Formed article for vehicle body structural member
Abstract
The present invention relates to a molded article (10) for a structural member of the vehicle body which includes: a gradually varying first portion (13) which is curved around an axis extending in a direction the width of a upper wall portion (11) and the width of the upper wall portion (11) varies; and a second portion that varies gradually (21, 26), wherein the width of a portion of the base wall (19) varies in order to cancel the variation in the width of the portion of the upper wall (11) in the first portion that varies gradually (13). The shape of a crest of the gradually varying portion (14, 16) which is a boundary between the first gradually varying portion (13) and the second gradually varying portion (21, 26) is substantially the same in both a view in plan taken along the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion as in a side view taken along the direction of the width of the upper wall portion.

Term
Projected expiry 7 October 2028.
- Priority
- Filed
- Granted
- Today
- Projected expiry
15 claims: 4 independent, 11 dependent
- 1CLAIMS REIVINDICAÇÕES 1. Molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body in which a pair of portions of the base wall is extended to one side in the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion from the respective edge portions with respect to the direction of the width of a portion of the upper wall, characterized by comprising:1. Artigo moldado para um membro estrutural do corpo de veículo em que um par de porções da parede de base é estendido para um lado da direção da espessura da porção da parede superior a partir das respectivas porções da borda com relação à direção da largura de uma porção da parede superior, caracterizado por compreender: a gradually varying first portion which is provided in the upper wall portion between two portions of the end with respect to a longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion and is continuously extended from one side of the end to the other side of the end in the longitudinal direction of the portion the top wall, so that the first gradually varying portion is curved around an axis extending in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion and so that the width of the upper wall portion varies;and a second gradually varying portion that is provided in at least one of the pair of base wall portions according to a location in which the gradually varying first portion is provided in the upper wall portion, and is continuously extended from one side of the end to the other side of the end in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion, wherein the width of the base wall portion varies so that the variation in the width of the upper wall portion in the first gradually varying portion is canceled, wherein a shape of a crest of the portion that varies gradually which is a boundary between the first portion that varies gradually and the second portion that varies gradually is done substantially the same both in a plan view taken along the direction of the portion thickness of the upper wall as in a side view that is taken along the direction of the width of the portion of the upper wall. uma primeira porção que varia gradualmente que é provida na porção da parede superior entre duas porções da extremidade com relação a uma direção longitudinal da porção da parede superior e é continuamente estendida de um lado da extremidade para o outro lado da extremidade na direção longitudinal da porção da parede superior, de modo que a primeira porção que varia gradualmente é encurvada em torno de um eixo que estende na direção da largura da porção da parede superior e de modo que a largura da porção da parede superior varia;e uma segunda porção que varia gradualmente que é provida pelo menos em um do par das porções da parede de base de acordo com um local no qual a primeira porção que varia gradualmente é provida na porção da parede superior,e, é continuamente estendida de um lado da extremidade para o outro lado da extremidade na direção longitudinal da porção da parede superior, em que a largura da porção da parede de base varia de modo que a variação na largura da porção da parede superior na primeira porção que varia gradualmente é cancelada, em que um formato de uma crista da porção que varia gradualmente que é um limite entre a primeira porção que varia gradualmente e a segunda porção que varia gradualmente é feito substancialmente o mesmo tanto em uma vista em planta tomada ao longo da direção da espessura da porção da parede superior como em uma vista lateral que é tomada ao longo da direção da largura da porção da parede superior.
- 4Molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body in which a pair of portions of the base wall is extended to one side in the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion, of the respective edge portions with respect to the direction of the width of a portion of the upper wall, and a flange portion is extended outwardly towards the width of the upper wall portion, an edge portion on an opposite side to the top wall portion of at least one of the base wall pair portions, characterized by comprising:4. Artigo moldado para um membro estrutural do corpo de veículo em que um par de porções da parede de base é estendido para um lado da direção da espessura da porção da parede superior, das respectivas porções de borda com relação à direção da largura de uma porção da parede superior,e, uma porção de flange é estendida para fora na direção da largura da porção da parede superior, de uma porção de borda em um lado oposto ao lado da porção da parede superior de pelo menos uma do par de porções da parede de base, caracterizado por compreender: a gradually varying first portion is provided in a wall that forms the gradually varying portion that is at least one of the upper wall portion and flange portion, between two end portions with respect to a longitudinal direction of the forming wall of the varying portion gradually and is continuously extended from one side of the end to the other side of the end in the longitudinal direction of the wall forming the gradually varying portion, so that an edge portion on the side of the base wall portion with respect to the width direction of the first gradually varying portion is curved around an axis that extends towards the width of the gradually varying portion forming wall, whose curvature leads to the width of the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually to vary;and a second gradually varying portion which is provided with at least one of the pair of base wall portions according to a location where the first gradually varying portion is provided on the forming wall of the gradually varying portion and which is continuously extended one side of the end to the other side of the end in the longitudinal direction of the wall forming the portion that varies gradually, wherein the width of the base wall portion varies so that the variation in the width of the forming wall of the gradually varying portion in the first gradually varying portion is canceled, wherein a shape of a crest of the gradually varying portion which is a boundary between the first gradually varying portion and the second gradually varying portion is substantially the same both in a plan view which is taken along the thickness direction of the upper wall portion as in a side view that is taken along the width direction of the upper wall portion. uma primeira porção que varia gradualmente é provida em uma parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente que é pelo menos uma da porção da parede superior e porção de flange, entre duas porções da extremidade com relação a uma direção longitudinal da parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente e é continuamente estendida de um lado da extremidade para o outro lado da extremidade na direção longitudinal da parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente, de modo que uma porção de borda no lado da porção da parede de base com relação à direção da largura da primeira porção que varia gradualmente é encurvada em torno de um eixo que estende na direção da largura da parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente, cuja curvatura leva à largura da parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente a variar;e uma segunda porção que varia gradualmente que é provida pelo menos uma do par de porções da parede de base de acordo com um local em que a primeira porção que varia gradualmente é provida na parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente e que é continuamente estendida de um lado da extremidade para outro lado da extremidade na direção longitudinal da parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente, em que a largura da porção da parede de base varia de modo que a variação na largura da parede formadora da porção que varia gradualmente na primeira porção que varia gradualmente é cancelada, em que um formato de uma crista da porção que varia gradualmente que é um limite entre a primeira porção que varia gradualmente e a segunda porção que varia gradualmente é feito substancialmente o mesmo tanto em uma vista em planta que é tomada ao longo da direção da espessura da porção da parede superior como em uma vista lateral que é tomada ao longo da direção da largura da porção da parede superior.
- 9Molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body 9. Artigo moldado para um membro estrutural do corpo de veícu5 Io according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the second portion which varies gradually, the portions of the base wall in pair are formed substantially symmetrically. Io de acordo com qualquer uma das reivindicações 1 a 8, em que na segunda porção que varia gradualmente, as porções da parede de base em par são formadas substancialmente de modo simétrico.
- 14Molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body is used in a lower reinforcement of the central pillar provided along a central pillar of a vehicle body. 14. Artigo moldado para um membro estrutural do corpo de veículo de acordo com qualquer uma das reivindicações 1 a 13, em que o artigo moldado para um membro estrutural do corpo de veículo é usado em um reforço inferior do pilar central provido ao longo de um pilar central de um corpo de veículo.
Independent claims4
174 paragraphs, as filed
(54) Title: MOLDED ARTICLE FOR VEHICLE BODY STRUCTURAL MEMBER (30) Unionist Priority: 17/10/2007 jp 2007-270291 (73) Holder (s): Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (72) Inventor (s): Toshiya Myashita (74) Attorney (s): Dannemann, Siemsen, Bigler & Ipanema Moreira (86) International Request: pct iB2008002646de07 / i0 / 2008 (87) International Publication: wo 2009 / 050553de 23/04/2009 (57) Abstract: article molded for STRUCTURAL member of the VEHICLE BODY. The present invention relates to a molded article (10) for a structural member of the vehicle body which includes: a gradually varying first portion (13) which is curved around an axis extending in a direction the width of a portion of the upper wall (11) and the width of the upper wall portion (11) varies; and a second portion that varies gradually (21, 26), wherein the width of a portion of the base wall (19) varies in order to cancel the variation in the width of the portion of the upper wall (11) in the first portion that varies gradually (13). The shape of a crest of the gradually varying portion (14, 16) which is a boundary between the first gradually varying portion (13) and the second gradually varying portion (21, 26) is substantially the same in both a view in plan taken along the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion as in a side view taken along the direction of the width of the upper wall portion.
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ΡΙ0805842 -3
Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for MOLDED ARTICLE FOR STRUCTURAL MEMBER OF THE VEHICLE BODY. Background of the Invention. Technical Field Invention
The present invention relates to an article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body which is a component of a vehicle body and, in particular, to a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body that is formed of a steel plate with higher tensile strength than a normal steel plate (high tensile steel plate) or a steel plate with an even higher tensile strength than that of such a high tensile strength steel plate (super high tensile steel plate)
2. Description of the Prior Art
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 281312/2006 (JP-A-2006-281312) for example, reports on a structural member of the vehicle body such as external reinforcement of the roof side rail that is arranged along one side the roof of a vehicle body and an upper or lower reinforcement of the central pillar that is arranged along a central pillar, the structural member of the vehicle body being formed to have a hat-shaped cross section that is opened to one side in the lateral direction of the vehicle. A structural member of the vehicle body with such a configuration is formed by drawing (pressing) a flat steel plate.
In recent years, a so-called high-tensile steel plate that has a higher tensile strength than that of a normal steel plate has been used for such a structural member of the vehicle body. Furthermore, consideration is given to the use of a so-called super high tensile steel plate that has a higher tensile strength than that of the high tensile steel plate.
Meanwhile, in relation to the external reinforcement of the roof side rail, upper reinforcement of the central pillar, lower reinforcement of the central pillar, etc., the height of the cross section, that is, the height of the flange portion up to the upper wall portion of a hat shape can vary in certain positions along the longitudinal direction (the direction of the vehicle's height when the vehicle body is assembled) according to the design, mechanical strength, stiffness, etc. of a vehicle.
If the flat steel plate is formed in such a shape by stretching (pressing), in the portion of the upper wall, the compressive residual stress occurs in the direction of the width in the portion where the height of the cross section is high and the residual tensile stress occurs towards the width in the portion where the height of the cross section is low. When such residual stress occurs, the dimensional accuracy is deteriorated, that is, for example, a torsion occurs around an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion and / or creases occur in some portions, after molding the member.
