U.S. patent application number 17/708836 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-14 for method of manufacturing a vehicle body.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation. Invention is credited to Chul Hee Heo, Ho Yeon Kim.
Application Number | 20220219757 17/708836 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006230969 |
Filed Date | 2022-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220219757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heo; Chul Hee ; et
al. |
July 14, 2022 |
Method of Manufacturing a Vehicle Body
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a vehicle body is disclosed. A frame
member is formed to have a tubular shape in an open cross-sectional
structure in which one side surface thereof is opened and a
fastening portion is formed in a shape to close an opening portion
at an end of the frame member. The fastening portion and the frame
member are formed so that the fastening member closes the opening
portion at the end of the frame member and the fastening portion is
configured to be fastened to another frame member by a fastener in
a surface-contact state.
Inventors: |
Heo; Chul Hee; (Hwaseong-si,
KR) ; Kim; Ho Yeon; (Daegu, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hyundai Motor Company
Kia Corporation |
Seoul
Seoul |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006230969 |
Appl. No.: |
17/708836 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16928381 |
Jul 14, 2020 |
11325652 |
|
|
17708836 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 27/00 20130101;
B62D 23/005 20130101; B62D 25/06 20130101; B62D 25/08 20130101;
B62D 21/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 23/00 20060101
B62D023/00; B62D 27/00 20060101 B62D027/00; B62D 25/08 20060101
B62D025/08; B62D 25/06 20060101 B62D025/06; B62D 21/02 20060101
B62D021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 5, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0160984 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a vehicle body, comprising: providing
a plate-shaped material having side surface-blocking portions
formed on both sides of a side surface-connecting portion, and a
fastening portion formed at an end of the side surface-connecting
portion to extend such that the side surface-connecting portion is
longer than the side surface-blocking portions; folding the side
surface-blocking portions in the same direction based on the side
surface-connecting portion to form the plate-shaped material to
have a tubular shape in an open cross-sectional structure in which
one side surface thereof is opened; and folding the fastening
portion toward the folded side surface-blocking portions to close
an opening portion formed at the end and couple the fastening
portion to the side surface-blocking portions to thereby form a
frame member.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a fastening
hole in the fastening portion.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after folding the
side surface-blocking portions, forming flange portions by folding
end portions of the side surface-blocking portions in a direction
to face each other.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the
fastening portion to another frame member.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fastening portion is attached
to the other frame member with a fastener so that the frame member
is in a surface-contact state with the other frame member.
6. A method of manufacturing a vehicle body, the method comprising:
forming a frame member to have a tubular shape in an open
cross-sectional structure in which one side surface thereof is
opened and forming a fastening portion in a shape to close an
opening portion at an end of the frame member; wherein the
fastening portion and the frame member are formed so that the
fastening member closes the opening portion at the end of the frame
member; and wherein the fastening portion is configured to be
fastened to another frame member by a fastener in a surface-contact
state.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the forming comprises extending
the fastening portion in a longitudinal direction at an end of a
side surface-connecting portion opposite to a side surface-open
portion of the frame member, wherein the fastening portion is
folded toward the opening portion to close the opening portion.
8. The method claim 7, further comprising forming an additional
fastening portion partially closing the side surface-open portion
by folding the fastening portion closing the opening portion toward
the side surface-open portion.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein forming the fastening portion
comprises forming the fastening portion so that a cross section of
the fastening portion matches a cross section of the opening
portion so that the fastening portion and the opening portion are
joined to each other at a matching area.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising forming two flange
portions by folding side surface-blocking portions at end portions
thereof toward the side surface-open portion, the side
surface-blocking portions extending from the side
surface-connecting portion.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising joining ends of a
mounting plate to both flange portions, respectively, to prevent a
distance between the side surface-blocking portions from being
increased or decreased.
12. The method of claim 6, wherein the frame member has a rigidity
providing portion formed to have a closed cross-sectional structure
at an edge of an inner wall surface thereof in a longitudinal
direction.
