IP Library Granted Patent US 10,118,254
Granted Patent B2
US 10,118,254 · App. 14/221,206 · Granted Nov 6, 2018

Manufacturing method for a side body structure of a vehicle and a side body structure of a vehicle

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,118,254
App. No.
14/221,206
Granted
Nov 6, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A member joining method includes the steps of forming an opening in an intermediate member composed of one part or at least two superposed parts, embedding an insert member formed of metal in the opening, placing a skin member formed of metal on an outer surface of the intermediate member such that the intermediate member is held on an inner side of the skin member, and joining the skin member to the insert member.

Claims (27)

1. A manufacturing method for a side body structure of a vehicle comprising:

superposing an inner reinforcement and an outer reinforcement that include any one of aluminum alloy and carbon fiber reinforced composite material so as to be defined an opening that penetrate inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement;

embedding an insert member formed of steel material in the opening;

placing a side sill inner portion and a side sill outer portion oppositely to each other so that the insert member, the inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement are disposed between the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion, the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion being formed of steel material;

welding the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion to the insert member; and

joining the inner reinforcement, the outer reinforcement, the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion with the side body structure of the vehicle, a reinforcement member that includes the inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement being configured a hollow structure.

2. The manufacturing method for a side body structure of a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the embedding the insert member comprises:

inserting a pre-embedding insert member into the opening, the pre-embedding insert member having a thickness greater than a thickness of the superposed reinforcement portions such that the pre-embedding insert member includes a protruding portion, and

removing the protruding portion and fitting the pre-embedding insert member in the opening so as to be the insert member embedded in the opening.

3. The side body structure of a vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the insert member is embedded in the opening by applying a plastic deformation force to the pre-embedding insert member such that the insert member is held in the opening by a compressive stress.

4. The manufacturing method for a side body structure of a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the embedding the insert member comprises:

inserting a pre-embedding insert member into the opening, the pre-embedding insert member having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the opening, and

driving the pre-embedding insert member into the opening and fitting the pre-embedding insert member in the opening so as to be the insert member embedded in the opening.

5. The manufacturing method for a side body structure of a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the insert member is embedded in the opening by applying a plastic deformation force to the insert member such that the insert member is held in the opening by a compressive stress.

6. The manufacturing method for a side body structure of a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the welding the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion comprises joining the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion to the insert member by spot welding with a spot welding apparatus, and

wherein during the welding the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion, the insert member is set such that a center of the insert member is located on a center line between electrodes of the spot welding apparatus,

the method further comprising clamping the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion between the electrodes of the spot welding apparatus.

7. The manufacturing method for a side body structure of a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the welding the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion comprises joining the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion to the insert member by spot welding with a spot welding apparatus.

8. A side body structure of a vehicle comprising:

a reinforcement member, of a side sill of the vehicle, comprising an inner reinforcement and an outer reinforcement superposed to the inner reinforcement, and configured a hollow structure the inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement including any one of aluminum alloy and carbon fiber reinforced composite material; and

a side sill member comprising a side sill inner portion and a side sill outer portion disposed oppositely to the side sill inner portion across the reinforcement member, the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion being formed of steel material;

wherein the reinforcement member includes a superposed portion that the inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement are superposed and an opening that penetrates the inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement, and

wherein an insert member formed of steel material is embedded in the opening, and is fixedly welded to the side sill inner portion and the side sill outer portion.

9. The side body structure of a vehicle of claim 8 ,

wherein a thickness of the insert member is substantially equal to a thickness of a superposed reinforcement portions formed by superposing the inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement.

10. The side body structure of a vehicle of claim 8 ,

wherein a thickness of the insert member is equal to or greater than a thickness of a superposed reinforcement portions formed by superposing the inner reinforcement and the outer reinforcement.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 12, 2017
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: SUBARU CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042624/0886 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Oct 31, 2014
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 034114/0841 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2014
From: SAKAI, KENSUKE
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 032507/0250 →