The problem, such as the deterioration of dimensional accuracy, which occurs after molding becomes serious when a high tensile strength steel plate is used, which has a higher tensile strength than a normal steel plate and makes becomes more severe when a so-called super high tensile steel plate is used, which has a higher tensile strength than the high tensile steel plate and it becomes difficult to obtain a desired shape.
Summary of the Invention
In view of the above facts, an objective of the invention is to obtain a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body with which it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress the occurrence of residual stress after molding and to improve dimensional accuracy.
A molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a first aspect of the invention is an article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body in which a pair of portions of the base wall is extended to one side of the thickness direction of the upper wall portion from the respective edge portions with respect to the direction of the width of a portion of the upper wall. The molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body includes: a first gradually varying portion which is provided in the upper wall portion between two portions of the end with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion and is continuously extended from one end side to the other side of the end in the longitudinal direction of the wall portion top, so that the gradually varying portion is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion and so, that width of the upper wall portion varies; and a second gradually varying portion, which is provided at least in one of the pair of base wall portions according to a location where the first gradually varying portion is provided in the upper wall portion, and is continuously extended one end side to the other side of the end in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion, wherein the width of the base wall portion varies so that the variation in the width of the upper wall portion in the first gradually varying portion is canceled. In addition, the shape of a crest of the gradually varying portion that is a boundary between the gradually varying first portion and the gradually varying second portion is substantially the same both in a plan view taken along the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion and in a side view taken along the width direction of the upper wall portion.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first aspect, the base wall portions are extended to one side in the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion, of the respective edge portions with respect to the width direction of a portion of the upper wall, so that the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body is shaped to have a substantially U-shaped cross section as a whole. In addition, the upper wall portion is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion in the portion where the first gradually varying portion is provided in the upper wall portion, so that in the article molded to the structural member of the vehicle body, the height of the cross section, that is, the height of the cross section taken along the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion varies.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first aspect, in the first portion that varies gradually, not only the upper wall portion is curved around an axis that extends towards the width of the wall portion but also the width of the upper wall portion varies according to the curve. In addition, in the second portion that varies gradually in the portion of the base wall corresponding to the first portion that varies gradually, the width of the portion of the base wall varies in order to cancel the increase and reduction in the width of the portion of the upper wall in the first portion that varies gradually. In addition, the shape of the crest of the gradually varying portion, which is the limit between the first and second gradually varying portions, is substantially the same both in plan view taken along the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion and in view side taken along the width direction of the upper wall portion.
With this configuration, in the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first modality, the variation in the sum of the dimension of the upper wall portion in its direction of the width and the heights of the two portions of the base wall depending on the positions along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion is very small, and therefore, even when the height of the cross section varies, the residual stress that occurs after molding is eliminated or such residual stress is effectively reduced. As a result, it is possible to effectively improve dimensional accuracy.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first aspect, on the side of a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion on whose side the width of the upper wall portion is greater than that on the other side , the first gradually varying portion can be curved around an axis that extends towards the width of the upper wall portion, where the gradually varying center of curvature of the first portion is located on the other side with respect to the direction of thickness, of the upper wall portion, and on the side of the predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion on whose side the width of the upper wall portion is smaller than that on the other side, the first gradually varying portion may be curved around an axis extending in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion, wherein the gradually varying center of curvature of the first portion is located on the other side with respect to the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion.
The article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first aspect may further include a flange portion extended from an edge portion of the base wall portion on the side opposite the upper wall portion, where: at least part of the second portion that varies gradually may be curved around an axis that extends towards the width of the portion of the base wall and the curvature of the second portion that varies gradually on the side of the upper wall portion and the curvature of the the second portion that varies gradually on the side of the flange portion can be made substantially equal to one another in a portion in which the second portion that varies gradually is curved.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first aspect, a portion of the flange is extended from the edge portion of the base wall portion on the opposite side to the side of the upper wall portion, so that the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first aspect has a substantially hat-shaped cross section. In addition, at least the portion of the second portion that varies gradually is curved around an axis that extends in a direction the width of the portion of the base wall. In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the invention, the curvature of the second portion that varies gradually on the side of the upper wall portion and its curvature on the side of the flange portion are substantially equal to each other in a por6 where the second portion that varies gradually is curved. Thus, even when the gradually varying second portion (base wall portion) is curved as described above, no crease occurs or the occurrence of creases is effectively suppressed.
In an article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to a second aspect of the invention, a pair of portions of the base wall is extended to one side in the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion, from the respective edge portions with respect to the width direction of a top wall portion and a flange portion is extended outwardly towards the width of the top wall portion from an edge portion on the side opposite the side of the portion of the upper wall of at least one of the pair of portions of the base wall. The molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body includes: a gradually varying first portion which is provided in a forming wall of the gradually varying portion which is at least one of the upper wall portion and flange portion between two end portions, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the forming wall of the varying portion gradually and is continuously extended from one side of the end to the other side of the other end in the longitudinal direction of the wall forming the gradually varying portion, so that an edge portion in the base wall portion with respect to the width direction of the first gradually varying portion is curved around an axis extending in the direction of the gradually varying portion forming wall, which leads the width of the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually to vary; and a second gradually varying portion that is provided in at least one of the pair of base wall portions according to a location where the first gradually varying portion is provided in the forming wall of the gradually varying portion and is continuously extended from one side of the end to the other side of the end in the longitudinal direction of the wall forming the portion that varies gradually, wherein the width of the base wall portion varies so that the variation in the width of the forming wall of the gradually varying portion in the first gradually varying portion is canceled. In addition, the shape of a crest of the portion that varies gradually which is the limit between the first portion that varies gradually and the second portion that varies gradually is made substantially the same both in plan view taken along the direction of the thickness of the portion of the upper wall as in a side view taken along the width direction of the upper wall portion.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second aspect, the base wall portions are extended to one side of the thickness portion of the wall portion, from the respective edge portions with respect to a direction the width of the upper wall portion. In addition, the flange portion is extended outwardly in the width of the upper wall portion from the edge portion on the side opposite the upper wall portion of the base wall portion. Thus, the molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the invention is formed to have a substantially U-shaped cross section (more specifically, a substantially hat-shaped cross section when the flange portions are extended from the two base wall portions or a substantially cup-shaped cross section when the flange portion is extended from a base wall portion) which remains open for one side towards the thickness of the upper wall portion as a whole.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second aspect, the first gradually varying portion is provided in the forming wall of the gradually varying portion, which is at least one of the upper wall portion and flange portion ( in other words, one of the upper wall portion and flange portion, in which the first gradually varying portion is provided, is defined as the forming wall of the gradually varying portion). In addition, the gradually varying portion forming wall is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the gradually varying portion forming wall in the portion where the gradually varying first portion is provided in the portion forming wall. which varies gradually, so that in the molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body, the height of the cross section, that is, the height of the cross section taken along the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second aspect, in the first portion that varies gradually, not only the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually, but also the width of the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually varies according to the curve. In addition, in the second portion that varies gradually from the portion of the base wall corresponding to the first portion that varies gradually, the width of the portion of the base wall varies in order to cancel the increase and reduction in the width of the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually. in the first portion that varies gradually. In addition, the shape of the crest of the gradually varying portion which is the limit between the first and second gradually varying portions is substantially the same both in plan view that is taken along the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion and in side view that is taken along the width direction of the upper wall portion.
With such a configuration, in the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second aspect, the variation in the sum of the dimension of the wall forming the portion that gradually varies in its direction of the width and the heights of the two portions of the wall of base depending on the positions along the longitudinal direction of the forming wall of the gradually varying portion is very small and therefore even when the height of the cross section varies, no residual stress occurs after formation or such residual stress is effectively reduced. As a result, it is possible to effectively improve dimensional accuracy.
With respect to the above aspects, although in the first aspect there is no limitation regarding the presence of the flange portion which is a component of the second aspect, the first portion that varies gradually is provided in the upper wall portion. On the other hand, in the second aspect, although it is necessary to have the flange portion, the first gradually varying portion may be provided in the upper wall portion and the flange portion or the first gradually varying portion may be provided in each of the upper wall portion and flange portion. Thus, in the second aspect, the upper wall portion is defined as the forming wall of the gradually varying portion when the first gradually varying portion is provided in the upper wall portion and the flange portion is defined as the forming wall of the gradually varying portion , when the first gradually varying portion is provided in the flange portion. When the first gradually varying portion is provided in each of the upper wall and flange portion, both the upper and flange portions are defined as forming walls of the gradually varying portion.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second aspect, on the side of a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the gradually forming portion wall where the gradually varying portion of the forming wall portion is greater than that on the other side, the first gradually varying portion can be curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the forming wall of the gradually varying portion, wherein the center of curvature of the first gradually varying portion is located on one side with respect to the direction of the thickness of the forming wall of the gradually varying portion, and, on the side of the predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the forming wall of the gradually varying portion on which side, the width of the forming wall of the gradually varying portion is less than that on the other side, the first gradually varying portion is curved around an axis extending in the direction of the width of the gradually varying portion forming wall, where the center of curvature of the first gradually varying portion is located on the other side with respect to the direction the thickness of the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspect, the second gradually varying portion can be twisted around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion according to the variation in height of the cross section of and in the width of the first portion which varies gradually.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspect, the second portion that varies gradually is twisted about an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion according to the variation in height of the cross section of and in the width of the first portion which varies gradually. When the second gradually varying portion is twisted in this way, it is possible to eliminate or effectively reduce the variation in the sum of the dimension of the upper wall portion in the direction of the width and heights of the two portions of the base wall. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or effectively reduce the occurrence of residual stress after molding and it is possible to effectively improve dimensional accuracy.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the first gradually varying portion and the second gradually varying portion corresponding to the gradually varying first portion can be gently curved.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the first gradually varying portion can be shaped substantially symmetrically with respect to the center with respect to the direction of the width of the upper wall portion.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, in the second portion that varies gradually, the pair of portions of the base wall can be formed substantially symmetrically.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the first gradually varying portion and the second gradually varying portion may each be formed in a plate format.
In the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body can be molded by drawing.
In the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body can be made of a super high tensile steel plate.
In the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body can be used in an upper reinforcement of the central pillar provided along a central pillar of a body of vehicle.
In the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body can be used in a lower reinforcement of the central pillar provided along a central pillar of a body of vehicle.
In the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the article molded for a structural member of the vehicle body can be used in an external reinforcement of the rail on the roof side provided along one side of the roof of a vehicle body.
As described above, with articles molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspects, the residual stress that occurs after molding is eliminated or effectively reduced and it is possible to effectively improve dimensional accuracy after molding.
