Coupling structure and coupling method

Abstract

To provide a coupling structure that can be removed easily and reused, and that does not change material properties of a member to be coupled.SOLUTION: A coupling structure for coupling a first member and a second member comprises: a first fixing member fixed to the first member; a second fixing member fixed to the second member; and connection member that has a ring-shaped outer frame connected to each of the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and a support part arranged inside the outer frame and supporting the outer frame. In the support part, a first axial rigidity in a direction along a first direction connecting the first fixing member and the second fixing member is larger than a second axial rigidity in a direction along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling structure and a coupling method.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for joining a plurality of members together by welding or the like are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1, a vertical plate is joined to the joint portion between the lower part of the center pillar and the side sill. By joining the vertical plate, deformation against loads in the front-rear, up-down, and diagonal directions of the vehicle body is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1, as a reinforcing structure, a vertical plate is added inside the center pillar and the side sill to improve rigidity. However, since the large press-formed vertical plate is joined to the center pillar and the side sill by welding, it is difficult to disassemble such a structure.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a coupling structure that is easy to remove and reusable, and that does not change the material characteristics of the members to be coupled.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-described problems, and can be realized in the following forms.

[0007] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a coupling structure for coupling a first member and a second member is provided. This coupling structure includes a first fixing member fixed to the first member, a second fixing member fixed to the second member, an annular outer frame connected to the first fixing member and the second fixing member respectively, and a support portion disposed inside the outer frame for supporting the outer frame, and a connecting member having the support portion, and in the support portion, a first axial rigidity in a direction along a first direction connecting the first fixing member and the second fixing member is greater than a second axial rigidity in a direction along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0008] According to this configuration, after the first fixing member is fixed to the first member and the second fixing member is fixed to the second member, the connecting member is fixed to the first fixing member and the second fixing member by welding or the like, so that the first member and the second member are coupled. Therefore, by using the coupling structure of this configuration, the first member and the second member are coupled by an approach on only one side with respect to the first member and the second member. Further, by repeatedly fixing and releasing the first fixing member and the second fixing member and the connecting member, the first member and the second member can be easily removed. Furthermore, the first fixing member and the second fixing member and the connecting member after removal are reusable. Also, the fixing of the first fixing member and the second fixing member and the connecting member is not a direct process on the first member and the second member coupled by the coupling structure. Therefore, changes in the material properties of the first member and the second member due to heat input or the like are suppressed. Furthermore, in the connecting member, the first axial rigidity is greater than the second axial rigidity. Therefore, the connecting member in a state where the first member and the second member are fixed firmly fixes in the first direction to be coupled, while being easily deformed along the second direction. As a result, this configuration has a vibration energy absorption function for attenuating vibrations along the second direction by the connecting member deforming along the second direction.

[0009] (2) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the product of the first axial rigidity and the shear rigidity in the direction along the second direction may be two times or more the product of the second axial rigidity and the shear rigidity in the direction along the first direction. According to this configuration, the product of the first axial rigidity and the shear rigidity in the direction along the second direction represents the difficulty of deformation in the first direction when a load is applied to the coupling structure. Similarly, the product of the second axial rigidity and the shear rigidity in the direction along the first direction represents the difficulty of deformation in the second direction when a load is applied to the coupling structure. Therefore, the larger the value obtained by dividing the product of the first axial rigidity and the shear rigidity in the direction along the second direction by the product of the second axial rigidity and the shear rigidity in the direction along the first direction, the more relatively large the displacement amount in the second direction is compared to the displacement amount in the first direction. In this configuration, since the value obtained by the division is 2 or more, the connecting member in the state where the first member and the second member are fixed has a vibration energy absorption function that more strongly fixes in the first direction in which the members are desired to be coupled and significantly attenuates vibrations along the second direction.

[0010] (3) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the support portion may be formed by a plurality of linear members stretched inside the outer frame. According to this configuration, the support portion is composed of a plurality of linear members. Therefore, by changing the thickness, shape, and stretched position of each linear member, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity of the connecting member can be finely set.

[0011] (4) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the first fixing member may have a first engaging portion that engages with an opening formed in the first member, and the second fixing member may have a second engaging portion that engages with an opening formed in the second member. According to this configuration, each of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion has a simple shape such as a hook and engages with an opening formed in each of the first member and the second member. By the engagement, the first member and the second member are strongly fixed in the direction in which they are coupled.

[0012] (5) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the outer frame has an octagonal shape, and includes a first rod-shaped portion parallel to the first direction, a second rod-shaped portion parallel to the first direction and facing the first rod-shaped portion, a third rod-shaped portion parallel to the second direction, a fourth rod-shaped portion parallel to the second direction and facing the third rod-shaped portion, and four rod-shaped portions respectively disposed between the first rod-shaped portion and the third rod-shaped portion, between the third rod-shaped portion and the second rod-shaped portion, between the second rod-shaped portion and the fourth rod-shaped portion, and between the fourth rod-shaped portion and the first rod-shaped portion. According to this configuration, since the outer frame is octagonal, when obtaining the axial rigidity and shear rigidity, it is only necessary to fix one side facing the other side and apply a load to the other side. Therefore, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity can be easily measured, and a connecting member having a support portion with a target rigidity value can be easily designed.

[0013] (6) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the support portion may include a first linear portion connecting the midpoint of the first rod-shaped portion and the midpoint of the second rod-shaped portion. According to this configuration, the first linear portion connects the first rod-shaped portion and the second rod-shaped portion facing each other in the first direction. As a result, the first axial rigidity is increased, and the first member and the second member are firmly fixed.

[0014] (7) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the support portion may have an annular shape disposed inside the outer frame and include a second linear portion intersecting the first linear portion. According to this configuration, the support portion disposed inside the annular outer frame includes a second linear portion forming the annular shape. Therefore, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity of the joint member provided with the support portion along the first direction and the second direction are improved.

[0015] (8) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the support portion may include a third linear portion connecting each of the two ends of the third rod-shaped portion and the second linear portion, and a fourth linear portion connecting each of the two ends of the fourth rod-shaped portion and the second linear portion. According to this configuration, the third linear portion and the fourth linear portion connect both ends of the annular second linear portion disposed inside the outer frame and the third rod-shaped portion and the fourth rod-shaped portion facing each other in the second direction. As a result, the outer frame including the third rod-shaped portion and the fourth rod-shaped portion and the second linear portion disposed inside the outer frame suppress each other's deformation, so that the axial rigidity and shear rigidity along the first direction and the second direction of the joining member are further improved.

[0016] (9) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, the support portion may include a fifth linear portion connecting the midpoint of the third rod-shaped portion and the second linear portion and parallel to the second direction, and a sixth linear portion connecting the midpoint of the fourth rod-shaped portion and the second linear portion and parallel to the second direction. According to this configuration, in addition to the third linear portion and the fourth linear portion, the fifth linear portion and the sixth linear portion further connect the outer frame and the second linear portion disposed inside the outer frame. Therefore, since the outer frame and the second linear portion suppress each other's deformation, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity along the first direction and the second direction of the joining member are further improved.

