Automotive Radiator Support

Abstract

To suppress the corrosion of a lower lateral beam part while suppressing a manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: A radiator support for a vehicle according to an embodiment is the rectangular frame-shaped radiator support for a vehicle which supports a radiator that is provided on a vehicle front surface part. The radiator support comprises: an upper lateral beam part which extends in the vehicle width direction so as to support an upper end part of the radiator; a lower lateral beam part which extends in the vehicle width direction so as to support a lower end part of the radiator; and a pair of column parts which extends in the vehicle vertical direction so as to connect the ends of the upper lateral beam part and the lower lateral beam part and support a side end part of the radiator. The lower lateral beam part is the cylindrical body in which a pair of steel plates are joined. At least one of the pair of steel plates is formed of a resin coated steel plate. A resin layer of the resin coated steel plate is formed on a contact surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator support for an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, the surface is covered with a resin layer, which provides rust prevention properties. Resin-coated steel sheets are used in automobiles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-202686 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since resin-coated steel sheets are more expensive than normal steel sheets, it is necessary to appropriately select the locations in the automobile where they are used. In a rectangular frame-shaped automotive radiator support that supports a radiator provided in the front part of a vehicle, water is likely to accumulate in the lower cross beam that supports the lower end of the radiator. Here, the lower cross beam is a cylindrical body formed by joining a pair of steel plates by welding or the like, and the contact surfaces between the two are not electro-deposition coated. Therefore, there is a problem that moisture may enter the gap between the contact surfaces that are not electro-deposition coated, causing rust.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides an automobile radiator support that can suppress corrosion of the lower cross beam portion while suppressing manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile radiator support, A rectangular frame-shaped automotive radiator support for supporting a radiator provided at a front portion of a vehicle, an upper cross beam portion extending in a vehicle width direction so as to support an upper end portion of the radiator; A lower cross beam portion extending in a vehicle width direction so as to support a lower end portion of the radiator; a pair of support pillars extending in the vehicle up-down direction so as to connect ends of the upper cross beam portion and the lower cross beam portion to each other and support side ends of the radiator, The lower cross beam portion is a cylindrical body formed by joining a pair of steel plates, At least one of the pair of steel plates is made of a resin-coated steel plate, and a resin layer is formed on the contact surface of the resin-coated steel plate.

[0007] In an automotive radiator support according to one aspect of the present invention, the lower cross beam portion is a tubular body formed by joining a pair of steel plates, at least one of which is made of a resin-coated steel plate, and a resin layer is formed on the contact surface of the resin-coated steel plate. The resin layer makes it difficult for corrosion factors to reach the steel plate, so that corrosion of the lower cross beam portion can be suppressed. In other words, corrosion of the lower cross beam portion can be suppressed while suppressing manufacturing costs.

[0008] Only one of the pair of steel plates may be made of a resin-coated steel plate, which can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0009] The resin layer of the resin-coated steel plate may also be formed on the surface opposite the abutment surface, and the thickness of the first resin layer formed on the abutment surface may be greater than the thickness of the second resin layer formed on the opposite surface. Furthermore, the resin layer of the resin-coated steel plate does not have to be formed on the surface opposite to the contact surface. With this configuration, the manufacturing costs can be further reduced. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiator support for an automobile that can suppress corrosion of the lower cross beam portion while suppressing manufacturing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automobile radiator support according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic perspective view of a lower cross beam portion 20. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a lower cross beam portion 20. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a lower cross beam portion 20 in an automobile radiator support according to a modified example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified for clarity of explanation.

[0013] (First embodiment) <Configuration of automotive radiator support> First, the configuration of an automobile radiator support according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the automobile radiator support according to the first embodiment.

[0014] 1, the automotive radiator support according to this embodiment is a rectangular frame-shaped support member provided to surround the four sides of a radiator RD that is rectangular in plan view and is provided at the front of the vehicle. The automotive radiator support includes an upper cross beam portion 10, a lower cross beam portion 20, and a pair of support columns 31 and 32.

[0015] It should be noted that the right-handed xyz Cartesian coordinate system shown in Fig. 1 and other figures is a matter of convenience for explaining the positional relationship of the components, and is common among the figures. In the illustrated example, the positive x-axis direction indicates the vehicle front direction, the y-axis direction indicates the vehicle width direction, and the positive z-axis direction indicates the vertical upward direction.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the upper cross beam portion 10 extends over the entire vehicle width direction (y-axis direction) of the radiator RD so as to support the upper end portion of the radiator RD from above. The upper cross beam portion 10 is, for example, a steel plate member having a square U-shaped cross section. The opening of the square U-shaped upper cross beam portion 10 is fitted into the upper end portion of the radiator RD to support the radiator RD from the upper end portion. Although not particularly limited, both ends of the upper cross beam portion 10 are bolted to the radiator RD via mounting rubbers (not shown).

