PLATE STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

Abstract

Plate structure (30), comprising: a plate (40) with a first insertion hole (42); a reinforcement (50) with a second insertion hole (52); and a connecting element (60, 70) with a shaft (71) inserted into the first and second insertion holes (42, 52), which presses and connects the plate (40) and the reinforcement (50) in their thickness direction, wherein the plate (40) has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the reinforcement (50), characterized by that a diameter (W, L) of the second insertion hole (52) is larger in at least one thermal expansion direction of the plate (40) than a diameter (D1) of the first insertion hole (42) in the direction, that the connecting element (60, 70) moves together with the thermally expanded plate (40), and that the plate structure (30) also has a coating (80) covering a surface of the plate (40) and a surface of the connecting element (60, 70).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate structure and a method for producing the same. BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] A panel structure applied to a roof panel or any other component of a vehicle is known, for example, from JP 2007-261 412 A. The panel structure includes an outer panel facing the exterior of a vehicle, an inner panel facing a cabin, and a reinforcement provided between these panels. The reinforcement is stacked on a back side of the inner panel to improve the strength of the inner panel.

[0003] A generic plate structure is known from JP S59-150 664 U. It comprises a plate with a first insertion hole, a reinforcement with a second insertion hole, and a connecting element with a shaft inserted into the first and second insertion holes, wherein the connecting element presses and connects the plate and the reinforcement together in their thickness direction, wherein the plate has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the reinforcement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] According to the plate structure known from the aforementioned JP 2007-261 412 A, the plate and the reinforcement are connected to each other by a specific connecting element. However, if the plate and the reinforcement have different thermal expansion coefficients, when heat is applied to the plate structure, either the plate or the reinforcement may expand further than the other part in a specific direction. In such a case, stress is concentrated in a contact area between the connecting element and the plate, leading to deformation of the plate and / or the connecting element, and ultimately a decrease in the connection strength between the plate and the reinforcement.

[0005] As a possible solution to this problem, the plate may be made of a material with a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the reinforcement, and an insertion hole formed through the plate for receiving the fastener may be given a larger diameter than an insertion hole formed through the reinforcement for receiving the fastener. With this configuration, the relatively large insertion hole of the plate can prevent tight contact between the plate and a shank of the fastener, even when the plate expands due to thermal expansion. This can prevent a decrease in the connection strength between the plate and the reinforcement. However, the inventor of the present invention has recognized another problem with this configuration.

[0006] In this plate structure, the plate and the reinforcement are connected by the fastener, after which the surface of the plate is coated. In this coating step, a coating material is applied not only to the surface of the plate but also to the surface of the fastener (e.g., a rivet head). When the thus applied coating material is heat-dried, the plate expands with a higher expansion coefficient due to heat. When the relative positions of the plate and the fastener change within the relatively large insertion hole of the plate (the plate insertion hole), the coating on the surfaces of the plate and the fastener is pulled in the expansion direction of the plate. If the coating is dried in this state, a trace, such as a scratch, remains on the coating around the surface of the fastener.This may affect the appearance and / or corrosion protection of the plate structure.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been achieved to provide a plate structure that can prevent scratching of a coating around the connecting member. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a plate structure. The plate structure includes: a plate having a first insertion hole; a reinforcement having a second insertion hole; and a connecting member having a shaft inserted into the first and second insertion holes, which presses and connects the plate and the reinforcement in their thickness direction. The plate has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the reinforcement, and a diameter of the second insertion hole is larger than a diameter of the first insertion hole in at least one thermal expansion direction of the plate.

[0009] In this configuration, a diameter of the second insertion hole is larger than a diameter of the first insertion hole in at least one extension direction of the plate. Therefore, the shaft of the fastener is prevented from moving relative to the plate in the first insertion hole, while the shaft can move relative to the reinforcement in the second insertion hole. Therefore, the fastener moves together with the plate even if the coating material on the surface of the plate heat-expands after heat-drying. This prevents the coating material on the surface of the plate from being scratched by the fastener.