[0017] (10) In the coupling structure of the above aspect, when the second linear portion is divided into two lines by the first linear portion, the support portion may include a seventh linear portion connecting between the two divided lines and parallel to the second direction. According to this configuration, since the seventh linear portion connects between the two second linear portions divided by the first linear portion, the deformation of the annular second linear portion is suppressed. Further, since the seventh linear portion is parallel to the second direction, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity in the direction along the first direction and the second direction are improved, and the second axial rigidity is further improved.

[0018] Note that the present invention can be realized in various aspects. For example, it can be realized in the form of a coupling structure, a fixing member, a design device for the coupling structure, a coupling method, a fixing method, a design method for the coupling structure, a system including these devices or realizing these methods, a computer program for executing these devices or methods, a server device for distributing this computer program, a non-transitory storage medium storing the computer program, and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] <Embodiment> 1. Schematic Configuration of the Structure: FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a structure 100 coupled by coupling members (coupling structures) 10A and 10B as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the structure 100 includes a first member 20, a second member 30, and coupling members 10A and 10B that couple the first member 20 and the second member 30. In the present embodiment, the first member 20 and the second member 30 are coupled by the coupling members 10A and 10B from the outside of the first member 20 and the second member 30. When assembling the first member 20 and the second member 30, the coupling members 10A and 10B in a state of being disassembled into three members each are welded and connected to couple the first member 20 and the second member 30. With respect to the first member 20 and the second member 30 in the coupled state, the first member 20 and the second member 30 can be easily removed by disassembling a part of each of the coupling members 10A and 10B into two or more members by cutting or the like.

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first member 20 and the second member 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the first member 20 has a shape in which a part of the surface of a rectangular parallelepiped is missing. The first member 20 of the present embodiment is formed of a metal material such as iron or aluminum. In addition, FIG. 2 shows an orthogonal coordinate system CS composed of X, Y, and Z axes parallel to each side of the first member 20 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The orthogonal coordinate system CS shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the orthogonal coordinate system CS shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent figures.

[0022] The first member 20 is composed of an engagement surface 21, side surfaces 22 and 23 connected to the engagement surface 21, a back surface 25 facing the engagement surface 21, and a bottom surface 24 connecting the engagement surface 21, the side surfaces 22 and 23, and the back surface 25. The engagement surface 21, the side surfaces 22 and 23, and the back surface 25 are rectangular surfaces extending along the negative Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 24 parallel to the XY plane. The lengths of the engagement surface 21 and the back surface 25 extending toward the negative Z-axis side are the same. A first opening 21H, which is a rectangular opening, is formed in a part of the engagement surface 21 on the side opposite to the bottom surface 24. A first fixing member 16A (Fig. 3) of a coupling member 10A described later engages with the first opening 21H.

[0023] The lengths of the side surfaces 22 and 23 extending toward the negative Z-axis side are the same, and are longer than the lengths of the engagement surface 21 and the back surface 25 extending toward the negative Z-axis side. A third opening 22H, which is a rectangular opening, is formed in a part of the side surface 22. A first fixing member 16B of a coupling member 10B engages with the third opening 22H. As shown in Fig. 1, a part of the side surfaces 22 and 23 extending further toward the negative Z-axis side than the engagement surface 21 and the back surface 25 is inserted through slits 34H2, 34H3, 36H2, and 36H3 formed as openings in a second member 30 described later.

[0024] The second member 30 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening formed in a part thereof. The first member 20 of the present embodiment is formed of a metal material such as iron or aluminum. The second member 30 includes bottom surfaces 32 and 33 located at both ends along the X-axis on a surface parallel to the YZ plane, an insertion surface 34 connected to the bottom surfaces 32 and 33 and located in the positive Z-axis direction and having a surface parallel to the XY plane, an engagement surface 36 facing the insertion surface 34, a front surface 31 connected to the insertion surface 34 and the engagement surface 36 and located on the negative Y-axis side and having a surface parallel to the ZX plane, and a back surface 35 facing the front surface 31.

[0025] The insertion surface 34 has a rectangular fourth opening 34H1 and two rectangular slits 34H2 and 34H3 formed therein. The second fixing member 17B of the coupling member 10B engages with the fourth opening 34H1. The slit 34H2 is a rectangular opening extending along the Y-axis. The slit 34H2 has an area larger than the cross-section of the side surface 22 of the first member 20. The slit 34H3 has the same shape as the slit 34H2. The distance between the central axis parallel to the Y-axis of the slit 34H2 and the central axis parallel to the Y-axis of the slit 34H3 is the same as the distance between the side surface 22 and the side surface 23 of the first member 20. Therefore, when the first member 20 and the second member are assembled, each of the side surfaces 22 and 23 of the first member 20 is inserted into each of the slits 34H2 and 34H3 in the insertion surface 34 of the second member 30.

[0026] On the engaging surface 36, slits 36H2 and 36H3 having the same shape as the slits 34H2 and 34H3 of the insertion surface 34 are formed. The positions where the slits 36H2 and 36H3 are formed on the engaging surface 36 are the same as the positions where the slits 34H2 and 34H3 are formed on the insertion surface 34. Also, the distance between the engaging surface 21 and the back surface 25 of the first member 20 is slightly smaller than the length along the Y-axis of the insertion surface 34. Further, the length from the lower ends of the engaging surface 21 and the back surface 25 of the first member 20 to the lower ends of the side surfaces 22 and 23 is larger than the distance from the insertion surface 34 to the engaging surface 36 of the second member 30. Therefore, when the first member 20 and the second member 30 are assembled, the side surfaces 22 and 23 of the first member 20 are inserted into the slits 36H2 and 36H3 of the engaging surface 36 after passing through the slits 34H2 and 34H3 of the insertion surface 34 of the second member. Thereafter, the lower ends of the engaging surface 21 and the back surface 25 of the first member 20 come into contact with the insertion surface 34 and are assembled into the state shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] On the front surface 31, a second opening 31H which is an opening is formed. The second opening 31H is a rectangular opening extending along the X-axis. The second opening 31H is formed in the middle between the slit 36H2 and the slit 36H3 along the X-axis of the engaging surface 36. Also, the second opening 31H is formed approximately in the middle along the Z-axis of the front surface 31.

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the coupling member 10A. In Figure 3, in addition to the coupling member 10A, in a state where the coupling member 10A couples the first member 20 and the second member 30, the first opening 21H and the second opening 31H are shown by broken lines. As shown in Figure 3, the coupling member 10A includes a first fixing member 16A formed on the positive Z-axis direction side, a second fixing member 17A formed on the negative Z-axis direction side, and a connecting member 11A connected to each of the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A. The connecting member 11A includes an annular outer frame 12A connected to the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A, and a support portion 13A disposed inside the outer frame 12A to support the outer frame 12A.

