D1 to D4 in the cut surface were measured. The results are recorded in Table 1.

[0069] The distance D1 is the distance between the outer surface 41c of the root (one end 41a) of the shaft 41 and the front end (the other end 41b) of the shaft 41, which is relative to the width direction of the second test piece 62. Figure 4The distance D2 is the distance between the root (one end 41a) and the front end (the other end 41b) of the shaft portion 41, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the second test piece 62. The distance D3 is the distance by which the head 42 rises vertically from the non-joining surface 62a of the second test piece 62. The distance D4 is the distance extending from the front end (the other end 41b) of the shaft portion 41 in a direction perpendicular to the second test piece 62 to the lower end of the raised portion 61e, which is the distance measured on the shorter of the shaft portion 41, the shaft portion 41A on the thicker side of the joint portion 61b and the shaft portion 41B on the thinner side of the joint portion 61b.

[0070] Regarding distances D3 and D4, the average of the three measurements is recorded in Table 1. Regarding distances D1 and D2, the shaft portion 41A and shaft portion 41B in the cross-section are compared. When the shaft portion 41A side is larger more often than the other three measurements, it is recorded as A. When the shaft portion 41B side is larger more often than the other three measurements, it is recorded as B. When the number is approximately the same, or when all three are approximately the same size, they are recorded as the same.

[0071] (Tension strength test and results)

[0072] According to the test piece size and test method for the cross tensile test of resistance spot welded and projection welded joints as specified in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) Z3137:1999, the remaining three test pieces 60 in Examples 1, 2 and Comparative Examples were tested. The average value of the three measured values ​​of the cross tensile test strength obtained from the results is recorded in Table 1.

[0073]

[0074] As shown in Table 1, in the test pieces 60 of Examples 1 and 2, the distance D1 is greater on the shaft 41A side than on the shaft 41B side, and the distance D2 is greater on the shaft 41B side than on the shaft 41A side.

[0075] The cross tensile strength of the test pieces 60 in Examples 1 and 2 is about 20% higher than that of the test piece 60 in the comparative example. In particular, when comparing Example 1 and the comparative example, the first test piece 61 and the second test piece 62 are made of the same material, and the thickness of the joint portion (joint portion 61b) of the first test piece 61, which is the main reason for the reduced joint strength, is greater than that of the test piece 60 in Example 1, which is thicker. It can be inferred that the larger distance D1 on the shaft portion 41B side and the larger distance D2 on the shaft portion 41A side contribute to the improvement of the cross tensile strength (i.e., the joint strength of the first test piece 61 and the second test piece 62 relative to the pull-out direction of the joint member 40).

[0076] In Examples 1 and 2 and the Comparative Example, the distance D3 of the test piece 60 is a value of 0.33~0.36 mm. The distance D3 of the test piece 60 in Examples 1 and 2 is the same as that of the test piece 60 in the Comparative Example. Even for the test piece 60 in Examples 1 and 2, the distance D3 does not increase and is good.

[0077] Furthermore, the distance D4 of the test pieces 60 in Examples 1 and 2 is 1.92~2.03 mm, while the distance D4 of the test pieces 60 in the comparative example is 1.28 mm. Since the distance D4 of the test pieces 60 in Examples 1 and 2 and the comparative example is more than 10% of the thickness of the first test piece 61, the possibility of the shaft portion 41 penetrating the first test piece 61 is small, and the joint condition is good.

[0078] According to this embodiment, it is clear that in embodiments 1 and 2, the test piece 60 is configured such that the center line (not shown) passing through the centroid of the joint 61b of the first test piece 61 intersects the center line (not shown) passing through the centroid of the second test piece 62, and the angle of intersection of these center lines is 1.5°. In this configuration, the distance D1 of the shaft portion 41B on the side with thicker plate thickness of the joint 61b (the inclined root side of the joint 61b) is greater than the distance D1 of the shaft portion 41A on the side with thinner plate thickness of the joint 61b (the inclined front end side of the joint 61b), and the distance D2 of the shaft portion 41A is greater than the distance D2 of the shaft portion 41B.

[0079] Furthermore, it can be clearly understood that, based on the relationship between the shaft portion 41A and shaft portion 41B and the distances D1 and D2, the test piece 60 in Example 1 can improve the cross tensile test strength compared to the test piece 60 in the comparative example.