[0010] Furthermore, with this configuration, the fastener's shaft does not make firm contact with the reinforcement, even if the shaft moves along with the thermally expanded plate. This allows the fastener's joint strength to be sufficiently maintained.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the first aspect. In the second aspect, the connecting element includes a rivet that presses the plate and the reinforcement together.

[0012] In this configuration, the rivet shank is inserted into the first and second insertion holes. Thus, the plate and reinforcement are compressed between a pair of heads formed at both ends of the rivet.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the second aspect. In the third aspect, the connecting element includes a washer that is disposed between one of the heads of the rivet and the reinforcement, and through which a shank of the rivet is inserted, wherein an outer diameter of the washer is larger than the diameter of the second insertion hole.

[0014] In this configuration, the washer is positioned between one of the rivet heads and the reinforcement. The diameter of the reinforcement's second insertion hole is sufficiently large to allow for the shank offset. Therefore, if one of the heads were placed directly in contact with the reinforcement, the contact area between the head and the reinforcement would be insufficient, reducing the joint strength of the fastener. The presence of the washer, however, ensures a sufficient contact area between the fastener and the reinforcement, thus adequately maintaining the joint strength.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing the plate structure of any of the first to third aspects. The method includes a joining step of inserting a shaft of the connecting member into the first and second insertion holes, pressing and joining the plate and the reinforcement to the connecting member in their thickness direction, and a coating step of applying a coating material to a surface of the plate and heat-drying the coating material, wherein the coating step is performed after the joining step.

[0016] In this method, the fastener shaft is inserted into the first and second insertion holes, connecting the plate and the reinforcement. The plate surface is then coated and heat-dried. With this plate structure, the relative positions of the fastener shaft and the plate do not change even when the plate thermally expands. Therefore, the coating formed around the fastener does not significantly stretch when the plate thermally expands, preventing scratching of the coating. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0017] According to the present invention, the diameter of the second insertion hole of the reinforcement is designed to be larger than the first insertion hole of the plate. This can prevent scratching of the coating on the surface of the plate, even when the plate structure is heat-dried. This can prevent deterioration of the surface finish and the corrosion protection effect of the plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a general configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment having a closed cabin. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the general configuration of the vehicle according to the embodiment with a retractable roof located between a use position and a retracted position and a rear cover located at a retracted position. Fig. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the general configuration of the vehicle according to the embodiment with an open cab. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a plate structure according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a plan view (upper view) and a vertical cross-sectional view (lower view) of a major part of the plate structure according to the embodiment on an enlarged scale, wherein the washer, rivet and coating are not shown. Fig. 6 shows a plan view (upper view) and a vertical cross-sectional view (lower view) of a major part of the plate structure of the embodiment in a state of the plate structure immediately after an installation step on an enlarged scale, with rivet and coating not shown. Fig. 7 shows a plan view (upper view) and a vertical cross-sectional view (lower view) of a major part of the plate structure of the embodiment in a state of the plate structure immediately after a bonding step on an enlarged scale, with a coating not shown. Fig. 8 shows a major part of the plate structure of the embodiment in a state of the plate structure immediately after a coating step on an enlarged scale. Fig. 9 is a Fig. 8 corresponding view illustrating a state in which an inner plate has expanded due to heat in the coating step. Fig. 10 is a Fig. 8 corresponding view illustrating a plate structure according to a variation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of the present invention.

[0019] A vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 to 3, is equipped with an opening / closing mechanism 10. The opening / closing mechanism 10 is switchable between a closed state in which a roof element 12 covers a top of a cabin 2, and an open state in which the top of the cabin 2 is not covered. The opening / closing mechanism 10 includes a retractable roof 11, a rear cover 18, and a lock mechanism 20. The following describes the configurations of these components primarily for a state in which the cabin 2 is closed (which is shown in Fig. 1 shown condition). <Einziehbares Dach>

[0020] The retractable roof 11 includes a roof member 12 and a rear window 15 located behind the roof member 12. The roof member 12 extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle from an upper edge of a front header 3 of the vehicle 1 to an upper edge of the rear cover 18. The roof member 12 includes a front roof panel 13 and a middle roof panel 14 located behind the front roof panel 13. The rear window 15 is a transparent member disposed above a storage compartment 4 formed in a rear part of the vehicle 1.