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the lower cross beam portion 20 extends over the entire radiator RD in the vehicle width direction (y-axis direction) so as to support the lower end portion of the radiator from below. The lower cross beam portion 20 is a cylindrical body formed by joining a pair of steel plates by welding, screwing, or the like. Although not particularly limited, both ends of the lower cross beam portion 20 are fastened to the radiator RD by bolts (not shown) via mounting rubbers. The configuration of the lower cross beam portion 20 will be described in detail later.

[0018] The support pillars 31, 32 each connect the ends of the upper cross beam portion 10 and the lower cross beam portion 20 to each other, and extend over the entirety of the radiator RD in the vertical direction (z-axis direction) of the vehicle so as to support the side ends of the radiator RD. The support pillars 31, 32 are, for example, steel plate members having a square U-shaped cross section. The openings of the square U-shaped support pillars 31, 32 are fitted into the side ends of the radiator RD to support the side ends of the radiator RD from the outside. Although not particularly limited, the support pillars 31, 32 are fastened to the upper cross beam portion 10 and the lower cross beam portion 20 by, for example, bolts.

[0019] More specifically, when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle (negative side of the x-axis), the support pillar 31 is provided to connect the right ends of the upper cross beam portion 10 and the lower cross beam portion 20, and to support the right end of the radiator RD from the right side (negative side of the y-axis). On the other hand, the support pillar 32 is provided to connect the left ends of the upper cross beam portion 10 and the lower cross beam portion 20, and to support the left end of the radiator RD from the left side (positive side of the y-axis).

[0020] <Details of the configuration of the lower cross beam portion 20> Here, the configuration of the lower cross beam portion 20 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the lower cross beam portion 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower cross beam portion is a cylindrical body in which a pair of steel plates 21, 22 are joined together.

[0021] Although not particularly limited, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the lower steel plate 21 is a flat plate extending in the vehicle width direction (y-axis direction). 2, the upper steel plate 22 has a hat-shaped cross section (xz cross section) when viewed from the vehicle width direction (y-axis direction). That is, the steel plate 22 includes a top plate 22a extending in the vehicle width direction (y-axis direction), a pair of side walls 22b, and a pair of flange portions 22c. Note that these locations of the steel plate 22 are defined for the sake of convenience of explanation. Furthermore, the configuration of the steel plates 21, 22 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0022] More specifically, a pair of side walls 22b are formed downward from the end in the width direction (x-axis direction) of the top plate 22a, which is extended in the vehicle width direction (y-axis direction). Furthermore, a flange portion 22c protrudes outward from the end on the lower side (z-axis negative direction side) of each side wall 22b. The steel plate 22 is formed, for example, by press forming a single steel plate. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of flange portions 22c of the steel plate 22 abuts against both ends of the steel plate 21 in the width direction (x-axis direction), and the two are joined together by welding, screwing, or the like.

[0023] Here, Fig. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the lower cross beam portion 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the steel plate 21 is composed of a resin-coated steel plate in which the entire upper surface of the steel plate body SS is covered with a resin layer (first resin layer) RL1 and the entire lower surface of the steel plate body SS is covered with a resin layer (second resin layer) RL2. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, the resin layer RL1 is formed on the contact surface of the steel plate 21 with the steel plate 22 (i.e., the flange portion 22c).

[0024] 2, the lower cross beam portion 20 is a cylindrical body in which a pair of steel plates 21, 22 are joined by welding or the like, and the contact surfaces between the two plates are not electro-deposition coated. Therefore, in the past, there was a problem that moisture may enter the gap between the contact surfaces of the steel plates 21 and 22 that are not electro-deposition coated, causing rust.

[0025] In contrast, in the automotive radiator support according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the steel plate 21 in the lower cross beam portion 20 is made of a resin-coated steel plate, and a resin layer RL1 is formed on the contact surface of the steel plate 21 with the steel plate 22. Therefore, the resin layer RL1 makes it difficult for corrosive factors such as water, oxygen, and chlorine to reach the steel plates 21 and 22, thereby suppressing corrosion of the lower cross beam portion 20. In other words, the corrosion of the lower cross beam portion 20 can be suppressed while suppressing manufacturing costs. As will be described later, when the resin layer RL1 contains an anti-rust pigment, the corrosion of the lower cross beam portion 20 can be further suppressed.

[0026] Here, the steel sheet SS is not particularly limited, but is composed of, for example, ordinary steel or steel containing additive elements such as chromium. In addition, in order to improve the rust prevention performance, a plating film may be provided on the surface of the steel sheet SS. That is, the steel sheet SS may be a plated steel sheet. The plating film is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a plating film containing any one of metal elements such as zinc, aluminum, cobalt, tin, and nickel, and an alloy plating film containing these metal elements.

