Manufacturing method of automobile panel

Abstract

To provide an automobile panel capable of being efficiently produced and a manufacturing method of the automobile panel.SOLUTION: An automobile hood includes a joint part 20 at which an inner panel 2 and an outer panel are joined. The inner panel 2 includes plural units 8 and 9 juxtaposed, for example, in a widthwise direction X and in a lengthwise direction Y. The plural units 8 and 9 include plural joint part inclusive units each having the joint part 20. The automobile hood supports a predetermined first mode or second mode. In the first mode, the joint parts 20 of joint part inclusive units 84, 89, and 9 are arranged in an array including a predetermined pattern P1, and the joint parts 20 of remaining joint part inclusive units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, and 812 are arranged in an array including a part of the predetermined pattern P1. In the second mode, the plural joint parts 20 of each of all the joint part inclusive units 8 and 9 are arranged in the array including the predetermined pattern P1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive panel and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a hood panel of a vehicle. The main object of this hood panel is to reduce the injury value given to a pedestrian when the pedestrian collides with the hood panel.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a hood for an automobile as an exterior part for an automobile. The main object of this automobile hood is to absorb the contact energy by deforming inward by a small amount when a pedestrian contacts the automobile hood.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the automotive hood described in Patent Document 1, the inner panel and the outer panel are joined with an adhesive. As an adhesive for joining the inner panel and the outer panel, a mastic sealer or the like is known. When assembling the automotive hood, for example, a mastic sealer is applied to the outer panel, and then the inner panel and the outer panel are overlapped, so that the mastic sealer is sandwiched between the inner panel and the outer panel. Thereby, the inner panel and the outer panel are joined to each other via the mastic sealer.

[0006] The operation of applying the mastic sealer to the outer panel is performed, for example, by a robot arm holding a nozzle through which the sealer is supplied. The time required to apply the sealer to one automotive panel is sometimes referred to as the cycle time. Shortening the cycle time is preferable from the viewpoint of increasing the production efficiency of the automotive hood.

[0007] Similar problems also exist in other automotive panels having a structure joined with a sealer, such as a back door, a side door, and a roof structure. That is, the above problems exist in a structure having an outer panel and an inner joined to the outer panel with a sealer. Here, in addition to the generally called inner (inner panel member), stiffening members and reinforcing members are also included and referred to as the inner.

[0008] On the other hand, neither of Patent Documents 1 and 2 discloses a configuration for efficiently applying an adhesive such as a mastic sealer.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide an automotive panel that can be produced efficiently and a manufacturing method thereof.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The gist of the present invention is the following automotive panel and its manufacturing method.

[0011] (1) An outer, An inner, A joint portion joining the inner and the outer, Comprising, The inner includes a plurality of units arranged in a predetermined first direction and a plurality of units arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a view in the plate thickness direction of the outer, Each of the units includes a flange disposed adjacent to the outer, a vertical wall extending from the flange so as to be separated from the outer, and a bottom continuous with the vertical wall and separated from the flange. The plurality of units include a plurality of units with joints provided on the flange, and are provided with a predetermined first form or second form, In the first form, in some of the units with joints, the joints are arranged in an array including the predetermined pattern, and in the remaining units with joints, the joints are arranged in an array including a part of the predetermined pattern, In the second form, in each of all the units with joints, a plurality of the joints are arranged in an array including the predetermined pattern, an automotive panel.

[0012] (2) The automotive panel according to (1) above, wherein the plurality of units include a plurality of units including the flanges having the same or similar shapes to each other.

[0013] (3) The automotive panel according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the predetermined pattern is set to the same size in each of the plurality of units with joints.

[0014] (4) In the first form, at least one of a part of the predetermined pattern and the predetermined pattern is arranged side by side in a linear direction, In the second form, the predetermined pattern is arranged side by side in the linear direction, the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

[0015] (5) The linear direction is at least one of the first direction, the second direction, and a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (4) above.

[0016] (6) As the unit with joints, in addition to a part of the predetermined pattern or the predetermined pattern, an additional unit with joints having a joint provided at a location deviating from the layout of the joints in the predetermined pattern is provided, the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (5) above.

[0017] (7) The predetermined pattern is a dot pattern of three or more points, and the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

[0018] (8) The predetermined pattern is a linear pattern of three or more, and the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

[0019] (9) Fifteen or more of the predetermined patterns are provided, and the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (8) above.

[0020] (10) The unit with a joint includes an annular unit with a joint provided on the flange formed annularly in the view in the plate thickness direction, A plurality of the annular units with joints are provided, The distance between the centers in the view in the plate thickness direction of two adjacent annular units with joints is 200 mm or less, and the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (9) above.

[0021] (11) The outer is a steel plate with a plate thickness of 0.60 mm or less and a yield stress at reach of 400 MPa or more, The inner is a steel plate with a plate thickness of 0.50 mm or less, and the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (10) above.

[0022] (12) The outer is an aluminum plate with a plate thickness of 0.75 mm or less, The inner is an aluminum plate with a plate thickness of 0.75 mm or less, and the automotive panel according to any one of (1) to (10) above.

[0023] (13) When applying an adhesive that becomes a joint for joining the outer and the inner to an application target including at least one of the outer and the inner, the adhesive is applied to the application target using an applicator including a plurality of nozzles arranged to include at least a part of a predetermined pattern, The plurality of nozzles are configured to be individually switchable between on / off of the supply of the adhesive. A method for manufacturing an automotive panel, comprising applying the adhesive in an array including at least a part of the predetermined pattern to the application target by supplying the adhesive from all of the nozzles at once, or applying the adhesive in a partial array of the predetermined pattern to the application target by supplying the adhesive from some of the nozzles.

[0024] (14) The method for manufacturing an automotive panel according to (13), wherein the adhesive is applied to a plurality of locations of the application target while reciprocating the plurality of nozzles with respect to the application target.

[0025] (15) The method for manufacturing an automotive panel according to (13) or (14), wherein the adhesive is applied with the relative positions of the plurality of nozzles fixed.

[0026] (16) The method for manufacturing an automotive panel according to any one of (13) to (15), wherein the adhesive is applied while moving the plurality of nozzles in a linear direction.

[0027] (17) The inner includes units arranged in a plurality in a predetermined first direction and in a plurality in a second direction intersecting the first direction when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the outer. The method for manufacturing an automotive panel according to (16), wherein the linear direction is at least one of the first direction, the second direction, and a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction.

[0028] (18) Before or after the coating step of applying the adhesive in an array including at least a part of the predetermined pattern to the application target by supplying the adhesive from all of the nozzles at once, or applying the adhesive in a partial array of the predetermined pattern to the application target by supplying the adhesive from some of the nozzles, the adhesive is applied to a location deviating from the layout of the adhesive in the predetermined pattern. The automotive panel according to any one of (13) to (17).

[0029] (19) The method for manufacturing an automotive panel according to any one of (13) to (18) above, wherein the adhesive is supplied to the object to be coated while moving the plurality of nozzles at an interval shorter than the interval between the plurality of nozzles.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, an automotive panel can be efficiently manufactured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

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[0032] First, the background leading to the present invention will be described, and then embodiments will be described in detail.

[0033] [Background Leading to the Present Invention] Generally, while the outer panel of an automobile panel has a relatively flat shape, the inner panel has a concave and convex shape. And a sealant such as a mastic sealant is applied to the portion of the inner panel that protrudes on the outer panel side. The sealant contacts the inner panel and the outer panel and joins these panels. Also, the height (thickness) of an automobile hood in the vehicle height direction is small compared to the length in the vehicle length direction and the length in the vehicle width direction of the automobile. Therefore, when applying the sealant to the outer panel or the inner panel during the assembly of the automobile hood, the amount of movement of the sealant application nozzle in the directions orthogonal to the thickness direction of the automobile hood (vehicle length direction and vehicle width direction) affects the sealant application operation time. Thus, attention was paid to shortening the tact time by devising the configuration and operation of the sealant application nozzle during the manufacture of a single automobile panel. Note that in the present embodiment, the tact time refers to the operation time for applying the sealant that becomes the joint portion for joining the outer and the inner when manufacturing a single automobile panel.

[0034] However, simply reducing the amount of sealant in one automobile panel to shorten the tact time may cause another problem. Specifically, due to the requirement for weight reduction of automobiles, high strength and thinning of automobile panels are required. However, when the plate thickness of the automobile panel is reduced, the tensile rigidity and dent resistance of the automobile panel decrease. And when the area where the sealant for joining the inner panel and the outer panel is arranged is reduced, the tact time can be shortened, but the tensile rigidity and dent resistance of the automobile panel decrease. Thus, it is not easy to achieve weight reduction of the automobile through thinning of the automobile panel, shorten the tact time, and improve the tensile rigidity and dent resistance of the automobile panel.

[0035] Note that the tensile rigidity refers to the rigidity of a press-formed product having a relatively gentle curved surface and a very large surface area with respect to the plate thickness, for example, the panel on the outside of an automobile hood, when a force acts from the outside. The tensile rigidity corresponds to the elastic resistance feeling or the sense of deflection deformation when the panel is pressed by hand. This property is usually represented by the amount of deflection when a load is applied. The smaller the amount of deflection when a certain load is applied, the higher the tensile rigidity.

[0036] Also, dent resistance refers to the difficulty of residual dents (dent marks) remaining after removing a local load applied to the panel for some reason. In an actual automobile body, dent marks occur when the outer panel such as a door is strongly pressed with a finger or the palm of the hand, or when a flying stone hits during driving. A dent mark is generated by plastic deformation of the portion of the panel where the load is applied. Therefore, when the strain of the panel reaches a certain magnitude when a load is applied to the panel, the strain remains even after the load is removed, and a dent mark is generated. The minimum value of the load that generates a certain residual strain in the panel is called the dent load, and the greater the dent load, the better the dent resistance.

[0037] Based on the above background, as a result of the intensive research by the inventor of the present application, it was conceived that if a plurality of seal application nozzles are used at once, even if the paths of the seal application nozzles are the same, compared with the case where the number of nozzles is one, seal can be applied to the locations multiplied by the number of nozzles per unit time. More specifically, usually, even when using a coating machine that can apply seal relatively quickly, only about two points can be applied per second. On the other hand, as a result of intensive studies, the inventor of the present application conceived that if a plurality of application nozzles are used at once, by fixing the relative positions of these nozzles in the same pattern, seal can be applied to 2× the number of nozzles locations per second. That is, for example, if three nozzles are arranged at the positions corresponding to the vertices of an equilateral triangle, it becomes possible to apply dot-shaped seals at the three vertices corresponding to the equilateral triangle shape in one go. By doing so, for example, when using the above-mentioned device capable of high-speed coating, it was conceived that 60 points in the shape of an equilateral triangle (equivalent to 20 equilateral triangles) can be coated in about ten-odd seconds. Furthermore, by using a plurality of application nozzles, it was possible to obtain the idea that seals can be arranged in a well-balanced manner at a large number of locations, improving the tensile rigidity and dent resistance, and thus the present invention was conceived. Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be specifically described.

[0038] [Description of Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of an automobile panel, an automobile hood will be described. However, the present invention can be applied to any automobile panel having an outer, an inner, and a joint portion joining these inners and outers. Examples of such automobile panels include door panels such as side doors and back doors, roof panels including roof outer panels, fender panels, quarter panels, and the like.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an automobile hood 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustration of the joint portion 20 is omitted. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inner panel 2 of the automobile hood 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2, and illustration of the portion appearing behind the cross-section is omitted. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer panel 3 that does not appear in FIG. 2 is shown by a two-dot chain line which is an imaginary line. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing one unit 9 enlarged. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the overhanging structure 6 of FIG. 2. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, description will be made with appropriate reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0040] The automobile hood 1 is a front hood provided at the front part of an automobile and is also referred to as a bonnet. The automobile on which the automobile hood 1 is provided is, for example, a passenger car. Examples of the above-mentioned passenger car include a sedan type passenger car, a coupe type passenger car, a hatchback type passenger car, a minivan type passenger car, an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) type passenger car, and the like.