With the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the aspect in which the flange portion is provided, it is possible to prevent or suppress remarkably effectively the occurrence of creases in the flange portion even when the second portion varies gradually (portion of the base wall) is curved.
With the article molded to a structural member of the vehicle body according to the above aspect, it is possible to effectively eliminate or reduce the variation in the sum of the dimension of the upper wall portion in the direction of the width and heights of the two portions of the wall depending on the positions along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion. Thus, it is possible to effectively improve dimensional accuracy.
Brief Description of Drawings
The above and / or other objectives, aspects and advantages of the invention will be made more evident from the following description of the preferred modality with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar numbers are used to represent similar elements and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view showing schematically a configuration of a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a side view in which the configuration of the molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first embodiment of the invention is seen in the direction indicated by the arrow L in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a side view in which the configuration of the molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the first embodiment of the invention is taken from the direction indicated by the arrow R in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is a plan view showing schematically the configuration of the molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 is a side view in which the configuration of the molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second embodiment of the invention is taken from the direction indicated by the arrow L in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a side view in which the configuration of the molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second embodiment of the invention is taken from the direction indicated by the arrow R in Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a third embodiment of the invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing schematically a configuration of a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
20. and
Figure 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Modalities
Figure 1 shows, in a perspective view, a configuration of a molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body. Figure 3 shows a side view of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body when viewed from the side of the arrow L in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a side view of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body when viewed from the side of the arrow R in
Figure 2, that is, on the opposite side when compared to the case of Figure 3.
As shown in these figures, the shaped article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body includes a portion of the upper wall 11, which can be considered as a gradually forming portion wall. The upper wall portion 11 includes a lower flat portion 12, which is flat in shape. A gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13, which can be considered as a first gradually varying portion, is continuously extended from one end, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 11 of the lower flat portion 12. The varying portion gradually the upper wall 13 is formed into a plate format. The portion that gradually varies the upper wall 13 is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 11, where the center of curvature is located on one side, with respect to the direction of the thickness of the portion which gradually varies from the upper wall 13 on the side of the lower flat portion 12 from a predetermined position in the central portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the portion which gradually varies from the upper wall 13. Thus, the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13 is displaced on one side, with respect to the direction of thickness, of the lower flat portion 12 in the predetermined position. In addition, the direction of the thickness of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13 is inclined relative to the direction of the thickness of the lower flat portion 12, about an axis that extends towards the width of the portion of the upper wall 11.
On the other hand, on the side opposite the lower flat portion 12 relative to the predetermined position mentioned above, the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 11 , in which the center of curvature is located on the other side, with respect to the direction of the thickness of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13. Thus, although the end portion, opposite the lower flat portion 12 of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13, is still shifted to one side from the predetermined position with respect to the thickness direction, in this end portion, the angle in that the direction of the thickness of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13 is inclined relative to the direction of the thickness of the lower flat portion 12 is less than such an angle of inclination at the predetermined position. In a ridge portion 14 which is an edge portion on one side of the upper wall portion 11 with respect to the width direction, a side ridge of the gradually varying portion 15 which is a portion corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 is curved around the center of curvature located on the inner side, with respect to the direction of the width, the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13, from the end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 12 to the predetermined position mentioned above and is curved around the center of curvature located on the external side, with respect to the direction of the width of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13, from the predetermined position mentioned above for the end portion on the side opposite the lower flat portion 12.
In a ridge portion 16 which is an edge portion on the other side of the upper wall portion 11 with respect to the direction of width, a ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 17 which is a portion corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the wall upper 13 is curved around the center of curvature located on the inner side, with respect to the direction of the width, of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13, from the end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 12 to the predetermined position mentioned above, and, it is curved around the center of curvature located on the outer side, with respect to the direction of the width, of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13, from predetermined position mentioned above for the end portion on the side opposite the side of the lower flat portion 12. Since both sides, with respect to the width direction, of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13, i.e., the portions of the ridge 14 and 16, are thus curved, the width of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13 is gradually reduced to the side opposite the lower flat portion 12. An upper flat portion 18 is continuously extended from the end portion, opposite the lower flat portion 12, from the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 with such a configuration. Since the width of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 is gradually reduced to the side opposite the lower flat portion 2 as described above, the upper flat portion 18 is formed into a plate shape with a width less than that width of the lower flat portion 12.
A portion of the base wall 19 is continuously extended from the edge portion, on one side with respect to the width direction, of the upper wall portion 11 with the configuration described above. The base wall portion 19 includes a corresponding flat portion 20 which is in a plate format and corresponding to the lower flat portion described above 12. A gradually varying portion of the base wall 21, which can be considered as a second gradually varying portion, corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 is continuously extended from one end with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 11 , of the corresponding flat portion 20. The portion of the above-described ridge 14, which is the edge portion, on one side in the width direction, of the upper wall portion 11, is also the edge portion, on the side of the upper wall portion 11 of the base 19. Thus, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 15 which is a portion corresponding to the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13 of the crest portion 14 is also an edge portion, on the side of the upper wall portion 11, of the portion which gradually varies from the base wall 21.
When the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 15 is considered to be the edge portion, on the side of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13, of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 21, the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 15 is curved around the center of curvature located on the outer side, with respect to the direction of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 21, from the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 15 on the side of the gradually varying portion from the upper wall 13, from the end portion on the corresponding side of the flat portion 20 to the predetermined position described above. Meanwhile, the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 15 is curved around the center of the curvature located opposite the side of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13, with respect to the ridge 15 on the side of the gradually varying portion on the direction of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 21, from the predetermined position mentioned above to the end portion on the side opposite the corresponding side of the flat portion 20.
Thus, the edge portion of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 21 on the side of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 follows the curve of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13. In addition, the gradually varying portion of the wall base 21 is twisted about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the support wall portion 19.
Thus, the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 21 is inclined so that, when compared to the direction of the thickness of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 21 on the corresponding side of the flat portion 20, the direction of the thickness of the portion that varies gradually the base wall 21 becomes closer to the thickness direction of the lower flat portion 12 on the side opposite the corresponding flat portion 20.
A corresponding flat portion 22 corresponding to the upper flat portion 18 is continuously extended from the end portion, on the side opposite the corresponding flat portion 20, from the gradually varying portion of the base wall described above 21. The corresponding flat portion 22 is formed into a plate shape so that the thickness direction of the corresponding flat portion 22 coincides with the thickness direction of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 21 in the end portion, on the side of the flat portion corresponding 22, the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 21. A flat flange portion 23 is extended from the edge portion, opposite the upper wall portion 11, from the base wall portion 19 with the above-described configuration outwardly in the direction of the width of the lower flat portion 12.
A portion of the base wall 24 is continuously extended from the edge portion, on the other side with respect to the direction of width, from the portion of the upper wall 11. The portion of the base wall 24 includes a corresponding flat portion 25 that is flat in shape. and corresponding to the lower flat portion described above 12. A gradually varying portion of the base wall 26, which can be considered as a second gradually varying portion, corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13, is continuously extended from one end, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the wall portion top 11, of the corresponding flat portion 25. The ridge portion described above 16, which is an edge portion, on the other side with respect to the width direction of the upper wall portion 11, is also the edge portion, on the side of the upper wall portion 11, of the base wall 24. Thus, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 17, which is the portion of the crest 16 corresponding to the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13, is also an edge portion, on the side of the upper wall portion 11, of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 26.
When the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 17 is considered to be the edge portion, on the side of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13, of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 26, the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 17 is curved around the center of the curvature located on the outer side, with respect to the direction of the width of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 26, from the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 17 on the side of the gradually varying portion from the upper wall 13, from the end portion on the side of the corresponding flat portion 20 to the predetermined position described above. Meanwhile, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 17 is curved around the center of curvature located opposite the side of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13 with respect to the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 17 in the direction the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 26, from the predetermined position mentioned above to the end portion on the side opposite the side of the corresponding flat portion 25. Thus, the edge portion of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 26 on the side of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall follows the curve of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13. In addition, the portion that gradually varies from the base 26 is twisted about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the portion of the base wall 24. Thus, the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 26 is inclined so that, when compared to the direction of the thickness of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 26 on the corresponding side of the flat portion 25, the direction of the thickness of the portion that varies gradually the base wall 26 becomes closer to the thickness direction of the lower flat portion 12 on the side opposite the lower flat portion 25.
A corresponding flat portion 27 corresponding to the upper flat portion 18 is continuously extended from the end portion of the above described portion which gradually varies from the base wall 26 on the side opposite the side of the corresponding flat portion 25. The corresponding flat portion 27 is formed into a plate shape so that the thickness direction of the corresponding flat portion 27 coincides with the thickness direction of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 26 at its end portion on the corresponding side of the portion flat 27. A flat flange portion 28 is extended from the edge portion, opposite the upper wall portion 11, from the base wall portion 24 with the above-described configuration outwardly in the direction of the width of the lower flat portion 12. Thus, the cross section of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body has a substantially symmetrical hat shape, which is opened towards the side of the upper wall portion 11 towards the side of the flange portions 23 and 28.
In the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body with the configuration described above, the height of the cross section of the shaped article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body varies in the portion corresponding to the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall
13. The shaped article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body is configured so that the shape of the ridge portion 14 in a plan view, illustrated in Figure 2 and the shape of the ridge portion 14 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 3, substantially coincide. In order to achieve this, the variation of the angle of inclination in the direction of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 21, that is, the way in which the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 21 is twisted around a axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 19 is adjusted.
The molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body is also configured so that the shape of the crest portion 16 in a plan view, shown in Figure 2 and the shape of the crest portion 16 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 4, substantially coincide. In order to achieve this, the variation in the angle of inclination of the width direction of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 26, that is, the way in which the portion that gradually varies from the support wall 26 is twisted around a axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 24 is adjusted. When the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body is configured as described above, in the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body, the width of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 21 and the width of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 26 gradually increases according to the increase in height of the cross section of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body, from the side of the lower flat portion 12 to the side of the upper flat portion 18. In addition, in a molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body, the sum of the increasing portion widths that gradually vary from the support wall 21 and 26 is substantially equal to the decrease in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13.
By stretching (pressing) a plate, the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body with the configuration described above is formed so as to have a hat-shaped cross section at which the height of the cross section of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body it varies in the portion corresponding to the portion that gradually varies 13 of the upper wall. Thus, the shaped article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body is configured so that, although the height of the cross section of the shaped article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body varies in the portion corresponding to the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13, the shape of the crest portion 14 in a plan view, shown in Figure 2, and the shape of the crest portion 14 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 3, substantially coincide and that the shape of the crest portion 16 in a plan view illustrated in Figure 2 and the shape of the crest portion 16 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 4, substantially coincide.