[0021] The retractable roof 11 is driven by a roof drive mechanism (not shown). Specifically, the roof drive mechanism includes a first drive motor and a first link mechanism connecting the first drive motor and the retractable roof 11. The first link mechanism transmits rotational power of the first drive motor to the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14, and the rear window 15. In this way, the retractable roof 11 can be moved between a use position (in Fig. 1) and a retracted position (in Fig. 3). In the use position, the retractable roof 11 is located outside the compartment 4 to cover the cabin 2. In the retracted position, the retractable roof 11 is retracted into the compartment 4, so that the cabin 2 is uncovered. <heckabdeckung>

[0022] As in Fig. 1, the rear cover 18 is arranged behind the roof element 12 and above the storage compartment 4. In particular, the rear cover 18 covers the cabin 2 from behind and closes an upper opening of the storage compartment 4. The rear cover 18 is provided with a window frame (not shown) to mate with the rear window 15.

[0023] The rear cover 18 is driven by a rear drive mechanism (not shown). Specifically, the rear drive mechanism includes a second drive motor and a second link mechanism that connects the second drive motor and the rear cover 18. The second link mechanism transmits rotational power of the second drive motor to the rear cover 18. In this way, the rear cover 18 can be moved between a home position (in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) and a retracted position (for example in Fig. 2 shown).

[0024] In the basic position, the rear cover 18 covers the upper opening of the storage compartment 4 and allows the rear window 15 to fit into the window frame in the storage compartment 4. In the retracted position, the rear cover 18 is located further back and diagonally upwards from the basic position and covers the upper opening of the storage compartment 4. Thus, in the retracted position, the rear cover 18 allows the retractable roof 11 to move between the use position and the retracted position. <schlossmechanismus>

[0025] The lock mechanism 20 is mounted on a front end of a bottom surface (surface toward the inside of the cabin) of the front roof panel 13. The lock mechanism 20 includes a hook member (not shown) that can engage with a latch (not shown) mounted on a body (front header 3) of the vehicle 1. When the retractable roof 11 is in the use position, the hook member engages the latch to lock the roof panel 12 and the front header 3 together. -Operation of the opening / closing mechanism-

[0026] With reference to Fig. 1 to 3, the following describes how the opening / closing mechanism 10 performs an opening operation and a closing operation. The "opening operation" is performed to move the retractable roof 11 from the use position to the retracted position. The "closing operation" is performed to move the retractable roof 11 from the retracted position to the use position.

[0027] During the opening operation, the lock mechanism 20 unlocks the front head section 3. Furthermore, the rear cover 18 moves from the home position to the retracted position. Then, the retractable roof 11 moves from the use position to the retracted position.

[0028] Specifically, the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14 and the rear window 15 pivot independently via a plurality of links (not shown) so that they move together towards the storage compartment 4 (see, for example, Fig. 2). When the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14 and the rear window 15 are all stored in the storage compartment 4 in a folded state, the rear cover 18 returns from the retracted position to the home position (see Fig. 3) back. This opens cabin 2.

[0029] To close the open cabin 2, the rear cover 18 first moves from its home position to the retracted position. Then, the retractable roof 11 moves from the retracted position to the use position.

[0030] Specifically, the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14 and the rear window 15 pivot independently via the plurality of links so that they move together towards the cabin 2 (see, for example, Fig. 2). The retractable roof 11 then reaches the use position and the rear cover 18 returns from the retracted position to the basic position (see Fig. 1). This closes the cabin 2. The locking mechanism 20 then locks the front head section 3. <Detaillierte Konfiguration der Plattenstruktur>

[0031] The front roof panel 13 is a panel structure 30 of the present invention. A detailed configuration of the panel structure 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4 to 8 described in detail.