13. The method of claim 6, further comprising fastening the
fastening portion to a second frame member.
14. The method of claim 6, further comprising: forming a second
frame member; connecting first ends of the frame member and the
second frame member to front pillar members extending from a front
side to a roof side on both sides of the vehicle body; connecting
second opposite ends of the frame member and the second frame
member to rear pillar members extending from a rear side to the
roof side on the both sides of the vehicle body; and bending middle
portions of the frame member and the second frame member to face
areas where the front pillar members are connected to the rear
pillar members.
15. A method of manufacturing a vehicle body, the method
comprising: connecting a first frame member to a first fastening
portion, the first frame member having a tubular shape in an open
cross-sectional structure in which one side surface thereof is
opened and the first fastening portion having a shape to close an
opening portion at an end of the first frame member; connecting a
second frame member to a second fastening portion, the second frame
member having a tubular shape in an open cross-sectional structure
in which one side surface thereof is opened and the second
fastening portion having a shape to close an opening portion at an
end of the second frame member; connecting a first end of the first
frame member to a first front pillar member that extends from a
front side to a roof side on a first side of the vehicle body;
connecting a second opposite end of the first frame member to a
first rear pillar member that extends from a rear side to the roof
side on the first side of the vehicle body; connecting a first end
of the second frame member to a second front pillar member that
extends from the front side to the roof side on a second side of
the vehicle body; and connecting a second opposite end of the
second frame member to a second rear pillar member that extends
from the rear side to the roof side on the second side of the
vehicle body.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein middle portions of the first
and second frame members are bent.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising connecting side
reinforcing members to the first and second rear pillar members and
the first and second frame members, the side reinforcing members
extending from the front side on the first and second sides of the
vehicle body through a lower side of the vehicle body to the rear
side on the first and second sides of the vehicle body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/928,381, filed on Jul. 14, 2020, which
claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0160984,
filed on Dec. 5, 2019, which applications are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body capable of
being assembled in a simple manner and having rigidity.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As a body structure of a conventional compact car, a
monocoque body structure is applied while only a rear door portion
thereof is cut from a general vehicle design.
[0004] However, this is a typical monocoque body structure with
only a rear door portion thereof being eliminated, and has a
disadvantage in that a body is produced by processing parts through
a pressing process using a mold and welding the processed parts,
and thus, not only large-scale investment is needed for facilities
such as a pressing plant, a body welding plant, and a coating
plant, but also the degree of freedom is low in terms of
design.
[0005] In particular, when multiple kinds of vehicle bodies are
produced in a small quantity, a lot of changes in design are
conventionally required, and accordingly, there are problems in
that not only the production cost is inevitably high due to a great
increase in the number of molds, but also it is difficult to secure
rigidity.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a demand for a new body structure not
only capable of coping with various designs but also having
improved assemblability of the body in smart factory environments
and having rigidity.
[0007] The contents described as the related art have been provided
only to assist in understanding the background of the present
disclosure and should not be considered as corresponding to the
related art known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vehicle body
capable of being assembled in a simple manner and having
rigidity.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
vehicle body includes a frame member formed to have a tubular shape
in an open cross-sectional structure in which one side surface
thereof is opened. A fastening portion is formed in a shape to
close an opening portion at an end of the frame member, and
fastened to another frame member by a fastener in a surface-contact
state.
[0010] The fastening portion may be formed to extend in a
longitudinal direction at an end of a side surface-connecting
portion opposite to a side surface-open portion of the frame
member, and the fastening portion may be folded toward the opening
portion to close the opening portion.
[0011] An additional fastening portion partially closing the side
surface-open portion may be formed by folding the fastening portion
closing the opening portion toward the side surface-open
portion.
[0012] A cross section of the fastening portion may be formed to
match that of the opening portion so that the fastening portion and
the opening portion are joined to each other at a matching
area.
[0013] Flange portions may be formed by folding side
surface-blocking portions at end portions thereof toward the side
surface-open portion, the side surface-blocking portions extending
from the side surface-connecting portion.