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the coupling member 10A. Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section of the coupling member 10A coupling the first member 20 and the second member 30. As shown in Figure 4, one end of the first fixing member 16A on the positive Z-axis direction side is in the shape of a hook bent in the direction toward one end on the negative Z-axis direction side. Specifically, the first fixing member 16A includes a connecting portion 161 connected to the connecting member 11A and extending in the positive Z-axis direction, a groove portion 162 connected to the connecting portion 161 and extending in the positive Y-axis direction, and a return portion 163 connected to the groove portion 162 and extending in the negative Z-axis direction. The connecting portion 161, the groove portion 162, and the return portion 163 form a groove shape in which the groove portion 162 is recessed on the positive Z-axis direction side as shown in Figure 4. Therefore, the first fixing member 16A engages with the first opening 21H of the first member 20. The connecting portion 161, the groove portion 162, and the return portion 163 correspond to the first engaging portion.

[0030] In this embodiment, the positive Z-axis direction side of the connecting member 11A and the negative Z-axis direction side of the first fixing member 16A are fixed by welding at the welding portion PT1. Similarly, the negative Z-axis direction side of the connecting member 11A and the positive Z-axis direction side of the second fixing member 17A are fixed by welding at the welding portion PT2.

[0031] One end of the second fixing member 17A on the negative Z-axis side is in the shape of a hook bent in the direction toward one end on the positive Z-axis side. The second fixing member 17A includes a connecting portion 171 connected to the connecting member 11A and extending in the negative Z-axis direction, a groove portion 172 connected to the connecting portion 171 and extending in the positive Y-axis direction, and a return portion 173 connected to the groove portion 172 and extending in the positive Z-axis direction. The connecting portion 171, the groove portion 172, and the return portion 173 form a groove shape in which the groove portion 172 is recessed toward the negative Z-axis side as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the second fixing member 17A engages with the second opening 31H of the second member 30. The connecting portion 171, the groove portion 172, and the return portion 173 correspond to the second engaging portion.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an assembling method for coupling the first member 20 and the second member 30. In the present embodiment, before the first member 20 and the second member are coupled, the first fixing member 16A, the second fixing member 17A, and the connecting member 11A are prepared as separate members not connected to each other. In the coupling flow shown in FIG. 5, first, the first member 20 and the second member 30 are assembled (step S1). A first fixing step of fixing the first fixing member 16A to the first opening 21H of the first member 20 is performed (step S2). A second fixing step of fixing the second fixing member 17A to the second opening 31H of the second member 30 is performed (step S3). Thereafter, a third fixing step of fixing each of the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A to the connecting member 11A by welding is performed (step S4), and the fixing flow ends. As a result, the first member 20 and the second member 30 are coupled by the coupling member 10A.

[0033] When releasing the coupling between the first member 20 and the second member 30 coupled by the coupling member 10A, for example, the welded portion PT1 where the first fixing member 16A and the connecting member 11A are welded may be cut. By cutting the welded portion PT1 and releasing the fixing between the first fixing member 16A and the connecting member 11A, the coupling between the first member 20 and the second member 30 can be released. After release, the first fixing member 16A and the connecting member 11A can be used as the coupling member 10A by welding them again.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the outer frame 12A of the connecting member 11A. FIG. 6 shows a schematic front view of the connecting member 11A. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer frame 12A has an octagonal shape in the ZX plane. The outer frame 12A includes a first rod-shaped portion 121 parallel to the X-axis, a second rod-shaped portion 122 parallel to the X-axis and facing the first rod-shaped portion 121, a third rod-shaped portion 123 parallel to the Z-axis, a fourth rod-shaped portion 124 parallel to the Z-axis and facing the third rod-shaped portion, and four rod-shaped portions 125 to 128. Each of the four rod-shaped portions 125 to 128 is disposed between the first rod-shaped portion 121 and the third rod-shaped portion 123, between the third rod-shaped portion 123 and the second rod-shaped portion 122, between the second rod-shaped portion 122 and the fourth rod-shaped portion 124, and between the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 and the first rod-shaped portion 121. Note that the direction parallel to the Z-axis corresponds to the first direction. The direction parallel to the X-axis corresponds to the second direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, of the four rod-shaped portions 125 to 128, the rod-shaped portion 125 connects one end on the negative X-axis side of the first rod-shaped portion 121 and one end on the positive Z-axis side of the third rod-shaped portion 123. The rod-shaped portion 126 connects one end on the negative Z-axis side of the third rod-shaped portion 123 and one end on the negative X-axis side of the second rod-shaped portion 122. The rod-shaped portion 127 connects one end on the positive X-axis side of the second rod-shaped portion 122 and one end on the negative Z-axis side of the fourth rod-shaped portion 124. The rod-shaped portion 128 connects one end on the positive Z-axis side of the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 and one end on the positive Z-axis side of the first rod-shaped portion 121.

[0036] The first rod-shaped portion 121 and the second rod-shaped portion 122 have the same shape. The first rod-shaped portion 121 has a circular cross-section of the same shape along the X-axis in the longitudinal direction and is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis. The first rod-shaped portion 121 is connected to the first fixing member 16A throughout the region along the X-axis. Similarly, the second rod-shaped portion 122 is connected to the second fixing member 17A throughout the region along the X-axis. The width of the first fixing member 16A along the X-axis and the width of the second fixing member 17A along the X-axis are of the same length.

[0037] The third rod-shaped portion 123 and the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 have the same shape as the first rod-shaped portion 121 and the second rod-shaped portion 122. Each of the four rod-shaped portions 125 to 128 has the same shape. The four rod-shaped portions 125 to 128 are rod-shaped members having a circular cross-section smaller than that of the first rod-shaped portion 121 and extending along the longitudinal direction.

[0038] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the support portion 13A of the connecting member 11A. FIG. 7 shows a schematic front view of the support portion 13A. In FIG. 7, the support portion 13A is shown by a solid line, and the outer frame 12A is shown by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 7, the support portion 13A is stretched inside the outer frame 12A and is composed of a plurality of linear portions 131, 132A to 132J, 133A to 133B, 134A to 134B, 135 to 136, 137A to 137D, 138A to 138D having a circular cross-section.

[0039] The first linear portion 131 linearly connects the midpoint M1 on the X-axis of the first rod-shaped portion 121 and the midpoint M2 on the X-axis of the second rod-shaped portion 122. Note that the outer frame 12A and the support portion 13A of the present embodiment have a line-symmetric shape about a central axis OL1 parallel to the Z-axis passing through the midpoint M1 and the midpoint M2.