[0032] As in Fig. 4, the plate structure 30 includes an outer plate 31 facing the outside of the vehicle 1, an inner plate 40 facing the cabin 2, and a reinforcement 50 reinforcing the inner plate 40 from a rear surface (top) thereof. The inner plate 40 is made of, for example, aluminum, and the reinforcement 50 is made of a material, such as a steel plate, with higher strength than the inner plate 40. The inner plate 40 has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the reinforcement 50. The inner plate 40 has a larger dimension in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle than a dimension in a width direction of the vehicle and a thickness in the vertical direction. Therefore, the inner plate 40 is easily deformed upon thermal expansion, particularly in the longitudinal direction (the lateral direction in Fig. 4).

[0033] The inner plate 40 has a flat portion 41 at its central portion. The reinforcement 50 has a flat portion 51 at its end in the longitudinal direction. The flat portion 41 of the plate and the flat portion 51 of the reinforcement are stacked on top of each other in their thickness direction.

[0034] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a plate insertion hole 42 (first insertion hole) is formed through the flat portion 41 of the plate. The plate insertion hole 42 is a round hole with a predetermined diameter D1 when viewed from above. A reinforcement insertion hole 52 (second insertion hole) is formed through the flat portion 51 of the reinforcement. The reinforcement insertion hole 52 is an elongated hole. Specifically, the reinforcement insertion hole 52 is, for example, an elongated hole, elliptical hole, or oval hole with a larger diameter in the longitudinal direction (long diameter L) than a diameter in the width direction (short diameter W) when viewed from above. The long diameter L and the short diameter W of the reinforcement insertion hole 52 are larger than the diameter D1 of the plate insertion hole 42.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the plate structure 30 includes a washer 60 and a rivet 70. The washer 60 and the rivet 70 constitute a connecting element that compresses and connects the inner plate 40 and the reinforcement 50 in their thickness direction.

[0036] The disc 60 is arranged over the reinforcement 50 of the inner plate 40. The disc 60 has the shape of a round ring or donut when viewed from above. In particular, the disc 60 has a disc insertion hole 61 (third insertion hole) that is round when viewed from above. For example, the disc insertion hole 61 has an inner diameter D2 that is approximately equal to the diameter D1 of the plate insertion hole 42. The disc 60 has an outer diameter D3 that is larger than the long diameter L and the short diameter W of the reinforcement insertion hole 52. The plate insertion hole 42, the reinforcement insertion hole 52, and the disc insertion hole 61 have centers substantially aligned with each other in the thickness direction of the inner plate 40 of the plate structure 30.

[0037] The rivet 70 of this embodiment is, for example, a blind rivet. The rivet 70 has a columnar shank 71, a first head 72 at a lower end of the shank 71 in an axial direction thereof (an end toward the cabin 2), and a second head 73 at an upper end of the shank 71 in the axial direction (an end toward the outside of the vehicle 1).

[0038] The shaft 71 is inserted into the plate insertion hole 42, the reinforcement insertion hole 52, and the disk insertion hole 61. The shaft 71 has an outer diameter D4 slightly smaller than the diameter D1 of the plate insertion hole 42 and the inner diameter D2 of the disk insertion hole 61. This means that the shaft 71 fits into the plate insertion hole 42 and the disk 60 with almost no clearance. The outer diameter D4 of the shaft 71 is obviously smaller than the long diameter L and the short diameter W of the reinforcement insertion hole 52. This means that the shaft 71 fits loosely into the reinforcement insertion hole 52 with a remaining clearance 53 between the shaft 71 and an inner peripheral edge of the reinforcement insertion hole 52. The distance between the reinforcement insertion hole 52 and the shaft 71 is larger in the direction of the longer axis (longitudinal direction) than in the direction of the shorter axis (width direction).

[0039] The rivet 70 has the first head 72 formed before attachment. The second head 73 is formed when one end of a mandrel is crushed by the attachment of the rivet 70. The second head 73 has the maximum outer diameter D5 (see Fig. 7) which is larger than the inner diameter D2 of the disc 60 and smaller than the outer diameter D3 of the disc 60. In this plate structure 30, the first head 72 and the second head 73 of the rivet 70 press the inner plate 40, the reinforcement 50, and the disc 60 together.

