U.S. patent application number 09/940603 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for method for joining frame members.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Furuse, Yoshinobu, Tanaka, Takeki.
Application Number | 20020050064 09/940603 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18755030 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020050064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Furuse, Yoshinobu ; et
al. |
May 2, 2002 |
Method for joining frame members
Abstract
A method for joining frame members, wherein frame members are
joined without forming the intricate configuration on the end part
of the frame members, and without using the joining members. In
this method, first, fit the sash 2 into the first fitting groove
11, which is formed on the mold 6. next, fit the side frame 3 into
the second fitting grooves 12, and further fit the vertical frame 4
into the third fitting grooves 13. Consequently, the sash 2, the
side frame 3 and the vertical frame 4 are arranged to the mold 6.
After fitting the sash 2, the side frame 3 and the vertical frame 4
into grooves 11, 12 and 13 respectively. Pour the molten metal into
the mold 6 until the sash 2, the side frame and the vertical frame
4 are completely covered with the molten metal. And after the
molten metal is poured into the mold 6, cooling the molten metal in
a predetermined time. And after the molten metal becomes harden,
remove the mold 6. Consequently, the casted joining member 5 is
obtained wherein each end pert of the sash 2, the side frame 3 and
the vertical frame 4 are joined by wrapped up in cast metal
Inventors: |
Furuse, Yoshinobu; (Saitama,
JP) ; Tanaka, Takeki; (Saitama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN, PLLC
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 600
Washington
DC
20036-5339
US
|
Assignee: |
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki
Kaisha
|
Family ID: |
18755030 |
Appl. No.: |
09/940603 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/897.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 29/008 20130101;
Y10T 29/49622 20150115; B62D 23/005 20130101; B62D 27/023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/897.2 |
International
Class: |
B21D 053/88 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 5, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-268224 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for joining frame members comprising; Fit frame members
into a mold; and wrapping up the fitting part of frame members and
mold in cast metal.
2. A method for joining frame members according to claim 1, wherein
each frame member is made of aluminum alloy.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for joining frame
members.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] A Vehicle body frame is composed of frame members, such as a
front pillar and a roof side rail. In this vehicle body frame, each
of the frame members is joined in a position where each member
comes together. And there are some methods for joining members in
such position, as below.
[0005] In one of the joining methods, as shown in FIG. 4A, each of
the frame members was joined by welding, wherein an intricate
configuration for fitting the frame members together is formed on
one end part of the frame members 51, 52 and 53, respectively.
[0006] In another method for joining each member, as shown in FIG.
4B, each of the frame members is joined by using the joining member
57. And in this joining member 57, there are provided with engaging
holes 57A, 57B and 57C, where each of the frame members 54, 55 and
56 will be engaged in, respectively.
[0007] And in this method, each of the frame members is joined in
the following procedure; First, engaging one end part of the frame
member 54 into the engaging hole 57A, and engaging one end part of
the frame member 55 into the engaging hole 57B, and engaging one
end part of the frame member 56 into the engaging hole 57C, and
finally weld the engaged part of joining member 57 with each end
part of the frame members.
[0008] One example of this case is disclosed in a Japanese
Laid-Open Patent publication 05-65078.
[0009] However, there have been pointed out some problems in these
conventional methods. For example, in the method as shown in FIG.
4A, it needs to form the intricate configuration at one end part of
each of the frame members 51, 52 and 53, respectively. And in the
method as shown in FIG. 4B, it needs further process to prepare the
joining member 57 by means of mold, in addition to preparation of
the frame members 54, 55 and 56.
[0010] Also, in the conventional methods, each of the frame members
is joined by means of welding, therefore, each frame is apt to be
deformed by the heat generated in the process of welding. As a
result, precision of joined part is not maintained after welding.
This defect is particularly observed, when the frame members were
prepared with aluminum alloy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This invention has been made to solve the above problems.
And it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
method for joining frame members, wherein frame members are joined
without forming the intricate configuration on the end part of the
frame members. The frame members can be joined without using the
joining members.
[0012] According to the first aspects of the present invention,
there is provided a method for joining the frame members. The frame
members are joined, by wrapping up the connecting part of the frame
members in cast metal, after fitting the frame members into a
mold.
[0013] In the first aspect of the present invention, each of the
frame members is joined, by wrapping up the connecting part of the
frame members in cast metal, after setting the frame members in a
mold. Therefore, each of the frame members can be joined without
forming the intricate configuration on an end part of the frame
members, without using the joining member. Frame members are joined
without welding procedure.
[0014] Manufacturing process is, thus simplified. Each of the frame
members is joined with a superior positional precision without
using specific part, because, each of the frame members are joined
by wrapping up the connecting part in cast metal. Moreover, if an
irregularity of the shape is occurred at the end part of the frame
members when casting, the irregularity of the shape can be absorbed
within a mold.
[0015] Further, since each of the frame members is joined without
welding procedure, the problem, that the shape of each frame member
is deformed by the heat generated in welding procedure, can be
solved.
[0016] According to the second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method for joining the frame members, wherein
each frame member is made of aluminum alloy.
[0017] The method for joining frame members of first aspect of the
present invention, wherein deformation of the frame members caused
by the heat generated in welding is avoided. Therefore, the present
invention's effect becomes more effective when the aluminum alloy,
which is easily deformed by heat, is applied as a frame member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the joining
structure of frame members according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is an explanation view indicating a process for
joining the frame members according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is partially chipped side view of another example of
the joining structure of frame members according to the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are perspective views of illustrating
joining frame members in prior art according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The embodiment of the present invention will now be
described by referring to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a
side view of joining structure of the frame members, wherein each
of the frame members is joined according to the present
invention.