[0014] Both ends of a mounting plate may be joined to the both
flange portions, respectively, to prevent a distance between the
both side surface-blocking portions from being increased or
decreased.
[0015] The frame member may have a rigidity providing portion
formed to have a closed cross-sectional structure at an edge of an
inner wall surface thereof in a longitudinal direction.
[0016] In some exemplary embodiments, one ends of the frame members
may be connected to front pillar members extending from a front
side to a roof side on both sides of the vehicle body. The other
ends of the frame members may be connected to rear pillar members
extending from a rear side to the roof side on the both sides of
the vehicle body. In addition, middle portions of the frame members
may be bent and disposed to face areas where the front pillar
members are connected to the rear pillar members.
[0017] The fastening portions of the frame members may be fastened
to rear ends of front pillar members on both sides; a lower surface
of the front pillar member at the rear end thereof may be fastened
to an upper surface of rear pillar member at an upper end thereof;
the upper end of the rear pillar member may be bent toward the
frame member; and the additional fastening portion of the frame
member may be positioned to overlap the upper surface of the rear
pillar member in the bent portion such that the bent portion and
the additional fastening portion are fastened by allowing a bolt to
penetrate therethrough.
[0018] Side reinforcing members extending from a front side on both
sides of the vehicle body through a lower side of the vehicle body
to a rear side on the both sides of the vehicle body may be
connected to rear pillar members extending from the rear side to a
roof side on the both sides of the vehicle body, and may be
connected to one ends of the frame members. The other ends of the
frame members may be connected to a connecting member connected
between the rear pillar members, and middle portions of the frame
members may be bent and disposed to face areas where the connecting
member and the side reinforcing members are connected to the rear
pillar members.
[0019] The frame member may be a reinforcing frame member connected
in a bridge form between two members. One end of the reinforcing
frame member may be connected to a side surface of a side
reinforcing member at an end thereof, while the side reinforcing
member is connected to a middle portion of the rear pillar member.
The other end of the reinforcing frame member may be connected to a
connecting member connected between the both rear pillar members at
the middle portion thereof. A middle portion of the reinforcing
frame member may be bent, and the bent surface may be disposed to
face an area where the connecting member and the side reinforcing
member is connected to the rear pillar member.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
method of manufacturing a vehicle body includes: a material
preparing step of preparing a plate-shaped material having side
surface-blocking portions formed on both sides of a side
surface-connecting portion, and a fastening portion formed at an
end of the side surface-connecting portion to extend such that the
side surface-connecting portion is longer than the side
surface-blocking portions; a side surface portion folding step of
folding the side surface-blocking portions in the same direction on
the basis of the side surface-connecting portion to form the
plate-shaped material to have a tubular shape in an open
cross-sectional structure in which one side surface thereof is
opened; and a fastening portion folding step of folding the
fastening portion toward the folded side surface-blocking portions
to close an opening portion formed at the end and couple the
fastening portion to the side surface-blocking portions to thereby
form a frame member.
[0021] In the material preparing step, a fastening hole may be
formed in the fastening portion.
[0022] In the side surface portion folding step, after the both
side surface-blocking portions are folded, flange portions may be
formed by folding end portions of the both side surface-blocking
portions in a direction to face each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a shape of a frame member
forming a skeleton of a vehicle body according to the present
disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 a view illustrating a cross section of a frame member
according to the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing a
frame member through a folding process according to the present
disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a frame member having a
fastening portion folded in two stages according to the present
disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a cross section of a frame
member with a mounting plate coupled thereto according to the
present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cross section of a frame
member in a state in which a rigidity providing portion is formed
therein according to the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a coupled structure of a frame
member applied to a vehicle body according to the present
disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating part A of FIG. 7 for a
structure at an area where front and rear pillar members are
connected to each other in an embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating part A of FIG. 7 for a
structure at an area where front and rear pillar members are
connected to each other in another embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating part B of FIG. 7, where a
reinforcing frame member is bent and the bent reinforcing frame
member is applied to a joint area between a rear pillar member and
a side reinforcing member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0034] A frame member 100 according to the present disclosure is
applicable to a body 10 of a subcompact electric vehicle. A
plurality of frame members 100 are organically connected to one
another to configure a module for each part, and the modules are
connected to one another to form the body 10.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a shape of a frame member 100 forming a
skeleton of a body 10 according to the present disclosure, and FIG.
