Bracket

Abstract

To provide a bracket that is able to protect a joining surface between a fender and the bracket and a joining surface between a side member and the bracket.SOLUTION: A bracket 10 fastens a fender 20 and a side member 30 of a vehicle 100. The bracket 10 includes a steel plate 11 and a resin layer 12 covering the steel plate 11. According to such a configuration, the bracket 10 in which the steel plate 11 is covered with the resin layer 12 fastens the fender 20 and the side member 30 of the vehicle 100. The side member 30 and the steel plate 11 of the bracket 10 are in contact with each other via the resin layer 12. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a sealer between the fender 20 and the side member 30, and sealing property and rust prevention property can be imparted. A joining surface between the fender 20 and the bracket 10 and a joining surface between the side member 30 and the bracket 10 are protected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bracket, and particularly to a bracket for fastening a fender and a side member of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a front fender as an example of an automotive part using a resin-coated steel sheet.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors of the present application have discovered the following problems. In a vehicle, it is often difficult to access a nozzle for applying a sealer between a fender and a side member. Therefore, it is difficult to apply a sealer between the fender and the side member, and there is a risk that the mating surfaces between the fender and the bracket and between the side member and the bracket cannot be protected.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a bracket capable of protecting the mating surfaces between a fender and a bracket and between a side member and a bracket.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention is a bracket for fastening a fender and a side member of a vehicle, comprising a steel plate and a resin layer covering the steel plate.

[0007] According to such a configuration, a bracket in which a resin layer covers a steel plate fastens a fender and a side member of a vehicle. The side member and the steel plate of the bracket are in contact with each other via the resin layer. Therefore, between the fender and the side member, it is not necessary to apply a sealer, and airtightness and rust prevention can be imparted. That is, the mating surface between the fender and the bracket and the mating surface between the side member and the bracket can be protected.

[0008] The fender is composed of a first metal plate, The side member is composed of a second metal plate, The first and second metal plates may be characterized in that no resin layer is provided.

[0009] According to such a configuration, the metal plates of the fender and the side member are not provided with a resin layer. Therefore, in order to suppress an increase in the amount of resin layer used, it is preferable in terms of cost.

[0010] Further, when the fender is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the bracket and the fender may be characterized in that they are joined by bolt fastening without using a rust-proof treated washer.

[0011] According to such a configuration, when the fender is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, galvanic corrosion can be suppressed without using a rust-proof treated washer.

[0012] Further, it may be characterized in that no sealing member is provided around the mating surface between the fender and the bracket and around the mating surface between the side member and the bracket, and the boundary portion is exposed.

[0013] According to such a configuration, the seal member is not provided around the mating surface between the fender and the bracket, and around the mating surface between the side member and the bracket. Further, the boundary portion is exposed. Therefore, the application work of the sealer can be omitted.

[0014] Further, it may be characterized in that the side member includes a rocker, and the rocker is configured using a high-tensile material.

[0015] According to such a configuration, it is possible to protect the mating surface between the side member and the bracket while using a high-tensile material.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] The present invention can protect the mating surface between the fender and the bracket and the mating surface between the side member and the bracket.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] (Related Art) Prior to the specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied, with reference to FIG. 6, the bracket according to the related art of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the bracket according to the related art.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 910 is fastened to the fender 920 by a bolt 940 and a nut 941. A washer 930 is sandwiched between the bracket 910 and the fender 920.

[0020] The bracket 910 is composed of a metal plate. The metal plate is made of, for example, a GA material (galvannealed steel sheet).

[0021] The fender 920 is composed of a metal plate. The metal plate is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0022] The washer 930 only needs to suppress the galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metal contact corrosion) between the bracket 910 and the fender 920. The washer 930 is rust-proof treated, specifically, a washer with a surface treatment having a sacrificial anti-corrosion effect. Such a surface treatment is, for example, a Dimet (registered trademark) treatment. A surface treatment layer is formed on the washer by the Dimet treatment. The surface treatment layer includes, for example, metal flakes overlapping in layers and a silicon-based inorganic binder. The washer is composed of a steel material.

[0023] The bolt 940 is rust-proof treated, specifically, a bolt having a surface treatment layer with a sacrificial anti-corrosion effect. The bolt 940 is a bolt treated with Dimet. The bolt is composed of a steel material. The nut 941 is composed of a steel material.

