Panel support tool

Abstract

To provide a panel support tool which can support a panel without affecting a surface quality of the panel when manual treatment is performed to a surface of a panel having a small thickness.SOLUTION: A panel support tool (100) is used to support a panel (200) formed by a metal plate and having a shape curving in a protruding form at the surface (201) side. The panel support tool (100) includes a body (1). In the body (1), the panel (200) is placed thereon with a rear surface (202) facing downward. The body (1) may deform according to the shape of the panel (200) placed on the body (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a panel support for supporting a panel composed of a metal plate.

Background Art

[0002] A panel composed of a metal plate is used, for example, for an outer panel of an automobile. Generally, an outer panel of an automobile has a shape that is convexly curved on the surface side. Such a panel is manufactured by pressing a metal blank.

[0003] Surface quality is required for the panel. In order to ensure the surface quality of the panel, generally, sampling inspection is performed in the panel manufacturing process. By the sampling inspection, the surface quality of the panel is visually checked. At that time, as a pretreatment, the panel to be inspected is manually ground (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-307992 (Patent Document 1)).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, due to the global trend regarding the global environment, it has been strongly demanded to reduce CO2 emissions. In the automotive industry, as part of this, vehicle weight reduction is being pursued, and for this purpose, thinning of the panel is being promoted.

[0006] When the panel thickness is large as in the conventional case, the rigidity of the panel itself is high. In this case, in the sampling inspection of the panel, even if a grindstone is pressed against the surface of the panel, the panel does not dent, so grinding can be appropriately performed.

[0007] However, when the panel thickness is small, the rigidity of the panel itself is low. In this case, as the grinding wheel presses against the panel surface, the portion of the panel surface being ground elastically deforms and dents. When such dent deformation of the panel occurs, the edge of the grinding wheel preferentially rubs strongly against the panel surface, forming edge marks of the grinding wheel on the panel surface. Since these edge marks look like scratches, it becomes difficult to check the surface quality of the panel. That is, the process of manually grinding can affect the surface quality of the panel.

[0008] In addition to grinding, manual processes performed on the panel surface include cleaning, wiping, or coating. In cleaning, cleaning water is sprayed onto the panel surface. In wiping, dirt and cleaning water on the panel surface are wiped off. In coating, a coating agent is applied to the panel surface. When the panel thickness is small, in any of these manual operations, force is applied to a part of the panel surface, causing dent deformation of the panel. That is, each process such as manual cleaning, wiping, or coating can also affect the surface quality of the panel.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a panel support tool that can support a panel without affecting the surface quality of the panel when performing a manual process on the surface of a panel with a small thickness.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] The panel support tool according to the present disclosure is a panel support tool for supporting a panel made of a metal plate and having a convexly curved shape on the surface side. The panel support tool includes a main body. The main body has a panel placed on it with the back surface facing down. The main body is deformable according to the shape of the panel placed on the main body.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the panel support tool of the present disclosure, when performing a manual process on the surface of a panel with a small thickness, the panel can be supported without affecting the surface quality of the panel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, examples will be given for the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described below. In the following description, specific numerical values and specific materials may be exemplified, but the present disclosure is not limited to those exemplifications.

[0014] The panel support according to this embodiment is a panel support for supporting a panel made of a metal plate and having a shape that is convexly curved on the surface side. The panel support includes a main body. The main body has a panel placed thereon with its back surface facing down. The main body is deformable according to the shape of the panel placed on the main body (first configuration).

[0015] According to the panel support of the first configuration, since the main body is deformable according to the shape of the panel placed on the main body, when manual processing is performed on the surface of a panel with a small plate thickness, when a force is applied to a part of the panel surface, a part of that panel surface receives a reaction force from the main body. Thereby, the dent deformation of the panel is suppressed, and the panel can be supported without affecting the surface quality of the panel.

[0016] In the above panel support, it is preferable that the main body is a bag body filled with a fluid (second configuration). In this case, the bag body that is the main body can be smoothly deformed along the shape of the panel.

[0017] In the panel support according to the second configuration, it is preferable that the bag body is partitioned into a plurality of small bag bodies (third configuration). In the panel support of the third configuration, when a force is applied to a part of the panel surface by manual processing, the force is borne by the small bag body (a part of the main body) located directly below the part of the panel where the force is applied. In this case, the reaction force of the main body corresponding to the force is concentrated not on the entire bag body but on a part of the small bag bodies, that is, in a narrow range. For this reason, in the part of the panel where the force is applied, the reaction force of the main body becomes relatively large, and the dent deformation of the panel is less likely to occur.