Thus, the increase in the widths of the portions that vary gradually from the base wall 21 and 26 according to the increase in the height of the cross section of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13, from the side of the lower flat portion 12 to the side of the portion upper plane 18, is canceled by the reduction in the width of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 13. Thus, the sum of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 21, width of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13 and width of the portion that varies gradually from the lower wall 26 is constant or hardly varies along the longitudinal direction of the portion of the upper wall 11. Since the sum of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 21, the width of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13 and the width of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 26 is basically constant as described above, the compressive force or residual tension in the upper wall portion 11 along its width direction does not occur or, if it does, is very small after the formation of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body. Thus, it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress deformation such as deformation of elastic recovery or deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to such residual stress force.
Deformation, such as deformation of elastic recovery or deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to residual stress, becomes severe when a material with high tensile strength is used. In the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body, however, since it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress deformation, such as deformation of elastic recovery or deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to residual stress as described above, it is possible to ensure high dimensional accuracy even when a high tensile steel plate or a super high tensile steel plate is used as material for the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body. Since the high tensile steel plate or the super high tensile steel plate can be used as material for the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body without difficulty, it is possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle while improving the rigidity of the vehicle body and the mechanical strength of the vehicle body.
In addition, the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body is designed so that the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 and the gradually varying portions of the base wall 21 and 26 are not curved but gradually curved to vary. the height of the cross section. Thus, it is possible to improve the stiffness of the molded article 10 for a structural member of the vehicle body along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 11.
Figure 5 shows, in a perspective view, a configuration of a molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows a plan view of the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body. Figure 7 shows a side view of the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body, when viewed from one side of the arrow L in Figure 6. Figure 8 shows a side view of the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body when viewed from the side of the arrow R in Figure 6, that is, from the opposite side when compared to the case of Figure
7.
As shown in these figures, the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body includes an upper wall portion 41. A base wall portion 42 is continuously extended from the edge portion, on one side with respect to the width direction, of the upper wall portion 41. A flange portion 43, which can be thought of as the forming wall of the gradually varying portion, is extended from the edge portion, opposite the upper wall portion 41, from the base wall portion 42 outwardly the width of the upper wall portion 41. The flange portion 43 includes a lower flat portion 44, which is flat in shape. A gradually varying portion of flange 45, which can be considered as a first gradually varying portion, is continuously extended from one end, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 43 of the lower flat portion 44.
The gradually varying portion of flange 45 is formed into a plate shape. The gradually varying portion of flange 45 is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the flange portion 43, where the center of curvature is located on one side, with respect to the direction of thickness, of the portion that it gradually varies from flange 45 on the side of the lower flat portion 44 from a predetermined position in the central portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the portion that gradually varies from flange 45. Thus, the gradually varying portion of flange 45 is shifted to one side, with respect to the direction of thickness, of the lower flat portion 44 in the predetermined position. In addition, the direction of the thickness of the gradually varying portion 45 is inclined relative to the direction of the thickness of the lower flat portion 44, about an axis extending in the direction of the width of the flange portion 43.
On the other hand, on the side opposite the side of the lower flat portion 44 with respect to the predetermined position mentioned above, the gradually varying portion of flange 45 is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the flange portion 43, where the center of curvature is located on the other side, with respect to the direction of thickness, of the portion that gradually varies from flange 45. Thus, although the end portion, opposite the side of the lower flat portion 44, the portion that gradually varies from flange 45 is still shifted to one side with respect to the direction of thickness, that is, to the side of the upper wall portion 41 relative to the predetermined position, the angle at which the thickness direction of the gradually varying portion 45 is inclined relative to the thickness direction of the lower flat portion 44 at the end portion, opposite the side of the lower flat portion 44, of the gradually varying portion of flange 45 is less than such an angle of inclination in the predetermined position.
In a ridge portion 46 which is an edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 42, of the flange portion 43 with respect to the width direction of the flange portion 43, a side ridge of the gradually varying portion 47 that is a portion corresponding to the portion that gradually varies from flange 45 is curved around the center of curvature located on the outer side with respect to the direction of the width, that is, on the side closest to the center of the upper wall portion 41 with respect to the direction of the width, from the end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 44 to the predetermined position mentioned above, and, it is curved around the center of curvature located on the inner side with respect to the direction of width, from the predetermined position mentioned above for the end portion on the side opposite the side of the lower flat portion 44. Thus, when the edge portion, opposite the side of the base wall portion 42, the flange portion 43 is parallel to the edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 42, of the upper wall portion 41 as the second In this embodiment, the width of the portion that varies gradually from flange 45 gradually increases to the side opposite the side of the lower flat portion 44.
An upper flat portion 48 is continuously extended opposite the lower flat portion 44, the gradually varying flange portion 45 with such a configuration. Since the gradually varying portion of flange 45 is gradually reduced to the side opposite the lower flat portion 44 as described above, the upper flat portion 48 is formed into a plate shape with a width less than the width of the lower flat portion 44.
In addition, the base wall portion 42 includes a corresponding flat portion 49 that is flat in shape and corresponding to the lower flat portion 44 of the flange portion 43 with the configuration described above. A portion that varies gradually from the base wall 50, which can be considered as a second portion that varies gradually, corresponding to the portion that varies gradually from flange 45, is continuously extended from one end, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the portion of flange 43, the corresponding flat portion 49. The ridge portion 46, which is the edge portion on the side of the base wall portion 42, of the flange portion described above 43, is also the edge portion on the side of the flange portion 43, of the base wall portion. 42. Thus, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 47 which is a portion corresponding to the gradually varying portion of flange 45, of crest portion 46 is also an edge portion, on the side of flange portion 43, of portion that varies gradually from the base wall 50.
When the lateral crest of the gradually varying portion 47 is considered as an edge portion, on the side of the gradually varying flange portion 45, of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 50, the lateral crest of the gradually varying portion 47 is curved around the center of curvature located on the inner side, with respect to the direction of the width of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 50, that is, on the side of the upper wall portion 41, from the end portion on the corresponding side of the flat portion 49 to the predetermined position mentioned above. Meanwhile, the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 47 is curved around the center of curvature located on the outside with respect to the direction of the width, that is, on the side of the flange portion 43, of the portion that gradually varies from the wall of base 50, from the predetermined position mentioned above to the end portion on the side opposite the side of the corresponding flat portion 49.
Thus, the edge portion, on the side of the gradually varying flange portion 45, of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 50 follows the curve of the gradually varying portion of flange 45. In addition, the gradually varying portion of the wall base 50 is twisted about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 42. Thus, the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 50 is inclined, so that when compared to the direction of the thickness of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 50 on the side of the corresponding flat portion 49, the direction of the thickness of the portion that it gradually varies from the base wall 50 becomes closer to the direction of the thickness of the lower flat portion 44 on the side opposite the side of the corresponding flat portion 49.
A corresponding flat portion 51 corresponding to the upper flat portion 48 is continuously extended from the end portion on the side opposite the corresponding flat portion 49, from the gradually varying portion of the base wall described above 50. The corresponding flat portion 51 is formed into a plate shape, so that the thickness direction of the corresponding flat portion 51 coincides with the thickness direction of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 50 at its end portion on the corresponding side of the flat portion 51.
A portion of the base wall 52 is continuously extended from the edge portion, on the other side with respect to the direction of width, from the portion of the upper wall 41, i.e., the edge portion on the side opposite the portion of the base wall 42. A flange portion 53, which can be considered as forming wall of the gradually varying portion, is extended from the edge portion, opposite the side of the upper wall portion 41 with respect to the width direction, of the base wall portion 52 out towards the width of the upper wall portion 41. Thus, the cross section of the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body according to the second embodiment has a substantially symmetrical hat shape, which is open in the direction, from the side of the upper wall portion 41 to the side of the portions flange 43 and 53.
The flange portion 53 includes a lower flat portion 54, which is flat in shape. A gradually varying portion of flange 55, which can be regarded as a first gradually varying portion, is continuously extended from one end of the lower flat portion 54 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 53. The gradually varying portion 55 is formed in a plate format. The gradually varying portion of flange 55 is curved around an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the flange portion 53, where the center of curvature is located on one side, with respect to the direction of thickness, of the varying portion gradually flange 55 on the side of the lower flat portion 54 from a predetermined position in the central portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the portion that gradually varies from flange 55. Thus, the portion that gradually varies from flange 55 is shifted to one side, with respect to the direction of thickness, of the lower flat portion 54 in the predetermined position. In addition, the direction of the thickness of the gradually varying flange portion 55 is inclined, relative to the thickness direction of the lower flat portion 54, about an axis extending in the direction of the width of the flange portion 53.
On the other hand, on the side opposite the lower flat portion 54 relative to the predetermined position mentioned above, the gradually varying portion of flange 55 is curved about an axis extending in the direction of the width of the flange portion 53, wherein the center of curvature is located on the other side, with respect to the direction of the thickness of the portion that gradually varies from flange 55. Thus, although the end portion, opposite the side of the lower flat portion 54, the portion that gradually varies from flange 55 is still shifted to one side with respect to the direction of thickness, i.e., to the side of the upper wall portion 41 , relative to the predetermined position, the angle at which the direction of the thickness of the portion that varies gradually from flange 55 is inclined relative to the direction of the thickness of the lower flat portion 54 in the end portion, opposite the lower flat portion 54, the gradually flanging portion 55 is less than such an angle of inclination in the predetermined position.
In a ridge portion 56 that is an edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 52 with respect to the width direction of the flange portion 53, a side ridge of the gradually varying portion 55 is curved around the center of curvature located on the inner side with respect to the width direction, that is, on the side closest to the center of the upper wall portion 41 with respect to the width direction, from the end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 54 to the predetermined position mentioned above, and is curved around the center of curvature located on the outside with respect to the direction of width, from the predetermined position mentioned above to the end portion on the opposite side next to the lower flat portion 54. Thus, when the edge portion, opposite the side of the base wall portion 52, the flange portion 53 is parallel to the edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 52, of the upper wall portion 41 as this embodiment , the width of the gradually varying portion of flange 55 gradually increases to the side opposite the side of the lower flat portion 54.
An upper flat portion 58 is continuously extended from the end portion, opposite the lower flat portion 54, from the gradually varying flange portion 55 with such a configuration. Since the width of the gradually varying flange portion 55 is gradually reduced to the side opposite the lower flat portion 54 as described above, the upper flat portion 58 is formed into a plate shape with a smaller width than the width of the lower flat portion 54.