[0023] In this embodiment, junction part located in the front part
of a front door of a car will be described as an example of joining
structure of frame members.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, in the front part of a front door of a
car, the joining structure 1 of a frame member is formed. In this
joining structure 1, each end part of a sash 2, a side frame 3 and
a vertical frame 4 are wrapped in cast metal, and the sash 2, the
side frame 3 and the vertical frame 4 are joined by a casted
joining member 5.
[0025] The frame members are composed of the sash 2, the side frame
3 and the vertical frame 4 which are used in the joining structure
1, and are molded by extrusion of aluminum alloy. Each the sash 2,
the side frame 3 and the vertical frame 4 are obtained by
plane-cutting of the end part of frame which is molded by
extrusion. So, the each end part of the frame members, such as the
sash 2, the side frame 3 and the vertical frame 4, have any
intricate configuration.
[0026] Further, the sash 2 is obtained by bending the frame which
is molded by extrusion.
[0027] The casted joining member 5 is obtained by cooling the
molten metal, which was filled into the mold 6, as shown in FIG.
2A.
[0028] Therefore, the casted joining member 5 is formed having the
same shape as an inside configuration of the molten metal pouring
member which is formed inside the mold 6.
[0029] Furthermore, the mold 6 has the first fitting groove 11, the
second fitting groove 12 and the third fitting groove 13. Wherein,
the first fitting groove 11 has a right size for fitting the sash
2, the second fitting groove 12 has a right size for fitting the
side frame 3 and the third fitting groove 13 has a right size for
fitting the vertical frame 4. In this mold 6, each members (the
sash 2, the side frame 3 and vertical frame 4) is fitted keeping
close contact with the fitting grooves (11 12 and 13).
[0030] Next, a method for joining the frame members will be
described. FIG. 2 is an explanation view indicating a process for
joining the frame members.
[0031] First, as shown in FIG. 2A, fit the sash 2 into the first
fitting groove 11, which is formed on the mold 6. In this case, the
tip part of the sash 2 is fitted into the mold 6 and protrudes
suitable length through the first fitting groove 11 toward inside
of the mold 6.
[0032] Next, fit the side frame 3 into the second fitting grooves
12, and further fit the vertical frame 4 into the third fitting
grooves 13. The tip end of both the side frame 3 and the vertical
frame 4 protrude suitable length through the first fitting groove
11, 12 toward inside of the mold 6. Consequently, the sash 2, the
side frame 3 and the vertical frame 4 are arranged to the mold
6.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2B, after fitting the sash 2, the side
frame 3 and the vertical frame 4 into grooves 11, 12 and 13
respectively. Pour the molten metal into the mold 6 until the sash
2, the side frame and the vertical frame 4 are completely covered
with the molten metal. And after the molten metal is poured into
the mold 6, cooling the molten metal in a predetermined time. And
after the molten metal becomes harden, remove the mold 6.
Consequently, the casted joining member 5 is obtained wherein each
end pert of the sash 2, the side frame 3 and the vertical frame 4
are joined by wrapped up in cast metal
[0034] Thus, with the formation of the casted jointing member 5,
the jointing structure 1 is also formed, by wrapping up sash 2,
side frame 3 and vertical frame in cast metal
[0035] Therefore, the method for joining the frame members in this
invention, the joining structure 1 is formed simultaneously with
the formation of the casted joining member 5.
[0036] Thus, it is not necessary to manufacture the joining member
independently, when this invention's method is applied for
construction of the frame member, by joining the sash 2, the side
frame and the vertical frame.
[0037] These frame members, such as the sash 2, the side frame 3
and the vertical frame 4, are obtained by plane-cutting the end
part of frame, which is molded by extrusion. So, the frame members
are obtained easily.
[0038] Also, each of the frame members is joined in the mold,
wherein each of the frame members are wrapped in cast metal, so
each of the frame members are joined with superior positional
precision without using specific parts.
[0039] Furthermore, each of the frame members is joined without
welding. Thus, manufacturing process is simplified, and
manufacturing cost is reduced.
[0040] The present invention is disclosed with the preferable
embodiment. However, the invention is not restricted to this
embodiment.
[0041] This invention's method can be applied for the pillar
connecting part of the body frame in a car C, as shown in FIG.
3.
[0042] In the joining structure 20, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the
frame members is joined by using this invention's method, wherein
said frame members are composed of a front pillar 21, a rear pillar
22, a center pillar and a side sill.
[0043] And in this joining structure 20, the first casted joining
member 25 which connects the front pillar 21, the rear pillar 22
and the center pillar together, and the second casted joining
member 26 which connects the center pillar 23 and the side sill 24
are used.
[0044] This invention's method also can be applied to these the
first casted jointing member 25 and the second casted jointing
member 26.
[0045] And in this embodiment, aluminum alloy is used as the frame
member. The element employed in the frame member is not restricted
to aluminum alloy, but such as iron, another nonferrous metals and
plastic resins can be used as a frame member.
[0046] The method for joining frame members of first aspect of the
present invention, each frame member can be joined without forming
the intricate configuration on the end part of the frame members.
Each of the frame members can be joined without using the joining
member and without welding process. So, the manufacturing process
for joining frame members can be simplified.
[0047] The method for joining frame members of second aspect of the
present invention, this invention's method can avoid any
deformation of the frame members, wherein aluminum alloy, which is
easily deformed by heat, is employed as frame members.
* * * * *