[0018] In the panel support according to the second configuration or the third configuration, it is preferable that the material of the bag body is polyvinyl chloride (fourth configuration). Using polyvinyl chloride as the material of the bag body is practical from the viewpoints of economy and storage.

[0019] In the panel support according to any one of the second to fourth configurations, the fluid is preferably air (fifth configuration). Using air as the fluid filled in the bag body is practical from the perspective of economy.

[0020] In the above panel support, for example, the panel is an outer panel of an automobile (sixth configuration). In a typical example, the outer panel is a hood outer panel.

[0021] In the panel support according to the sixth configuration, for example, the outer panel includes a plurality of character lines provided in parallel. In this case, the main body is a bag body filled with fluid, and the bag body is preferably partitioned into a plurality of small bag bodies in the extending direction of the character line (seventh configuration). The part of the panel where the character line is located is highly rigid and difficult to deform. In other words, the part between the character lines of the panel is low in rigidity and easy to deform. In the panel support of the seventh configuration, the main body is a bag body, and the bag body is partitioned into a plurality of small bag bodies in the extending direction of the character line. In this case, each small bag body is arranged so as to cross between the character lines, and even if the panel is an outer panel of an automobile, the dent deformation of the panel is less likely to occur as in the above third configuration.

[0022] The above panel support preferably further includes a flexible sheet that can be stacked on the main body and adhered to the back surface of the panel (eighth configuration). In this case, the flexible sheet adhered to the back surface of the panel moderately reinforces the panel. Therefore, the rigidity of the panel increases, and the dent deformation of the panel is further suppressed.

[0023] In the panel support according to the eighth configuration, the flexible sheet is preferably detachably provided with respect to the main body (ninth configuration). In this case, the flexible sheet can be used repeatedly.

[0024] In the panel support according to the eighth or ninth configuration, the flexible sheet is preferably a magnetic sheet (tenth configuration). In this case, if the panel is made of a ferromagnetic metal plate, such as a steel plate, the flexible sheet (magnetic sheet) for reinforcing the panel can be easily attached to the back surface of the panel by its own magnetic force.

[0025] In the panel support according to the tenth configuration, preferably, the Young's modulus of the magnetic sheet is lower than the Young's modulus of the metal plate constituting the panel (eleventh configuration).

[0026] In the above panel support, when the panel is supported, it is preferable that the overall height is greater than the length from the upper end to the lower end of the panel (twelfth configuration). In this case, the panel can be supported safely.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will not be repeated.

[0028] [Panel to be supported] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a panel 200 to be supported. The panel 200 shown in FIG. 1 is an outer panel of an automobile. Specifically, the panel 200 shown in FIG. 1 is a hood outer panel. The panel 200 may be a side door outer panel, a back door panel, a roof panel, or the like.

[0029] The panel 200 is made of a metal plate and has a front surface 201 and a back surface 202. When the panel 200 is assembled to an automobile, the front surface 201 faces outside the vehicle, and the back surface 202 faces inside the vehicle. The panel 200 has a shape that is convexly curved on the front surface 201 side. That is, the panel 200 has a shape that bulges on the front surface 201 side. The panel 200 to be supported only needs to have a shape that is convexly curved on the front surface side as a whole shape, and a part thereof may be concavely curved. Also, an opening may be formed in a part of the panel 200.

[0030] The metal plate constituting the panel 200 is, in a typical example, a steel plate. Since the steel plate is a ferromagnetic material, if the panel 200 is made of a steel plate, the panel 200 will also be a ferromagnetic material. As this steel plate, a high-tensile steel plate can be used. When the panel 200 is made of a high-tensile steel plate, the thickness of the panel 200 can be reduced. In this case, the thickness of the panel 200 can be, for example, 0.4 mm or less. If the thickness of the panel 200 is as small as 0.4 mm or less, the rigidity of the panel 200 itself is low. On the other hand, the conventional panel has a large thickness of 0.55 to 0.8 mm and high rigidity of the panel itself. The metal plate constituting the panel 200 is not limited to a steel plate, and may be an aluminum plate, a magnesium plate, or the like.

[0031] The panel 200 includes a plurality of character lines 203. In the panel 200, the plurality of character lines 203 are provided in parallel. Each character line 203 is formed to extend in the vehicle length direction LD of the automobile. For this reason, the extending direction of the character line 203 corresponds to the vehicle length direction LD. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the panel 200 is a hood outer panel, and two character lines 203 are provided. The two character lines 203 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction WD of the automobile. Note that the extending direction of the character line 203 does not have to completely coincide with the vehicle length direction LD, and may be deviated from the vehicle length direction LD according to the design of the automobile. That is, the extending direction of the character line 203 may substantially coincide with the vehicle length direction LD.