In addition, the base wall portion 52 includes a corresponding flat portion 59 that is shaped like a hat and corresponding to the lower flat portion 54 of the flange portion 53 with the configuration described above. A portion that varies gradually from the base wall 60, which can be considered as a second portion that varies gradually, corresponding to the portion that gradually varies from flange 59 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 53. The ridge portion described above 56, which is the edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 52, of the flange portion 53, is also the edge portion on the side of the flange portion 53, of the wall portion of base 52. Thus, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 57 which is a portion corresponding to the gradually varying portion of flange 55, of the crest portion 56 is also an edge portion, on the side of the flange portion 53, of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 60.
When the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 57 is considered to be the edge portion, on the side of the gradually varying portion of flange 55, of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 60, the lateral ridge of the gradually varying portion 57 it is curved around the center of curvature located on the inner side, with respect to the direction of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 60, that is, on the side of the upper wall portion 41, from the end portion on the corresponding side of the flat portion 59 to the predetermined position mentioned above. Meanwhile, the lateral crest of the gradually varying portion 57 is curved around the center of curvature located on the outer side with respect to the direction of the width, that is, on the side of the flange portion 53, of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall. 60, from the predetermined position mentioned above to the end portion on the side opposite the corresponding flat portion 59.
Thus, the edge portion, on the side of the gradually varying flange portion 55, of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 60 follows the curve of the gradually varying portion of flange 55. In addition, the gradually varying portion of the wall base 60 is twisted about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 52. Thus, the gradually varying portion of the base wall 60 is inclined so that, when compared to the thickness direction of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 60 on the side of the corresponding flat portion 59, the thickness direction of the varying portion gradually the base wall 60 becomes closer to the thickness direction of the lower flat portion 54 on the side opposite the corresponding flat portion 59.
A corresponding flat portion 61 corresponding to the upper flat portion 58 is continuously extended from the end portion, on the side opposite the corresponding flat portion 59, from the gradually varying portion of the base wall described above 60.
The corresponding flat portion 61 is formed into a plate shape, so that the thickness direction of the corresponding flat portion 61 coincides with the thickness direction of the base wall portion that gradually varies 60 in its end portion on the corresponding side of the flat portion 61.
In the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body with the configuration described above, the height of the cross section of the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body varies in the portion corresponding to the portions that gradually vary from the upper wall 45 and 55 . The shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body is configured so that the shape of the ridge portion 46 in a plan view illustrated in Figure 6 and the shape of the ridge portion 46 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 7 , substantially coincide. In order to achieve this, the variation in the angle of inclination of the direction of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 50, that is, the way in which the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 50 is twisted around a axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 42 is adjusted.
The shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body is also configured so that the shape of the ridge portion 56 in a plan view, shown in Figure 6 and the shape of the ridge portion 56 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 8, substantially coincide. In order to achieve this, the variation in the angle of inclination of the direction of the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 60, that is, the way in which the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 60 is twisted around a axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 52 is adjusted.
When the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body is configured as described above, in the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body, the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 50 and the width of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 60 gradually decreases according to the reduction in the height of the cross section, from the side of the lower flat portions 31 res 44 and 54 to the side of the upper flat portions 48 and 58 of the portions that gradually vary from flange 45 and 55. In addition, in the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body, the sum of the reductions in the widths of the portions that vary gradually from the base wall 50 and 60 is substantially equal to the sum of the increases in the widths of the portions that vary gradually from flange 45 and 55.
By stretching (pressing) a plate, the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body with the configuration described above is formed so as to have a hat-shaped cross section such that the height of the cross section of the article molded 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body varies in the portion corresponding to the gradually varying portions of flange 45 and 55. Thus, the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body is configured so that, although the height of the cross section of the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body varies in the portion corresponding to the portion that gradually varies from flange 45 and 55, the shape of the crest portion 46 in a plan view illustrated in Figure 6 and the shape of the crest portion 46 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 7, substantially coincide and that the shape of the ridge portion 56 in a plan view illustrated in Figure 6 and the shape of the ridge portion 56 in a side view, illustrated in Figure 8, substantially coincide.
Thus, the reduction of the widths of the portions that vary gradually from the base wall 50 and 60 corresponding to the increase in the height of the cross section of the portions that gradually vary from flange 45 and 55, from the side of the lower flat portions 44 and 54 to the sides of the upper flat portions 48 and 58 is canceled by the increase in the widths of the portions that vary gradually from flange 45 and 55. Thus, the sum of the width of the portion that varies gradually from flange 45, the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 50, the width of the portion that varies gradually from flange 55 and the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 60 is constant or hardly varies along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 41. Due to the sum of the width of the portion that varies gradually from flange 45, the width of the portion that varies gradually from flange 55, the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 50 and the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 60 is basically constant as described above, the residual compressive or tensile stress in the flange portions 43 and 53 along its width direction does not occur, or if it does, it is very small after forming the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body. Thus, it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress deformation such as deformation of elastic recovery or deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to such residual stress.
Deformation, such as deformation of elastic recovery or deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to residual stress becomes severe when material with high tensile strength is used. In the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body, however, since it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress deformation, such as deformation of elastic recovery or deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to residual stress as described above, high dimensional accuracy is possible even when a high tensile strength steel plate or super high tensile strength steel plate is used as material for the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body. Since the high tensile steel plate or the super high tensile steel plate can be used as material for the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body without difficulty, it is possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle body while improving the rigidity of the vehicle body and the mechanical strength of the vehicle body.
In addition, the shaped article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body is designed so that the portions that vary gradually from flange 45 and 55 and the portions that vary gradually from the base wall 50 and 60 are not curved, but gradually curved to vary the height of the cross section. Thus, it is also possible to improve the rigidity of the molded article 40 for a structural member of the vehicle body along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 41.
In the first embodiment, the upper wall portion 11 is the forming wall of the gradually varying portion and the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 13 is formed in the upper wall portion 11. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the flange portions 43 and 53 are formed as the forming wall of the gradually varying portion and the gradually varying flange portions 45 and 55 are formed in the flange portions 43 and 53. However, there is no need to adopt a configuration in which only one of the upper wall portion 11 of the first embodiment (the upper wall portion 41 in the second embodiment) and the flange portions 23 and 28 of the first embodiment (the flange portions 43 and 53 in the second modality) is the forming wall of the portion that varies gradually. Specifically, both the upper wall portion 11 (the upper wall portion 41 in the second embodiment) and the flange portions 23 and 28 (the flange portions 43 and 53 in the second embodiment) can be the forming walls of the gradually varying portion , in which the first and second modalities are properly matched.
Next, an example in which the invention is applied to a specific structural member of the vehicle body will be described on the basis of the basic configurations of the first and second modalities and their operation and effect.
Figure 9 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic configuration of an upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70, which is a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body and a lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110, which is a molded article. for a structural member of the vehicle body, according to a third embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 9, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 includes a portion of the upper wall 72, which can be considered as a wall forming the portion that varies gradually, corresponding to the portion of the upper wall 11 of the first embodiment. The upper wall portion 72 includes a body portion of the upper wall 74 corresponding to the upper flat portion 18 of the first embodiment.
The body portion of the upper wall 74 has a plate shape whose longitudinal direction substantially coincides with the vertical direction of the vehicle and whose direction of width substantially coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the body portion of the upper wall 74, the hollows and convexities in the direction of thickness are appropriately formed according to the required design and functions. In the portion of the upper wall 72, the portion generally below the current line X in Figure 9 is a portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 76, which can be considered as a first portion that varies gradually corresponding to the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13 of the first modality. The gradually varying portion of the upper wall 76 is curved such that a predetermined portion substantially close to its center in a vertical direction of the vehicle is the peak and that the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 76 is convex substantially inward in the direction side of the vehicle and in addition, the width of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 76 along substantially the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is appropriately increased and reduced according to the curve.
On the other hand, a portion of the base wall 80 is extended from an edge portion, on the front side of the vehicle, from the upper wall portion 72 outwardly in the substantially lateral direction of the vehicle. The base wall portion 80 corresponds to the base wall portion 19 of the first embodiment. The base wall portion 80 includes a body portion of the base wall 82 corresponding to the respective flat portion 20 of the first embodiment. A gradually varying portion of the base wall 84, which can be considered as a gradually varying second portion, corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 76, is extended from an end portion, substantially on the lower side with respect to the vehicle of the body portion of the base wall 82. The portion that gradually varies from the base wall 84 corresponds to the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 21 of the first embodiment. The width of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 84 is increased and reduced accordingly with the increase and reduction in the width of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 76, and the gradually varying portion of the base wall 84 is twisted around an axis, extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 80, at an appropriate angle.
In addition, an intermediate portion of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 84 in the longitudinal direction of the portion of the base wall 80 is curved about an axis that extends in the direction of the width of the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 84 in order to be opened substantially to the front side of the vehicle. An absorbing portion of the dimensional difference 86 is formed in the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 84 corresponding to the curved portion. In the absorbing portion of the dimensional difference 86, the portion that varies gradually from the portion of the base wall 84 is displaced behind the vehicle as it moves to the opposite side of the portion that gradually varies from the upper portion 76. Therefore, the portion which varies gradually from the base wall 84 in which the absorbing portion of the dimensional difference 86 is formed has a concave shape which is opened substantially towards the front of the vehicle. Thus, the difference between the extent of the edge portion, on the side of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 76, from the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 84 and the extension of the edge portion, on the side opposite the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 76, from the gradually varying portion of the base wall 84 is absorbed.
A flange portion 88 is extended from the edge portion on the side opposite the upper wall portion 72, from the base wall portion 80 substantially to the front of the vehicle. A curved portion 90 that is curved inwardly in the lateral direction of the vehicle is formed in a predetermined position of the flange portion 88, and thus the flange portion 88 has a step in the lateral direction of the vehicle.
On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 9, a portion of the base wall is also formed on the side opposite the portion of the base wall 80, of the upper wall portion 72, that is, on its rear side with respect to to the vehicle and a flange portion 92 is extended from this base wall portion on its opposite side to the side of the upper wall portion 72 substantially to the rear of the vehicle.
An external reinforcement of the roof side rail 94 is disposed close to the upper end portion of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 with the configuration described above. The outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 94 having a flange portion 96 on each side thereof with respect to the substantially vertical direction of the vehicle, is formed to have a hat-shaped cross section that is opened inwardly with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle. A portion of the upper end of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 is fitted to the outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 94 through an opening 100 formed in a portion of the base wall 98 and the flange portion 96 on the lower side with respect to the vehicle and the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 is integrally joined with the external reinforcement of the side roof rail 94 by the fixing means such as welding or fixing means such as screws.
In addition, in the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70, the edge portion, on the side of the upper wall portion 72, of the base wall portion 80, which is also the edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 80 , of the upper wall portion 72, is a ridge portion 102.