[0040] The second linear portions 132A to 132J composed of 10 linear members form an annular shape disposed inside the outer frame 12A. The annular shape formed by the second linear portions 132A to 132J intersects the first linear portion 131. The annular shape formed by the second linear portions 132A to 132J of the present embodiment is line-symmetric about the central axis OL1. Therefore, the second linear portions 132A to 132E and the second linear portions 132F to 132J are in a line-symmetric relationship about the central axis OL1. Further, the annular shape formed by the second linear portions 132A to 132J passes through the midpoint M3 on the Z-axis of the third rod-shaped portion 123 and the midpoint M4 on the Z-axis of the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 and has a line-symmetric shape about a central axis OL2 parallel to the X-axis. Therefore, the second linear portions 132A to 132B, 132I to 132J and the second linear portions 132D to 132E, 132F to 132G are in a line-symmetric relationship about the central axis OL2.

[0041] One end of the second linear portion 132A is connected to the first linear portion 131 at the connection point P1 on the first linear portion 131, and the other end is connected to one end of the second linear portion 132B at the connection point P2. The second linear portion 132A extends from the connection point P1 to the connection point P2, extending in the positive Z-axis direction as it proceeds in the negative X-axis direction. At the connection point P2, in addition to the second linear portion 132A and the second linear portion 132B, one end of the linear portion 138A is connected. The linear portion 138A connects the connection point P2 and one end of the first rod-shaped portion 121 on the negative X-axis side.

[0042] The second linear portion 132B extends in the negative Z-axis direction as it proceeds in the negative X-axis direction from the connection point P2, and is connected to the second linear portion 132C at the connection point P3. The second linear portion 132C extends in the negative Z-axis direction from the connection point P3 and is connected to the second linear portion 132D at the connection point P4. For the second linear portions 132D to 132J, since they have a line-symmetrical relationship with any one of the second linear portions 132A to 132C about the central axis OL1 or the central axis OL2, the description thereof is omitted. At the connection point P5 where the second linear portion 132D and the second linear portion 132E are connected, the linear portion 138B is also connected. The linear portion 138B connects the connection point P5 and the end point of the second rod-shaped portion 122 on the negative X-axis side. Note that the linear portion 138B has a line-symmetrical relationship with the linear portion 138A about the central axis OL2. Since the linear portions 138A to 138B and the linear portions 138C to 138D have a line-symmetrical relationship about the central axis OL1, the description of the linear portions 138C to 138D is omitted. The second linear portions 132A to 132J, the first linear portion 131, and the four linear portions 138A to 138D are members having the same circular cross-section. The other linear portions 133A to 133B, 134A to 134B, 135 to 136, 137A to 137D are members having a circular cross-section smaller than that of the first linear portion 131 and the four linear portions 138A to 138D.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the third linear portions 133A to 133B are connected to the second linear portion 132C respectively from both ends of the third rod-shaped portion 123. Similarly, the fourth linear portions 134A to 134B are connected to the second linear portion 132H respectively from both ends of the fourth rod-shaped portion 124. The third linear portions 133A to 133B and the fourth linear portions 134A to 134B are in a line-symmetrical relationship about the central axis OL1. Also, the third linear portion 133A and the third linear portion 133B are in a line-symmetrical relationship about the central axis OL2. Therefore, the third linear portion 133A will be described, and the descriptions of the third linear portion 133B and the fourth linear portions 134A to 134B will be omitted.

[0044] The third linear portion 133A connects one end on the positive Z-axis side of the third rod-shaped portion 123 and the connection point P6 on the second linear portion 132C. The connection point P6 is located on the second linear portion 132C on the negative Z-axis side of the connection point P3 and on the positive Z-axis side of the central axis OL2. The third linear portion 133A extends from one end on the positive Z-axis side of the third rod-shaped portion 123 to the connection point P6 and extends toward the negative Z-axis side as it goes toward the positive X-axis side.

[0045] The fifth linear portion 135 is parallel to the X-axis and connects the midpoint M3 on the Z-axis of the third rod-shaped portion 123 and the second linear portion 132C. The sixth linear portion 136 connects the midpoint M4 on the Z-axis of the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 and the second linear portion 132H. The fifth linear portion 135 and the sixth linear portion 136 are in a line-symmetrical relationship about the central axis OL1.

[0046] The four seventh linear portions 137A to 137D connect each point on separate lines when the annular second linear portions 132A to 132J are divided by the first linear portion 131 into two second linear portions 132A to 132E and second linear portions 132D to 132J, and are parallel to the X-axis. As shown in FIG. 7, the seventh linear portion 137A among the four seventh linear portions 137A to 137D extends from the connection point P3 toward the positive X-axis side and connects to the connection point between the second linear portion 132H and the second linear portion 132I. Also, the seventh linear portion 137B extends from the connection point P6 toward the positive X-axis side and connects to the connection point between the second linear portion 132H and the fourth linear portion 134A. The two seventh linear portions 137A to 137B and the two seventh linear portions 137C to 137D are in a line-symmetric relationship about the central axis OL2. Therefore, the description of the two seventh linear portions 137C to 137D is omitted.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the coupling member 10B. FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-section of the coupling member 10B that couples the first member 20 and the second member 30. The coupling member 10B has the same shape as the coupling member 10A bent 90 degrees about the central axis OL2 (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 8, the coupling member 10B includes a first fixing member 16B, a second fixing member 17B, and a connecting member 11B connected to the first fixing member 16B and the second fixing member 17B. The connecting member 11B and each of the first fixing member 16B and the first fixing member 16B are fixed by welding. One end on the positive Z-axis side of the first fixing member 16B is bent in the direction toward the end on the negative Z-axis side and has a hook shape. Similarly, one end on the negative X-axis side of the second fixing member 17B is bent in the direction toward the end on the positive Z-axis side and has a hook shape. Therefore, the first fixing member 16B engages with the third opening 22H formed in the first member 20. The second fixing member 17B engages with the fourth opening 34H1 formed in the second member 30.

[0048] The coupling of the first member 20 and the second member 30 by the coupling member 10B is performed in the same manner as the coupling by the coupling member 10A. Specifically, the first fixing member 16B in a state not connected to the connecting member 11B is engaged with the third opening 22H in a state where the first member 20 and the second member 30 are assembled. Also, the second fixing member 17B in a state not connected to the connecting member 11B is engaged with the fourth opening 34H1. Then, the connecting member 11B is arranged so as to be in contact with the side surface 22 of the first member 20 and the insertion surface 34 of the second member 30. Thereafter, the first fixing member 16B and the second fixing member 17B are fixed to the connecting member 11B by welding.

[0049] 2. Design method of the support part: The coupling member 10A of the present embodiment is formed such that the axial rigidity (first axial rigidity) in the direction along the Z-axis in the support part 13A of the coupling member 10A is greater than the axial rigidity (second axial rigidity) in the direction along the X-axis orthogonal to the Z-axis. The shape of the connecting member 11A of the coupling member 10A of the present embodiment is designed by topology optimization.