[0041] In addition, in this specification, with reference to the state where the automobile hood 1 is mounted on the automobile and the automobile hood 1 is closed, front-rear, left-right, and up-down are referred to. The front is the direction in which the automobile advances. The rear is the direction in which the automobile retreats. The right is the turning direction of the automobile when the automobile moving forward makes a right turn. The left is the turning direction of the automobile when the automobile moving forward makes a left turn. Also, in this embodiment, the vehicle width direction of the automobile on which the automobile hood 1 is mounted is referred to as the width direction X. Also, the vehicle length direction of the automobile on which the automobile hood 1 is mounted is referred to as the length direction Y. Also, the vehicle height direction of the automobile on which the automobile hood 1 is mounted is referred to as the height direction Z.

[0042] The automobile hood 1 has an inner panel 2, an outer panel 3 supported by this inner panel 2, and a joint portion 20 provided between the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 and joining these panels 2 and 3 to each other by contacting the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2.

[0043] The outer panel 3 is a part that constitutes a part of the outer surface of the automobile in the automobile hood 1. The outer panel 3 is formed of a metal material such as, for example, a mild steel sheet or a high-tensile steel sheet. As the high-tensile steel sheet, a steel sheet having a tensile strength of 340 MPa or more, for example, a steel sheet having a tensile strength of 440 MPa or more can be exemplified. The outer panel 3 is formed, for example, by pressing a single steel sheet. The plate thickness of the outer panel 3 is, for example, 0.25 mm to 1.20 mm, preferably 0.6 to 0.7 mm. The outer panel 3 may be an aluminum alloy plate. When the outer panel 3 is an aluminum alloy plate, the plate thickness of the outer panel 3 is 0.40 to 1.20 mm, preferably 0.8 to 1.0 mm. There is no particular restriction on the shape of the outer panel 3.

[0044] The inner panel 2 reinforces the outer panel 3 by being joined to the lower surface 3a of the outer panel 3 using the joint portion 20. Thereby, the inner panel 2 increases the tensile rigidity of the outer panel 3. The inner panel 2 is formed of a metal material such as, for example, a mild steel sheet or a high-tensile steel sheet. The inner panel 2 is formed, for example, by pressing a single steel sheet. The inner panel 2 may be an integrally formed product, or may be formed by joining a plurality of members. In the present embodiment, the inner panel 2 is an integrally formed product. The plate thickness (plate thickness of the steel sheet) of the inner panel 2 is, for example, 0.25 mm to 1.20 mm, preferably 0.55 mm to 0.60 mm. The plate thickness of the inner panel 2 may be less than the plate thickness of the outer panel 3, may be the same as the plate thickness of the outer panel 3, or may be greater than the plate thickness of the outer panel 3. Note that the inner panel 2 may be an aluminum alloy plate. When the inner panel 2 is an aluminum alloy plate, the plate thickness of the inner panel 2 is 0.40 mm to 1.20 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm.

[0045] Regarding the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3, a more preferable configuration is that the outer panel 3 is a steel plate with a thickness of 0.25 mm to 0.60 mm (0.60 mm or less) and a yield stress of 400 MPa or more, and the inner panel 2 is a steel plate with a thickness of 0.25 to 0.50 mm (0.50 mm or less). With this configuration, while achieving high strength and weight reduction of the automobile hood 1, the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be made higher.

[0046] Regarding the inner panel 2, a more preferable configuration is a steel plate with a thickness of 0.25 mm to 0.50 mm, and a further preferable configuration is a steel plate with a thickness of 0.25 to 0.45 mm. With this configuration, while achieving further weight reduction of the automobile hood 1, the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0047] On the other hand, in the case where both the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 are aluminum plates, a preferable configuration is that the thickness of the outer panel 3 is 0.40 to 0.75 mm (0.75 mm or less), and the thickness of the inner panel 2 is 0.40 to 0.75 mm (0.75 mm or less). With this configuration, while achieving further weight reduction of the automobile hood 1, the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0048] The inner panel 2 has an outer peripheral portion 4 and an overhanging structure body 6 arranged so as to be surrounded by the outer peripheral portion 4.

[0049] The outer peripheral portion 4 is the outer peripheral part of the inner panel 2. When the outer panel 3 closes the engine room, a part of the inner panel 2 near the outer peripheral portion 4 is received by the vehicle body (not shown). Thereby, the load acting on the upper surface 3b of the outer panel 3 is received by the vehicle body via the inner panel 2. The outer peripheral portion 4 is a portion formed in the outer peripheral part of the inner panel 2. The overhanging structure body 6 is arranged so as to be surrounded by the outer peripheral portion 4.

[0050] The overhanging structure 6 has a three-dimensional structure provided to receive the load acting on the upper surface 3b of the outer panel 3. The overhanging structure 6 has a configuration in which members having a hat-shaped cross section (V-shaped cross section or U-shaped cross section) are combined.

[0051] The overhanging structure 6 has a plurality of incomplete units 8 adjacent to and continuous with the outer peripheral portion 4, and a plurality of units 9.

[0052] The unit 9 adjacent to the outer peripheral portion 4 of the inner panel 2 is connected to the outer peripheral portion 4 directly or via the incomplete unit 8. The incomplete units 8 and the units 9 are arranged in a plurality of rows linearly along the width direction X (first direction) in the thickness direction view of the outer panel 3 and in a plurality of rows linearly along the length direction Y (second direction) orthogonal to the width direction X. Note that the incomplete units 8 and the units 9 only need to be arranged in a plurality in each of two directions (first direction and second direction) intersecting each other in the thickness direction view of the outer panel 3. Also, the first direction and the second direction are not limited to the width direction X and the length direction Y.

[0053] The incomplete unit 8 has a configuration corresponding to a configuration in which a part of the unit 9 is cut off along the circumferential direction of the polygonal (hexagonal in this embodiment) unit 9. The incomplete unit 8 has a partial unit 10 similar to the partial unit 10 of the unit 9 described later. A more detailed configuration of the incomplete unit 8 will be described later.

[0054] Each unit 9 is formed in an annular shape of a polygon (hexagonal in this embodiment) in a plan view in the height direction Z (thickness direction view of the outer panel 3). Hereinafter, when simply expressed as a plan view, it means a plan view in the height direction Z. By forming each unit 9 in a small annular polygonal shape, the inner panel 2 can be made lightweight and can have high rigidity.

[0055] In this embodiment, each unit 9 is formed in a regular hexagon with substantially rounded corners. A regular hexagon is a hexagon in which the lengths of all sides are equal and the interior angles are all 120 degrees. Also, "substantially regular hexagon" in this specification refers to a hexagon that can be treated as a regular hexagon. The shapes of the units 9 are the same. In this embodiment, the "same shape" includes not only the same shape but also shapes that are the same except that the shape of each unit 9 is adjusted to the curved shape of the outer panel 3.

[0056] Each unit 9 may be formed in a hexagon other than a regular hexagon. Examples of hexagons other than regular hexagons include hexagons with non-uniform side lengths and hexagons with interior angles not unified at 120 degrees. As a hexagon with non-uniform side lengths, a hexagon having four sides with the length of the front end side and the length of the rear end side set to a predetermined first length and each set to a predetermined second length different from the first length can be exemplified.

[0057] The overhanging structure 6 has a structure in which a plurality of hexagonal annular units 9 are arranged most densely. In this case, "most densely" means that a plurality of adjacent units 9 are arranged without gaps. Specifically, the units 9 are partitioned at the unit boundary 14 with other units 9. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tip 13c (lower end) of the bottom 13 forms the boundary of the bottom 13 including the tip 13c, thereby forming the unit boundary 14. This unit boundary 14 is formed in a hexagonal shape in plan view. Due to such a most dense hexagonal arrangement, the overhanging structure 6 can resist loads in all directions including the height direction Z in the entire region in plan view substantially equally.

[0058] When the flanges 11 described below of the unit 9 are arranged most densely, it is preferable that the plurality of units 9 have the same shape. Also, units 9 of different shapes or similar shapes may be arranged most densely. In addition, in the overhanging structure 6, the units 9 do not have to be arranged most densely, and other parts may be formed between adjacent units 9, 9. Also, the plurality of units 9 may have similar shapes to each other. In this case, in the units 9 that are similar to each other, the respective flanges 11 also have similar shapes to each other.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the plurality of units 9 are formed symmetrically with respect to the width direction X as a whole. For example, in the present embodiment, three units 9 are arranged in the front-rear direction at the center in the width direction X. Note that there is no restriction on the direction of the unit 9.

[0060] In the present embodiment, four units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are sequentially arranged toward the right from the above three units 9 arranged at the center position in the width direction X, and further, three units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are arranged, and further, two units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are arranged, and further, two units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are arranged. Also, in the same manner as above, four units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are sequentially arranged toward the left from the above three units 9 arranged at the center position in the width direction X, and further, three units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are arranged, and further, two units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are arranged, and further, two units 9 arranged in the length direction Y are arranged. In this way, a plurality of units 9 having substantially the same shape are arranged in a straight line in each of the length direction Y (front-rear direction) and the width direction X.

[0061] With the above configuration, a plurality of units 9 aligned in the width direction X are arranged at a constant pitch in the width direction X, and further, a plurality of units 9 aligned in the length direction Y are arranged at a constant pitch in the length direction Y. Also, in the present embodiment, the unit 9 and the incomplete unit 8 are arranged in a straight line along the inclination direction C (C1 or C2) as the third direction (linear direction) orthogonal to both the width direction X as the first direction and the length direction Y as the second direction. The angle (minor angle) formed by the inclination direction C with respect to the width direction X is, for example, about 30 degrees. The inclination direction C1 is -30 degrees in the clockwise direction with respect to the width direction X, and the inclination direction C2 is 30 degrees in the clockwise direction with respect to the width direction X. This angle (minor angle) is not particularly limited. It can be said that the plurality of units 9 arranged along the inclination direction C are arranged obliquely toward the right front side along the inclination direction C1 in a view from the plate thickness direction in the present embodiment. Also, it can be said that the plurality of units 9 arranged along the inclination direction C are arranged obliquely toward the right rear side along the inclination direction C2 in a view from the plate thickness direction in the present embodiment. And in the present embodiment, the overhanging structure 6 is widest in the length in the width direction X at substantially the center in the length direction Y of the inner panel 2.

[0062] As shown well in FIGS. 5 and 6, each unit 9 has six partial units 10 (10a to 10f). In the present embodiment, in each unit 9, the front partial unit 10a and the rear partial unit 10d extend along the width direction X respectively. And in each unit 9, the remaining four partial units 10 extend in a direction inclined with respect to the length direction Y in a plan view. In this way, a polygonal unit 9 is formed by the plurality of partial units 10.

[0063] Each partial unit 10 (10a to 10f) has a flange 11 adjacent to the outer panel 3, a vertical wall 12 extending from the flange 11 so as to be separated from the outer panel 3, and a bottom 13 continuous with the vertical wall 12 and separated from the flange 11.

[0064] The flange 11 is adjacent to the outer panel 3 and is the part that is arranged closest to the outer panel 3 in the partial unit 10. The flange 11 is a strip-shaped part. In one unit 9, the flanges 11 of the six partial units 10a to 10f form an annular flange 15 whose overall outer contour shape is hexagonal. Note that the annular flange 15 as a whole may form a flange with a polygonal shape other than a hexagon, a substantially circular flange, or a substantially elliptical flange. And the inner ends 11a of the six flanges 11 are formed in a circular shape centered on the center of the annular unit 9 as a whole. Note that the plurality of inner ends 11a may be formed in a polygonal shape as a whole, or may be formed in an elliptical shape. Also, the plurality of inner ends 11a may be formed in an asymmetric shape that does not have a symmetry axis or a symmetry center point.