2 illustrates a cross section of a frame member 100 according to
the present disclosure.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame member 100 according
to the present disclosure is formed to have a tubular shape in an
open cross-sectional structure in which one side surface thereof is
opened.
[0037] Further, a fastening portion 150 is formed in a shape to
close an opening portion OP at an end of the frame member 100, and
the fastening portion 150 is fastened to another frame member 100
by a fastener 180 in a surface-contact state.
[0038] For example, the frame member 100 is formed to have a "
"-shaped cross section as a cross section perpendicular to a
longitudinal direction thereof. Among the peripheral surfaces of
the frame member 100, three surfaces are closed and one surface is
opened.
[0039] The frame member 100 may preferably be formed in a shape of
a straight tube that is formed to be long in the longitudinal
direction, but the frame member 100 may optionally be formed in a
shape of a curved tube that is formed to be bent at a middle
portion thereof.
[0040] In addition, the fastener 180 may be a bolt/nut or a rivet,
and a fastening hole 152 may be formed in the fastening portion 150
so that the bolt or rivet may pass through the fastening portion
150 to facilitate the fastening.
[0041] That is, according to the above-described configuration, an
in-line fastening process is implemented by inserting the bolt into
the fastening hole 152 through the opened portion of the frame
member 100 in a state where an outer surface of the fastening
portion 150 is in surface contact with another frame member 100 to
be connected to the frame member 100, and then tightening the bolt
using a tool, thereby facilitating and simplifying a coupling
process between members and as a result improving assemblability of
the body 10.
[0042] Furthermore, the body 10 is configured by assembling members
including the frame member 100 in a bolting or riveting manner.
Thus, large-scale pressing, body welding, and coating plants are
unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to appropriately cope with
the smart factory environments, and it also is possible to simplify
the process of assembling the body 10, thereby improving
assemblability. In addition, it is possible to greatly improve
torsional rigidity at an assembled portion, thereby securing
strength and rigidity of the body 10.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing a
frame member 100 through a folding process according to the present
disclosure.
[0044] With reference to the drawing, the structure in which both
ends of the frame member 100 are closed by the fastening portion
150 will be described. The fastening portion 150 is formed to
extend in the longitudinal direction at an end of a side
surface-connecting portion 11o opposite to a side surface-open
portion 140 of the frame member 100.
[0045] Accordingly, the fastening portion 150 is folded toward the
opening portion OP to close the opening portion OP.
[0046] For example, a distance between both ends of the side
surface-connecting portion 110 is longer than that between both
ends of a side surface-blocking portion 120 in the longitudinal
direction, and the portion formed to be long is the fastening
portion 150.
[0047] Accordingly, the side surface-blocking portions 120 formed
on both sides of the side surface-connecting portion 110 are folded
in a vertical direction, and the fastening portion 150 is folded at
an area of the side surface-connecting portion 110 adjoining an end
of the side surface-blocking portion 120, thereby blocking the
opening portions OP at the both ends of the frame member 100.
[0048] That is, it is possible to secure the rigidity of the
fastening portion 150 by integrally forming the fastening portion
150 with the frame member 100, and it is also possible to
manufacture the frame member 100 at a low cost in a simple way by
folding and bending the fastening portion 150 to manufacture the
frame member 100, thereby effectively coping with the smart factory
environments.
[0049] For reference, when the frame member 100 manufactured as
described above is made of a steel material, a rust inhibitor may
be coated on a surface of the frame member 100 for inhibition of
rust. However, when the frame member 100 is made of an aluminum
material, the process of coating the rust inhibitor may be
omitted.
[0050] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a frame member 100 having a
fastening portion 150 folded in two stages according to the present
disclosure.