In the crest portion 102, the portion corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 76 and the gradually varying portion of the base wall 84 is a crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 104. The shape of the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 104 in a plan view that is seen substantially from the inside with respect to the side direction of the vehicle and its shape in a side view that is taken substantially from the front side of the vehicle substantially coincide . Thus, the sum of the width of the upper wall portion 72, the width of the base wall portion 80 and the width of the base wall portion on the side opposite the base wall portion 80, of the upper wall portion 72 it is substantially the same in all positions along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 72 (the substantially vertical direction of the vehicle) or the difference is very small even when there is some difference.
On the other hand, the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 includes a portion of the upper wall 112, which can be considered as a wall forming the portion that varies gradually, corresponding to the portion of the upper wall 11 of the first embodiment. The upper wall portion 112 includes a body portion of the upper wall 114 corresponding to the lower flat portion 12 of the first embodiment. The body portion of the upper wall 114 is formed in a plate format whose longitudinal direction is substantially along the vertical direction of the vehicle and the direction of the width is substantially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the portion of the top wall 112, the portion generally above the current line Y in Figure 9 is a portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 116, which can be considered as a first portion that varies gradually, corresponding to the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 13 of the first mode. The gradually varying portion of the upper wall 116, extended substantially upwards with respect to the vehicle, is curved so as to be convex inward substantially in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and, in addition, the width of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 116 along the substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle appropriately decreases upwards with respect to the vehicle according to the curve.
On the other hand, a portion of the base wall 120 is extended from an edge portion, on the front side of the vehicle, from the upper wall portion 112 inwards in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The base wall portion 120 corresponds to the base wall portion 19 of the first embodiment and is fitted with a slider with which a latch installed on the door is engaged when the door of a front seat of the vehicle is closed. In addition, the base wall portion 120 includes a body portion of the base wall 122 corresponding to the respective flat portion 20 of the first embodiment.
A gradually varying portion of the base wall 124, which can be considered as a second gradually varying portion, corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 116, is extended from a substantially upper end portion with respect to the vehicle, of the body portion of the base wall 122. The portion that varies gradually from the base wall 124 corresponds to the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 21 of the first embodiment. The width of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 124 is appropriately increased and reduced according to the increase and reduction in the width of the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 116 and the gradually varying portion of the base wall 124 is twisted around axis, extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 120, at an appropriate angle. A flange portion 132 is extended from the edge portion, on the side opposite the upper wall portion 112, from the base wall portion 120 substantially to the front of the vehicle. A curved portion 134 that is curved inwardly in the lateral direction of the vehicle is formed in a predetermined position of the flange portion 132, and thus the flange portion 132 has a step in the lateral direction of the vehicle.
On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 9, a portion of the base wall is also formed opposite the side of the base wall portion 120, of the upper wall portion 112, that is, on its rear side with respect to vehicle and a flange portion 136 is extended from its base wall portion opposite its side to the upper wall portion 112 substantially to the rear of the vehicle.
A portion of the lower end of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 is fitted to the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 with the above-described configuration of a portion of the upper end of the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 and integrally fixed thereto by means of fixation such as screws.
In addition, in the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 with the configuration described above, the edge portion on the side of the base wall portion 120, of the upper wall portion 112, which is also the
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edge, on the side of the upper wall portion 112, of the base wall portion 120, there is a ridge portion 142. On the ridge portion 142, the portion corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 116 and the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 124 is a ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 144. The shape of the crest on the side of the portion that gradually varies 144 in a plan view that is taken substantially from the inside with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle and its shape in a side view that is taken from substantially the front side of the vehicle substantially coincide . Thus, the sum of the width of the upper wall portion 112, the width of the base wall 120, the width of the base wall portion on the side opposite the base wall portion 120, of the upper wall portion 112 is substantially the same in all positions along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 112 (substantially the vehicle's vertical direction) or the difference is very small even when there is some difference.
The upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 and the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 with the configuration described above are basically formed on the basis of the concept similar to that of the first modality. Specifically, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 is formed to have a hat-shaped cross section such that the height of the cross section of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 varies in the portion corresponding to the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 76. However, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 is configured so that the shape of the crest portion 102 in a plan view that is taken substantially from the inside with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle and the shape of the crest portion 102 in a side view that is taken substantially from the front side of the vehicle substantially coincide.
Thus, the increase and reduction in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 84 according to the variation in the height of the cross section of the upper reinforcement 70 are canceled by the increase in reduction in the width of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 76.
Consequently, the sum of the width of the upper wall portion 72, the width of the base wall portion 80 and the width of the base wall portion on the side opposite the base wall portion 80, of the upper wall portion 72. it is substantially the same in all positions along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 72 (substantially the vertical direction of the vehicle) or the difference is very little even when there is some difference.
The lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 is formed to have a hat-shaped cross section such that the height of the cross section of the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 varies in the portion corresponding to the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 116. However, the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 is configured so that the shape of the ridge portion 142 in a plan view that is taken substantially from the inside with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle and the shape of the ridge portion 142 in a side view that is taken substantially from the front side of the vehicle substantially coincide. Thus, the increase and decrease in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 124 according to the variation in the height of the cross section of the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 are canceled by the increase and reduction in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 116. Consequently, the sum of the width of the upper wall portion 112, the width of the base wall portion 120 and the width of the base wall portion on the side opposite the base wall portion 120, of the upper wall portion 112 it is substantially the same in all positions along the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 112 (substantially the vehicle's vertical direction) or the difference is very small even when there is some difference.
For the reasons described above, the compressive stress or residual tensile stress in the portions of the upper wall 72 and 112 along its width direction does not occur or, if it occurs, is very small, after forming the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 and lower reinforcement of central pillar 112. Thus, it is possible to prevent or effectively inhibit deformation effectively, such as deformation of elastic recovery or deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to such residual stress, and it is possible to ensure high dimensional accuracy even when a high tensile steel plate or a steel plate. super high tensile strength steel is used as the material for the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 or the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110. Since the high tensile steel plate or the super high tensile steel plate can be used as material for the upper reinforcement of central pillar 70 and lower reinforcement of central pillar 110 without difficulty, it is possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle body while improving the rigidity of the vehicle body and the mechanical strength of the vehicle body.
In addition, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 and the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 are designed so that the portions that gradually vary from the upper wall 76 and 116 and the portions that gradually vary from the base wall 84 and 124 are not curved , but gradually curved to vary the height of the cross section. Thus, it is also possible to improve the stiffness of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 along the longitudinal direction of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 76.
Next, the modification of the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 according to the third embodiment will be described as a fourth embodiment of the invention. In the description of this modality, the portions basically the same as those of the third modality are indicated by the same reference numbers and its detailed description is omitted.
Figure 10 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic configuration of a lower reinforcement of the central pillar 160, which can be considered as a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 160 includes a flange portion 162, which can be considered as a wall forming the portion that varies gradually, corresponding to the flange portion 132 of the third embodiment. The flange portion 162 is flat in shape and is fitted with a courtesy key to detect the open / closed state. Holes 164 and 166 are formed at the predetermined positions in the flange portion 162, in order to pass through in the direction of thickness, for engagement with the aforementioned courtesy key or for penetration of cords connected to the courtesy key.
In the fourth embodiment, the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 124 of the base wall portion 120 is curved around the center of curvature located in a predetermined position on the front side of the vehicle of the base wall portion 120, in order to be opened substantially towards the front of the vehicle. In this embodiment, on the edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 120, the flange portion 162 which is the boundary between the flange portion 162 and the base wall portion 120, edge portions 172 and 174 corresponding to the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 144 of the ridge portion 142 are curved around the center of curvature located in a predetermined position on the front side of the vehicle of the edge portions 172 and 174 in a curvature similar to that of the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 144.
Since the edge portions 172 and 174 corresponding to the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion of the crest 142 are curved around the center of curvature similar to that of the crest on the side of the portion which gradually varies 144 in similar curvature that that of the crest on the side of the portion that gradually varies 144 as described above, it is possible to prevent or noticeably effectively suppress the occurrence of wrinkles or creases in the flange portion 162 even when the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 124 is curved so as to be opened towards the front of the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to make each side of the flange portion 162 with respect to the direction of thickness on a smooth, flat surface and it is therefore possible to securely fix the courtesy key on it. In addition, since it is possible to prevent or notably effectively suppress the occurrence of creases in the flange portion 162, it is possible to prevent or notably effectively suppress the deformation of the holes 164 and 166 due to the creases in the flange portion 162. Consequently, neither the installation of the courtesy key nor the penetration of the strings connected to the courtesy key are impaired.
Since the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 160 according to the fourth modality has a configuration basically similar to that of the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 according to the third modality, the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 160 according to the fourth modality operates. similarly to the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 according to the third modality and it generates effects similar to those of the lower reinforcement of the central pillar 110 according to the third modality.
Next, the modification of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70 and the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 94 according to the third embodiment will be described as a fifth embodiment of the invention. In the description of this modality, the portions basically the same as those of the third modality are indicated by the same reference numbers and their detailed description is omitted.
Figure 11 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic configuration of a main portion (in the vicinity of the upper end portion) of an upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190, which can be considered as a molded article for a structural member of the body of vehicle and a main portion (longitudinally intermediate portion) of a lower reinforcement of the central pillar 214, which can be considered as a molded article for a structural member of the vehicle body, according to the fifth modality.
As shown in Figure 11, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 includes a portion of the upper wall 192, which can be considered as a wall forming the portion that varies gradually. A base wall portion 194 is extended from each of the side edge portions, with respect to the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 192 on one side with respect to the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion 192 (inwardly in the direction side of the vehicle). A flange portion 196 is extended from an edge portion, opposite the upper wall portion 192, from each of these base wall portions 194 outwardly with respect to the width direction of the upper wall portion 192, so that the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is almost entirely formed to have a hat-shaped cross section that is open inwards with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle.
The upper wall portion 192 includes an elongated upper body portion 198 along the substantially vertical direction of the vehicle and a gradually varying portion of the upper wall 200, which can be considered as a gradually varying first portion, is continuously extended of a portion of the upper end, with respect to the longitudinal direction, of the portion of the body of the upper wall 198. The gradually varying portion of the upper wall 200 is curved so as to be gradually moved to one side of the upper wall body portion 198 (inwardly in the lateral direction of the vehicle) with respect to the thickness direction of the upper wall body portion 198 upwards, i.e., opposite the side of the upper wall body portion 198. In addition, the body portion of the upper wall 198 is curved in this mode, while its width increases so that each of the side edges with respect to the direction of the width is gradually displaced out in the direction of the width.