[0065] Among the flanges 11, the opposing surface 11b facing the outer panel 3 is substantially parallel to the outer panel 3. The "substantially parallel" in this case means that the lower surface 3a of the outer panel 3 and the opposing surface 11b form an angle of zero degrees or within a few degrees in any of the width direction X, length direction Y, and height direction Z. In the present embodiment, the inner ends of each opposing surface 11b are the inner ends 11a. Also, the outer ends 11c of each opposing surface 11b are located near the boundary between the flange 11 and the vertical wall 12. In each flange 11, a joint portion 20 is arranged on the opposing surface 11b. That is, the opposing surface 11b is provided as a portion where the joint portion 20 can be arranged. Among the opposing surfaces 11b of the flange 11 facing the outer panel 3, it is preferable that the width where the joint portion 20 can be applied is 2 mm or more in terms of providing a sufficient amount of the joint portion 20.

[0066] In the present embodiment, in each unit 9, the flanges 11 of at least some of the partial units 10 are adhered to the joint portion 20 on the opposing surface 11b and are adhered to the outer panel 3 via this joint portion 20. The vertical wall 12 extends downward from the flange 11.

[0067] The vertical wall 12 is disposed between the flange 11 and the bottom 13, connecting the flange 11 and the bottom 13. The vertical wall 12 extends from the flange 11 so as to be separated from the outer panel 3. The vertical wall 12 is provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the partial unit 10 where the vertical wall 12 is provided. The vertical wall 12 is formed, for example, in a tapered shape that advances toward the central axis side (inner end 11a side) of the unit 9 as it approaches the outer panel 3 side.

[0068] The flange 11 is continuous with the upper end of the vertical wall 12. The bottom 13 is continuous with the lower end of the vertical wall 12. The bottom 13 is the portion that is most separated from the outer panel 3 in the unit 9 and is separated from the flange 11. The bottom 13 is formed in a curved shape that bulges downward. The bottom 13 is provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the partial unit 10 where the vertical wall 12 is provided. The tip 13c of the bottom 13 in one unit 9 is integral with the tip 13c of the bottom 13 in another adjacent unit 9.

[0069] Next, the incomplete unit 8, which is well illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, will be described in more detail. In the present embodiment, the incomplete unit 8 includes a portion corresponding to a part of the unit 9 by having one or more partial units 10. The partial unit 10 has the flange 11, the vertical wall 12, and the bottom 13, as described above. The opposing surface 11b of the flange 11 in the incomplete unit 8 is a portion where the joint 20 can be disposed.

[0070] In this embodiment, a plurality (12) of incomplete units 8 are provided, and they include incomplete units 81, 82, …, 89, 810, 811, 812. In this embodiment, the incomplete unit 81 is disposed to the left of the front end of the overhanging structure 6 and has two partial units 10. The incomplete unit 82 is disposed near the left end of the front part of the overhanging structure 6 and has two partial units 10. The incomplete unit 83 is disposed behind the incomplete unit 82 and has two partial units 10. The incomplete unit 84 is disposed near the left end of the rear end of the overhanging structure 6 and has four partial units 10. The incomplete unit 85 is disposed on the right side of the incomplete unit 84 at the rear end of the overhanging structure 6 and has three partial units 10.

[0071] The incomplete units 86, 87, 88, 89, 810 are formed in a shape symmetrical to the incomplete units 81 to 85 in the width direction X. Accordingly, the incomplete units 86 to 810 have a plurality of partial units 10.

[0072] The incomplete unit 811 is disposed at the center in the width direction X at the front end of the overhanging structure 6 and has three partial units 10. The incomplete unit 812 is disposed at the center in the width direction X at the rear end of the overhanging structure 6 and has three partial units 10.

[0073] Next, the joint portion 20 will be described in more detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7. The joint portion 20 is provided for joining the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3. In this embodiment, an adhesive is used as the joint portion 20. As this adhesive, a mastic sealer (mastic adhesive) can be exemplified. As this mastic sealer, a resin-based adhesive can be exemplified. In this specification, "sealer" and "adhesive" are used synonymously. The adhesive may be of a nature to cure at normal temperature (for example, 20 degrees Celsius), or may be of a nature to cure through a heating process or a drying process. The adhesive joining the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 is the joint portion 20.

[0074] The joint part 20 is arranged so as to ensure the bonding strength, the tension rigidity, and the dent resistance between the inner panel 2 and the outer panel while achieving the weight reduction of the automobile hood 1. In the present embodiment, the joint part 20 is provided on the flange 11 of each unit 9 of the inner panel 2 and some of the incomplete units 8 (81, 84, 85, 86, 89, 810, 811, 812). The incomplete units 8 and the units 9 where the joint part 20 is provided are joint part - attached units. In particular, the unit in which the joint part 20 is provided on the flange 11 of the unit 9 formed in an annular shape when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the outer panel 3 is an annular joint part - attached unit. Thus, in the present embodiment, the plurality of incomplete units 8 and the units 9 include a plurality of joint part - attached units.

[0075] In the present embodiment, each joint part 20 is formed in a dot shape. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the joint part 20 (the diameter when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the outer panel 3) is about 5 mm to 25 mm. The aspect ratio of the joint part 20 (the ratio of the maximum value to the minimum value of the diameter at the joint part 20 when viewed in the plate thickness direction) is, for example, 1.0 to 2.0. The joint part 20 is in contact with both the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3. The joint part 20 joins the opposing surface 11b of the flange 11 and the lower surface 3a of the outer panel 3. Thus, since the flange 11 of the inner panel 2 that protrudes toward the outer panel 3 side is joined to the outer panel 3 via the joint part 20, the inner panel 2 can have higher tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3.

[0076] In the present embodiment, a predetermined first form is provided. The first form means a form in which in some of the joint part - attached units (in the present embodiment, the units 9 and the incomplete units 84, 89), the joint parts 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a predetermined pattern P1, and in the remaining joint part - attached units (in the present embodiment, the incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812), the joint parts 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a part of the above - mentioned predetermined pattern P1.

[0077] In this embodiment, the above-described predetermined pattern P1 is a three-point dot pattern. Pattern P1 is a triangular pattern when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the outer panel 3, and is a pattern that is not a straight line. Although pattern P1 of this embodiment is an equilateral triangle pattern, it may be an isosceles triangle pattern or a triangular pattern with three sides of different lengths. Dot-like joints 20 are arranged at each vertex of pattern P1.

[0078] The predetermined pattern P1 is set to the same size in each of the plurality of units with joints. In other words, pattern P1 is set to the same size in any unit with a joint where the joint 20 of the pattern P1 is arranged. Further, in this embodiment, pattern P1 is set to the same orientation when viewed in the plate thickness direction in any unit with a joint where the joint 20 of the pattern P1 is arranged. In this embodiment, when viewed in the plate thickness direction, for pattern P1, one joint 20 is arranged on the front side in the length direction Y, another joint 20 is arranged at the right rear of the one joint 20, and another joint 2 is arranged at the left rear of the one joint 20. When viewed in the plate thickness direction, the relative positions (relative distances) of the three joints 20 within one pattern P1 are common to the plurality of patterns P1.

[0079] Regarding the joints 20 within one pattern P1, from the viewpoint of sufficiently ensuring the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3, it is preferable that the distance between the two farthest joints 20 is 200 mm or less, more preferably 150 mm or less, and even more preferably 110 mm or less.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the joints 20 are arranged in an array including one pattern P1 in one unit 9. As a result, a plurality of dot-like joints 20 are arranged in one unit 9. In the present embodiment, in all the units 9, the joints 20 are arranged in the pattern P1. As a result, in the present embodiment, 15 or more patterns P1 are provided. Further, in the present embodiment, the orientations of the patterns P1 in each unit 9 are aligned, with one vertex of the triangle being arranged closer to the front side of the vehicle and two vertices being arranged closer to the rear side of the vehicle. Note that the orientations of the pattern P1 may be different between the plurality of units 9. Also, there may be a unit 9 in which the joint 20 is not provided.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the distance L1 between the centers (central axes S1, S1) in the thickness direction view of two adjacent units 9, 9 is preferably 200 mm or less from the viewpoint of sufficiently ensuring the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3.

[0082] Also, in the present embodiment, in some of the incomplete units 8 (84, 89), the joints 20 are arranged in the pattern P1. In the present embodiment, the orientation of the pattern P1 in the incomplete units 84, 89 may be different from, but aligned with, the orientation of the pattern P1 in the unit 9. Also, in some of the incomplete units 8 (81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812), the joints 20 are arranged in an array including a part of the pattern P1 (array of the partial pattern P2). In the present embodiment, the joints 20 are arranged in an array of only a part of the pattern P1. A part (partial pattern P2) of the pattern P1 in the incomplete units 81, 86, 811 on the front side of the vehicle is a pattern connecting two vertices among the triangular patterns. On the other hand, a part (partial pattern P2) of the pattern P1 in the incomplete units 85, 810, 812 on the rear side of the vehicle is a pattern obtained by extracting one vertex from the triangular pattern. In the present embodiment, the orientation of the partial pattern P2 may be different from, but aligned with, the orientation of the pattern P1.

[0083] In this embodiment, the pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2 with their positions aligned in the width direction X are arranged at a constant pitch in the width direction X (linear direction). Further, the pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2 with their positions aligned in the length direction Y are arranged at a constant pitch in the length direction Y (linear direction). Also, in this embodiment, the pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2 are arranged at a constant pitch along the inclination direction C (C1, C2; linear direction) as the third direction. The pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2 arranged along the diagonal direction C are, in this embodiment, arranged diagonally toward the right front side along the inclination direction C1 in a view from the thickness direction of the plate. Also, in this embodiment, the pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2 arranged along the diagonal direction C are arranged diagonally toward the right rear side along the inclination direction C2 in a view from the thickness direction of the plate.

[0084] With the above configuration, the distance L1 between the centers (central axes S1, S1) of two adjacent annular joint units is 200 mm or less. Thereby, the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be sufficiently ensured. Also, in a view from the thickness direction of the outer panel 3, the joint portion 20 is arranged on the automobile hood 1 in a well-balanced manner. From this point as well, the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0085] The above is the schematic configuration of the automobile hood 1. Next, a coater 30 for applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint portion 20 will be described. FIG. 8(A) is a schematic diagram of an example of the coater 30. Referring to FIG. 8(A), the coater 30 is a device that discharges the adhesive 21 (sealer) that becomes the joint portion 20.

[0086] The coater 30 includes a head 31 including a plurality of nozzles 33, a plurality of supply mechanisms 35 for supplying the adhesive 21 to each of the plurality of nozzles 33, a displacement mechanism 36 for displacing the head 31 with respect to the inner panel 2 or the outer panel 3 as the coating target, and a control unit 37.

[0087] The head 31 has a base 32 and a plurality of nozzles 33 supported by the base 32 and displaced integrally with the base 32. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the nozzles 33 is the same as the arrangement of the joints 20 in the pattern P1. That is, in this embodiment, the nozzles 33 are arranged at the respective vertices of the triangle. In this embodiment, the relative positions of the plurality (three) of nozzles 33 are fixed. By discharging the adhesive 21 all at once from all the nozzles 33, the adhesive 21 having the arrangement of the pattern P1 can be discharged. Further, the coater 30 can also discharge the adhesive 21 from one or two nozzles 33. Thereby, the adhesive 21 having the arrangement of the partial pattern P2 can be discharged.