[0051] Referring to the drawing, an additional fastening portion
160 partially closing the side surface-open portion 140 may be
formed by folding the fastening portion 150 closing the opening
portion OP toward the side surface-open portion 140.
[0052] For example, the side surface-blocking portions 120 formed
on the both sides of the side surface-connecting portion 110 are
folded in a vertical direction, and a distance between the both
ends of the side surface-connecting portion 110 is greater than
that between the both ends of the side surface-blocking portion 120
in the longitudinal direction. The portion formed to be long is the
fastening portion 150 and the additional fastening portion 160.
[0053] Accordingly, the side surface-blocking portions 120 formed
on the both sides of the side surface-connecting portion 110 are
folded in a vertical direction, and the fastening portion 150 is
folded at an area of the side surface-connecting portion 110
adjoining an end of the side surface-blocking portion 120, thereby
blocking the opening portions OP at the both ends of the frame
member 100.
[0054] In addition, the fastening portion 150 blocking the opening
portion OP of the frame member 100 is folded at an end thereof
toward the side surface-open portion 140 to partially block the
side surface-open portion 140. The portion blocking the side
surface-open portion 140 is the additional fastening portion 160.
In this case, the additional fastening portion 160 may have a
fastening hole 162 therein, like the fastening portion 150.
[0055] In addition, a finishing portion 170 is formed by folding
the additional fastening portion 160 at an end thereof again toward
the side surface-connecting portion 110 to enter the " "-shaped
internal space, and edges of the finishing portion 170 are joined
to inner surfaces of the side surface-blocking portions 120 and an
inner surface of the side surface-connecting portion 110,
respectively, by welding W such as CO2 welding, thereby securing
the rigidity of the fastening portion 150 and the additional
fastening portion 160.
[0056] That is, not only the fastening portion 150 may be coupled
to another frame member 100 in a surface-contact state, but also
the additional fastening portion 160 may be coupled to another
frame member 100 in a surface-contact state depending on the
structure of the body 10. This configuration is simply applicable
to major areas requiring rigidity in the body 10, thereby making it
possible to cope with a variety of designs for the body 10.
[0057] In addition, according to the present disclosure as
illustrated in FIG. 1, a cross section of the fastening portion 150
is formed to match that of the opening portion OP so that the
fastening portion 150 and the opening portion are joined to each
other at the matching area.
[0058] For example, the fastening portion 150 is formed in a
quadrangular shape, and the fastening portion 150 is folded while
an outer edge of the fastening portion 150 corresponds to an inner
edge of the opening portion OP. In the folded state, the outer edge
of the fastening portion 150 and the inner edge of the opening
portion OP are joined by welding W such as CO2 welding at an area
where they meet, thereby securing the rigidity of the fastening
portion 150.
[0059] Meanwhile, the fastening portion 150 may be formed in a
plate shape to have a cross-sectional area larger than that of the
opening portion OP. In this case, the fastening portion 150 and the
opening portion OP may be joined by welding W along a line where
they are in contact with each other.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, flange portions 130 may be formed by
folding the side surface-blocking portions 120 at end portions
thereof toward the side surface-open portion 140, the side
surface-blocking portions 120 extending from the side
surface-connecting portion 110.
[0061] For example, the flange portions 130 may be formed by
folding the end portions of the both side surface-blocking portions
120 in a direction to face each other.
[0062] That is, the flange portions 130 are formed in a shape to be
bent from the side surface-blocking portions 120 toward the side
surface-open portion 140, thereby not only securing rigidity at the
end portions of the side surface-blocking portions 120, but also
acting to provide a seating surface for a mounting plate 200, which
will be described below, to be mounted thereon.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a cross section of a frame
member 100 with a mounting plate 200 coupled thereto according to
the present disclosure.
[0064] Referring to the drawing, both ends of the mounting plate
200 are joined to the both flange portions 130, respectively, to
prevent a distance between the both side surface-blocking portions
120 from being increased or decreased.