[0040] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a coating 80 is formed on a surface of the plate structure 30 facing the cabin 2. The coating 80 covers the entire surfaces of the inner plate 40 and the first head 72 of the rivet 70. -Method for producing the plate structure-

[0041] A method for manufacturing the plate structure 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5 to 8 described in detail.

[0042] First, an installation step of stacking the inner plate 40, the reinforcement 50, and the disk 60 is performed. In the installation step, the flat portion 51 of the reinforcement is stacked on the flat portion 41 of the plate ( Fig. 5) and the disc 60 is then stacked on the flat section 51 of the reinforcement (see Fig. 6).

[0043] After the installation step, a joining step of pressing and joining the inner plate 40 and the reinforcement 50 in the thickness direction with the rivet 70 is performed. In the joining step, the shank 71 of the rivet 70, which is already provided with the first head 72, is inserted sequentially into the plate insertion hole 42, the reinforcement insertion hole 52, and the disc insertion hole 61 from the front surface of the inner plate 40. Then, a mandrel inside the rivet 70 is pulled to the front surface of the inner plate 40 using a tool. Then, the tip end of the shank 71 of the rivet 70 is compressed by the tip end of the mandrel, thereby forming the second head 73 ( Fig. 7). In this joining step, the step of fastening the rivet 70 is performed only from the front side of the inner plate 40.

[0044] Therefore, in the plate structure 30, after the joining step, the shank 71 of the rivet 70 sits almost without clearance in the plate insertion hole 42 and the disc insertion hole 61, and the clearance 53 between the shank 71 and the inner peripheral edge of the reinforcement insertion hole 52 is formed.

[0045] After the joining step, a coating step of coating the surface of the inner plate 40 is performed. In the coating step, a coating material is applied to the entire surfaces of the inner plate 40 and the first head 72 of the rivet 70 and then heat-dried. This forms a continuous coating 80 over the entire surfaces of the inner plate 40 and the first head 72 of the rivet 70 ( Fig. 8). <Wärmeausdehnung der Plattenstruktur>

[0046] When the coating material is heat-dried in the coating step, the inner plate 40 and the reinforcement 50 expand due to heat. The inner plate 40 has a relatively high thermal expansion coefficient and is subject to significant deformation, particularly in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the relative positions of the first head 72 of the rivet 70 and the inner plate 40 change due to the thermal expansion of the inner plate 40, the coating formed around the first head 72 is sometimes scratched by the first head 72.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the diameter of the reinforcement insertion hole 52 (e.g., long diameter L and short diameter W) is designed larger than the diameter (inner diameter D1) of the plate insertion hole 42. Thus, the clearance 53 allowing movement of the shaft 71 is formed in the reinforcement insertion hole 52. Specifically, the shaft 71 of the rivet 70 is prevented from moving relative to the inner plate 40 within the plate insertion hole 42, while the shaft 71 can move relative to the reinforcement 50 within the reinforcement insertion hole 52. Therefore, even if the inner plate 40 expands due to heat in the coating step, the rivet 70 moves together with the inner plate 40 in a certain direction (e.g., in a direction indicated by white arrows in Fig. 9). This prevents the coating on the surface of the inner plate 40 from being scratched by the rivet 70. In this way, impairment of the surface finish and the corrosion protection effect of the inner plate 40 can be avoided.

[0048] Furthermore, in this configuration, the shank 71 of the rivet 70 does not make firm contact with the reinforcement 50, as in Fig. 9, even when the shank 71 moves together with the thermally expanded inner plate 40. This can avoid stress concentration on a contact area between the shank 71 and the reinforcement 50, thereby sufficiently maintaining the joining strength of the rivet 70.

[0049] In this embodiment, the washer 60 is disposed between the second head 73 of the rivet 70 and the reinforcement 50. The reinforcement insertion hole 52 has a relatively large diameter to ensure the clearance 53. Therefore, if the washer 60 were not disposed therebetween, a contact area between the second head 73 and the reinforcement 50 would decrease, resulting in poor joint strength. However, the presence of the washer 60 ensures a sufficient contact area between the washer 60 and the reinforcement 50. Thus, the joint strength of the rivet 70 can be sufficiently maintained. <<Andere Ausführungsformen> >

[0050] The embodiment described above can be modified as follows.