[0088] Each nozzle 33 is connected to a corresponding supply mechanism 35 via, for example, a flexible tube 34. One supply mechanism 35 is provided for each nozzle 33. Each supply mechanism 35 is a mechanism for supplying the adhesive 21 to the corresponding nozzle 33 and includes a pump or the like for supplying the adhesive 21 from a tank (not shown) to the nozzle 33. Each supply mechanism 35 is configured to supply the adhesive 21 independently of each other.

[0089] The displacement mechanism 36 is formed using, for example, a robot arm, a linear actuator, or the like, and is configured to be able to move the head 31 in at least two axial directions orthogonal to each other with respect to the application target. The displacement mechanism 36 is preferably configured to be able to rotate the head 31 around an axis parallel to the central axis of each nozzle 33. It is more preferable that the displacement mechanism 36 is configured to be able to relatively move the head 31 and the application target in the X1, Y1, Z1 axial directions orthogonal to each other and to be able to relatively move around the X1, Y1, Z1 axes. In particular, the displacement mechanism 36 is preferably able to rotate around the Z1 axis, which is an axis parallel to the central axis of each nozzle 33.

[0090] The control unit 37 is formed by using, for example, a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), etc. The control unit 37 controls the discharge of the adhesive 21 from each nozzle 33 by controlling each supply mechanism 35 and the displacement mechanism 36. The control unit 37 individually controls the on / off of the operation of each supply mechanism 35. Thereby, the plurality of nozzles 33 are configured to be individually able to switch the on / off of the supply of the adhesive 21. The control unit 37 controls the supply mechanism 35 and the displacement mechanism 36 according to a program stored in a storage unit or the like of the control unit 37.

[0091] In an example of the coating machine 30 described above, since the supply mechanism 35 is provided for each of the plurality of nozzles 33, the on / off of the supply of the adhesive 21 from each nozzle 33 can be switched. However, this configuration is not necessary. As described in FIG. 8(B) showing another example of the coating machine 30, one supply mechanism 35 and a plurality of nozzles 33 may be connected via a tube 34. In this case, the adhesive 21 from the supply mechanism 35 is supplied to each nozzle 33 via the tube 34. A shutter 38 is provided for each nozzle 33. The shutter 38 includes, for example, a solenoid valve or the like and performs the opening and closing operation of the corresponding nozzle 33. Each shutter 38 is individually controlled to perform the opening and closing operation by the control unit 37. When the shutter 38 is open, the adhesive 21 is discharged from the corresponding nozzle 33, and when the shutter 38 is closed, the adhesive 21 is not discharged from the corresponding nozzle 33. With the above configuration, the plurality of nozzles 33 are configured to be individually able to switch the on / off of the supply of the adhesive 21.

[0092] In addition, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the nozzle 33 is displaced is described, but it does not have to be like this. The position of the nozzle 33 may be fixed and the object to be coated may be displaced with respect to the nozzle 33, or a configuration in which both the nozzle 33 and the object to be coated are displaceable may be used.

[0093] Next, the main points of an example of a method for manufacturing the automobile hood 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view for explaining the state in which the applicator 30 applies the adhesive 21. Referring to FIGS. 8(A) and 9, in the coating step of the joint portion 20, first, the inner panel 2 or the outer panel 3 as the object to be coated is placed on a workbench (not shown). In this embodiment, a state in which the inner panel 2 is placed on the workbench as the object to be coated is shown. Next, by the control unit 37 reading and executing the above program, the coating operation of the adhesive 21 that will form the joint portion 20 is performed.

[0094] In the coating operation, the adhesive 21 is applied to the object to be coated (the inner panel 2 in this embodiment) using the applicator 30 including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged in a predetermined pattern P1. The applicator 30 moves each nozzle 33 of the head 31 in the width direction X, the length direction Y, and the height direction Z with respect to the inner panel 2 by the operation of the displacement mechanism 36. As a result, each nozzle 33 is displaced to the location where the joint portion 20 on the inner panel 2 is set. Each nozzle 33 is configured to supply (coat) the adhesive 21 to each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete units 8 (at multiple locations) by moving in the width direction X while reciprocating in the length direction Y with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A1, for example.

[0095] Note that "applying the adhesive 21 while moving the nozzle 33" includes an operation of once stopping the movement of the nozzle 33 in the thickness direction view during the adhesive application operation and then applying the adhesive 21. In the present embodiment, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in the length direction Y as the linear direction. Then, after applying the adhesive 21 to the units 9 and the incomplete units 8 (units with joints) arranged in a row in the length direction Y, it moves in the width direction X by the arrangement pitch between two adjacent units 9, 9 in the width direction X. Thereafter, again, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in the length direction Y as the linear direction.

[0096] When the applicator 30 applies the adhesive 21 to the flange 11 of the unit 9 and when applying the joint adhesive 21 to the flanges 11 of the incomplete units 84, 89, it applies the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 in a predetermined pattern P1 to the inner panel 2 by supplying the adhesive 21 from all the nozzles 33 at once.

[0097] Also, when the applicator 30 applies the adhesive 21 to the incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812, it applies the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 in a part (partial pattern P2) of the predetermined pattern P1 to the inner panel 2 by supplying the adhesive 21 from some of the nozzles 33. More specifically, when the applicator 30 applies the adhesive 21 to the incomplete units 81, 86, 811, it supplies the adhesive 21 from two nozzles 33, and when applying the adhesive 21 to the incomplete units 85, 810, 812, it supplies the adhesive 21 from one nozzle 33.

[0098] After the adhesive 21 is applied to the inner panel 2 with the above configuration, the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 are joined together using a robot arm (not shown) or the like. As a result, a part of the adhesive 21 comes into contact with both the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 to form the joint portion 20, and the joint portion 20 joins these panels 2 and 3. Thereafter, for example, the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer panel 3 is hemmed, and then through processes such as a painting and baking process, the automobile hood 1 is completed.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, although the application target of the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint portion 20 is the inner panel 2, even if it is the outer panel 3, the applicator 30 may apply the adhesive 21 by performing the same operation as above on the outer panel 3. Further, the applicator 30 may apply a part of the adhesive 21 to the inner panel 2 and the remaining part of the adhesive 21 to the outer panel 3.

[0100] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the first mode, the joint portion 20 can be formed in an arrangement including a single pattern P1 in some joint portion - attached units (incomplete units 84, 89, and each unit 9), and in the remaining part of the joint portion - attached units (incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812), the joint portion 20 can be formed in an arrangement including a partial pattern P2 that is a part of the pattern P1. Thereby, in this embodiment, for example, a sealer applicator 30 including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged in a predetermined pattern P1 can apply the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint portion 20 so as to be arranged in the shape of the pattern P1 or the partial pattern P2. Therefore, the application work of the adhesive 21 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a certain pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0101] Also, according to this embodiment, a plurality of units 9 include a plurality of units 9 each including a flange 11 having substantially the same shape as each other. Thereby, the tensile rigidity and dent resistance can be made more uniform in each part of the outer panel 3.

[0102] Also, according to the present embodiment, the pattern P1 is set to the same size in each of the plurality of jointed units. According to this configuration, when applying the adhesive 21 from the nozzle 33, it is not necessary to change the relative position of the nozzle 33. Therefore, the application work of the adhesive 21 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a fixed pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0103] Also, according to the present embodiment, the pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2 are arranged side by side in the length direction Y. According to this configuration, by moving the nozzle 33 in the length direction Y, the movement work of the nozzle 33 when applying the adhesive 21 to the pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2 can be performed more quickly, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0104] Also, according to the present embodiment, the predetermined pattern P1 is a dot pattern of three or more points. According to this configuration, sufficient tensile rigidity and dent resistance can be ensured in one unit 9.

[0105] Also, according to the present embodiment, in one automobile hood 1, 15 or more predetermined patterns P1 are provided. According to this configuration, the joints 20 can be distributed over a wider range on the outer panel 3. Thereby, sufficient tensile rigidity and dent resistance can be ensured throughout the automobile hood 1.

[0106] Also, according to the present embodiment, when applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 to the inner panel 2 as the application target, the adhesive 21 is supplied all at once from all the nozzles 33 to apply the adhesive 21 to the inner panel 2 in a predetermined pattern P1, and the adhesive 21 is supplied from some of the nozzles 33 to apply the adhesive 21 to the inner panel 2 in a part (partial pattern P2) of the predetermined pattern P1. According to this configuration, the adhesive 21 can be applied in an array including a single pattern P1 in some of the jointed units (incomplete units 84, 89, and each unit 9), and in the remaining part of the jointed units (incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812), the adhesive 21 can be applied in an array including a part of the pattern P1. In this way, by using one applicator 30 having a plurality of nozzles 33, the application work of the adhesive 21 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a fixed pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0107] Also, according to the present embodiment, the adhesive 21 is applied to a plurality of locations on the inner panel 2 while reciprocating the plurality of nozzles 33 with respect to the inner panel 2. In this way, by applying the adhesive 21 while the plurality of nozzles 33 reciprocate, the rapid formation work of the joint 20 can be performed.

[0108] Due to the configuration and operation of the present embodiment described above, even when the outer panel 3 is made thin (for example, a plate thickness of 0.4 to 0.6 mm in the case of a steel plate and a plate thickness of 0.60 to 0.75 mm in the case of an aluminum plate) for the purpose of weight reduction of the automobile body, a decrease in the tensile rigidity and dent resistance can be suppressed. Furthermore, in particular, in order to increase the tensile rigidity, even when the interval between the joints 20 between the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 is reduced and the number of joints 20 increases, an increase in the time required to construct the joints 20 can be reduced.

[0109] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be variously modified within the scope described in the claims. In the following, configurations different from the above-described embodiments will mainly be described, and the same reference numerals may be given to the same configurations and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted. More specifically, detailed descriptions may be omitted by giving the same reference numerals to configurations similar to those already described once.

[0110] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the nozzle 33 moves in the length direction Y as a linear direction in the thickness direction view to cross the inner panel 2 to apply the adhesive 21. However, it does not have to be like this. Each nozzle 33, for example, moves in the length direction Y while reciprocating in the width direction X with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A2 in FIG. 9, so that the adhesive 21 is supplied (applied) to each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete units 8 (at multiple locations). In this case, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in the width direction X as a linear direction. Then, after applying the adhesive 21 to the units 9 and the incomplete units 8 (joint portion-attached units) arranged in a row with their positions aligned in the width direction X and the length direction Y, it moves in the length direction Y by the arrangement pitch D between two adjacent units 9, 9 in the length direction Y (front diagonal direction). Thereafter, again, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in the width direction X as a linear direction.

[0111] Further, each nozzle 33 may supply (apply) the adhesive 21 to each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete units 8 (at multiple locations) by reciprocally moving in either one of the inclination directions C1 and C2 with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A3 in FIG. 9 and then moving in the other one of the inclination directions C1 and C2. In this case, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in either one of the inclination directions C1 and C2 as a linear direction. After applying the adhesive 21 to the units 9 and the incomplete units 8 (units with joints) arranged in a row in either one of the inclination directions C1 and C2, it moves in the other one of the inclination directions C1 and C2 by the arrangement pitch between two adjacent units 9, 9 in the other one of the inclination directions C1 and C2. Thereafter, again, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in either one of the inclination directions C1 and C2.