On the other hand, the base wall portion 194 includes a body portion of the base wall 202 corresponding to the body portion of the upper wall 198 and a portion that varies gradually from the base wall 204, which can be considered as a second portion which varies gradually corresponding to the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 200 is integrally extended from the upper end portion of the body portion of the base wall 202. The width of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 204 is gradually reduced upward, i.e., opposite the side of the body portion of the base wall 202. In addition, the gradually varying portion of the base wall 204 is twisted about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the base wall portion 194 and the increase in the width of the above-described upper body portion 198 is canceled by reducing the widths of both portions that gradually vary from the base wall 204.
In addition, the ridge portions 206 of the upper wall portion 192, which are lateral edge portions with respect to the width direction of the upper wall portion 192, the ridges on the side of the gradually varying portion 208, each positioned between the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 200 and the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 204 has the same shape, when the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is seen opposite the side of the flange portion 196 of the upper wall portion 192 along the direction of the thickness of the upper body portion 198, that is, in a plan view of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 and when the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is seen along the width direction of the body portion of the upper wall 198, i.e., in a side view of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190.
On the other hand, in the vicinity of the end portion, on the side of the body portion of the base wall 202, of the gradually varying portion of the above-described base wall 204, a concave portion 210 is formed in each of the flange portions 196 Each of the concave portions 210 is formed by indenting the edge portion, opposite the side of the base wall portion 194, from the flange portion 196 into a concave shape that is curved so as to be opened with respect to the portion flange 196. In addition, a step 212 is formed in each of the flange portions 196 in the portion in which the concave portion 210 is formed. In the step portion 212, the flange portion 196 is deformed so as to scale to the side opposite the upper wall portion 192, so as to absorb the warping caused in the flange portion 196 when, due to the formation of the portion which gradually varies from the upper wall 200 and the portion which gradually varies from the base wall 204, the flange portion 196 is curved around the center of curvature located in a predetermined position opposite the side of the base wall portion 194 with respect to the width direction of the flange portion 196.
Meanwhile, an external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 to which an upper end of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is attached includes a portion of the upper wall 216. The upper wall portion 216 is formed in a plate format, so that the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 216 is substantially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the width direction of the top wall portion 216 is substantially along the direction of the vehicle width as in the case of the upper wall body portion 198 of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190. A portion of the base wall 218 is continuously extended from an edge portion, on one side with respect to the width direction (substantially on the upper side with respect to the vehicle), from the upper wall portion 216 to one side, with respect to generally the direction of thickness of the upper wall portion 216 (generally inward in the substantially lateral direction of the vehicle) and a flange portion 220 is extended from the edge portion, on the side opposite the upper wall portion 216, from the base wall portion 218 outwardly in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 216 (substantially upwardly with respect to the vehicle).
On the other hand, a portion of the base wall 222 is continuously extended from an edge portion, on the other side with respect to the width direction (substantially on the lower side with respect to the vehicle) from the upper wall portion 216 to one side, with respect generally to the direction of thickness of the upper wall portion 216 (generally inwardly in the substantially lateral direction of the vehicle), and a flange portion 224 is extended from an edge portion, opposite the side of the upper wall portion 216, of the base wall portion 222, which can be considered as forming the portion of the gradually varying portion, outwardly in the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 216 (substantially upwards with vehicle). Specifically, the external reinforcement of the roof-side rail 214 is formed to have a hat-shaped cross section that is almost all open inwards with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle.
An insertion portion 226 is formed in the longitudinally intermediate portion of the upper wall portion 216. The insertion portion 226 is formed by partially deforming the base wall portion 222 and the flange portion 224. The portions of the base wall portion 222 on one side of the insertion portion 226 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall 216 correspond to the flat portions 228. The portions of the flange portions 224 on one side of the insert portion 226 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall o216 are lower flat portions 230.
The insertion portion 226 includes an upper flat portion 232. The upper flat portion 232 is formed in a plate shape such that the thickness direction of the upper flat portion 232 coincides with the thickness direction of the lower flat portion 230. The edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 222, from the upper flat portion 232 is displaced, relative to the edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 222, from the lower flat portion 230, to the portion of the base. upper wall 216 by quantity corresponding to the height of the cross section of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 in the portion in which the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 200 is formed. Thus, in the portion in which the upper flat portion 232 is formed, the height of the cross section of the external reinforcement portion of the rail on the roof side 214 on the lower side, with respect to the vehicle, relative to the center with respect to the direction of the width of the outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 is lower than that of the outer reinforcement portion of the roof side rail 214 in which the corresponding flat portions 228 and lower flat portions 230 are provided.
A gradually varying portion of flange 234, which can be regarded as a gradually varying portion, is continuously extended from each end with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 216, from the upper flat portion 232. The end portion, at side opposite the side of the upper flat portion 232, of the gradually varying flange portion 234 is connected to the lower flat portion 230. The gradually varying portion of flange 234 is curved around the center of curvature located opposite the upper wall portion 216 with respect to the direction of the thickness of the upper flat portion 232 between the end portion, on the side of the flat portion upper 232, of the gradually varying portion of flange 234 and a predetermined position which is located between the end portion, on the side of the upper flat portion 232, of the gradually varying portion of flange 234 and its end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 230. Meanwhile, the gradually varying flange portion 234 is curved around the center of curvature located on the side of the upper wall portion 216 with respect to the direction of thickness of the upper flat portion 232 between the end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 230 , of the gradually varying portion of flange 234 and the predetermined position which is located between the end portion on the side of the upper flat portion 232, of the gradually varying portion of flange 234 and its end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 230.
The portions that vary gradually from the base wall 236, which can be considered as second portions that vary gradually, are formed in the corresponding flat portions 228 corresponding to the portions that gradually vary from flange 234. In the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214, the gradually varying portion of the base wall 236 is provided in the portion of the base wall 222 between the corresponding flat portion 228 and a corresponding flat portion 238 joined with the upper flat portion 232 at edge portion, opposite the side of the upper wall 216, from the corresponding flat portion 238.
The gradually varying portion of the base wall 236 is formed by tilting the width direction of the portion of the base wall portion 222 relative to the width direction of the corresponding flat portions 228 or corresponding flat portion 238 in the longitudinal direction and in the thickness direction. of the upper wall portion 216. In a ridge portion 240 which is an edge portion, on the side of the base wall portion 222, of the flange portion 224 and at the same time a portion of the edge, on the side of the flange portion 224, of the wall portion of base 222, a ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 that is located at the boundary between the gradually varying portion of the base wall 236 and the gradually varying portion of flange 234 is curved around the center of curvature located on the outer side , with respect to the width direction of the upper wall portion 216, that is, on the side opposite the base wall portion 222, of the end portion, on the side of the upper flat portion 232, of the ridge on the side of the varying portion gradually 242 to a predetermined position which is located between the end portion, on the side of the upper flat portion 232, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 and its end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 230. Meanwhile, with respect to the side of the lower flat portion 230, the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 is curved around the center of curvature located on the inner side with respect to the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 216, i.e. on the side of the base wall portion 222, between the end portion, on the side of the lower flat portion 230, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 and in the predetermined position that is located between the end portion, on the side of the upper flat portion 232, the crest on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 and its end portion on the side of the lower flat portion 230.
Specifically, when the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 is seen along the direction of the thickness of the upper wall portion 216, opposite the side of the upper wall portion 216 with respect to the upper wall portion 216, i.e. , in a plan view of the outer rail of the roof side rail 214, the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 is gently curved into a substantially S shape as a whole, so that the edge portion, in the base wall portion 222, the gradually varying portion of the flange 234 is moved closer to the center of the upper wall portion 216 with respect to the direction of width on the side of the upper flat portion 232 than on the side of the lower flat portion 230 .
When the gradually varying portion of flange 234 that is slightly curved in this mode is considered to be straight in purpose, the gradually varying portion of flange 234 is inclined to substantially 45 degrees both in the substantially lateral direction of the vehicle and in the substantially vertical direction of the vehicle. vehicle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In addition, the width of the gradually varying portion 236 increases and decreases according to the displacement of the edge portion, in the base wall portion 222 with respect to the direction of the width of the flange portion 224, of the gradually varying portion of the flange 234, and the increase and reduction in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 236 cancels the displacement of the edge portion, in the portion of the base wall 222, from the portion that gradually varies from flange 234.
In addition, the gradually varying portion side crest 242 has substantially the same shape in both cases, that is, when the outer rail reinforcement on the roof side described above 214 is seen from the top and when the outer rail reinforcement from the roof side 214 is seen from the side of the flange portion 224 along the width direction of the upper wall portion 216, that is, when the outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 is seen from one side. The shape of the gradually varying portion of flange 234 and the shape of the gradually varying portion of the base wall 236 are determined, so that the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 has substantially the same shape in both a plan view as in a side view.
In the insertion portion 226 with the configuration described above, the upper end of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is passed on one side, with respect to the direction of the thickness of the upper flat portion 232 (the opposite side of the side of the upper wall portion 216 ), and the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 and the external reinforcement of the ceiling side rail 214 are integrally joined by fixing the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 200 to the upper flat portion 232 by welding or similar and fixing the fixation projections 244 extended from the upper end portions of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 200 to the flange portion 220 by welding or the like.
In summary, the fifth modality with the configuration described above has a configuration obtained by applying the first modality to the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 and applying the second mode51 to the external rail reinforcement on the roof side 214 at the joint between the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 and external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214.
In the fifth embodiment with the configuration described above, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is almost entirely formed to have a substantially hat-shaped cross section. In addition, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is formed so that the upper wall portion 192 is moved to the side of the flange portion 196 close to the end portion on the upper side with respect to the vehicle and thus the height of the cross section of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is gradually reduced upwards with respect to the vehicle.
The upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 is configured so that the shape of the side ridge of the portion that gradually varies 208 in a plan view that is taken substantially from the inside with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle and the shape of the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 208 in a side view that is taken substantially from the front or rear side of the vehicle substantially coincide. In addition, the increase and decrease in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 200 according to the variation in the height of the cross section of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 are canceled by the increase and reduction in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 204. Thus, the sum of the widths of the portions of the base wall 194 and the width of the portion of the upper wall 192 in the portion of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 where the height of the cross section varies, that is, in the portion corresponding to the crest on the side the gradually varying portion 208 of the crest portion 206 is substantially constant along the longitudinal direction (substantially vertical direction of the vehicle) of the upper wall portion 192, or the difference is very small even when there is a difference.