[0024] From the above, the washer 930 is sandwiched between the bracket 910 and the fender 920. The metal plate constituting the fender 920 is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The fender 920 and the washer 930 form an electric circuit, and the surface treatment layer of the washer 930 exerts a sacrificial anti-corrosion effect. By these, the fender 920 is protected and the galvanic corrosion between the bracket 910 and the fender 920 is suppressed.

[0025] 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. Also, for clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are simplified as appropriate.

[0026] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a bracket according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the bracket shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the fender 20 is omitted.

[0027] Of course, the three-dimensional coordinates shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings are for convenience in explaining the positional relationship of the components with respect to the passenger compartment. Usually, the UP axis is above the passenger compartment, the FR axis is in front of the passenger compartment, and the OUT axis is outside the passenger compartment, and is common among the drawings.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 100 includes a bracket 10, a fender 20, and a side member 30.

[0029] The bracket 10 fastens the fender 20 and the side member 30. The space between the fender 20 and the side member 30 has a predetermined size and shape. The space between the fender 20 and the side member 30 is sized such that it is not easy to operate a long member such as a nozzle to apply a sealer around the mating surface 123. A sealing member may not be provided around the mating surface 123 between the side member 30 and the bracket 10, and around the mating surface between the fender 20 and the bracket 10. Further, it is preferable that those boundary portions are exposed.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 10 is fastened to the fender 20 by bolts 40 and nuts 41. No washers or the like are arranged between the bracket 10 and the fender 20. The bracket 10 and the fender 20 are in direct contact. The nut 41 according to the first embodiment is pre-welded to the bracket 10.

[0031] The bracket 10 includes a steel plate 11 and a resin layer 12.

[0032] The steel plate 11 has mechanical properties required for a bracket. An example of the steel plate 11 shown in FIG. 2 extends substantially in a Z shape in cross section. Specifically, the steel plate 11 may be made of ordinary steel or steel containing an additive element such as chromium. Further, a plating film may be provided on the surface of the steel plate 11. The type of the plating film on the surface of the steel plate 11 is not particularly limited. Applicable plating films include, for example, plating containing any one of zinc, aluminum, cobalt, tin, and nickel, and alloy plating containing these metal elements and further other metal elements and non-metal elements. Further, depending on the application, both sides, only one side, a part of the surface, or the entire surface of the metal plate may be coated with a coating film.

[0033] The resin layer 12 covers the steel plate 11. Although the resin layer 12 shown in Fig. 3 covers the surface of the steel plate 11 on the fender 20 side, the resin layer 12 may cover only the surface of the steel plate 11 on the nut 41 side, or cover both the surface of the steel plate 11 on the fender 20 side and the surface on the nut 41 side. The resin layer 12 contains resin and has high rust prevention properties compared to the steel plate 11. By these means, the resin layer 12 enhances the rust prevention properties of the steel plate 11. Such a resin is, for example, an organic resin such as an aqueous coating composition or an organic solvent-based coating composition. For the purpose of further improving the adhesion, corrosion resistance, etc. of the resin layer 12 to the steel plate 11, a primer coating film may be provided between the resin layer 12 and the surface of the steel plate 11. When providing such a primer coating film, the number of layers and composition of the primer coating film layer are not limited. The resin layer 12 may further contain a pigment. Such a pigment is, for example, a rust preventive pigment or a conductive pigment. The types of the rust preventive pigment and the conductive pigment are not particularly limited, but the rust preventive pigment preferably contains at least one selected from silicate compounds, phosphate compounds, vanadate compounds, and metal oxide fine particles. Also, the conductive pigment preferably contains at least one selected from metals, alloys, conductive carbon, iron phosphide, carbides, and semiconductor oxides.

[0034] In addition, the resin-coated steel plate 1 may be provided with at least one of an electrodeposition coating film layer, an intermediate coating film layer, and a top coating film layer. At least one of such an electrodeposition coating film layer, an intermediate coating film layer, and a top coating film layer covers at least a part of the first resin layer 1b.

[0035] The bolt 40 may be subjected to a surface treatment having a sacrificial anticorrosion effect. The bolt is made of a steel material. The nut 41 is made of a steel material.