[0112] <First Modification Example of the First Embodiment> In the above-described embodiment, the form in which the joint 20 is formed by the partial pattern P2 in addition to the pattern P1 has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, which is a diagram for explaining the first modification example of the first embodiment, the arrangement of the partial pattern P2 may not be provided. In this modification example, a predetermined second form is provided. The second form refers to a form in which, in each of all the units with joints (all the units 9 and the incomplete units 84, 89), a plurality of joints 20 are arranged in an array including a predetermined pattern P1. In this modification example, in all the units with joints, the joints 20 are arranged at three points. The process of realizing the arrangement of the joints 20 shown in this modification example corresponds to omitting the process of applying the joints 20 with the partial pattern P2 in the first embodiment.

[0113] As described above, according to this modification example, in the second form, in each of all the joint portion-attached units (units 9, incomplete units 84 and 89), the joint portion 20 can be formed in an arrangement including a single pattern P1. Thus, in this modification example, a sealant applicator 30 including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged in a predetermined pattern P1 can apply the joint portion 20 serving as the adhesive 21 so as to be arranged in the shape of the pattern P1. Therefore, the formation work of the joint portion 20 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a certain pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0114] <Second Modification Example of the First Embodiment> In the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the form in which the arrangement pattern P1 of each joint portion 20 is a dot pattern has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 which is a diagram for explaining the second modification example of the first embodiment, the arrangement pattern of each joint portion 20 may be three or more linear patterns P1.

[0115] In the modification example shown in FIG. 11, each joint portion 20 is arranged at a predetermined interval on a virtual circle and is formed in an arc shape. When realizing the arrangement of the joint portion 20 shown in this modification example, in addition to relatively moving the nozzle 33 and the application target (inner panel 2) in the same manner as shown in the first embodiment, when discharging the adhesive 21 serving as the joint portion 20 from the three nozzles 33 into the joint portion-attached unit (unit 9) simultaneously, the three nozzles 33 are rotated around the Z1 axis with respect to the application target (inner panel 2). Thereby, the adhesive 21 is discharged from the nozzle 33 so that the adhesive 21 draws an arc. Each adhesive 21 may be formed in a linear shape or may be formed in another shape such as a waveform shape. According to this configuration, the joint portion 20 can be formed in a wider range.

[0116] <Third Modification Example of the First Embodiment> In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the form in which all the joints 20 belong to the pattern P1 or the partial pattern P2 has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. In the modification shown in FIG. 12, joints 20 that do not belong to either the pattern P1 or the partial pattern P2 may be provided. In the modification shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the arrangement of the joints 20 shown in the first embodiment, for example, four joints 20 (201) are added. Specifically, as a unit with joints, in addition to the pattern P1 or the partial pattern P2, an additional unit with joints having joints 20 (201) installed at locations deviating from the layout of the joints 20 in the pattern P1 is provided.

[0117] In this modification, for example, in each of the outermost units 9, 9 in the width direction X, in addition to the joints 20 of the pattern P1, joints 201 are provided. Also, in this modification, in the incomplete units 811, 812 at the center in the width direction X and at the front end and the rear end, in addition to the joints 20 of the partial pattern P2, joints 201 are provided. These joints 201 are formed by applying the adhesive 21 at locations deviating from the layout of the adhesive 21 in the pattern P1 or the partial pattern P2 in a process before or after the application process in which the joints 20 of the pattern P1 or the partial pattern P2 are applied by a plurality of nozzles 33.

[0118] According to this modification, by additionally providing the joints 201 in addition to the joints 20, the balance of the joining strength between the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 can be made higher. As a result, the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be made higher.

[0119] Also, according to this modification, the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be made higher in a simple and short-time process of additionally applying a small number of joints 201 (adhesive 21) before or after the process of applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joints 20 of the pattern P1 and the partial pattern P2.

[0120] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the joint portion 20 according to the second embodiment. The inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the joint portion 20 is provided on the flange 11 of each unit 9 of the inner panel 2 and some of the incomplete units 8 (84, 85, 89, 810, 811, 812). The incomplete units 8 and the units 9 provided with the joint portion 20 are joint portion-provided units. Thus, in the present embodiment, the plurality of incomplete units 8 and the units 9 include a plurality of joint portion-provided units.

[0121] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the flange 11 protruding toward the outer panel 3 side of the inner panel 2 is joined to the outer panel 3 via the joint portion 20, so that the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be increased.

[0122] In the second embodiment, the first form is provided. The first form means a form in which in some of the joint portion-provided units (in the second embodiment, the units 9 and the incomplete units 84, 89), the joint portion 20 is arranged in an array including a predetermined pattern P1A, and in the remaining joint portion-provided units (in the present embodiment, the incomplete units 85, 810, 811, 812), the joint portion 20 is arranged in an array (partial pattern P2A) including a part of the predetermined pattern P1A.

[0123] In the second embodiment, the predetermined pattern P1A is a six-point dot pattern. The pattern P1A is a hexagonal pattern when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the outer panel 3 and is a non-linear pattern.

[0124] The specified pattern P1A is set to the same size in each of the plurality of joined units. In other words, the pattern P1A is set to the same size in any of the joined units in which the joint 20 of the pattern P1A is arranged. Further, in the present embodiment, the pattern P1A is set to the same orientation in any of the joined units in which the joint 20 of the pattern P1A is arranged, when viewed in the plate thickness direction. In the present embodiment, when viewed in the plate thickness direction, the pattern P1A is arranged such that two joints 20 are aligned straight in the length direction Y at each of three positions in the width direction X. The relative positions (relative distances) of the six joints 20 within one pattern P1A are common among the plurality of patterns P1A when viewed in the plate thickness direction.

[0125] Although the pattern P1A of the second embodiment is a regular hexagon pattern, it may be a hexagonal pattern in which at least one side length is different from the other side lengths. Dot-like joints 20 are arranged at each vertex of the pattern P1A. In the second embodiment, the hexagonal vertices of the unit 9 and the vertices of the hexagonal pattern P1A may or may not be aligned. Regarding the joints 20 within one pattern P1A, it is preferable from the viewpoint of sufficiently ensuring the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 that the distance between the two farthest joints 20 is 200 mm or less, more preferably 150 mm or less, and even more preferably 110 mm or less.

[0126] In the second embodiment, the joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement in which one unit 9 includes one pattern P1A. As a result, a plurality of dot-like joints 20 are arranged in one unit 9. In the present embodiment, in all the units 9, the joints 20 are arranged in the pattern P1A. As a result, in the second embodiment, 15 or more patterns P1A are provided. Further, in the second embodiment, the orientations of the patterns P1A in each unit 9 are aligned. Note that the orientations of the patterns P1A may be different among the plurality of units 9. Also, there may be units 9 in which the joints 20 are not provided.

[0127] Also, as described above, in the second embodiment, in some of the incomplete units 84 and 89, the joint 20 is arranged in the pattern P1A. In the second embodiment, although the orientation of the pattern P1A in the incomplete units 84 and 89 is aligned with the orientation of the pattern P1A in the unit 9A, it may be different. Further, in some of the incomplete units 85, 810, 811, and 812, the joint 20 is arranged in an array (the array of the partial pattern P2A) including a part of the pattern P1A. In the present embodiment, the joint 20 is arranged in an array of only a part of the pattern P1A. A part of the pattern P1A in the incomplete units 85, 810, 811, and 812 is a pattern that connects three vertices continuously in the circumferential direction of the hexagon among the hexagonal patterns, and this pattern is the partial pattern P2A.

[0128] In the second embodiment, the pattern P1A and the partial pattern P2A with aligned positions in the width direction X are arranged at a constant pitch in the width direction X (linear direction), and further, the pattern P1A and the partial pattern P2A with aligned positions in the length direction Y are arranged at a constant pitch in the length direction Y (linear direction). Also, in the present embodiment, the pattern P1A and the partial pattern P2A are arranged at a constant pitch along the inclination direction C (C1, C2, linear direction) as the third direction. The pattern P1A and the partial pattern P2A arranged along the diagonal direction C are, in the present embodiment, arranged obliquely toward the front right along the inclination direction C1 in a view from the thickness direction. Also, in the present embodiment, the pattern P1A and the partial pattern P2A are arranged obliquely toward the rear right along the inclination direction C2 in a view from the thickness direction.

[0129] The above is the arrangement of the joint 20 in the second embodiment. The applicator 30 for applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 in the second embodiment is the same as the applicator 30 described in the first embodiment. That is, by using the applicator 30 having three nozzles 33 arranged at three vertices of a triangle, the joint 20 arranged in the array including the pattern P1A and the array including the partial pattern P2A can be realized.

[0130] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view for explaining how the applicator 30 applies the adhesive 21 in the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, in the process of applying the adhesive 21 to form the joint portion 20 in the second embodiment, first, the inner panel 2 or the outer panel 3 to be coated is placed on a workbench (not shown). In the second embodiment, a state where the inner panel 2 is placed on the workbench as the object to be coated is shown. Next, the control unit 37 reads and executes the above program, and the application operation of the adhesive 21 is performed.

[0131] In the application operation, the adhesive 21 is applied to the object to be coated (the inner panel 2 in the second embodiment) using an applicator 30 including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged including a part of a predetermined pattern P1A, that is, using an applicator 30 including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged including a partial pattern P2A. In the second embodiment, the applicator 30 moves each nozzle 33 of the head 31 in the width direction X, the length direction Y, and the height direction Z with respect to the inner panel 2 by the operation of the displacement mechanism 36. As a result, each nozzle 33 is displaced to a position where the joint portion 20 in the inner panel 2 is set. Each nozzle 33 is configured to supply the adhesive 21 to each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete unit 8, for example, by moving in the width direction X while reciprocating in the length direction Y with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A1.

[0132] When the applicator 30 applies the adhesive 21 to the flange 11 of the unit 9 and when applying the adhesive 21 to the flanges 11 of the incomplete units 84 and 89, the adhesive 21 is supplied all at once from all the nozzles 33, so that the adhesive 21 is applied to the inner panel 2 in a pattern that is part of the pattern P1A. Next, by rotating the head 31 180° around the Z1 axis, the orientation of the three nozzles 33 is changed. Then, by supplying the adhesive 21 all at once from all the nozzles 33, the adhesive 21 is applied to the inner panel 2 in the remaining pattern of the pattern P1A. In this way, by arranging the adhesive 21 in two patterns with different orientations of 180° (patterns corresponding to two portions of the pattern P1 in the first embodiment), the adhesive 21 serving as the joint portion 20 arranged in the pattern P1A is provided.

[0133] Also, when the applicator 30 applies the adhesive 21 to the incomplete units 85, 810, 811, and 812, after supplying the adhesive 21 from one nozzle 33, the nozzle 33 is slightly moved in the longitudinal direction Y, and the adhesive 21 is supplied from the remaining two nozzles 33 to apply the adhesive 21 to the inner panel 2 in a part (partial pattern P2A) of a predetermined pattern P1A.

[0134] After the adhesive 21 is applied to the inner panel 2 with the above configuration, the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 are joined together using a robot arm (not shown) or the like. As a result, a part of the adhesive 21 comes into contact with both the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 to form the joint portion 20, thereby joining these panels 2 and 3. Then, for example, by hemming the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer panel 3, the automobile hood 1 is assembled.

[0135] Also in the second embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, in the first form of the second embodiment, the joint 20 can be formed in an array including a single pattern P1A in some of the joint-attached units (incomplete units 84, 89, and each unit 9), and in the remaining some of the joint-attached units (incomplete units 85, 810, 811, 812), the joint 20 can be formed in an array including a partial pattern P2A as a part of the pattern P1A. Thereby, the sealer applicator 30 including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged in a part of the pattern of the pattern P1A can be set such that the joint 20 is arranged in the shapes of the pattern P1A and the partial pattern P2A. Therefore, the work of forming the joint 20 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a fixed pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0136] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since six joints 20 are provided in one unit 9, the rigidity for supporting the outer panel 3 can be made higher, and the tension rigidity of the outer panel 3 can be made higher.