[0065] That is, when it is required to mount fittings or other
parts in the opened side surface portion of the frame member 100,
the mounting plate 200, which is a separate component, is assembled
on the both flange portions 130, and the parts are coupled onto the
mounting plate 200, thereby not only providing a seating surface
for mounting the parts, but also securing additional rigidity by
preventing a distance between the both side surface-blocking
portions 120 from being increased or decreased.
[0066] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cross section of a frame
member 100 in a state in which a rigidity providing portion 190 is
formed therein according to the present disclosure.
[0067] Referring to the drawing, the frame member 100 according to
the present disclosure may have a rigidity providing portion 190
formed to have a closed cross-sectional structure at an edge of an
inner wall surface thereof in the longitudinal direction.
[0068] For example, the rigidity providing portion 190 having a
rectangular closed cross-sectional structure is formed at an edge
area where the side surface-connecting portion 110 and the side
surface-blocking portion 120 meet each other on an inner surface of
the frame member 100 along the longitudinal direction of the frame
member 100.
[0069] This is applicable when the frame member 100 is made of an
aluminum material and manufactured by an extrusion process, and
additional rigidity is secured by applying a closed cross-sectional
structure to the frame member 100 therein.
[0070] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a coupled structure
of a frame member 100 applied to a body 10 according to the present
disclosure. The body 10 is assembled in a simply manner by inline
bolting between members without any separate joint structure. For
reference, in the drawing, a connecting member 50 is coupled to a
front pillar member 20, but all of these members have the same
structure as the frame member 100 according to the present
disclosure while being different only in expression. Thus, the
coupled structure of the frame member 100 according to the present
disclosure will be described to explain a coupled structure of
these members.
[0071] Referring to the drawing, the fastening portion 150 is
formed in a shape to cover an end of the connecting member 50, and
a bolt is inserted into the fastening hole 152 formed in the
fastening portion 150 in a state where an outer surface of the
fastening portion 150 is in contact with one surface of the front
pillar member 20.
[0072] In this case, one side surface of the connecting member 50
is opened, and the bolt may be tightened using a tool through the
opened side surface portion, thereby simplifying a process of
assembling the connecting member 50 and a side reinforcing member
40.
[0073] Meanwhile, FIG. 8 is a view illustrating part A of FIG. 7,
where the frame member 100 formed in a bent state is applied to an
area where the front pillar member 20 is joined to a rear pillar
member 30 according to the present disclosure.
[0074] That is, as described above, the structure of the vehicle
body according to the present disclosure is configured by
connecting the frame members 100 to each other. However, the frame
members 100 configuring the structure of the vehicle body may be
utilized to be frame members 100' as reinforcing materials in a
bridge form for connection, thereby securing additional rigidity at
the connection area.
[0075] For reference, the reinforcing frame member 100' applied in
the bridge form based on the frame member according to the present
disclosure is bent at a middle portion thereof, with both ends
thereof being connected to the respective members desired to
connect.
[0076] Referring to the drawing, one ends of the reinforcing frame
members 100' are connected to the front pillar members 20 extending
from a front side to a roof side on the both sides of the body 10,
and the other ends of the reinforcing frame members 100' are
connected to the rear pillar members 30 extending from a rear side
to the roof side on the both sides of the body 10.
[0077] For example, a bolting hole is formed at one end of the side
surface-connecting portion 110 so that one end of the side
surface-connecting portion 110 is fastened to one surface of the
front pillar member 20 by bolting, and a bolting hole is formed in
the other end of the side surface-connecting portion 110 so that
the other end of the side surface-connecting portion 110 is
fastened to the rear pillar member 30 by bolting.
[0078] Further, the middle portion of the reinforcing frame member
100' is bent and disposed to face an area where the front pillar
member 20 and the rear pillar member 30 are connected to each
other.
[0079] That is, the both ends of the reinforcing frame member 100'
are connected to the front pillar member 20 and the rear pillar
member 30, respectively, and the reinforcing frame member 100' acts
as a joint by positioning an outer curved surface of the bent
portion of the reinforcing frame member 100' at the area where
these members are connected to each other, which is very important
for the rigidity of the body 10, thereby securing rigidity at the
connection area.