[0080] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments and examples, but it can be easily deduced that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and examples at all, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0081] In this embodiment, the case where the first component 20 is a rear frame and the second component 30 is a base plate component has been described, but it is not limited to this as long as the first component 20 has a plate-shaped joint 22c and the second component 30 has a plate-shaped end 31. For example, the first component 20 may also be a component where the main body 21 is a block-shaped component, and the second component 30 may also be a component where the base 32 is a block-shaped component.

[0082] In this embodiment, the case where the first component 20 is a die-cast product has been described, but it may also be other castings, extruded products, or stamped products. Furthermore, the case where the first component 20 is made of aluminum alloy has been described, but it may also be made of steel.

[0083] In this embodiment, the second component 30 is described as a stamped component, but it can also be a die-cast or other casting, or an extruded product. In this case, the second component 30 is preferably made of aluminum alloy.

[0084] In the embodiment, the case where the vehicle body frame component 10 joins the two plate-shaped portions (joint portion 22c and end portion 31) of the first component 20 and the second component 30 is described, but it is also possible to join the components in a state where one or more plate-shaped components are sandwiched between the joint portion 22c and the end portion 31 in addition to the joint portion 22c and the end portion 31.

[0085] In this embodiment, the case where the joining part 40 is an SPR (self-piercing rivet) is described, but the joining part may also be a rivet for full-penetration riveting, a blind rivet, or other rivets such as an FDS (registered trademark) for mechanical joining.

[0086] In this embodiment, the case in which the joint 22c and the end 31 are clamped together with the die 52 disposed on the side of the joint 22c and the receiver 53 disposed on the side of the end 31 is described. However, the die 52 and the receiver 53 may also be clamped together with the die 52 and the receiver 53 in opposite positions.

[0087] In this embodiment, the case where the joint 22c and the end portion 31 are elastically deformed in a manner that flexes along the front end face 53a of the receiver 53 to join the joint 22c and the end portion 31 has been described. However, it is also possible to join the joint 22c and the end portion 31 without elastically deforming the joint 22c and the end portion 31 in a manner that flexes along the front end face 53a of the receiver 53 to join the end portion 31. In this case, with the front end face 53a of the receiver 53 parallel to the non-joining surface 31a of the end portion 31 and the upper surface 52a of the die 52 inclined to the non-joining surface 22e of the joint 22c, the receiver 53 is moved toward the upper surface 52a of the die 52 to clamp the joint 22c and the end portion 31.

[0088] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0089] 10. Body frame components

[0090] 20 First Component

[0091] 21 Main Body

[0092] 22 ribs

[0093] 22a Root

[0094] 22c Joint

[0095] 30 Second component

[0096] 31 end

[0097] 40 Connecting components

[0098] 41 Shaft

[0099] 41a One end (root)

[0100] 41b The other end (front end)

[0101] 42 Head

[0102] 61 First test piece (first component)

[0103] 61b Joint

[0104] 62 Second test piece (second component, end)

[0105] D1 Distance

[0106] D2 Distance

[0107] L1 Joint Centerline

[0108] L2 end centerline

[0109] θ1 Angle.

Claims

1. A vehicle body frame component, comprising: The first component, made of metal, includes a body and plate-like ribs protruding from the body; A second metal component, including a plate-shaped end; and The engaging component mechanically engages the rib and the end with the rib coinciding with the end. The rib includes: a root portion connected to the main body; and a joint portion, the plate thickness of which decreases from the root portion side toward the opposite front end side, and the joint member is disposed thereon. The centerline of the joint, passing through the centroid of the joint, intersects the centerline of the end, passing through the centroid of the end.

2. The vehicle body frame component according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting member has a shaft portion and a head to which the root portion of the shaft portion is connected. The shaft portion extends at least through the end portion. The front end of the shaft portion is located in the joint portion in a state that extends relative to the root portion of the shaft portion. The angle between the center line of the joint and the center line of the end is less than 1.5°.

3. The vehicle body frame component according to claim 2, wherein, In the cross-section cut by a plane including the centerline of the joining member and along the direction in which the plate thickness of the joining portion decreases, The distance between the outer surface of the root of the shaft portion and the front end of the shaft portion in the direction of extension of the end centerline is longer on the front end side of the rib than on the root side of the rib. The distance between the root of the shaft and the front end of the shaft in the direction perpendicular to the end centerline is longer on the root side of the rib than on the front end side.

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