[0137] Also, according to the second embodiment, when applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 to the inner panel 2 as the application target, by repeating the operation of collectively supplying the joint 20 from all the nozzles 33, the adhesive 21 is applied to the inner panel 2 in the arrangement of a predetermined pattern P1A, and by supplying the adhesive 21 from some of the nozzles 33, the joint 20 is formed on the inner panel 2 in a part (partial pattern P2A) of the predetermined pattern P1A. According to this configuration, in some of the joint-attached units (incomplete units 84, 89, and each unit 9), the joint 20 can be formed in an arrangement including a single pattern P1A, and in some of the remaining joint-attached units (incomplete units 85, 810, 811, 812), the joint 20 can be formed in an arrangement (partial pattern P2A) including a part of the pattern P1A. In this way, using one applicator 30 having a plurality of nozzles 33, the formation work of the joint 20 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a certain pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0138] <First Modification Example of the Second Embodiment> In the above-described second embodiment, the form in which the joint 20 is set in the partial pattern P2A in addition to the pattern P1A has been described as an example. However, this does not have to be the case. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, which is a diagram for explaining the first modification example of the second embodiment, the arrangement of the partial pattern P2A may not be provided. In this modification example, a predetermined second form is provided. The second form refers to a form in which a plurality of joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a predetermined pattern P1A in each of all the joint-attached units (all units 9 and incomplete units 84, 89). In this modification example, the joints 20 are arranged at six points in all the joint-attached units. The process of realizing the arrangement of the joints 20 shown in this modification example corresponds to omitting the process of applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 in the partial pattern P2A in the second embodiment.

[0139] As described above, according to the first modification of the second embodiment, in the second form, at each of all the jointed units (unit 9), the joint 20 can be formed in an arrangement including a single pattern P1A. Thereby, the formation work of the joint 20 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a certain pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0140] <Second Modification of the Second Embodiment> In the above-described second embodiment and the modification, the form in which the arrangement pattern P1A of each joint 20 is a dot pattern has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 which is a diagram for explaining the second modification of the second embodiment, the arrangement pattern of each joint 20 may be six or more linear patterns P1A.

[0141] In the modification shown in FIG. 16, each joint 20 is arranged at a predetermined interval on a virtual circle and is formed in an arc shape. When realizing the arrangement of the joints 20 shown in this modification, in addition to relatively moving the nozzle 33 and the application target (inner panel 2) in the same manner as shown in the second embodiment, when discharging the adhesive 21 from the three nozzles 33 into the jointed unit (unit 9) simultaneously, the three nozzles 33 are rotated around the Z1 axis with respect to the application target (inner panel 2). Thereby, the adhesive 21 is discharged from the nozzle 33 so that the adhesive 21 draws an arc. Each adhesive 21 may be formed in a linear shape or may be formed in other shapes such as a waveform shape.

[0142] In addition, in the second embodiment and the modification, the form in which the joint portion 20 is formed by the coater 30 having the three nozzles 33 arranged in the triangular pattern P1 described in the first embodiment is described as an example, but it does not have to be like this. For example, the joint portion 20 may be formed using a coater including six nozzles 33 arranged in the same pattern as the pattern P1A. In this case, when the joint portion 20 is formed in the arrangement of the pattern P1A, the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint portion 20 is discharged from the six nozzles 33 at the same time. At this time, the nozzle 33 does not have to be rotated around the Z1 axis. Further, when the joint portion 20 is formed in the arrangement of the partial pattern P2A, the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint portion 20 is discharged from the three nozzles 33 at the same time.

[0143] More specifically, the adhesive 21 arranged in the pattern P1A can be applied to the location where the joint portion 20 of the pattern P1A is formed from the six nozzles 33 by one adhesive discharge operation each. Further, the adhesive 21 arranged in the partial pattern P2A can be applied to the location where the partial pattern P2A is formed from the three nozzles 33 corresponding to the partial pattern P2A by one adhesive discharge operation each. Also in this case, the relative positions of the plurality (six) of nozzles 33 are fixed.

[0144] In addition, in the second embodiment and the modified example, the form in which the adhesive 21 is applied by moving the nozzle 33 in the length direction Y as the linear direction across the inner panel 2 in the thickness direction view was described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. Each nozzle 33 may supply (apply) the adhesive 21 to each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete units 8 (at multiple locations) by moving in the length direction Y while reciprocating in the width direction X with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A2 in FIG. 14. In this case, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in the width direction X as the linear direction. Then, after applying the adhesive 21 to the units 9 and the incomplete units 8 (joint portion-attached units) arranged in a row with their positions aligned in the width direction X and the length direction Y, it moves in the length direction Y by the arrangement pitch D between two adjacent units 9, 9 in the length direction Y (front diagonal direction). After that, again, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in the width direction X as the linear direction.

[0145] In addition, each nozzle 33 may supply (apply) the adhesive 21 to each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete units 8 (at multiple locations) by moving in either one of the inclination directions C1, C2 while reciprocating in either one of the inclination directions C1, C2 with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A3 in FIG. 14. In this case, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in either one of the inclination directions C1, C2 as the linear direction. Then, after applying the adhesive 21 to the units 9 and the incomplete units 8 (joint portion-attached units) arranged in a row in either one of the inclination directions C1, C2, it moves in the other one of the inclination directions C1, C2 by the arrangement pitch between two adjacent units 9, 9 in the other one of the inclination directions C1, C2. After that, again, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in either one of the inclination directions C1, C2.

[0146] <Third Modified Example of the Second Embodiment> In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the form in which all the joints 20 belong to the pattern P1A or the partial pattern P2A has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. In the modified example shown in FIG. 17, joints 20 that do not belong to either the pattern P1A or the partial pattern P2A may be provided. In the modified example shown in FIG. 17, in addition to the arrangement of the joints 20 shown in the second embodiment, for example, four joints 20 (201) are added. Specifically, as a unit with joints, in addition to the pattern P1A or the partial pattern P2A, an additional unit with joints having a joint 20 (201) installed at a location deviated from the layout of the joints 20 in the pattern P1A is provided.

[0147] In this modified example, for example, in each of the outermost units 9, 9 in the width direction X, in addition to the joint 20 of the pattern P1A, a joint 201 is provided. Also, in this modified example, in the incomplete units 811, 812 at the center in the width direction X and at the front end and the rear end, in addition to the joint 20 of the partial pattern P2A, a joint 201 is provided. These joints 201 are formed by applying the adhesive 21 at a location deviated from the layout of the adhesive 21 in the pattern P1A or the partial pattern P2A in a process before or after the application process in which the joints 20 of the pattern P1A or the partial pattern P2A are applied by a plurality of nozzles 33.

[0148] According to this modified example, by additionally providing the joint 201 in addition to the joint 20, the balance of the joint strength between the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 can be made higher. As a result, the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be made higher.

[0149] Also, according to this modified example, the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be made higher in a simple and short-time process of additionally applying a small number of joints 201 (adhesive 21) before or after the process of applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 of the pattern P1A and the partial pattern P2A.

[0150] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the joints 20 according to the third embodiment. The inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the joints 20 are provided on the flanges 11 of each unit 9 of the inner panel 2 and some of the incomplete units 8 (81, 84, 85, 86, 89, 810, 811, 812). The incomplete units 8 and the units 9 where the joints 20 are provided are jointed units. Thus, in the third embodiment, the plurality of incomplete units 8 and the units 9 include a plurality of jointed units.

[0151] In the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the flange 11 protruding toward the outer panel 3 side of the inner panel 2 is joined to the outer panel 3 via the joint 20, so that the tensile rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be increased.

[0152] In the third embodiment, the first form is provided. The first form means a form in which in some of the jointed units (unit 9 and incomplete units 84, 89), the joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a predetermined pattern P1B, and in the remaining jointed units (incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812), the joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a part of the predetermined pattern P1B (arrangement of the partial pattern P2B).

[0153] In the third embodiment, the predetermined pattern P1B is a four-point dot pattern. The pattern P1B is a rectangular pattern when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the outer panel 3 and is not a straight-line pattern.

[0154] The specified pattern P1B is set to the same size in each of the plurality of joined units. In other words, the pattern P1B is set to the same size in any of the joined units where the joint 20 of the pattern P1B is arranged. Further, in the present embodiment, the pattern P1B is set to the same orientation in any of the joined units where the joint 20 of the pattern P1B is arranged, when viewed in the plate thickness direction. In the present embodiment, in the pattern P1B, joints 20 are arranged at four locations, namely, the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left, when viewed in the plate thickness direction. In the plate thickness direction view, the relative positions (relative distances) of the four joints 20 within one pattern P1B are common to the plurality of patterns P1B.

[0155] Although the pattern P1B of the third embodiment is a square pattern, it may be a quadrilateral pattern in which at least one side length is different from the lengths of the other sides. Dotted joints 20 are arranged at each vertex of the pattern P1B. In the third embodiment, regarding the joints 20 within one pattern P1B, it is preferable from the viewpoint of sufficiently ensuring the tensile rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 that the distance between the two farthest joints 20 is 200 mm or less, more preferably 150 mm or less, and even more preferably 110 mm or less.

[0156] In the third embodiment, the joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement in which one unit 9 includes one pattern P1B. As a result, a plurality of dotted joints 20 are arranged in one unit 9. In the third embodiment, in all the units 9, the joints 20 are arranged in the pattern P1B. As a result, in the third embodiment, 15 or more patterns P1B are provided. Further, in the third embodiment, the orientations of the patterns P1B in each unit 9 are aligned. Note that the orientations of the patterns P1B may be different between the plurality of units 9. Also, there may be units 9 in which the joints 20 are not provided.

[0157] Also, as described above, in the third embodiment, in some of the incomplete units 84 and 89, the joint 20 is arranged in the pattern P1B. In the third embodiment, although the orientation of the pattern P1B in the incomplete units 84 and 89 is aligned with the orientation of the pattern P1B in the unit 9B, it may be different. Also, in some of the incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, and 812, the joint 20 is arranged in the partial pattern P2B as an arrangement including a part of the pattern P1B. In this embodiment, the joint 20 is arranged in an arrangement of only a part of the pattern P1B. The partial pattern P2B in the incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, and 812 is a pattern connecting two vertices among the rectangular patterns.

[0158] In the third embodiment, the joints 20 are arranged in a lattice pattern. More specifically, the joints 20 are arranged on a virtual straight line along the width direction X and on a virtual straight line along the length direction Y.

[0159] In the third embodiment, the pattern P1B and the partial pattern P2B with aligned positions in the width direction X are arranged at a constant pitch in the width direction X (linear direction), and further, the pattern P1B and the partial pattern P2B with aligned positions in the length direction Y are arranged at a constant pitch in the length direction Y (linear direction). Also, in this embodiment, the pattern P1B and the partial pattern P2B are arranged at a constant pitch along the inclination direction C (C1, C2; linear direction) as the third direction. The pattern P1B and the partial pattern P2B arranged along the diagonal direction C are, in this embodiment, arranged obliquely toward the right front side along the inclination direction C1 in a view from the plate thickness direction. Also, in this embodiment, the pattern P1B and the partial pattern P2B are arranged obliquely toward the right rear side along the inclination direction C2 in a view from the plate thickness direction.

[0160] The above is the arrangement of the joint 20 in the third embodiment. As an applicator for forming the joint 20 in the third embodiment, an applicator 30B is used. The applicator 30B has the same configuration as the applicator 30 described in the first embodiment, except that four nozzles 33 are arranged on the head 31 and a supply mechanism 35 is independently connected to each of the nozzles 33. That is, by using the applicator 30B having four nozzles 33 arranged at the four vertices of a rectangle, the joints 20 arranged in an array including the pattern P1B and an array including the partial pattern P2B can be realized.