[0050] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are explanatory diagrams of topology optimization. FIG. 9 shows a schematic front view of the connecting member 11x in the initial shape when starting topology optimization. As shown in FIG. 9, in topology optimization, first, a connecting member 11x in which the outer frame 12x in the initial shape and the support part 13x in the initial shape are combined is created. As the initial shape of the outer frame 12x, the cross-sectional shape, the longitudinal dimension, the material, etc. of the first rod-shaped part 121 and the like are set. As the initial shape of the support part 13A, the cross-sectional shape, the dimension, the material, and the arrangement of each linear member, etc. are set. In the topology optimization of the support part 13A of the present embodiment, the number of linear members is reduced and some of the linear members are thickened so as to satisfy the design conditions from a plurality of linear members stretched in a lattice shape. Note that FIG. 9 shows a connecting member 11x corresponding to a state where the connecting member 11A shown in FIG. 6 is rotated 90 degrees around the Y-axis.

[0051] In topology optimization, as shown in FIG. 9, loads are applied to both ends along the X-axis of the first rod-shaped portion 121x facing the second rod-shaped portion 122x while both ends along the X-axis of the second rod-shaped portion 122x of the connecting member 11x are fixed. FIG. 9 shows a state where a load Fz along the Z-axis direction is applied. With the second rod-shaped portion 122x fixed, various-direction loads are applied to the first rod-shaped portion 121x, and the shape of the support portion 13x changes, thereby setting the axial rigidity and shear rigidity.

[0052] FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c) show the transition in which the linear members forming the support portion 13x gradually change due to topology optimization. In the change from FIG. 9 to FIG. 10(a), the number of linear members forming the support portion 13x decreases. Similarly, in the change from FIG. 10(a) to FIG. 10(b), the number of linear members further decreases. In the change from FIG. 10(b) to FIG. 10(c), the number of linear members decreases, and the thicknesses of the first linear portion 131, the second linear portions 132A to 132J, and the four linear portions 138A to 138D, which are some of the linear members, are set thicker than those of the other linear members.

[0053] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when two types of loads Fz and Fx are applied to the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment. The displacement amounts ΔZ and ΔX of the connecting members 11A and 11Z were evaluated when two types of loads Fx and Fz were applied with the second rod-shaped portions 122 and 122Z fixed to the first rod-shaped portion 121 of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment and the first rod-shaped portion 121Z of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the load Fz is a force directed toward the positive Z-axis side at both ends of the first rod-shaped portions 121 and 121Z, respectively. The load Fx is a force directed toward the positive X-axis side at both ends of the first rod-shaped portions 121 and 121Z, respectively. The magnitude of the load Fx is the same as the magnitude of the load Fz.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 12, the support portion 13Z of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment further includes four linear portions 139A to 139D surrounded by a broken-line ellipse with respect to the support portion 13A of the first embodiment. Therefore, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity of the support portion 13Z of the second embodiment are higher than those of the support portion 13A of the first embodiment.

[0055] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the displacement amount ΔZ of the connecting members 11A and 11Z of the first embodiment and the second embodiment when a load Fz is applied. Fig. 13 shows an example of the displacement amount ΔZ when the same weight Fz is applied to each of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment and the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the displacement amount ΔZ along the Z-axis direction of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment to which the load Fz is applied to the first rod-shaped portion 121 is 6.954×10 -5 (mm). On the other hand, the displacement amount ΔZ along the Z-axis direction of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment is 6.626×10 -5 (mm). That is, the displacement amount ΔZ of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment is approximately 5% larger than that of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment. The axial rigidity along the Z-axis direction of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment is smaller than the axial rigidity along the Z-axis direction of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment.

[0056] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the displacement amount ΔX of the connecting members 11A and 11Z of the first embodiment and the second embodiment when a load Fx is applied. Fig. 14 shows an example of the displacement amount ΔX when the same weight Fx is applied to each of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment and the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14, the displacement amount ΔX along the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment to which the load Fx is applied to the first rod-shaped portion 121 is 1.902×10 -2 (mm). On the other hand, the displacement amount ΔX along the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment is 1.354×10 -2(mm). That is, the displacement ΔX of the connecting member 11A in the first embodiment is approximately 40% larger than that of the connecting member 11Z in the second embodiment. From the results of the displacement amounts ΔZ and ΔX shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment, compared with the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment, the decrease in the shear rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis (about 40%) is larger than the decrease in the axial rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis (about 5%). In other words, in the first embodiment, while suppressing the decrease in the axial rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis with respect to the second embodiment, the shear rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis is significantly decreased.

[0057] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the case where two types of loads Fx and Fz are applied to the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, with the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 fixed, the respective displacement amounts ΔX and ΔZ of the connecting member 11A when two types of loads Fx and Fz are applied to the third rod-shaped portion 123 of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment were evaluated. Note that, in the same manner as for the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment, with the fourth rod-shaped portion fixed, the same two types of loads Fx and Fz as those applied to the first embodiment were applied to the third rod-shaped portion of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment, and the respective displacement amounts ΔX and ΔZ of the connecting member 11Z were evaluated. From the displacement amounts ΔX and ΔZ when the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 is fixed and the loads Fx and Fz are applied to the third rod-shaped portion 123, the axial rigidity and the shear rigidity in the direction along the X-axis are evaluated. Note that the magnitudes of the loads Fx and Fz shown in FIG. 15 are the same as the magnitudes of the loads Fx and Fz shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0058] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the displacement amount ΔX of the connecting members 11A and 11Z of the first embodiment and the second embodiment when the load Fx is applied. FIG. 13 shows an example of the displacement amount ΔX when the same load Fx is applied to each of the connecting members 11A and 11Z. Since the displacement amount ΔX is a deformation that extends in the negative X-axis direction, the vertical axis in FIG. 16 is shown as a negative value. As shown in FIG. 16, the displacement amount ΔX of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment to which the load Fx is applied to the first rod-shaped portion 121 is -1.604×10 -4 (mm). On the other hand, the displacement amount ΔX of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment is -1.175×10 -4It is (mm). That is, the displacement amount ΔX of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment is approximately 37% larger than that of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment. The axial rigidity along the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment is smaller than the axial rigidity along the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the displacement amounts ΔZ of the connecting members 11A and 11Z of the first embodiment and the second embodiment when a load Fz is applied. FIG. 17 shows an example of the displacement amount ΔZ when the same load Fz is applied to each of the connecting members 11A and 11Z. As shown in FIG. 17, the displacement amount ΔZ of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment to which the load Fz is applied to the first rod-shaped portion 121 is 2.037×10 -2 (mm). On the other hand, the displacement amount ΔZ of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment is 1.669×10 -2 (mm). That is, the displacement amount ΔZ of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment is approximately 22% larger than that of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment. The shear rigidity along the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment is smaller than the shear rigidity along the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment.