[0036] The side member 30 is composed of a metal plate 31. The metal plate 31 preferably has no resin layer provided thereon. The side member 30 includes a rocker 32 and a rocker inner 33. The rocker 32 is preferably composed of a high-tensile material (high-tensile steel). The rocker 32 projects toward the fender 20 side, and the rocker inner 33 projects toward the vehicle interior side. When the rocker 32 is composed of a high-tensile material, the rocker 32 and the bracket 10 may be welded using resistance welding.

[0037] The fender 20 is composed of a metal plate 21. The metal plate 21 preferably has no resin layer provided thereon. The metal plate 21 is preferably composed of a metal material. The metal material is, for example, steel, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0038] When the fender 20 is composed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the bracket 10 and the fender 20 may be joined using bolt fastening without passing through a rust-proof washer. The rust-proof washer may have the same configuration as the washer 930 shown in FIG. 6. A welding nut may be provided on the bracket 10. The bracket 10 and the bolt sandwich the fender 20, and by fastening the welding nut and the bolt provided on the bracket 10, the bracket 10 and the fender 20 can be bolt-fastened. Also, when the fender 20 is composed of steel, the bracket 10 and the fender 20 may be joined using bolt fastening or spot welding without passing through a rust-proof washer such as the washer 930 shown in FIG. 6.

[0039] As described above, the steel plate 11 of the bracket 10 is coated with the resin layer 12. The bracket 10 fastens the fender 20 and the side member 30 of the vehicle 100. According to such a configuration, the side member 30 and the steel plate 11 of the bracket 10 are in contact with each other via the resin layer 12. Therefore, between the fender 20 and the side member 30, it is not necessary to apply a sealer, and airtightness and rust prevention can be imparted. That is, the mating surface between the fender 20 and the side member 30 can be protected.

[0040] Further, the fender 20 according to the present embodiment is composed of the metal plate 21, and the side member 30 is composed of the metal plate 31. The metal plate 21 and the metal plate 31 are not provided with a resin layer. According to such a configuration, it is preferable in terms of cost in order to suppress an increase in the amount of resin layer used.

[0041] Further, when the fender 20 according to the present embodiment is configured using aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the bracket 10 and the fender 20 are joined using bolt fastening without using a rust-proof treated washer. According to such a configuration, galvanic corrosion can be suppressed without using a rust-proof treated washer such as the washer 930 shown in FIG. 6. Further, for example, when a resin steel plate cannot be applied to the fender 20, in other words, there may be a case where the metal plate 21 of the fender 20 is not coated with a resin layer. In such a case, since the steel plate 11 of the bracket 10 is coated with the resin layer 12, the mating surface between the fender 20 and the bracket 10 can be protected.

[0042] Further, a seal member is not provided around the mating surface 123 between the side member 30 and the bracket 10 according to the present embodiment, and the boundary portion is exposed. Therefore, the application work of the sealer can be omitted.

[0043] In addition, the locker 32 according to the present embodiment is configured using a high-tensile material. According to such a configuration, while using a high-tensile material, the mating surface between the side member 30 and the bracket 10 can be protected. That is, in the high-tensile material, it is often difficult to provide a resin layer. However, since the steel plate 11 of the bracket 10 is covered with the resin layer 12, the mating surface between the side member 30 and the bracket 10 can be protected without providing a resin layer on the high-tensile material. In addition, in other cases where a resin steel plate cannot be applied to the side member 30, in other words, there may be a case where the metal plate 31 of the side member 30 is not covered with a resin layer. In such a case, since the steel plate 11 of the bracket 10 is covered with the resin layer 12, the mating surface between the side member 30 and the bracket 10 can be protected.

[0044] Next, an example of the manufacturing method of the bracket 10 will be described. First, a coating film is applied on the inner surface of the vehicle of the steel plate 11 to form a resin layer 12 on the steel plate 11. Subsequently, the steel plate 11 formed with the resin layer 12 is processed or molded into the shape of the component to which the bracket 10 is applied. From the above, the bracket 10 can be manufactured. Optionally, at least one of electrodeposition coating, intermediate coating, and top coating may be applied to the bracket 10.