[0032] In the panel 200, the character line 203 forms a ridge line. That is, in the panel 200, the portion of the character line 203 protrudes toward the surface 201 side. The portion of the character line 203 that forms the ridge line in the panel 200 has high rigidity and is difficult to deform. In other words, the portion between the character lines 203 in the panel 200 has low rigidity and is easy to deform. However, the panel 200 may not include the character line 203.

[0033] Such a panel 200 is manufactured by pressing a metal blank. When manufacturing a panel 200 composed of a steel plate, the material of the steel plate is used as the metal blank. In the manufacturing process of the panel 200, various manual processes are performed on the surface 201 of the panel 200. The manual process is, for example, grinding. In the sampling inspection for checking the surface quality of the panel 200, grinding is performed as a pretreatment for the inspection. In the grinding process, that is, the manual process, a panel support is used to support the panel 200. In this specification, the panel support may be simply referred to as a support.

[0034] [Panel support] (First Embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the panel support 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the panel support 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the support 100 includes a main body 1. The main body 1 has appropriate flexibility.

[0035] In the example of this embodiment, the main body 1 is a bag body 10. The bag body 10 is filled with a fluid inside. The material of the bag body 10 is polyvinyl chloride. The bag body 10 only needs to have flexibility, and its material may be other resins other than polyvinyl chloride. The fluid filled in the bag body 10 is air. The fluid may be other gases other than air, or may be a liquid such as water or oil. The bag body 10 is provided with a fluid supply / discharge port 10a. The bag body 10 can be folded by discharging the fluid through the supply / discharge port 10a.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a top view showing a state in which the panel 200 is supported by the panel support 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the panel 200 is placed on the main body 1 of the support 100, that is, the bag body 10 filled with a fluid, with the back surface 202 facing down. In the example of this embodiment, the main body 1 is disposed under the portion between the character lines 203 of the panel 200.

[0037] When the panel 200 is placed on the main body 1 (bag body 10) of the support 100 with the back surface 202 facing down, the main body 1 deforms along the shape of the panel 200 due to the self-weight of the panel 200. As a result, the main body 1 comes into wide contact with the back surface 202 of the panel 200 and holds the shape of the panel 200. In this way, the panel 200 is supported by the main body 1 of the support 100.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the support 100 is placed, for example, on the floor or a workbench. In the state where the support 100 supports the panel 200, the overall height h1 is greater than the length h2 from the upper end to the lower end of the panel 200. The overall height h1 of the support 100 including the thickness of the panel 200 is, for example, 20 mm or more. Usually, the length h2 from the upper end to the lower end of the panel 200 is at most less than 20 mm.

[0039] [Effect] In the support 100 according to the first embodiment, the panel 200 to be supported is made of a metal plate and has a shape that is convexly curved on the surface side. This panel 200 is placed on the main body 1 of the support 100 with the back surface 202 facing down. The main body 1 is deformable according to the shape of the panel 200 placed on the main body 1. As a result, the main body 1 deforms along the shape of the panel 200 placed on the main body 1 and substantially holds the shape of the panel 200. According to the support 100, when manual processing is performed on the surface 201 of the panel 200 with a small thickness, when a force is applied to a part of the surface 201 of the panel 200, a part of the panel surface 201 receives a reaction force from the main body 1. Thereby, the dent deformation of the panel 200 is suppressed, and the panel 200 can be supported without affecting the surface quality of the panel 200. Therefore, for example, even if the manual processing is grinding, edge marks of the grindstone are less likely to occur on the surface 201 of the panel 200.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the main body 1 of the support 100 is a bag body 10 filled with a fluid. In this case, the bag body 10 that is the main body 1 has flexibility and serves as a single cushion as a whole. Therefore, the bag body 10 can smoothly deform along the shape of the panel 200.

[0041] In the case of the support tool 100 of the first embodiment, the material of the bag body 10 is polyvinyl chloride. The bag body 10 made of polyvinyl chloride can be procured at a relatively low cost. Further, the bag body 10 made of polyvinyl chloride has flexibility and can be folded if the fluid is discharged. Therefore, using polyvinyl chloride as the material of the bag body 10 is practical from the viewpoints of economy and storage.

[0042] In the support tool 100 of the first embodiment, the fluid filled in the bag body 10 is air. Air exists in the surrounding environment and can be easily procured. Therefore, using air as the fluid filled in the bag body 10 is practical from the viewpoint of economy.