[0060] From the comparison between the displacement amount ΔZ along the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 13 and the displacement amount ΔX along the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 16, for both the connecting members 11A and 11Z of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the axial rigidity along the Z-axis direction is larger than the axial rigidity along the X-axis direction. Also, from the comparison between the displacement amount ΔX along the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 14 and the displacement amount ΔZ along the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 17, for both the connecting members 11A and 11Z of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the shear rigidity along the Z-axis direction is larger than the shear rigidity along the X-axis direction.

[0061] The product Pa11 of the axial rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis and the shear rigidity in the direction along the X-axis of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment represents the difficulty of deformation of the connecting member 11A in the direction along the Z-axis. Similarly, the product Pa12 of the axial rigidity in the direction along the X-axis and the shear rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis of the connecting member 11A of the first embodiment represents the difficulty of deformation of the connecting member 11A in the direction along the X-axis. The ratio R1 obtained by dividing the product Pa11 by the product Pa12 is approximately 2.15 (= 1.604×10 -4 ×1.902×10 -2 / (6.954×10 -5 ×2.037×10 -2 ))). The larger the ratio R1, the more the displacement amount along the X-axis becomes relatively larger than that along the Z-axis when a load is applied to the connecting member 11A.

[0062] The ratio R2 obtained by dividing the product Pa21 of the axial rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis and the shear rigidity in the direction along the X-axis of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment by the product Pa22 of the axial rigidity in the direction along the X-axis and the shear rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis of the connecting member 11Z of the second embodiment is approximately 1.44 (= 1.175×10 -4 ×1.354×10 -2 / (6.626×10 -5 ×1.669×10 -2 ))). The ratio R2 of the second embodiment is smaller than the ratio R1 of the first embodiment.

[0063] As described above, the coupling member 10A of the present embodiment includes a first fixing member 16A, a second fixing member 17A, and a connecting member 11A connected to each of the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A. The connecting member 11A includes an annular outer frame 12A and a support portion 13A disposed inside the outer frame 12A and supporting the outer frame 12A. The axial rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis of the support portion 13A of the coupling member 10A of the present embodiment is greater than the axial rigidity along the X-axis orthogonal to the Z-axis. Further, the shear rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis of the support portion 13A is smaller than the shear rigidity along the X-axis. In the present embodiment, after the first fixing member 16A is fixed to the first member 20 and the second fixing member 17A is fixed to the second member 30, the connecting member 11A is fixed to the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A by welding or the like, whereby the first member 20 and the second member 30 are coupled. Therefore, by using the coupling member 10A, the first member 20 and the second member 30 are coupled by an approach from only one side with respect to the first member 20 and the second member 30. Further, by repeatedly fixing and releasing the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A and the connecting member 11A, the first member 20 and the second member 30 can be easily removed. Further, the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A and the connecting member 11A after removal are reusable. Further, the fixing of the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A and the connecting member 11A is not a direct process on the first member 20 and the second member 30 coupled by the coupling member 10A. Therefore, changes in the material properties of the first member 20 and the second member 30 due to heat input or the like are suppressed. Further, in the connecting member 11A, the axial rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis is greater than the axial rigidity in the direction along the X-axis. Therefore, the connecting member 11A in a state where the first member 20 and the second member 30 are fixed is firmly fixed in the Z-axis direction in which they are to be coupled, while being easily deformed along the X-axis direction. As a result, the coupling member 10A of the present embodiment has a vibration energy absorption function of attenuating vibrations along the X-axis due to the connecting member 11A deforming along the X-axis.

[0064] Also, in the first embodiment, the ratio R1 obtained by dividing the product Pa11 by the product Pa12 is approximately 2.15 and is 2 or more. The larger the ratio R1, the relatively larger the displacement amount along the X-axis direction than along the Z-axis direction when a load is applied to the connecting member 11A. Therefore, the connecting member 11A in a state where the first member 20 and the second member 30 are fixed has a function of firmly fixing in the Z-axis direction in which they are desired to be joined and significantly attenuating vibrations along the X-axis, that is, a vibration energy absorption function.

[0065] Also, the support portion 13A of the present embodiment is stretched inside the outer frame 12A and is composed of a plurality of linear portions 131, 132A to 132J, 133A to 133B, 134A to 134B, 135 to 136, 137A to 137D, 138A to 138D having a circular cross-section. Therefore, by changing the thickness, shape, and stretched position of each linear member, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity of the connecting member 11A can be finely set.

[0066] Also, the first fixing member 16A of the connecting member 11A of the present embodiment engages with the first opening 21H formed in the engaging surface 21 of the first member 20. Also, the second fixing member 17A of the connecting member 11A engages with the second opening 31H formed in the front surface 31 of the second member 30. In the present embodiment, each of the first opening 21H and the second opening 31H has a simple shape such as a hook and engages with the first opening 21H and the second opening 31H which are openings formed in the first member 20 and the second member 30, respectively. By the engagement, they are strongly fixed along the Z-axis direction which is the direction in which the first member 20 and the second member 30 are joined.

[0067] In addition, the outer frame 12A of the present embodiment has an octagonal shape in the ZX plane. The outer frame 12A includes a first rod-shaped portion 121 and a second rod-shaped portion 122 that are parallel to the X-axis and face each other, a third rod-shaped portion 123 and a fourth rod-shaped portion 124 that are parallel to the Z-axis and face each other, and four rod-shaped portions 125 to 128. Each of the four rod-shaped portions 125 to 128 is disposed between the first rod-shaped portion 121 and the third rod-shaped portion 123, between the third rod-shaped portion 123 and the second rod-shaped portion 122, between the second rod-shaped portion 122 and the fourth rod-shaped portion 124, and between the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 and the first rod-shaped portion 121. In the present embodiment, since the outer frame 12A is octagonal, when obtaining the axial rigidity and shear rigidity, it is only necessary to fix one side facing each other and apply a load to the other side. Therefore, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity can be easily measured, and the connecting member 11A including the support portion 13A having the target rigidity value can be easily designed.

[0068] In addition, the first linear portion 131 of the present embodiment connects the midpoint M1 on the X-axis of the first rod-shaped portion 121 and the midpoint M2 on the X-axis of the second rod-shaped portion 122. Therefore, the axial rigidity of the support portion 13A along the Z-axis direction is increased, and the first member 20 and the second member 30 are firmly fixed.

[0069] In addition, the second linear portions 132A to 132J composed of 10 linear members of the present embodiment form an annular shape disposed inside the outer frame 12A. The annular shape formed by the second linear portions 132A to 132J intersects the first linear portion 131. In the present embodiment, the support portion 13A disposed inside the annular outer frame 12A includes the second linear portions 132A to 132J that form an annular shape. Therefore, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity of the connecting member 11A including the support portion 13A along the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction are improved.