[0045] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bracket according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bracket shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] The bracket 210 shown in FIG. 4 has the same configuration as the bracket 10 shown in FIG. 1, except for the number of bolts 40 and the welded parts 210a, 210b. The bracket 210 includes a steel plate 11 (not shown) and a resin layer 12 (not shown), similar to the bracket 10 shown in FIG. 3. An example of the bracket 210 shown in FIG. 4 extends in a substantially W shape in cross section. The bracket 210 shown in FIG. 4 includes welded parts 210a, 210a, 210b, 210b. The bracket 210 can be fastened to a fitting (not shown) mounted on the vehicle by four bolts 40. The fitting is specifically various functional parts, and more specifically, a wiper, a wire harness, a sensor, a garnish, etc. A nut 41 (not shown) is welded to the above-mentioned fitting.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the bracket 210 and the outer panel 50 of the vehicle 100a are joined by spot welding at the welded parts 210a, 210a, 210b, 210b. Specifically, the outer panel 50 is a body panel. Specifically, the welded parts 210a, 210a, 210b, 210b of the bracket 210 and four locations of the outer panel 50 are welded respectively.

[0048] As described above, the bracket 210 is welded to the outer panel 50 and bolted to the above-mentioned fitting. Therefore, the bracket 210 can fasten the outer panel 50 and the above-mentioned fitting. Specific examples of combinations that the bracket 210 can fasten are combinations of a body panel and various functional parts, combinations of a body panel and a wiper, combinations of a body panel and a wire harness, combinations of a body panel and a sensor, and combinations of a body panel and a garnish.

[0049] As described above, according to the above-described configuration, when the above-described fitting is made of metal, the above-described fitting and the steel plate 11 (not shown) of the bracket 210 are in contact with each other via a resin layer 12 (not shown). Therefore, between the above-described fitting and the bracket 210, it is not necessary to apply a sealer, and airtightness and rust prevention can be imparted. That is, the mating surface between the above-described fitting and the bracket 210 can be protected.

[0050] Further, the above-described body panel and the steel plate 11 (not shown) of the bracket 210 are in contact with each other via a resin layer 12 (not shown). Therefore, between the above-described body panel and the bracket 210, it is not necessary to apply a sealer, and airtightness and rust prevention can be imparted. That is, the mating surface between the above-described body panel and the bracket 210 can be protected.

[0051] Further, the bracket 210 and the outer panel 50 are joined by spot welding. According to such a configuration, galvanic corrosion can be suppressed without using a rust-proofed washer such as the washer 930 shown in FIG. 6. Although the bracket 210 and the outer panel 50 are electrically connected at the welded portions 210a, 210a, 210b, 210b, the ratio of the area of the welded portions 210a, 210a, 210b, 210b in the entire contact surface between the bracket 210 and the outer panel 50 is minute. Therefore, the action and effect of suppressing galvanic corrosion can be maintained by the above-described electrical connection.

[0052] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof. Further, the present invention may be implemented by appropriately combining the above-described embodiment and an example thereof. For example, in any of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the nut 41 and the bolt 40 may have reverse configurations. Specifically, in the vehicle 100 according to the first embodiment, although the nut 41 shown in FIG. 3 is welded to the bracket 10 in advance, the nut 41 may be welded to the fender 20 in advance. Further, the nut 41 may be welded to the bracket 210 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in advance.

Explanation of Symbols

[0053] 100, 100a Vehicle 10, 210 Bracket 11 Steel Plate 12 Resin Layer 20 Fender 21 Metal Plate 30 Side Member 31 Metal Plate 32 Rocker 40 Bolt 41 Nut 50 Outer Panel Around the mating surface 210a, 210b Welded Joint

Claims

Claim 1 A bracket for fastening a fender and a side member of a vehicle, comprising: a steel plate and a resin layer that covers only the fender-side surface or only the side-member-side surface of the steel plate; the fender is composed of a first metal plate; the side member is composed of a second metal plate; the first and second metal plates are not provided with a resin layer; the bracket. Claim 2 When the fender is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the bracket and the fender are joined by bolt fastening without an anti-rust washer. The bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that. Claim 3 A seal member is not provided around the mating surface between the fender and the bracket and around the mating surface between the side member and the bracket, and the boundary portion is exposed. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. Claim 4 The side member includes a rocker, and the rocker is made of a high-tensile material. The bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

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