[0080] Meanwhile, FIG. 9 is a view illustrating part A of FIG. 7
for a structure in another embodiment.
[0081] Referring to the drawing, the fastening portions 150 formed
at both ends of a rear roof member 60 are fastened to rear ends of
the both front pillar members 20 in a surface-contact state by
bolting therebetween. Further, an upper surface of the rear pillar
member 30 at an upper end thereof is fastened to a lower surface of
the front pillar member 20 at the rear end thereof in a
surface-contact state by bolting.
[0082] Here, the structure of the frame member 100 illustrated in
FIG. 4 is applied to the rear roof member 60, and the additional
fastening portions 160 are formed under the rear roof member 60 at
both ends thereof.
[0083] Accordingly, upper ends of the both rear pillar members 30
are bent toward the rear roof member 60, and an upper surface of
the bent portion 32 is positioned to overlap under the additional
fastening portion 160 formed in the rear roof member 60.
[0084] Therefore, the bent portion 32 of the rear pillar member 30
and the additional fastening portion 160 of the rear roof member 60
may be fastened to each other by allowing a bolt to penetrate
therethrough.
[0085] In addition, the frame member according to the present
disclosure may be utilized as a reinforcing frame member 100'
connected between the front pillar member 20 and the rear pillar
member 30 in a bridge form to act as a joint.
[0086] That is, one ends of the reinforcing frame members 100' are
connected to the front pillar members 20 extending from the front
side to the roof side on the both sides of the body 10, and the
other ends of the reinforcing frame members 100' are connected to
the rear pillar members 30 extending from the rear side to the roof
side on the both sides of the body 10.
[0087] For example, a bolting hole is formed at one end of the side
surface-connecting portion 110 formed in the reinforcing frame
member 100' so that the one end of the side surface-connecting
portion 110 is fastened to one surface of the front pillar member
20 by bolting, and a bolting hole is formed at the other end of the
side surface-connecting portion 110 so that the other end of the
side surface-connecting portion 110 is fastened to the rear pillar
member 30 by bolting.
[0088] Further, the middle portion of the reinforcing frame member
100' is bent and disposed to face an area where the front pillar
member 20 and the rear pillar member 30 are connected to each
other.
[0089] That is, the reinforcing frame member 100' is connected at
the area where the front pillar member 20 and the rear pillar
member 30 are connected to each other, which is very important for
the rigidity of the body 10, to act as a joint. In addition, it is
possible to more effectively secure rigidity at the connection area
by overlapping the front pillar member 20 and the rear roof member
60 on the rear pillar member 30 having the additional fastening
portion 160 and additionally fastening them to each other by
bolting.
[0090] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating part B of FIG. 7, where a
reinforcing frame member 100' is bent, and the bent reinforcing
frame member 100' is applied to a joint area between a rear pillar
member 30 and a side reinforcing member 40 according to the present
disclosure.
[0091] Referring to the drawing, the side reinforcing members 40
extending from the front side on the both sides of the body 10
through a lower side of the body 10 to the rear side on the both
sides of the body 10 are connected to the rear pillar members 30
extending from the rear side to the roof side on the both sides of
the body 10, and are connected to one ends of the reinforcing frame
members 100'.
[0092] The other ends of the reinforcing frame members 100' are
connected to the connecting member 50 connected between the both
rear pillar members 30.
[0093] For example, a bolting hole is formed at one end of the side
surface-connecting portion 110 formed in the reinforcing frame
member 100' so that the one end of the side surface-connecting
portion 110 is fastened to one surface of the side reinforcing
member 40 by bolting, and a bolting hole is formed at the other end
of the side surface-connecting portion 110 so that the other end of
the side surface-connecting portion 110 is fastened to the
connecting member 50 by bolting.
[0094] In particular, the middle portion of the reinforcing frame
member 100' is bent and disposed to face an area where the
connecting member 50 and the side reinforcing member 40 are
connected to the rear pillar member 30.