[0027] The resin layers RL1 and RL2 are made of organic resins such as, but are not limited to, a water-based coating composition, an organic solvent-based coating composition, etc. The organic resin contains, for example, an anti-rust pigment and has anti-rust performance. The anti-rust pigment is not particularly limited, but preferably contains, for example, one or more of silicate compounds, phosphate compounds, vanadate compounds, and metal oxide fine particles. Furthermore, the organic resin may contain, for example, a conductive pigment and have conductivity. The conductive pigment is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, one or more of metals, alloys, conductive carbon, iron phosphide, carbides, and semiconductor oxide fine particles.

[0028] Moreover, the thicknesses of the resin layers RL1 and RL2 are, for example, approximately the same. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing corrosion at the contact surface between the steel plate 21 and the steel plate 22, the thickness of the resin layer RL1 formed on the contact surface between the steel plate 21 and the steel plate 22 may be greater than the thickness of the resin layer RL2 formed on the surface on the opposite side. Furthermore, the resin layer RL1 may be formed only on the contact surface between the steel plate 21 and the steel plate 22, and the resin layer RL2 may not be formed on the surface on the opposite side. With such a configuration, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced. Furthermore, as long as the resin layer RL1 is formed on the surface of the steel plate 21 that comes into contact with the steel plate 22, the resin layer RL1 does not have to be formed on the entire surface on the contact surface side.

[0029] In order to improve the adhesion of the resin layers RL1, RL2 to the steel sheet SS, corrosion resistance, etc., a base treatment film may be provided between the resin layers RL1, RL2 and the surface of the steel sheet SS. The number of layers and composition of the base treatment film are not particularly limited. Furthermore, in the automotive radiator support according to this embodiment, no resin layer is formed on the end face of the steel plate SS, but a resin layer may be formed on the end face of the steel plate SS.

[0030] As described above, in the automotive radiator support according to this embodiment, one of the steel plates 21 in the lower cross beam portion 20 is made of a resin-coated steel plate, and a resin layer RL1 is formed on the contact surface with the steel plate 22 (i.e., the flange portion 22c). Therefore, corrosion of the lower cross beam portion 20 can be suppressed. In other words, corrosion of the lower cross beam portion 20 can be suppressed while suppressing manufacturing costs.

[0031] <Modification> Here, an automobile radiator support according to a modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the lower cross beam portion 20 in the automobile radiator support according to the modified example. As shown in Fig. 4, in the automobile radiator support according to the modified example, the steel plate 22 in the lower cross beam portion 20 is made of a resin-coated steel plate instead of the steel plate 21.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, the steel plate 22 is composed of a resin-coated steel plate in which the entire lower surface of the steel plate body SS is covered with a resin layer (first resin layer) RL1 and the entire upper surface of the steel plate body SS is covered with a resin layer (second resin layer) RL2. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the resin layer RL1 is formed on the contact surface of the steel plate 22 (i.e., the flange portion 22c) with the steel plate 21.

[0033] Thus, in the automobile radiator support according to the modified example, the steel plate 22 in the lower cross beam portion 20 is made of a resin-coated steel plate, and a resin layer RL1 is formed on the contact surface of the steel plate 22 with the steel plate 21. Therefore, the resin layer RL1 makes it difficult for corrosive factors such as water, oxygen, and chlorine to reach the steel plates 21, 22, thereby suppressing corrosion of the lower cross beam portion 20. In other words, it is possible to suppress corrosion of the lower cross beam portion 20 while suppressing manufacturing costs.

[0034] In the automotive radiator support according to this embodiment, at least one of the steel plates 21, 22 in the lower cross beam portion 20 may be made of a resin-coated steel plate, and a resin layer of the resin-coated steel plate may be formed on the contact surface between the steel plates 21 and 22. That is, both of the pair of steel plates 21, 22 constituting the lower cross beam portion 20 may be made of resin-coated steel plates. However, as in the automotive radiator support shown in Fig. 3 or 4, by making only one of the pair of steel plates 21, 22 from a resin-coated steel plate and making the other from a normal steel plate that is not resin-coated, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 10 Upper crossbeam 20 Lower crossbeam 21, 22 Steel plate 22a Tabletop 22b side wall 22c Flange part 31, 32 Support section RD Radiator RL1, RL2 resin layer SS steel plate body

Claims

[Claim 1] A rectangular frame-shaped automotive radiator support for supporting a radiator provided at a front portion of a vehicle, an upper cross beam portion extending in a vehicle width direction so as to support an upper end portion of the radiator; A lower cross beam portion extending in a vehicle width direction so as to support a lower end portion of the radiator; a pair of support pillars extending in the vehicle up-down direction so as to connect ends of the upper cross beam portion and the lower cross beam portion to each other and support side ends of the radiator, The lower cross beam portion is a cylindrical body formed by joining a pair of steel plates, Only one of the pair of steel plates is made of a resin-coated steel plate, and a resin layer of the resin-coated steel plate is formed on a contact surface and a surface opposite to the contact surface, The thickness of the first resin layer formed on the contact surface is greater than the thickness of the second resin layer formed on the opposite surface. Automotive radiator support.

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