[0161] FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view for explaining how the applicator 30B applies the adhesive 21 in the third embodiment. Referring to FIG. 19, in the process of forming the joint 20 in the third embodiment, first, the inner panel 2 or the outer panel 3 to be coated is placed on a workbench (not shown). In the third embodiment, the state where the inner panel 2 is placed on the workbench as the coating target is shown. Next, the control unit 37 reads and executes the above program, and the coating operation of the adhesive 21 that will become the joint 20 is performed.

[0162] In the coating operation, the adhesive 21 is formed on the coating target (the inner panel 2 in the third embodiment) by using the applicator 30B including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged in an array including a predetermined pattern P1B. In the third embodiment, the applicator 30B moves each nozzle 33 of the head 31 in the width direction X, the length direction Y, and the height direction Z with respect to the inner panel 2 by the operation of the displacement mechanism 36. As a result, each nozzle 33 is displaced to a position where the joint 20 is set on the inner panel 2. Each nozzle 33 is configured to form the joint 20 on each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete unit 8, for example, by moving in the width direction X while reciprocating in the length direction Y with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A1.

[0163] When the applicator 30B applies the adhesive 21 to the flange 11 of the unit 9 and when applying the adhesive 21 to the flanges 11 of the incomplete units 84 and 89, the adhesive 21 is supplied all at once from all the nozzles 33 to form the joint 20 in a predetermined pattern P1B on the inner panel 2.

[0164] Also, when the applicator 30 applies the joint 20 to the incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, and 812, the adhesive 21 is supplied from two nozzles 33 to apply the adhesive 21 in a part of the predetermined pattern P1B, that is, a partial pattern P2B, to the inner panel 2.

[0165] After the adhesive 21 is applied to the inner panel 2 with the above configuration, the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 are brought together using a robot arm (not shown) or the like. As a result, at least a part of the adhesive 21 comes into contact with both the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 to form the joint 20, joining these panels 2 and 3. Thereafter, the automobile hood 1 is assembled, for example, by hemming the outer peripheral edge of the outer panel 3.

[0166] Also in the third embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, in the first form of the third embodiment, the joint 20 can be formed in the arrangement of a single pattern P1B in some of the units with joints (incomplete units 84, 89, and unit 9), and in the remaining some of the units with joints (incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812), the joint 20 can be formed in an arrangement including a part of the pattern P1B (partial pattern P2B). Thereby, the sealer applicator 30B including a plurality of nozzles 33 arranged in the predetermined pattern P1B can form the joint 20 so as to be arranged in the shape of the pattern P1B and the shape of a part of the pattern P1B (the shape of the partial pattern P2B). Therefore, the work of forming the joint 20 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a fixed pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0167] Also, according to the third embodiment, when applying the adhesive 21 to the inner panel 2 as the application target, by repeating the operation of supplying the adhesive 21 all at once from all the nozzles 33, the adhesive 21 is applied to the inner panel 2 in the arrangement of the predetermined pattern P1B, and by supplying the adhesive 21 from some of the nozzles 33, the joint portion 20 is formed on the inner panel 2 in the arrangement of a part (partial pattern P2B) of the predetermined pattern P1B. According to this configuration, in some of the joint portion - attached units (incomplete units 84, 89 and unit 9), the joint portion 20 can be formed with a single pattern P1B, and in some of the remaining joint portion - attached units (incomplete units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, 812), the joint portion 20 can be formed with an arrangement including a part of the pattern P1B. In this way, by using one applicator 30B having a plurality of nozzles 33, the formation work of the joint portion 20 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly in a certain pattern, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0168] In the third embodiment, an example is described in which each nozzle 33 moves in the width direction X while reciprocating in the length direction Y with respect to the inner panel 2. However, it does not have to be like this. For example, as shown by the arrow A2, each nozzle 33 may move in the length Y while reciprocating in the width direction X with respect to the inner panel 2. In this case, the adhesive 21 may be applied using two of the four nozzles 33 arranged in the length direction Y. In this case, the two nozzles 33 apply the adhesive 21 to each unit 9 and the incomplete units 84, 89 by performing the joint portion discharge operation twice. Also, in the third embodiment, the pitch L5 between the two closest joint portions 20, 20 between the adjacent units 9, 9 in the width direction X, the pitch L6 between the two closest joint portions 20, 20 between the adjacent unit 9 and the incomplete unit 8 in the width direction X, and the pitch L7 between the two closest joint portions 20, 20 between the adjacent incomplete units 8, 8 in the width direction X are all shorter than the pitch L8 between the joint portions 20 adjacent in the width direction X within one unit 9.

[0169] As a result, there may be a case where the adhesive 21 is supplied to the application target (inner panel 2 in the third embodiment) while moving the plurality of nozzles 33 at an interval shorter than the interval between the plurality of nozzles 33. Thereby, the joint portions 20 can be arranged at a shorter pitch, and the tensile rigidity and dent resistance of the inner panel 2 can be increased further.

[0170] <First Modification of the Third Embodiment> In the above-described third embodiment, the form in which the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint portion 20 is applied in the partial pattern P2B in addition to the pattern P1B has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 which is a diagram for explaining the first modification of the third embodiment, the arrangement of the partial pattern P2B may not be provided. In this modification, a predetermined second form is provided. The second form refers to a form in which, in each of all the joint portion-provided units (all the units 9 and the incomplete units 84, 89), a plurality of joint portions 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a predetermined pattern P1B. In this modification, in all the joint portion-provided units, the joint portions 20 are arranged at four points. The process for realizing the arrangement of the joint portions 20 shown in this modification corresponds to the process of omitting the process of applying the adhesive 21 in the partial pattern P2B in the third embodiment.

[0171] As described above, according to the first modification of the third embodiment, in the second form, in each of all the joint portion-provided units (unit 9 and incomplete units 84, 89), the joint portion 20 can be formed with a single pattern P1B. Thereby, the formation work of the joint portion 20 for joining the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 can be completed more quickly, and the productivity of the automobile hood 1 can be increased.

[0172] <Second Modification of the Third Embodiment> In the above-described third embodiment and the modification, the form in which the arrangement pattern P1B of each joint portion 20 is a dot pattern has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, which is a diagram for explaining the second modification of the third embodiment, the arrangement pattern of each joint portion 20 may be four or more linear patterns P1B.

[0173] In the modification shown in FIG. 21, each joint portion 20 is arranged at a predetermined interval on a virtual circle and is formed in an arc shape. When realizing the arrangement of the joint portions 20 shown in this modification, in addition to relatively moving the nozzle 33 and the application target (inner panel 2) in the same manner as shown in the third embodiment, when discharging the adhesive 21 from the four nozzles 33 to the joint portion-attached units (unit 9 and incomplete units 84, 89) simultaneously, the four nozzles 33 are rotated around the Z1 axis with respect to the application target (inner panel 2). Thereby, the adhesive 21 is discharged from the nozzle 33 so that the adhesive 21 draws an arc. Each adhesive 21 (joint portion 20) may be formed in a linear shape or may be formed in another shape such as a waveform shape.

[0174] In the above-described third embodiment and its modifications, the form in which the adhesive 21 is applied by moving the nozzle 33 in the length direction Y or the width direction X as the linear direction in the thickness direction view to cross the inner panel 2 has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. Each nozzle 33, for example, reciprocates in either one of the inclined directions C1, C2 with respect to the overhanging structure 6 of the inner panel 2 as shown by the arrow A3 in FIG. 19, and moves in the other of the inclined directions C1, C2, whereby the adhesive 21 may be supplied (applied) to each unit 9 and the corresponding incomplete units 8 (at multiple locations). In this case, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in either one of the inclined directions C1, C2 as the linear direction. Then, after applying the adhesive 21 to the units 9 and the incomplete units 8 (joint portion-attached units) in a row aligned in either one of the inclined directions C1, C2, it moves in the other of the inclined directions C1, C2 by the arrangement pitch between two adjacent units 9, 9 in the other of the inclined directions C1, C2. Thereafter, again, each nozzle 33 applies the adhesive 21 to the corresponding location of the overhanging structure 6 while moving in either one of the inclined directions C1, C2.

[0175] <Third Modification of the Third Embodiment> In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the form in which all the joint portions 20 belong to the pattern P1B or the partial pattern P2B has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. In the modification shown in FIG. 22, a joint portion 20 that does not belong to either the pattern P1B or the partial pattern P2B may be provided. In the modification shown in FIG. 22, in addition to the arrangement of the joint portions 20 shown in the third embodiment, for example, four joint portions 20 (201) are added. Specifically, as a joint portion-attached unit, in addition to the pattern P1B or the partial pattern P2B, an additional joint portion-attached unit having a joint portion 20 (201) installed at a location deviating from the layout of the joint portions 20 in the pattern P1B is provided.

[0176] In this modification, for example, in each of the outermost units 9, 9 in the width direction X, in addition to the joint 20 of the pattern P1B, a joint 201 is provided. Further, in this modification, in the incomplete units 811, 812 at the center in the width direction X and at the front end and the rear end, in addition to the joint 20 of the partial pattern P2B, a joint 201 is provided. These joints 201 are formed by applying the adhesive 21 to a location deviating from the layout of the adhesive 21 in the pattern P1B or the partial pattern P2B in a process before or after the application process in which the joints 20 of the pattern P1B or the partial pattern P2B are applied by a plurality of nozzles 33.

[0177] According to this modification, by additionally providing the joint 201 in addition to the joint 20, the balance of the joint strength between the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 can be made higher. As a result, the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be made higher.

[0178] Further, according to this modification, the tension rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 can be made higher in a simple and short-time process of additionally applying a small number of joints 201 (adhesive 21) before or after the process of applying the adhesive 21 that becomes the joint 20 of the pattern P1B and the partial pattern P2B.

[0179] <Other Modifications> (1) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the form in which 15 or more patterns P1, P1A, and P1B are provided has been described as an example, but it may be less than 15.

[0180] (2) Further, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the form in which the inner is the inner panel 2 has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. As the inner, a steel plate, an aluminum plate, or a reinforcing member formed of a synthetic resin may be used. When the automobile panel is a back door, examples of the inner include a back door inner panel and a reinforcing member. When the automobile panel is a roof panel, examples of the inner include a roof reinforcement and a reinforcing member.

[0181] (3) Further, in a modified example in which an additional joint portion 201 is provided, the adhesive 21 serving as the joint portion 201 may be supplied from the nozzle 33 while the adhesive 21 serving as the joint portion 20 other than the joint portion 201 is being applied.

[0182] (4) Also, in each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the configuration in which each unit 9 is hexagonal when viewed in the plate thickness direction has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. Each unit 9 may be circular when viewed in the plate thickness direction. FIG. 23(A) is a schematic plan view of an inner panel 2D showing a main part of a first modified example of the unit. FIG. 23(B) is a plan view showing the main part of FIG. 23(A). FIG. 23(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIIIC-XXIIIC of FIG. 23(B).

[0183] Referring to FIGS. 23(A) to 23(C), in a first modified example of the unit, a unit 9C is provided instead of the unit 9. The outer shape of the entire annular flange 15C and the vertical wall 12C of each unit 9C is circular. In this modified example, in each unit 9C, a cylindrical vertical wall 12C and an annular flange 15C are provided. The arrangement of each unit 9C is the same as the arrangement of the unit 9 in each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples. Also, the arrangement of the joint portions 20 on the annular flange 15C of each unit 9C is the same as that described in each of the embodiments and modified examples, and as shown in FIG. 23(B), three joint portions 20 may be arranged on one unit 9C, or as shown in FIG. 24(A), four joint portions 20 may be arranged on one unit 9C, or as shown in FIG. 24(B), six joint portions 20 may be arranged on one unit 9C. Note that the vertical wall 12C and the annular flange 15C may be in an annular shape with a non-constant radius of curvature, such as an elliptical annular shape, in a plan view.