[0043] In the first embodiment, when the support tool 100 supports the panel 200, the overall height h1 is larger than the length h2 from the upper end to the lower end of the panel 200. In this case, the support tool 100 can safely support the panel 200 without bringing the panel 200 into contact with the floor or the workbench.

[0044] (Second Embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the panel support tool 100A according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the panel support tool 100A. The support tool 100A is different from the support tool 100 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the main body 1A.

[0045] With reference to FIG. 5, the main body 1A is a bag body 10A filled with a fluid, similar to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the bag body 10A which is the main body 1A is partitioned into a plurality of small bag bodies 11. Each small bag body 11 is an independent bag body, and each is provided with a fluid supply / discharge port 11a. In the example of this embodiment, the bag body 10A is partitioned into a plurality of small bag bodies 11 in the extending direction of the character line 203 (see FIG. 1), that is, in the vehicle length direction LD. The small bag bodies 11 are connected to each other. The number of small bag bodies 11 is not particularly limited and may be two or more. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the number of small bag bodies 11 is five.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a top view showing a state in which the panel 200 is supported by the panel support 100A. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the panel 200 is placed with its back surface 202 down on the main body 1A of the support 100A, that is, on the bag body 10A (small bag body 11) filled with fluid. In the example of the present embodiment, the main body 1A is disposed below the portion between the character lines 203 of the panel 200. In this case, each small bag body 11 is disposed so as to cross between the character lines 203. That is, the plurality of small bag bodies 11 are arranged in the extending direction of the character line 203 between the character lines 203 having low rigidity and being easily deformed.

[0047] In the support 100 of the first embodiment, when a force is applied to a part of the surface 201 of the panel 200 by manual processing, the force is borne by the entire bag body 10 (the entire main body 1). In this case, the reaction force of the main body 1 corresponding to the force is dispersed over a wide range of the entire bag body 10. Therefore, in the portion of the panel 200 where the force is applied, the reaction force of the main body 1 becomes relatively small, and there is a possibility that the panel 200 is dented and deformed.

[0048] On the other hand, in the support 100A according to the second embodiment, the bag body 10A which is the main body 1A is partitioned into a plurality of small bag bodies 11. Then, when a force is applied to a part of the surface 201 of the panel 200 by manual processing, the force is borne by the small bag body 11 (a part of the main body 1A) located directly below the portion of the panel 200 where the force is applied. In this case, the reaction force of the main body 1A corresponding to the force is concentrated not on the entire bag body 10A but on a part of the small bag bodies 11, that is, in a narrow range. Therefore, in the portion of the panel 200 where the force is applied, the reaction force of the main body 1A becomes relatively large, and the panel 200 is less likely to be dented and deformed.

[0049] In particular, in the support tool 100A of the second embodiment, the bag body 10A is partitioned into a plurality of small bag bodies 11 in the extending direction of the character line 203. In this case, in a state where the panel 200 is placed on the main body 1A, the plurality of small bag bodies 11 are arranged in the extending direction of the character line 203 between the character lines 203 which are low in rigidity and easily deformed. Then, even if the panel 200 is an outer panel of an automobile, as described above, when a force is applied to a part of the surface 201 of the panel 200 by manual processing, the dent deformation of the panel 200 is less likely to occur.

[0050] (Third Embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, a panel support tool 100B according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the panel support tool 100B. The support tool 100B is different from the support tool 100A of the second embodiment in a configuration including a flexible sheet 2.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 8, the support tool 100B includes a bag body 10A (small bag body 11) which is the main body 1A, and a flexible sheet 2. The flexible sheet 2 is stacked on the main body 1A (bag body 10A). The flexible sheet 2 is configured to be able to be in close contact with the back surface 202 of the panel 200. The flexible sheet 2 is detachably provided with respect to the main body 1A. In the example of the present embodiment, the flexible sheet 2 is a magnet sheet. The Young's modulus of the magnet sheet is lower than the Young's modulus of the metal plate constituting the panel 200. Specifically, the magnet sheet contains rubber as a main component. In this case, the Young's modulus of the magnet sheet is 10 to 300 MPa. On the other hand, when the panel 200 is made of a steel plate, its Young's modulus is 180,000 to 210,000 MPa. However, the flexible sheet 2 only needs to be able to be in close contact with the panel 200. For example, the flexible sheet 2 may be a silicone rubber sheet, a butyl rubber sheet, or the like.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a top view showing a state in which the panel 200 is supported by the panel support 100B. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 9. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the flexible sheet 2 is stacked on the main body 1A of the support 100B, that is, the bag body 10A (small bag body 11) filled with fluid, and the panel 200 is placed on the flexible sheet 2 with the back surface 202 facing down. In this case, the flexible sheet 2 is sandwiched between the main body 1A and the panel 200. In the example of the present embodiment, the main body 1 and the flexible sheet 2 are disposed below the portion between the character lines 203 of the panel 200.