[0051] The rivet 70 of the connecting element can be replaced by a screw 90 and a nut 93, as in a Fig. 10. According to the variation, the screw 90 includes a shank 91 having a threaded portion and a head 92 formed at one end of the shank 91 (an end toward the cabin 2). The shank 91 of the screw 90 is inserted into the plate insertion hole 42, the reinforcement insertion hole 52, and the washer insertion hole 61. The outer diameter of the shank 91 of the screw 90 and dimensions of the screw 90 with respect to other components are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. The nut 93 is fastened to the threaded portion at the other end of the shank 91.

[0052] Even with this variation, the screw 90 and the nut 93 can move together with the inner plate 40 when the inner plate 40 expands due to heat. This protects the coating 80 from being scratched by the head 92 of the screw 90.

[0053] Alternatively, the disc 60 of the above-described embodiment and variation may be omitted.

[0054] The reinforcement insertion hole 52 may be a round hole when viewed from above. In such a case, the reinforcement insertion hole 52 may have a larger inner diameter than the plate insertion hole 42.

[0055] The plate structure 30 can be applied to a component other than the front roof panel 13. For example, the plate structure 30 can be applied to the middle roof panel 14 or the rear cover 18.

[0056] In this plate structure 30, the number of connecting members or each insertion hole is not limited to one, and two or more connecting members or two or more insertion holes may be provided. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0057] It will be appreciated that the present invention is useful for a plate structure and a method of manufacturing the same. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 vehicle 2 cabins 3 front headboard 4 filing 10 Opening / closing mechanism 11 Roof 12 roof elements 13 front roof panel 14 middle roof panel 15 Rear window 18 Rear cover 20 Lock mechanism 30 Plate structure 31 Outer plate 40 inner plate 41 flat section 42 plate insertion hole (first insertion hole) 50 reinforcements 51 flat section 52 Reinforcement insertion hole (second insertion hole) 53 distance 60 slices 61 Disc insertion hole (third insertion hole) 70 rivets 71 shaft 72 first head 73 second head 80 coating 90 screw 91 shaft 92 head 93 Mother< / schlossmechanismus> < / heckabdeckung>

Claims

[1] Plate structure (30) comprising: a plate (40) having a first insertion hole (42); a reinforcement (50) with a second insertion hole (52); and a connecting element (60, 70) having a shaft (71) inserted into the first and second insertion holes (42, 52) which presses and connects the plate (40) and the reinforcement (50) in their thickness direction, wherein the plate (40) has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the reinforcement (50), characterized by , that a diameter (W, L) of the second insertion hole (52) is larger at least in a thermal expansion direction of the plate (40) than a diameter (D1) of the first insertion hole (42) in the direction, that the connecting element (60, 70) moves together with the heat-expanded plate (40), and that the plate structure (30) further comprises a coating (80) covering a surface of the plate (40) and a surface of the connecting element (60, 70). [2] The plate structure (30) of claim 1, wherein the connecting element (60, 70) includes a rivet (70) that compresses the plate (40) and the reinforcement (50) together. [3] Plate structure (30) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element (60, 70) includes a disc (60) arranged between one of the heads (72, 73) of the rivet (70) and the reinforcement (50) and through which a shank (71) of the rivet (70) is inserted, and an outer diameter (D3) of the disc (60) is larger than the diameter (W, L) of the second insertion hole (52). [4] A method of manufacturing the plate structure (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising: a connecting step of inserting a shaft (71) of the connecting element (60, 70) into the first and second insertion holes (42, 52) and pressing and connecting the plate (40) and the reinforcement (50) to the connecting element (60, 70) in their thickness direction, and a coating step of applying a coating material to the surface of the plate (40) and heat-drying the coating material, wherein the coating step is performed after the bonding step.

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