[0070] Further, the third linear portions 133A to 133B of the present embodiment are connected to the second linear portion 132C respectively from both ends of the third rod-shaped portion 123. Also, the fourth linear portions 134A to 134B are connected to the second linear portion 132H respectively from both ends of the fourth rod-shaped portion 124. Therefore, the outer frame 12A including the third rod-shaped portion 123 and the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 and the second linear portions 132A to 132J disposed inside the outer frame 12A suppress each other's deformation. As a result, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity along the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11A are further improved.

[0071] Also, the fifth linear portion 135 of the present embodiment is parallel to the X-axis and connects the midpoint M3 on the Z-axis of the third rod-shaped portion 123 and the second linear portion 132C. The sixth linear portion 136 connects the midpoint M4 on the Z-axis of the fourth rod-shaped portion 124 and the second linear portion 132H. In the present embodiment, in addition to the third linear portions 133A to 133B and the fourth linear portions 134A to 134B, the fifth linear portion 135 and the sixth linear portion 136 further connect the outer frame 12A and the second linear portions 132A to 132J disposed inside the outer frame 12A. Therefore, since the outer frame 12A and the second linear portions 132A to 132J suppress each other's deformation, the axial rigidity and shear rigidity along the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction of the connecting member 11A are further improved.

[0072] Also, when the annular second linear portions 132A to 132J are divided by the first linear portion 131 into two second linear portions 132A to 132E and the second linear portions 132D to 132J, the four seventh linear portions 137A to 137D of the present embodiment connect the two divided second linear portions 132A to 132E and the second linear portions 132F to 132J and are parallel to the X-axis. In the present embodiment, since the four seventh linear portions 137A to 137D connect between the two second linear portions 132A to 132E and 132F to 132J divided by the first linear portion 131, the deformation of the annular second linear portions 132A to 132J is suppressed. Further, since the seventh linear portions 137A to 137D are parallel to the X-axis direction, after improving the axial rigidity and shear rigidity of the support portion 13A along the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, the axial rigidity of the support portion 13A along the X-axis direction is further improved.

[0073] <Modifications of the Embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible. Also, in the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, or conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced with hardware.

[0074] The coupling members 10A and 10B of the above embodiment are an example of a structure that couples the first member 20 and the second member 30, and is deformable. For example, in addition to the first fixing member 16A and the second fixing member 17A, the coupling member 10A may include an additional fixing portion and may couple another member in addition to the first member 20 and the second member 30.

[0075] The fixing method of each of the connecting member 11A, the first fixing member 16A, and the second fixing member 17A may be other than welding. For example, it may be a snap fit, a fitting using press fitting, or a screwing using a female screw and a male screw. The method of releasing the fixing of the connecting member 11A, the first fixing member 16A, and the second fixing member 17A can also be deformed according to the fixing method. For example, when the fixing method is screwing, the connecting member 11A, the first fixing member 16A, and the second fixing member 17A may be released by releasing the screwing.

[0076] Also, the fixing methods for the first fixing member 16A and the first opening 21H, and the fixing methods for the second fixing member 17A and the second opening 31H are also deformable. For example, the fixing method may be a snap fit or screwing instead of engagement by a hook. The release of the fixing method for the first fixing member 16A and the first opening 21H is also deformable. For example, the connection part 161 (FIG. 4) where the shape of the hook of the first fixing member 16A is formed may be cut, and the connection between the first member 20 and the second member 30 by the coupling member 10A may be released. In this case, after the release, the first fixing member 16A is separated from the connection member 11A, so that the connection member 11A and the second fixing member 17A can be reused.

[0077] The order of the processes performed in the coupling flow shown in FIG. 5 may be changed. For example, the assembly of the first member 20 and the second member 30 performed in step S1 may be performed before the process of step S4 after the processes of step S2 and step S3 are performed. Also, the process of step S1 may be performed between the process of step S2 and the process of step S3.

[0078] Regarding the shape of the outer frame 12A and the arrangement of a plurality of linear members forming the support portion 13A shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is deformable within a range that adjusts the balance between the axial rigidity in the Z-axis direction connecting the opposing first rod-shaped portion 121 and the second rod-shaped portion 122 and the shear rigidity in the Z-axis direction. The outer frame 12A does not necessarily have an octagonal shape, and for example, it may have a square shape or a circular shape. The plurality of linear members forming the support portion 13A do not have to be in the shape and arrangement shown in FIG. 7. The support portion 13A may be designed using a design method such as topology optimization, and as long as the shear rigidity for absorbing vibration energy is set to a desired value after satisfying the criteria for which the axial synthesis in the Z-axis direction, which is the coupling direction, is required. The shapes of the rod-shaped portions 121 to 128 may be different. Similarly, the shapes of the linear portions 131, 132A to 132J, 133A to 133B, 134A to 134B, 135 to 136, 137A to 137D, 138A to 138D may be different.

[0079] The ratio R1 of the first embodiment was 2 or more, but it may be less than 2. The coupling member 10A includes a connecting member 11A having an annular outer frame 12A and a support portion 13A, and is deformable within a range where the axial rigidity in the direction along the Z-axis direction (the first direction) of the support portion is greater than the axial rigidity in the direction along the X-axis direction (the second direction).

[0080] As described above, the present aspect has been described based on the embodiments and modification examples. However, the embodiments of the above-described aspects are for facilitating the understanding of the present aspect and do not limit the present aspect. The present aspect can be changed and improved without departing from its spirit and the scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in the present aspect. Also, if the technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