[0053] When the panel 200 is placed on the main body 1A (bag body 10A) of the support 100B and the flexible sheet 2 with the back surface 202 facing down, the main body 1A deforms along the shape of the panel 200 due to the weight of the panel 200. At this time, the flexible sheet 2 sandwiched between the main body 1A and the panel 200 also deforms along the shape of the panel 200 following the deformation of the main body 1A. The deformed flexible sheet 2 adheres to the back surface 202 of the panel 200 and integrates with the panel 200. As a result, the main body 1A comes into wide contact with the back surface 202 of the panel 200 via the flexible sheet 2 integrated with the panel 200 and substantially holds the shape of the panel 200. In this way, the panel 200 is supported by the main body 1A of the support 100B.

[0054] In the support 100B according to the third embodiment, the panel 200 is moderately reinforced by the flexible sheet 2 that adheres to the back surface 202 of the panel 200. Therefore, the rigidity of the panel 200 is increased, and the dent deformation of the panel 200 is further suppressed.

[0055] In the case of the third embodiment, the flexible sheet 2 is detachably provided with respect to the main body 1A. Therefore, the flexible sheet 2 can be repeatedly used.

[0056] In the support tool 100B of the third embodiment, the flexible sheet 2 is a magnetic sheet, and the panel 200 is composed of a ferromagnetic steel plate. Therefore, the flexible sheet 2 (magnetic sheet) for reinforcing the panel 200 can be easily adhered to the back surface 202 of the panel 200 by its own magnetic force. In this case, the flexible sheet 2 can also be easily removed from the panel 200.

[0057] Here, the thickness of the magnetic sheet which is the flexible sheet 2 is preferably 2 mm or more. If the thickness of the magnetic sheet is 2 mm or more, the panel can be sufficiently reinforced. The upper limit of the thickness of the magnetic sheet is not particularly limited. However, if the magnetic sheet is too thick, the flexibility of the magnetic sheet decreases, and it becomes difficult for the magnetic sheet to adhere to the back surface 202 of the panel 200. Therefore, the thickness of the magnetic sheet is preferably 5 mm or less.

[0058] The flexible sheet 2 in the present embodiment can also be applied to the support tool 100 of the first embodiment.

[0059] As described above, the embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the panel support tools 100, 100A, and 100B can be used for any manual processing performed on the surface 201 of the panel 200. The manual processing may be cleaning, wiping, or painting, etc., in addition to the above-described grinding.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0060] 100, 100A, 100B: Panel support tool 1, 1A: Main body 10, 10A: Bag body 10a: Supply / discharge port 11: Small bag body 11a: Supply / discharge port 2: Flexible sheet 200: Panel 201: Surface 202: Back surface 203: Character line LD: Vehicle length direction WD: Vehicle width direction

Claims

1. A panel support for supporting a panel made of a metal plate and having a convexly curved shape on the front surface side, comprising a main body on which the panel can be placed with its back surface down, wherein the main body is deformable according to the shape of the panel placed on the main body, the panel support.

2. The panel support according to claim 1, wherein the main body is a bag filled with a fluid, the panel support.

3. The panel support according to claim 2, wherein the bag is partitioned into a plurality of small bags, the panel support.

4. The panel support according to claim 2, wherein the material of the bag is polyvinyl chloride, the panel support.

5. The panel support according to claim 2, wherein the fluid is air, the panel support.

6. The panel support according to claim 1, wherein the panel is an outer panel of an automobile, the panel support.

7. The panel support according to claim 6, wherein the outer panel includes a plurality of character lines provided in parallel, the main body is a bag filled with a fluid, and the bag is partitioned into a plurality of small bags in the extending direction of the character line, the panel support.

8. The panel support according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet that can be stacked on the main body and adhered to the back surface of the panel, the panel support.

9. The panel support according to claim 8, wherein the flexible sheet is detachably provided with respect to the main body, the panel support.

10. The panel support according to claim 8, wherein the flexible sheet is a magnet sheet, the panel support.

11. The panel support according to claim 10, wherein the Young's modulus of the magnet sheet is lower than the Young's modulus of the metal plate constituting the panel, the panel support.

12. The panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein in a state of supporting the panel, the overall height is larger than the length from the upper end to the lower end of the panel, the panel support.

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