[0184] Thus, it can be said that the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 when each unit 9C is circular when viewed in the plate thickness direction are substantially the same as the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 when each unit 9 is hexagonal when viewed in the plate thickness direction.

[0185] (5) Also, in each of the above embodiments and modified examples, the configuration in which each unit 9 is hexagonal when viewed in the plate thickness direction has been described as an example. However, it does not have to be like this. Each unit may be rectangular when viewed in the plate thickness direction. FIG. 25(A) is a schematic plan view showing a main part of a second modified example of the unit. FIG. 25(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVB-XXVB of FIG. 25(A).

[0186] Referring to FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B), in the second modified example of the unit, the outer shape of the entire annular flange 15D and the vertical wall 12D of each unit 9D is rectangular. In this modified example, in each unit 9D, a rectangular vertical wall 12D and a rectangular annular flange 15D are provided. The arrangement of each unit 9D is the same as the arrangement of the unit 9 in each of the above embodiments and modified examples. Also, the arrangement of the joints 20 on the annular flange 15D of each unit 9D is the same as that described in each embodiment and modified example. As shown in FIG. 25(A), three joints 20 may be arranged in one unit 9D, or four joints 20 may be arranged in one unit 9D in the same manner as the unit 9, or six joints 20 may be arranged in one unit 9C in the same manner as the unit 9. Note that the vertical wall 12D and the annular flange 15D may be polygons such as an equilateral triangle, a regular pentagon, a regular n-gon (n is an integer of 7 or more) in plan view.

[0187] Thus, it can be said that the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 when each unit 9D is rectangular when viewed in the plate thickness direction are substantially the same as the stretching rigidity and dent resistance of the outer panel 3 when each unit 9 is hexagonal when viewed in the plate thickness direction.

[0188] Also, as shown in FIG. 26, the units 9D may be arranged such that the unit boundary 14 is rectangular instead of hexagonal. That is, the units 9D may be arranged in a matrix.

Example

[0189] The applicator 30 of the first embodiment, the applicator 30B of the third embodiment, and the inner panel 2 were prepared.

[0190] Next, with the inner panel 2 fixed, using either of the applicators 30 and 30B, the adhesive 21 serving as the joint portion 20 was applied to the unit 9 and the incomplete unit 8 of the inner panel 2 so as to form the arrangement shown in any of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. Thereafter, the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 were overlapped, and then hemming was performed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer panel 3, thereby assembling the automotive panels of In-scope Examples 1 to 11 and Out-of-scope Examples 1 to 8. Note that each of In-scope Examples 1 to 11 has the properties described as the preferable range in the embodiment or the modification example. On the other hand, each of Out-of-scope Examples 1 to 8 deviates from at least one of the properties described as the preferable range in the embodiment or the modification example.

[0191] <Shape of Unit> In In-scope Examples 1 to 11 and Out-of-scope Examples 1 to 8, the shape of each unit 9 (9, 9C, 9D) is as follows. In-scope Examples 1 to 6 and Out-of-scope Examples 1 to 6: hexagonal unit 9 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 In-scope Examples 7 to 9 and Out-of-scope Example 7: round unit 9C in the first modification example of the unit shown in FIGS. 23(A) to 23(C) In-scope Examples 10, 11 and Out-of-scope Example 8: unit 9D in the second modification example of the unit shown in FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B)

[0192] <Array Pattern of Joint Portion> The array pattern of the joint portion 20 is as follows. In-scope Examples 1 to 3, 7, 10 and Out-of-scope Examples 1 to 6, 7, 8: array pattern (three-point pattern) of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 In-scope Examples 4, 8 and Out-of-scope Example 11: array pattern (four-point pattern) of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 18 In-scope Examples 5, 6, 9: array pattern (six-point pattern) of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 13

[0193] In each of Examples 1 to 11 within the range and Examples 1 to 8 outside the range, the distance L1 between the centers (central axes S1, S1) of two adjacent units 9, 9 in the thickness direction view is as shown in Table 1. Also, in Examples 1 to 11 within the range and Examples 1 to 8 outside the range, the outer panel 3 and the inner panel 2 are steel plates, and the yield strength and thickness of the outer panel 3 and the thickness of the inner panel 2 are as shown in Table 1.

[0194] <Tensile rigidity, and tests and evaluations of dent resistance> The tensile rigidities of Examples 1 to 11 within the range and Examples 1 to 8 outside the range were measured. The measurement of the tensile rigidity was carried out as follows. Specifically, a load of 90 N was applied to the surface of the outer panel 2 with a spherical iron indenter having a diameter of 100 mm. The location where the load was applied was the location on the central axis S1 of the flange 11 of the unit 9 on the upper surface 3b of the outer panel 3 in Examples 1 to 11 within the range and Examples 1 to 8 outside the range (see Fig. 6). When the maximum value of the deflection of the outer panel 3 when the above load was applied was 7 mm or less, it was rated as ○ (very good), and when it exceeded 7 mm, it was rated as △ (good).

[0195] Also, the dent resistances of Examples 1 to 11 within the range and Examples 1 to 8 outside the range were measured. The measurement of the dent resistance was carried out as follows. Specifically, the load acting on the outer panel from the indenter when a dent with a depth of 0.15 mm was generated on the surface of the outer panel 2 with a spherical hard rubber indenter having a diameter of 50 mm was measured. The location where the load was applied was the location on the central axis S1 of the flange 11 of the unit 9 on the upper surface 3b of the outer panel 3 in Examples 1 to 11 within the range and Examples 1 to 8 outside the range (see Fig. 6). When the above load was 200 N or more, it was rated as ○ (very good), and when it was less than 200 N, it was rated as △ (good).

[0196] In addition, the weight ratios of Examples 1 to 11 within the range and Examples 1 to 8 outside the range were measured. Regarding the weight ratio, based on the weight of Example 1 outside the range, when the weight reduction rate from the reference exceeded 20%, it was rated as ◎ (excellent); when the weight reduction rate from the reference was 10% - 20%, it was rated as ○ (very good); and when the weight reduction rate from the reference was less than 10%, it was rated as △ (good).

[0197] Then, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted. For the comprehensive evaluation, when the tensile rigidity, dent resistance, and weight ratio were all ○ or ◎, it was rated as ◎; when at least one of the tensile rigidity, dent resistance, and weight ratio was △, it was rated as ○.

[0198] The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

[0199] For Example 1 outside the range, as the plate thickness of the outer panel 3 was extremely large, although the tensile rigidity and dent resistance could be ensured, the weight was heavy and the weight ratio was rated as △, so the comprehensive evaluation was ○. For Example 2 outside the range, the center distance between the units exceeded 200 mm, the support span of the outer panel 3 by the inner panel 2 became long, and the tensile rigidity was rated as △, so the comprehensive evaluation was ○. For Examples 3 and 4 outside the range, as the yield strength was below 400 MPa respectively, the dent resistance was rated as △, so the comprehensive evaluation was ○. For Example 5 outside the range, the plate thickness of the outer panel 3 was 0.7 mm and it was heavy, and the weight ratio was rated as △, so the comprehensive evaluation was ○. For Example 6 outside the range, the plate thickness of the inner panel 2 was 0.55 mm and it was heavy, and the weight ratio was rated as △, so the comprehensive evaluation was ○. Thus, it can be seen that even with a slight difference in the plate thickness, the weight of the automotive panel changes significantly. For Examples 7 and 8 outside the range, the center distance between the units exceeded 200 mm, the support span of the outer panel 3 by the inner panel 2 became long, and the tensile rigidity was rated as △, so the comprehensive evaluation was ○.

[0200] On the other hand, for In-scope Examples 1 to 11, since all of the tensile rigidity, dent resistance, and weight ratio were evaluated as ○ or ◎, the overall evaluation was ◎.

[0201] <Regarding that there is no difference in the overall evaluation whether the unit is hexagonal, round, or rectangular> Note that for In-scope Examples 3, 7, and 10, although there are differences in the shape of the unit being hexagonal, round, or rectangular, the other conditions are the same and the same results were obtained. Also, for In-scope Examples 4, 8, and 11, although there are differences in the shape of the unit being hexagonal, round, or rectangular, the other conditions are the same and the same results were obtained. Further, for In-scope Examples 5 and 9, although there are differences in the shape of the unit being hexagonal or round, the other conditions are the same and the same results were obtained. Also, for Out-of-scope Examples 2, 7, and 8, although there are differences in the shape of the unit being hexagonal, round, or rectangular, the other conditions are the same and the same results were obtained. Thus, whether the unit is hexagonal, round, or rectangular did not affect the overall evaluation.

[0202] Note that the case where the inner panel 2 is a steel plate was described above. However, it is obvious that In-scope Examples 1 to 11 where the inner panel 2 is a steel plate and the plate thickness is in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.55 mm will obtain the same results as when the inner panel 2 is an aluminum plate and the plate thickness is in the range of 0.65 mm to 0.80 mm. That is, even when the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 are aluminum plates, by setting a plate thickness equivalent to that when the inner panel 2 and the outer panel 3 are steel plates from the viewpoints of tensile rigidity and dent resistance, it is obvious that the same results as those described in In-scope Examples 1 to 11 and Out-of-scope Examples 1 to 8 can be obtained.

Industrial Applicability

[0203] The present invention can be widely applied as an automobile panel and a method for manufacturing the same.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0204] 1 Automobile hood (automobile panel) 2 Inner 3 Outer 8 Incomplete unit 9 Unit 11 Flange 12 Vertical wall 13 Bottom 20 Joint 30, 30B Coater 33 Nozzle L1 Distance between centers of annular joint units P1, 11A, P1B Predetermined pattern P2, 12A, P2B Sub - pattern (a part of the predetermined pattern) X Width direction (first direction, linear direction) Y Length direction (second direction, linear direction) C Inclination direction (third direction, linear direction)

Claims

1. When applying an adhesive to an application target including at least one of the outer and the inner, the adhesive is applied to the application target using an applicator including a plurality of nozzles arranged to include at least a part of a predetermined pattern; The plurality of nozzles are configured to be able to individually switch on / off the supply of the adhesive, A method for manufacturing an automobile panel, comprising: supplying the adhesive from all of the nozzles at once to apply the adhesive to the object in an arrangement that includes at least a portion of the specified pattern; or supplying the adhesive from some of the nozzles to apply the adhesive to the object in an arrangement that is a portion of the specified pattern.

2. The method for manufacturing an automobile panel according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: applying the adhesive to a plurality of locations on the target while reciprocating the plurality of nozzles relative to the target.

3. The method for manufacturing an automobile panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive is applied in a state in which the relative positions of the plurality of nozzles are fixed.

4. 3. The method for manufacturing an automobile panel according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is applied while the nozzles are moved in a linear direction.

5. The inner includes a plurality of units arranged in a predetermined first direction when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the outer, and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, 5. The method for manufacturing an automobile panel according to claim 4, wherein the linear direction is at least one of the first direction, the second direction, and a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction.

6. 3. A method for manufacturing an automobile panel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adhesive is applied to the object in an arrangement that includes at least a part of the predetermined pattern by supplying the adhesive from all of the nozzles at once, or the adhesive is applied to a location outside the layout of the adhesive in the predetermined pattern in a process before or after a coating process in which the adhesive is applied to the object in an arrangement that includes at least a part of the predetermined pattern by supplying the adhesive from some of the nozzles.

7. 3. The method for manufacturing an automobile panel according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is supplied to the application target while the plurality of nozzles are moved at intervals shorter than intervals between the plurality of nozzles.

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