For the reasons described above, the residual compressive or tractive stress in the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 along the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 192 does not occur or, if it occurs, is very small, after forming the upper reinforcement of the central pillar. 190. Thus, it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress deformation such as deformation of the elastic recovery and cut (rupture) or the deterioration in the dimensional accuracy of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 due to such residual stress and it is possible to ensure high dimensional accuracy even when a plate high tensile strength steel or super high tensile strength steel plate is used as the material for the upper reinforcement of the 190 central pillar. Since the high tensile steel plate or the super high tensile steel plate can be used as a material for the upper reinforcement of the 190 central pillar without difficulty, it is possible to reduce the vehicle body weight while improving the rigidity of the vehicle body and the mechanical strength of the vehicle body.
Meanwhile, the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 is almost entirely formed to have a substantially hat-shaped cross section. In addition, the insertion portion 226 is formed in the longitudinally intermediate portion of the upper wall portion 216 on the side where the base wall portion 222 and the flange portion 224 are present, and, as a result, in a side view that is taken from the side of the base wall portion 222, the insertion portion 226 has a concave shape that is opened inwardly with respect to the substantially lateral direction of the vehicle.
The outer reinforcement of the roof-side rail 214 is configured so that the shape of the ridge on the side of the portion that varies gradually 242 in a plan view that is taken substantially from the inner side with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle and the shape of the ridge on the side of the gradually varying portion 242 in a side view that is taken substantially from the bottom with respect to the vehicle substantially coincide. In addition, the increase and reduction in the width of the portion that varies gradually from flange 234 according to the variation in the height of the cross section of the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 are canceled by the increase and reduction in the width of the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 236 at the insertion portion 226. Thus, the sum of the width of the flange portion 224 and the width of the base wall portion 222 in the portion corresponding to the gradually varying portion of flange 234 is substantially constant along the longitudinal direction (substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle) of the portion of the upper wall 216, or the difference is very small even when there is a difference.
For the reasons described above, the residual compressive or tractive stress in the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 along the direction of the width of the upper wall portion 216 does not occur or, if it does, is very small, after the reinforcement is formed. of the roof side rail 214. Thus, it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress deformation such as deformation of the elastic recovery and cut (rupture) or the deterioration in the dimensional accuracy of the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 due to such residual stress and it is possible to ensure high dimensional accuracy even when a high tensile steel plate or a super high tensile steel plate is used as the material for the refop. external section of the roof side rail 214. Since the high tensile steel plate or the super high tensile steel plate can be used as a material for the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 without difficulty, it is possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle body while perfecting the rigidity of the vehicle body and the mechanical strength of the vehicle body.
As described above, in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to form the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 in such a way that the height of the upper wall portion 192 is gradually reduced on the upper end side and, in addition, it is possible to form the insertion portion 226 on the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214, the insertion portion 226 having an inwardly opened shape in the lateral direction of the vehicle without significantly cutting much of the base wall portion 222 and the flange portion 224. Thus, as shown in Figure 11, it is possible to adjust the portion close to the upper end portion of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 on the inner side, with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle, of the upper wall portion 216 in the insertion portion 226 without causing the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 to form a large step in the lateral direction of the vehicle in the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 and to fully join the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 and the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 in this state.
When the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 and the external reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 are joined in this way, the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 190 can receive part of a load (more specifically, the load that is transmitted through the lower flat portion 230 and the base wall portion 222 along the longitudinal direction of the roof side rail reinforcement 214) when the load is applied to the roof side rail reinforcement 214 along the substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle and it is possible to improve the rigidity of a vehicle body.
In addition, as described above, there is no need to cut significantly a large part of the base wall portion 222 and the flange portion 224 when the insertion portion 226_ is formed in the outer reinforcement ____ of the roof side rail 214 and therefore is it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress the drop in mechanical strength and / or stiffness of the external roof rail reinforcement 214.
Then, the modification of the fifth modality will be described as a sixth modality. In the description of this modality, the portions basically the same as those of the fifth modality are indicated by the same reference numbers and their detailed description is omitted.
Figure 12 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic configuration of a main portion (vicinity of the upper end portion) of an upper reinforcement of the central pillar 270 and a main portion (longitudinally intermediate portion) of an external reinforcement of the rail side of the roof 272, which are molded articles for a structural member of the vehicle body, according to the sixth modality.
As shown in Figure 12, unlike the outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 214 of the fifth embodiment, the outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 272 of the sixth embodiment includes neither the base wall portion 222 nor the flange portion 224 , and therefore, the insert portion 226 is not formed. The outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 272 includes a base wall portion 274 instead of the above described base wall portion 222 and includes a flange portion 276 instead of the flange portion 224. A pair of projections 278 is formed in the intermediate portion, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 216, of the base wall portion 274 in a state where the pair projections 278 are spaced by a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 216. In the projections 278, the surface on the side of the flange portion 276, of the base wall portion 274 is still slanted towards the side of the upper wall portion 216 than on the other portion of the base wall portion 274.
Meanwhile, as described above, the insertion portion 226 is not formed in the outer reinforcement of the roof side rail 272 and, therefore, the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 200 and the gradually varying portion of the base wall 204 are positioned on the external side, with respect to the substantially lateral direction of the vehicle, of the flange portion 220 which is located on the lower side of the upper wall portion 216. In the sixth embodiment, a projection of fixation of the upper wall 280, which can be considered as a first portion that varies gradually, is extended from the tip (upper end) of the portion that varies gradually from the upper wall 200 of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 270. The fixing projection of the upper wall 280 is extended from and curved at the tip of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 200, so as to follow the surface, on the side of the flange portion 276 of the base wall portion 274 and fixed on the portion base wall 274 between projections 278 by welding or the like.
On the other hand, a gradually varying portion of the base wall 282 is extended from an end portion, opposite the body portion of the base wall 202, from the gradually varying portion of the base wall 204, corresponding to the projection of fixation of the upper wall 280. The portions that vary gradually from the base wall 282 are respectively continuous with two portions of the end, with respect to the direction of the width, of the fixation projection of the upper wall 280. In addition, a flange clamping projection 284 is continuously extended from the tip (upper end) of each of the flange portions 196. Flange clamping projections 284 are formed corresponding to projections 278 and extended from and curved at the tip (end of the flange portions 196 so as to follow the surface, on the side of the flange portion 276, of the projections 278 and fixed in the respective projections 278 by welding or the like.
In the sixth embodiment, a crest portion 286 that is the boundary between the portion that varies gradually from the base wall 204 and the portion that gradually varies from the base wall 282 is curved substantially in the same shape in both a plan view taken from the side. along the direction of the thickness of the body portion of the upper wall 198 and in a front view taken on the opposite side to the side of the portion that gradually varies from the upper wall 200, with respect to the projection of fixing the upper wall 280 (in a view from the top in relation to the vehicle). Since the crest portion 286 is curved in this mode, even when the upper wall fixation projection 280, the gradually varying portions of the base wall 282 and the flange fixation projections 284 are formed, the compressive or tractive tension residual in the projections of fixation of the upper wall 280 along its width direction does not occur or, if it does, it is very small after the formation of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 270.
Thus, it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress deformation such as deformation of elastic recovery and cut (rupture) or deterioration in the dimensional accuracy of the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 270 due to such residual stress and it is possible to ensure high dimensional accuracy even when a plate high tensile steel or a super high tensile steel plate was used as the material for the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 270. Since the high tensile steel plate or the super high tensile steel plate can be used as material for the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 270 without difficulty, it is possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle body while improving the rigidity of the vehicle body and the mechanical strength of the vehicle body.
In addition, since the gradually varying portion of the upper wall 200 and the gradually varying portion of the base wall 204 are similar to those of the fifth embodiment, concerning these portions, effects similar to those of the fifth embodiment can be achieved.
Needless to say, although, in the third to sixth modalities, the invention is applied to the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 70, 190 or 270 and the upper reinforcement of the central pillar 110 or 214, the invention can be applied to another member such as a top reinforcement on the roof side, a frame member that is a component of the vehicle body frame, etc.
Although the invention has been described with reference to its exemplary modalities, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary modalities or constructions. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition, although the various elements of the example modalities are shown in various combinations and configurations including more, less or just one element, they are also within the spirit and scope of the invention.
14 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12 Sheet 13 Sheet 14
46 members in 12 offices
Priority claims9
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007270291 | Japan | – | |
| 2007270291 | Japan | A | |
| 2007270291 | Japan | A | |
| 2008002646 | International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | W | |
| 2008002646 | International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | W | |
| 2007270291 | – | – | – |
| 2008002646 | – | – | – |
| JP20070270291 | – | – | – |
| WO2008IB02646 | – | – | – |
Members46
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2004233273A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| AU2004233273A2 | Australia | A2 | |
| CA2520563A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2776083A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO2004094960A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| JP2004317459A | Japan | A | |
| TW200426365A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| JP2005001956A | Japan | A | |
| JP2005030954A | Japan | A | |
| WO2004094960A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| KR20060003022A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| EP1616153A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| CN1777791A | China | A | |
| US2006185443A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| TWI280363B | Taiwan Province of China | B | |
| US7213468B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| CN100374826C | China | C | |
| AU2004233273B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| AU2004233273C1 | Australia | C1 | |
| WO2009050553A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| CA2675527A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| JP2009113797A | Japan | A | |
| JP4271979B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| JP4275466B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| KR20090094092A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| CN101568461A | China | A | |
| US2010052367A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP4473535B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| EP2214949A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| MY142630A | Malaysia | A | |
| CN101568461B | China | B | |
| CA2675527C | Canada | C | |
| KR20110036872A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| EP2214949B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT518729T | Austria | T | |
| ATE518729T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| BRPI0805842A2This record | Brazil | A2 | |
| KR101060541B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| EP2366981A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| KR101118945B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| KR101118949B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| US8141938B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| CA2520563C | Canada | C | |
| CA2776083C | Canada | C | |
| EP1616153B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| EP2366981B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 |
4 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Dismissal of application maintained [chapter 11.20 patent gazette]B11T | B11T | |
| Dismissal acc. art. 34 of ipl - requirements for examination incompleteB11E | B11E | |
| Formal requirements before examination [chapter 6.20 patent gazette]B06T | B06T | |
| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]B06F | B06F |
Numbers
- Publication
- PI0805842
- Publication, DOCDB
- PI0805842
- Publication, EPODOC
- BRPI0805842
- Application
- 5842
- Application, DOCDB
- PI0805842
- Application, EPODOC
- BR2008PI05842
Titles2
- Portuguese
- ARTIGO MOLDADO PARA MEMBRO ESTRUTURAL DO CORPO DE VEÍCULO
- English
- MOLDED ARTICLE FOR STRUCTURAL MEMBER OF THE VEHICLE BODY
Classification
- CPC, 3
- B62D25/04
- B62D25/06
- C21D7/00
- IPC, 2
- B62D25 04
- C21D7 00