[0081] The present invention can also be realized in the following forms. [Application Example 1] A coupling structure for coupling a first member and a second member, a first fixing member fixed to the first member, a second fixing member fixed to the second member, a connecting member having an annular outer frame connected to the first fixing member and the second fixing member respectively, and a support portion disposed inside the outer frame for supporting the outer frame, comprising in the support portion, a coupling structure in which a first axial rigidity in a direction along a first direction connecting the first fixing member and the second fixing member is greater than a second axial rigidity in a direction along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. [Application Example 2] The coupling member according to Application Example 1, wherein a product of the first axial rigidity and a shear rigidity in a direction along the second direction is 2 times or more a product of the second axial rigidity and a shear rigidity in a direction along the first direction. [Application Example 3] The coupling structure according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, The support part is a coupling structure formed by a plurality of linear members stretched inside the outer frame. [Application Example 4] A coupling structure according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, wherein the first fixing member has a first engaging part that engages with an opening formed in the first member, and the second fixing member has a second engaging part that engages with an opening formed in the second member. [Application Example 5] A coupling structure according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, wherein the outer frame has an octagonal shape, a first bar-shaped part parallel to the first direction, a second bar-shaped part parallel to the first direction and facing the first bar-shaped part, a third bar-shaped part parallel to the second direction, a fourth bar-shaped part parallel to the second direction and facing the third bar-shaped part, and four bar-shaped parts respectively arranged between the first bar-shaped part and the third bar-shaped part, between the third bar-shaped part and the second bar-shaped part, between the second bar-shaped part and the fourth bar-shaped part, and between the fourth bar-shaped part and the first bar-shaped part. A coupling structure comprising the above. [Application Example 6] A coupling structure according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5, wherein the support part includes a first linear part connecting the midpoints of the first bar-shaped part and the second bar-shaped part. [Application Example 7] A coupling structure according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, wherein the support part has an annular shape arranged inside the outer frame and includes a second linear part intersecting the first linear part. [Application Example 8] A coupling structure according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 7, wherein the support part includes a third linear part connecting each of both ends of the third bar-shaped part and the second linear part. A fourth linear portion that connects each of the two ends of the fourth rod-shaped portion to the second linear portion, A coupling structure comprising: [Application Example 9] A coupling structure according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 8, wherein the support portion A fifth linear portion that connects the midpoint of the third rod-shaped portion to the second linear portion and is parallel to the second direction; A sixth linear portion that connects the midpoint of the fourth rod-shaped portion to the second linear portion and is parallel to the second direction; A coupling structure comprising: [Application Example 10] A coupling structure according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 9, wherein when the second linear portion is divided into two lines by the first linear portion, the support portion includes a seventh linear portion that connects between the two divided lines and is parallel to the second direction. A coupling structure. [Application Example 11] A coupling method for coupling a first member and a second member, A first fixing step of fixing a first fixing member to the first member; A second fixing step of fixing a second fixing member to the second member; A third fixing step of fixing an outer frame of a connecting member having an annular outer frame and a support portion disposed inside the outer frame for supporting the outer frame to each of the first fixing member and the second fixing member; Executing In the support portion, The axial rigidity in the direction along the first direction connecting the first fixing member and the second fixing member is greater than the axial rigidity in the direction along the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, The shear rigidity in the direction along the first direction is smaller than the shear rigidity in the direction along the second direction. A coupling method.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 10A, 10B... Coupling members (coupling structures) 11A, 11B, 11x, 11Z... Connecting member 12A, 12x... Outer frame 13A, 13x, 13Z... Support part 16A, 16B... First fixing member 17A, 17B... Second fixing member 20... First member 21... Engaging surface 21H... First opening 22, 23... Side surface 22H... Third opening 24... Bottom surface 25... Back surface 30... Second member 31... Front surface 31H... Second opening 32... Bottom surface 34... Insertion surface 34H1... Fourth opening 34H2, 34H3, 36H2, 36H3... Slit 35... Back surface 36... Engaging surface 100... Structure 121, 121x, 121Z... First rod-shaped part 122, 122x... Second rod-shaped part 123... Third rod-shaped part 124... Fourth rod-shaped part 125~128... Rod-shaped part 131... First linear part 132A~132J... Second linear part 133A~133B... Third linear part 134A~134B... Fourth linear part 135... Fifth linear part 136... Sixth linear part 137A~137D... Seventh linear part 138A~138D, 139A~139D... Linear part 161... Connection part 162... Groove part 163... Return part 171... Connection part 172... Groove part 173... Return part CS... Cartesian coordinate system Fx, Fz... Load M1... Midpoint of the first rod-shaped part M2…Midpoint of the second rod-shaped part M3…Midpoint of the third rod-shaped part M4…Midpoint of the fourth rod-shaped part OL1, OL2…Central axes P1~P6…Connection points PT1, PT2…Welded parts ΔX, ΔZ…Displacement amounts

Claims

1. A coupling structure for coupling a first member and a second member, a first fixing member fixed to the first member, a second fixing member fixed to the second member, an annular outer frame connected to the first fixing member and the second fixing member respectively, and a support portion disposed inside the outer frame for supporting the outer frame, a connecting member having; comprising, In the support portion, A coupling structure in which a first axial rigidity in a direction along a first direction connecting the first fixing member and the second fixing member is greater than a second axial rigidity in a direction along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

2. The coupling member according to claim 1, A coupling structure in which a product of the first axial rigidity and a shear rigidity in a direction along the second direction is at least twice a product of the second axial rigidity and a shear rigidity in a direction along the first direction.

3. The coupling structure according to claim 2, The coupling structure, wherein the support portion is formed by a plurality of linear members stretched inside the outer frame.

4. The coupling structure according to claim 3, The first fixing member has a first engaging portion that engages with an opening formed in the first member, The second fixing member has a second engaging portion that engages with an opening formed in the second member. The coupling structure.

5. The coupling structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The outer frame has an octagonal shape, a first bar-shaped portion parallel to the first direction, a second bar-shaped portion parallel to the first direction and facing the first bar-shaped portion, a third bar-shaped portion parallel to the second direction, A fourth rod-shaped part that is parallel to the second direction and faces the third rod-shaped part, Four rod-shaped parts respectively arranged between the first rod-shaped part and the third rod-shaped part, between the third rod-shaped part and the second rod-shaped part, between the second rod-shaped part and the fourth rod-shaped part, and between the fourth rod-shaped part and the first rod-shaped part; A coupling structure comprising the same.

6. The coupling structure according to claim 5, wherein the support part comprises a first linear part connecting the midpoint of the first rod-shaped part and the midpoint of the second rod-shaped part.

7. The coupling structure according to claim 6, wherein the support part has an annular shape disposed inside the outer frame and comprises a second linear part intersecting the first linear part.

8. The coupling structure according to claim 7, wherein the support part comprises a third linear part connecting each of the two ends of the third rod-shaped part and the second linear part, and a fourth linear part connecting each of the two ends of the fourth rod-shaped part and the second linear part. A coupling structure comprising the same.

9. The coupling structure according to claim 8, wherein the support part comprises a fifth linear part connecting the midpoint of the third rod-shaped part and the second linear part and parallel to the second direction, and a sixth linear part connecting the midpoint of the fourth rod-shaped part and the second linear part and parallel to the second direction. A coupling structure comprising the same.

10. The coupling structure according to claim 7, wherein the support part comprises a seventh linear part connecting between the two divided lines when the second linear part is divided into two lines by the first linear part and parallel to the second direction.

11. A coupling method for coupling a first member and a second member, a first fixing step of fixing a first fixing member to the first member, a second fixing step of fixing a second fixing member to the second member, a third fixing step of fixing an outer frame of a connecting member having an annular outer frame and a support portion disposed inside the outer frame and supporting the outer frame to each of the first fixing member and the second fixing member, is executed, in the support portion, a coupling method in which the axial rigidity in a direction along a first direction connecting the first fixing member and the second fixing member is greater than the axial rigidity in a direction along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

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