[0095] That is, the both ends of the reinforcing frame member 100'
are connected to the connecting member 50 and the side reinforcing
member 40, respectively, and the reinforcing frame member 100' acts
as a joint by positioning an outer curved surface of the bent
portion of the reinforcing frame member 100' at the area where
these members are connected to each other, which is very important
for the rigidity of the body 10, thereby securing rigidity at the
connection area.
[0096] For reference, the connecting member 50 may be applied to
connect the members or other connecting members, may be applied at
an area for assembling chassis/interior/external parts, or may be
locally applied at an area where reinforcement of rigidity is
required.
[0097] Meanwhile, a method of manufacturing a frame member 100
through a bending process according to the present disclosure
includes a material preparing step (S10), a side surface portion
folding step (S20), and a fastening portion folding step (S30).
[0098] Referring to FIG. 3, in the material preparing step (S10), a
plate-shaped material is prepared, the plate-shaped material having
side surface-blocking portions 120 formed on both sides of a side
surface-connecting portion 110, and a fastening portion 150 formed
at an end of the side surface-connecting portion 110 to extend such
that the side surface-connecting portion 110 is longer than the
side surface-blocking portions 120.
[0099] In this case, the material may have a fastening hole 152
formed in the fastening portion 150.
[0100] In the side surface portion folding step (S20), the side
surface-blocking portions 120 are folded in the same direction on
the basis of the side surface-connecting portion 110 to form the
plate-shaped material to have a tubular shape in an open
cross-sectional structure in which one side surface thereof is
opened.
[0101] In the side surface portion folding step (S20), after the
both side surface-blocking portions 120 are folded, flange portions
130 may be formed by folding end portions of the both side
surface-blocking portions 120 in a direction to face each
other.
[0102] Subsequently, in the fastening portion folding step (S30),
the fastening portion 150 may be folded toward the folded side
surface-blocking portions 120 to close an opening portion OP formed
at the end and couple the fastening portion 150 to the side
surface-blocking portions 120 to thereby form a frame member
100.
[0103] That is, the plate-shaped material for manufacturing the
frame member 100 is secured by performing a blanking process.
[0104] Based on the secured material, the both side
surface-blocking portions 120 are folded on the basis of the side
surface-connecting portion 110 and then the flange portions 130
extending from the side surface-blocking portions 120 are formed by
folding the side surface-blocking portions 120 in a direction to
face each other.
[0105] Subsequently, the fastening portion 150 formed to extend at
the end of the side surface-connecting portion 110 is folded toward
the opening portion OP formed at the end having a " "-shaped cross
section by folding the side surface-blocking portions 120, and then
an outer edge of the fastening portion 150 and an inner edge of the
opening portion OP are joined by welding W, thereby manufacturing
the frame member 100.
[0106] Accordingly, the frame member 100 manufactured as described
above is capable of facilitating and simplifying a coupling process
between members and as a result improving assemblability of the
body 10 by implementing an inline fastening process, in which the
bolt is inserted into the fastening hole 152 through the opened
portion of the frame member 100 in a state where an outer surface
of the fastening portion 150 is in surface contact with the another
frame member 100 to which the frame member 100 is connected, and
then the bolt is tightened using a tool.
[0107] Furthermore, since the frame member 100 is manufactured
through a process of folding and bending the fastening portion 150,
it is possible to manufacture the frame member 100 at a low cost in
a simple way, thereby effectively coping with the smart factory
environments.
[0108] In addition, since the body 10 is configured by assembling
members including the frame member 100 in a bolting or riveting
manner, large-scale pressing, body welding, and coating factories
are unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to appropriately cope
with the smart factory environments, and it is possible to simplify
the process of assembling the body 10, thereby improving
assemblability. In addition, it is possible to greatly improve
torsional rigidity at an assembled portion, thereby securing
strength and rigidity of the body 10.
[0109] Although the present disclosure has been shown and described
with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those
having ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be
variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *