DESCRIPTION
CRASH BOX AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
[OOOl]
The present invention relates to a crash box that is to be attached to an
autoinobile body, and to a method for producing the crash box. In particular, the
present invention relates to, a crash box that is to be attached to, for example, the front
portion or the rear portion of an autoinobile body and includes a tubular body that
buckles and is plastically defonned into a bellows when loaded with impact load in the
axis direction of the tubular body, so as to absorb impact energy, the tubular body being
a molded body made of a metal sheet and to a method for producing the crash box.
BACKGROUND ART
[OO02]
An impact energy absorbing member that buckles by an impact load in a
collision to absorb collision energy is attached to a vehicle. As one such impact
energy absorbing member, a crash box is known. A crash box includes a tubular body
that is disposed in the front and rear of a vehicle, being oriented in a front-back
direction. The crash box includes a set plate (an attachment plate) that is welded to
this tubular body at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body by
butt arc welding or the like.
[OO03]
A crash box is required to repeatedly and stably buckle in its axis direction
when loaded with a collision load in the axis direction of the tubular body of the crash
box. The present applicants have disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, a
patented invention relating to a crash box that includes a tubular body with groove
portions. The groove portions are each provided in such a manner as to project inward
from a long side of a polygon that forms the cross section of the crash box, and to
extend in the axis direction of the crash box. This crash box is ensured to, by an
impact load loaded in the axis direction, repeatedly buckle and to be plastically
deformed into a bellows so as to absorb impact energy.
[0004]
In recent years, in order to reduce the weight of a vehicle, there has been
considered the reduction in the sheet thickness of a tubular body constituting a crash
box. However, if the sheet thickness of the tubular body of the crash box disclosed in
Patent Document 1 is reduced to about 1.2 to 1.4 mm or smaller, the end portion of the
tubular body is burned through by heat input in butt arc welding with a set plate, raising
the risk of declining the strength of a weld zone.
[OOOS]
The present applicant has proposed, in Patent Document 2, a crash box that has
one end portion in the axis direction of a metallic tubular body, the one end portion
being folded back 180 degrees to be formed into a folded portion.
LIST OF PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
PATENT DOCUMENT
[0006]
Patent Document 1: JP3912422B
Patent Document 2: JP2008-261493A
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0007]
The above problem can be solved with the crash box disclosed in Patent
Document 2 to some extent. However, the crash box has a problem in that the
existence of the folded portion makes the plastic deformation into a bellows hard to
occur, which reduces impact energy absorbing performance, and in that molding the
folded portion is difficult if the tubular body is formed of a high-strength steel sheet.
[OOOS]
An objective of the present invention is to provide a lightweight crash box and
a method for producing the crash box, the crash box including a tubular body that can
be well welded, with the tubular body butted against a set plate, even if the sheet
thickness of the tubular body constituting the crash box is smaller than 1.4 inm.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0009]
The present invention will be described as follows.
(1) A crash box comprising a longer-length metallic tubular body,
the tubular body having a basic cross-sectional shape that is a polygon
surrounded by a plurality of ridges extending in one direction and a plurality of side
wall portions, the tubular body including one or more groove portions in side wall
portions on long sides that are substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the
cross section, the groove portions extending in the one direction, and the tubular body
including outward flanges in an end portion in the one direction.
[OOlO]
In other words, in the crash box that includes a longer-length tubular body
made of a steel sheet, the tubular body having a basic cross-sectional shape that is a
polygon surrounded by a plurality of ridges extending in one direction and a plurality of
side wall portions, the tubular body including one or more groove portions in side wall
portions on long sides substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the cross
section, the groove portions extending in the one direction, characterized in that the
tubular body includes outward flanges in an end portion in the one direction.
[OOll]
In the present invention, if the polygon is a rhombus, the long side in the
present invention refers to each side of the rhombus.
(2) The crash box according to the section 1, wherein the polygon is a flat polygon.
(3) The crash box according to the section 1 or the section 2, wherein the outward
flanges are provided in all the ridges excluding at least regions of the end portion
corresponding to a groove portion.
(4) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 3, wherein the
outward flanges are molded integrally with the tubular body.
[OO 121
(5) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 4, wherein the
tubular body is a press molded body of the metal sheet.
(6) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 5, wherein the
metal sheet has a sheet thickness of 1.2 mm or smaller.
(7) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 5, wherein the
metal sheet has a sheet thickness of 1.0 mm or smaller.
[0013]
(8) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 7, wherein the
metal sheet is a steel sheet having a tensile strength of 440 MPa or higher.
(9) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 7, wherein the
metal sheet is a steel sheet having a tensile strength of 590 MPa or higher.
(10) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 9, wherein the
polygon is a substantial quadrilateral.
[00 141
(11) The crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the section 10, further
co~nprisinga set plate that is welded with the outward flanges interposed therebetween.
(12) The crash box according to the section 11, wherein the set plate includes a locking
section that is provided projecting from a surface of the plate and is butted against an
inner surface of an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body.
(13) The crash box according to claim 12, wherein the locking section includes a curved
portion (rise-up curvature portion) that is butted against a curved portion formed in an
end portion in one direction of the tubular body so as to support the curved portion.
[0015]
(14) A method for producing the crash box according to any one of the section 1 to the
section 10, the method comprising following First Step and Second Step;
First Step: a step of, using a pressing device including: a punch that includes a
groove portion that extends in one direction and a side wall provided in an end portion
in the one direction; a die that is disposed facing the punch; and a pad that includes a
protrusion extending in the one direction, to depress a developed blank of the tubular
body into the groove portion of the punch by a protrusion of the pad and bend the
developed blank using the die and the punch, so as to produce two press molded bodies
with an open cross-section, the press molded bodies each having a basic cross-sectional
shape that is a polygon surrounded by a plurality of ridges extending in the one
direction and a plurality of side wall portions, the press molded bodies each including
one or more groove portions in side wall portions on long sides substantially parallel a
major axis direction of the cross section, the groove portions extending in the one
direction, and the press molded bodies each including outward flanges in an end portion
in the one direction, the outward flanges being continuous in a part of region along a
cross-section circumferential direction; and
Second Step: a step of overlapping and welding the two press molded bodies
produced through the first step, at plane portions that are each formed at both ends in a
cross-section circumferential direction of each of the two press molded bodies, so as to
produce the tubular body.
[00 161
(15) The method for producing a crash box according to the section 14, wherein the pad
includes restraining portions that restrain portions in the developed blank to be molded
into ridges in a vicinity of outward flanges, the portions in the developed blank to be
molded into the ridge in the vicinity of the outward flanges are retained by the
restraining portions.
[00 171
(16) A method of producing the crash box according to any one of the section 11 to the
section 13, the method comprising following First Step, Second Step, and Third Step;
First Step: a step of, using a pressing device including: a punch that includes a
groove portion that extends in one direction and a side wall provided in an end portion
in the one direction; a die that is disposed facing the punch; and a pad that includes a
protrusion extending in the one direction, to depress a developed blank of the tubular
body into the groove portion of the punch by a protrusion of the pad and bend the
developed blank using the dies and the punch, so as to produce two press molded bodies i
with an open cross-section, the press molded bodies each having a basic cross-sectional
shape that is a polygon surrounded by a plurality of ridges extending in the one
direction and a plurality of side wall portions, the press inolded bodies each including
one or more groove portions in side wall portions on long sides substantially parallel a
major axis direction of the cross section, the groove portions extending in the one
direction, and the press inolded bodies each including outward flanges in an end portion
in the one direction, the outward flanges being continuous in a part of region along a
cross-section circumferential direction; and
Second Step: a step of overlapping and welding the two press inolded bodies
produced through the first step, at plane portions that are each formed at both ends in a
cross-section circumferential direction of each of the two press molded bodies, so as to
produce the tubular body.
Third Step: a step of overlapping the tubular body obtained through the second
step and the set plate with the outward flanges interposed therebetween, and attaching
the tubular body to the set plate by spot welding, fillet arc welding, or laser welding.
[0018]
(17) The method for producing a crash box according to claim 16, wherein the set plate
includes a locking section that is provided projecting from a surface of the plate and is
butted against an inner surface of an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the
tubular body.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019]
According to the present invention, it is possible to perform spot welding, fillet
arc welding, or laser welding with outward flanges formed on a tubular body and a set
plate made to overlap with each other. For this reason, even if the sheet thickness of
the tubular body is less than 1.4 to 1.2 mm, the occurrence of poor welding such as
bum-through, which is a problem with the prior art, is prevented, increasing strength in
a weld zone. This allows for providing a lightweight crash box that includes a tubular
body having a sheet thickness of less than 1.4 to 1.2 mm.
[0020]
In addition, in a crash box including curved portions (rise-up curvature
portions) and outward flanges in an end portion in a longitudinal direction, in the case
where the sheet thickness of a tubular body is, in particular, smaller than 1.2 mm, an
impact load causes the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body to
collapse inside the cross section, generating deformation that hinders stable repetitive
buckling. This phenomenon occurs conspicuously in particular when the impact load
acts in a direction oblique to the axis direction of the tubular body.
[0021]
The present invention uses a set plate including locking sections that are
provided projecting from a surface of the plate and are butted against the inner surface
of the tubular body to retain an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tubular
body. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the above collapse, increasing the impact
energy absorbing performance of a crash box that includes a tubular body having a
small sheet thickness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022]
[Figure 11 Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram illustrating a tubular body that constitutes a
crash box of the present embodiment, where Figure 1A is a perspective view illustrating
the entirety thereof, Figure 1B is a front view, Figure 1C is a side view, and Figure ID
to F are illustrative diagrams illustrating examples of the positions of outward flanges.
[Figure 21 Figure 2 is an illustrative diagram schematically illustrating the state where
the tubular body and a set plate of the crash box are attached to each other.
[Figure 31 Figure 3 is an illustrative diagram schematically illustrating locking sections
provided in the set plate.
[Figure 41 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration
of a pressing device for producing a press molded body.
[Figure 51 Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the other example of the
configuration of the pressing device for producing the tubular body of the embodiment.
[Figure 61 Figure 6 is an illustrative diagram schematically illustrating a method for
producing a crash box according to the present invention, where Figure 6A illustrates
First Step, Figure 6B illustrates Second Step, and Figure 6C illustrates Third Step.
[Figure 71 Figures 7A and 7B are illustrative diagrams schematically illustrating the
shapes of developed blanks in examples.
[Figure 81 Figures 8A and 8B are illustrative diagrams schematically illustrating the
shapes press molded bodies in the examples.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0023]
The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
1. Crash box 0
Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram illustrating a tubular body 1 that constitutes a
crash box 0 according to the present invention, where Figure IA is a perspective view
illustrating the entirety thereof, Figure 1B is a front view of the tubular body 1, Figure
1C is a side view of the tubular body 1, and Figures ID to F are cross sectional views of
modifications 1-1 to 1-3 of the tubular body 1.
[0024]
The crash box 0 includes a metallic tubular body 1. The tubular body 1
buckles into a bellows upon receiving an impact load that is applied in the axis direction
of the tubular body 1, so as to absorb collision energy.
[0025]
As illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the tubular body 1 has a basic cross
section that is a flat substantial quadrilateral. The tubular body 1 includes one or more
groove portions 3-1 and 3-2 each of which extends in the longitudinal direction of the
tubular body 1. The groove portions 3-1 and 3-2 are provided in positions excluding
ridges 2-1 to 2-4 that constitute the basic cross section. The groove portions 3-1 and
3-2 are provided in side wall portions 4 on long-side face sides that are parallel to the
major axis direction of the cross section. The groove portions 3-1 and 3-2 are groove
portions each projecting toward the inside of the cross section.
[0026]
In this description, the tubular body 1 is used that has a cross sectional shape
being a substantial quadrilateral. However, the present invention is not limited to this
cross-sectional shape. The tubular body 1 in the present invention may have a cross
sectional shape of, for example, a flat substantial polygon such as a hexagon and an
octagon. Preferably, the basic cross section is a flat substantial quadrilateral, and one
or more groove portions 3-1 and 3-2 are fanned in two side wall portions 4 and 4 on
long-side face sides.
[0027]
As illustrated in Figure 1A and 1B, the tubular body 1 is formed by a first press
molded body 10-1 and a second press molded body 10-2 in combination, which will be
described later. Each of the first press molded body 10-1 and the second press molded
body 10-2 is a press molded bodies made of a metal sheet.
[0028]
In an end portion of the tubular body 1 in its longitudinal direction, outward
flanges 5-1 to 5-4 are provided in the region of the side wall portion 4 excluding the
groove portions 3-1 and 3-2. The outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 are molded integrally
with the tubular body 1.
[0029]
The outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 includes flat portions along the circumferential
direction of the cross-section, the flat portions each having a width of 2 mm or more.
A width B1 of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 along the ridges 2-1 to 2-4 is 2 mm or
more. A width B2 of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 along the region other than the
ridges 2-1 to 2-4 is 10 mm or more. Now, the width of the flange means a length in a
direction perpendicular to the cross-section circumferential direction of the outward
flange region (the length of only the flat portion, not including a curved portion).
[0030]
This description will be made about the case where spot welding with the set
plate is not performed on the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 along the ridges 2-1 to 2-4, but
on outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 along the region other than the ridges 2-1 to 2-4. The
present invention is not limited to this case. As illustrated in Figure ID, the outward
flanges 5-1 to 5-4 may be provided at least in the range along the ridges 2-1 to 2-4, and
as illustrated in Figure 1E, it is preferable that, in addition to the ridges 2-1 to 2-4,
outward flanges 5-5 and 5-6 are provided on short-side side wall portions 6-1 and 6-2,
such that all portions other than the groove portions are provided with the outward
flanges. As illustrated in Figure IF, it is more preferable that an outward flange 5-7 is
provided on the entire circumference of the cross-section.
The width of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 is 2 mm or more in portions where
laser welding or fillet arc welding is to be performed, and 10 mm or more in portions
where spot welding will be performed.
[003 11
The cross-sectional shape of the groove portions 3-1 and 3-2 each have
substantial trapezoid or triangular shape, the groove depth of which is 10 to 35 inin. If
the width of the bottom of the groove portions 3-1 and 3-2 is insufficient, or if the depth
of the groove bottoms 3-1 and 3-2 is insufficient, the buckling deformation of the
tubular body 1 becomes unstable, and it is thus difficult to obtain sufficiently the
advantageous effect of improving an impact energy absorbing performance that is
brought by the provision of the groove portions 3-1 and 3-2.
[0032]
The length of the tubular body 1 in its axis direction is 80 to 300 mm, from the
practical viewpoint.
The sheet thickness of the tubular body 1 is assumed to be smaller than 1.4 mm,
but is not limited to this configuration, and can be 1.4 mm or larger. Note that the
sheet thickness is preferably smaller than 1.4 mm, more preferably 1.2 mm or smaller,
and most preferably 1.0 mm or smaller. The lower limit value of the sheet thickness of
the tubular body 1 is preferably 0.5 mm or higher, from the viewpoint of ensuring a
desired energy absorption. This allows achieving the reduction of the crash box 0 in
weight.
[0033]
The material of the tubular body 1 is assumed to be made of a metal, and
preferably made of a steel sheet, more preferably made of a high-tensile steel sheet
having a tensile strength of 440 MPa or higher, and still more preferably made of a
high-tensile steel sheet having a tensile strength of 590 MPa or higher.
[0034]
Figure 2 is an illustrative diagram illustrating the state where the tubular body
1 and a set plate 7, which constitute the crash box 0, are attached to each other.
[0035]
As illustrated in Figure 2, the crash box 0 includes the tubular body 1, which is
described above, and the set plate 7. The set plate 7 is attached to the tubular body 1
with the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 provided in one end portion of the tubular body 1
interposed therebetween, by welding. One such welding is laser welding, fillet arc
welding, spot welding, or the like.
[0036]
Figure 3 is an illustrative diagram schematically illustrating locking sections
8-1 to 8-4 that are provided in the set plate 7, where Figure 3A is a plan view of the set
plate 7, Figure 3B is a cross sectional view of the set plate 7 taken along the line I-I, and
Figure 3C is an illustrative diagram scheinatically illustrating the state where the tubular
body 1 are the set plate 7 are combined with each other.
100371
As illustrated in Figure 3, the set plate 7 includes the locking sections 8-1 to
8-4. The locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 are provided projecting from a surface of the plate
7. The locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 are butted against the inner surface of the tubular
body 1 to retain one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body 1.
That is, the locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 support the portions, along the ridges 2-1 to 2-4,
of the curved portions (rise-up curvature portions) of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 in
one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body 1, from the inside of the
main body 1. The locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 preferably retain all the portions of the
curved portions (rise-up curvature portions) of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 excluding
the groove bottom portion, from the inside of the tubular body 1.
[0038]
As seen above, the locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 preferably have curved portions
8a that are configured to be butted against the curved portions (rise-up curvature
portions) of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 so as to support the curved portions.
[0039]
Note that it is preferable that the set plate 7 is formed integrally. In this case,
instead of forming the four locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 individually, but for example, the
locking sections 8-1 and 8-4 may be integrally and consecutively formed while the
locking sections 8-2 and 8-3 may be integrally and consecutively formed. In addition,
locking sections 8-5 and 8-6 may be further provided together with the locking sections
8-1 and, 8-4. The locking sections 8-5 and 8-6 retain portions corresponding to the
groove portions 3-1 and 3-2 from the inside of the tubular body 1.
The locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 may exist in the curved portions (rise-up
curvature portions) of the flanges of the tubular body 1, for example, in the portions
corresponding to R1 to 10 mm. The locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 each preferably have a
height that is about one to ten times the sheet thickness of a metal sheet forming the
flange. The set plate 7 is manufactured by pressing, for example, a steel sheet having a
tensile strength of 270 to 980 MPa-class.
[0040]
The crash box 0 according to the present invention is configured as described
above.
2. Method for Manufacturing Crash box 0
Figure 6 is an illustrative diagram schematically illustrating a method for
producing the crash box 0 according to the present invention, where Figure 6A
illustrates a first step, Figure 6B illustrates a second step, and Figure 6C illustrates a
third step.
[0041]
The tubular body 1 that constitutes the crash box 0 through:
First Step: producing two press molded bodies 10 each having an open cross-section
from developed blanks, which will be described later (Figure 6A); and
Second Step: producing the tubular body 1 from the two press molded bodies 10 and 10
(Figure 6B).
[0042]
Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 6C, the crash box 0 including the tubular
body 1 and the set plate 7 is produced through a third step of attaching the set plate 7,
by spot welding or the like, to the tubular body 1 that is produced through the second
step. Note that the two press molded bodies 10 and 10 both have an open
cross-sectional shape that is obtained by dividing the tubular body 1 into substantially
two equal portions by a plane including the central axis of the tubular body 1
[First Step]
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of
a pressing device 11 for producing the press molded body 10.
[0043]
In the first step, the pressing device 11 is used as illustrated in Figure 4. The
pressing device 11 includes a punch 12, a die 13, and a pad 14. The punch 12 includes
a groove portion 12a that extends in one direction (the longitudinal direction), and a side
wall 12b that is provided in an end portion in the longitudinal direction. The die 13 is
disposed facing the punch 12. The pad 14 includes a protrusion 14a that extends in the
longitudinal direction and is disposed facing the punch 12.
[0044]
By press molding the developed blanks 15 using the pressing device 11, two
press molded bodies 10, namely, a first press molded body 10-1 and a second press
molded body 10-2 are produced. The two press molded bodies 10 have groove
portions 3-1 and 3-2 that run in one direction and includes outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4
that are formed in one end portion of a longitudinal direction.
In the press molding in the first step, the developed blank 15 is depressed into
the groove portion 12a of the punch 12 by the protrusion 14a provided in the pad 14,
and the developed blank 15 is bent by the die 13 and the punch 12. This yields a metal
sheet provided with a groove portion 3-1 that runs in the longitudinal direction and
outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2 that are formed in an end portion in the longitudinal
direction, in at least regions along a circumferential direction in the cross-section
excluding the groove portion 3-1. Hereafter, the pad 14 will be also referred to as a
nonnal pad.
[0045]
Note that the developed blank 15 refers to a blank having an external shape
obtained by developing the press molded body 10 to a flat shape.
The above description of the first step is made about a method of press molding
using the pressing device 11, but the first step is not limited to this molding method.
100461
As the other molding method, for example, a pressing device 16 illustrated in
Figure 5 can be used.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the
pressing device 16 that is the other pressing device for producing the press molded body
10.
[0047]
The pressing device 16 includes a punch 12 and a die 13 and further includes a
pad 17 (hereafter, also referred to as a ridge pad). The punch 12 includes a groove
portion 12a that extends in one direction, and a side wall 12b that is provided in an end
portion in the longitudinal direction. The die 13 is disposed facing the punch 12.
The pad 17 includes a protrusion 17a that is disposed facing the punch 12 and runs in
one direction, and restraining portions 17b that restrain the vicinity of portions in the
developed blank 15 that are to be molded into ridges 2-1 and 2-2 in the vicinity of the
outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2.
[0048]
In press molding, the restraining portions 17b restrain the portions in the
developed blank 15 that are to be molded into the ridges 2-1 and 2-2 in the vicinity of
the outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2. In addition, the protrusion 17a of the ridge pad 17
depresses the developed blank 15 to the groove portion 12a of the punch 12.
Furthermore, the die 13 and the punch 12 bend the developed blank 15. This
suppresses poor molding that occurs in the outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2 along the ridges
2-1 and 2-2 in press molding.
[0049]
This produces the press molded body 10, the open cross-section of which has
the groove portion 3-1 extending in the longitudinal direction and the outward flanges
5-1 and 5-2, in an end portion in the longitudinal direction, the outward flanges 5-1 and
5-2 being continuous in the entire or a part of the region along the cross-section
circumferential direction.
[0050]
If portions or the like right under the ridge pad 17 corresponding to the ridges
2-1 and 2-2 are not completely molded in the molding process using the ridge pad 17,
the portions may be molded by following press working that includes bending (restrike),
which is performed in typical press molding.
[Second Step]
In the second step, the first press molded body 10-1 and the second press
molded body 10-2 are made to overlap each other at plane portions that are formed at
both ends of their cross-section circumferential direction, and the overlapping portions
are attached to each other by appropriate welding means such as laser welding and spot
welding, so as to produce the tubular body 1.
[Third Step]
In the third step, the tubular body 1 obtained in the second step is welded to the
set plate 7 with the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 interposed therebetween, by welding
means such as laser welding, spot welding, and fillet arc welding. As the set plate 7, it
is preferable to use a set plate provided with the locking sections 8-1 to 8-4.
[005 11
In the above description, the employed form is a form that includes the
continuous outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 in the region excluding the groove portion, but is
not limited to this form, and may be a form in which the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4
formed in the above region have notches in portions of the flanges other than those
corresponding to the ridges 2-1 to 2-4 excluding the groove portions.
[0052]
The width or shape of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 can be modified as
appropriate by adjusting the shape of the developed blank 15.
EXAMPLE
[0053]
Deformation behavior in the press molding of developed blanks into the press
molded bodies 10-1 and 10-2 (the first and the second press molded bodies) using the
pressing device 11 including the normal pad 14 illustrated in Figure 4 or the pressing
device 16 including the ridge pad 17 illustrated in Figure 5, was analyzed by Finite
Element Method) (Analysis 1).
[0054]
Figure 7 is an illustrative diagram schematically illustrating shapes of
developed blanks 15-1 and 15-2 in the example.
[0055]
As the developed blanks, as illustrated in Figure 7A and 7B, the blanks 15-1
and 15-2 of two types were used that were adjusted such that the outward flanges 5-1 to
5-4 to be formed in an end portion of the tubular body 1 were formed in the entire
region in the cross-section circumferential direction excluding parts of region along the
groove portions 3-1 and 3-2. The developed blank 15-1 was formed such that the
width of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 was substantially uniform and 15 mm. The
developed blank 15-2 was formed such that the width of the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4
along the ridges 2-1 to 2-4 was 2 mm and the width of the other portions was 15 mm.
[0056]
Figure 8 is an illustrative diagram schematically illustrating the shapes of a
press molded body 10-pattern A and a press molded body 10-pattern B in the examples,
where Figure 8A illustrates the case of using the developed blank 15-1, and Figure 8B
illustrates the case of using the developed blank 15-2.
[0057]
Next, molded bodies were made to overlap each other at plane portions, the
molded bodies being each of two first press molded bodies 10-pattern A and two second
press molded body 10-pattern B to which flanges are added in groove bottom portions,
the plane portions each being formed at bat11 ends in a cross-section circumferential
direction of each of the molded bodies, and the overlapping portions are subjected to
spot welding to produce a tubular body 1 that includes outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4.
[0058]
Next, a crash box 0 was assembled, which includes the tubular body 1 and a set
plate 7 that is subjected to spot welding with the outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4 provided in
an end portion of the tubular body 1 interposed therebetween, and buckling behavior at
the time of applying impact load to one end of the tubular body 1 constituting the crash
box 0 was analyzed by Finite Element Method (Analysis 2).
[0059]
Note that there were two loading directions of the impact load, a direction
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tubular body 1 and a direction that inclines 5
degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction.
[0060]
The tubular body 1 had a length of 120 mm and a cross-sectional dimension of
64 mm x 93 mm.
The material of the blanks 15-1 and 15-2 were JSC440W (The Japan Iron and
Steel Federation Standard (JFS Standard)), which is a 440 MPa-class cold-rolled steel
sheet, and JSC590R (JFS Standard), which is a 590 MPa-class cold-rolled steel sheet,
and there were two levels of sheet thickness, 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm.
[0061]
In addition, the influence of the presencelabsence of the locking sections 8-1 to
8-4 in the set plate 7 was also examined. The locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 each have
shapes corresponding to the shape of a curved portion (rise-up curvature portion),
having an inner R of 2 to 4 mm, and the height of the locking sections 8-1 to 8-4 is
about 3 to 7 min, which is somewhat higher than the value of the inner R.
[0062]
As a conventional example, a similar analysis was conducted on a crash box
produced by performing butt arc welding on a known tubular body that was butted
against a set plate, the known tubular body having the cross-sectional shape of the
tubular body 1 described above and not including outward flanges 5-1 to 5-4. The
material of the blank was JSC440W, and there were two levels of sheet thickness, 1.0
mm and 1.2 mm.
[0063]
Table 1 shows the results of Analysis 1. As illustrated in Table 1, both the
developed blanks 15-1 and 15-2 can yield a.press molded body that includes groove
portions 3-1 and 3-2 that extends in their longitudinal direction, and outward flanges 5-1
and 5-2 or outward flanges 5-3 and 5-4 in an end portion of the longitudinal direction,
but with the developed blank 15-1, as compared with the developed blank 15-2, there is
a large increase in sheet thickness at the roots of the outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2 or the
outward flanges 5-3 and 5-4 along ridges 2-1 and 2-2 or ridges 2-3 and 2-4, in press
molding, and there is a large decrease in sheet thickness at the edges of the outward
flanges 5-1 and 5-2 or the outward flanges 5-3 and 5-4 along the ridges 2-1 and 2-2 or
the ridges 2-3 and 2-4.
[0064]
Alternatively, in the case of using the ridge pad 17, an increase in sheet
thickness at the roots and a decrease in sheet thickness at the edges are small, which is
good as compared with the case of using the normal pad 14. Therefore, from the
viewpoint of avoiding the occurrence wrinkles with the increase in sheet thickness and
the occurrence of flange cracks with the decrease in sheet thickness, it is desirable to
perform press molding using the ridge pad 17. In addition, it is desirable, as the
developed blank 15-2, to make the width of the outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2 or the
outward flanges 5-3 and 5-4 along the vicinity of the ridges 2-1 and 2-2 or the ridges
2-3 and 2-4 smaller than the width of the outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2 or the outward
flanges 5-3 and 5-4 in the other region.
[0065]
[Table 11
*1 :Outer end portions of outward flang
*2:Root portions of outward flanges
[0066]
Table 2 shows principal conditions of Analysis 2, and Table 3 and Table 4 show
the analysis results and weldabilities in comparison.
[0067]
[Table 21
Number
1
2
3
Material
JSC590R
JSC590R
JSC590R
Sheet
thickness
l.Ornm
l.Omm
l.Ornm
Sheet thickness fluctuations in the vicinity of ridges
Developed
blank
A
B
A
Decreasing rate in sheet
thickness *1
22%
15%
17%
Pad
Normal pad
Normal pad
Ridge pad
Increase rate in sheet
thickness *2
35%
3%
19%
[0068]
[Table 31
direction of tubular bady.
about an axis of rotation that
direction of tubular bod
perpendicular to longitudinal
example 30 1.2mm other portions direction of tubular body,
Conventional
example 2
JSC 440W
1.2mrn Absent Absent
about an axis of rotation that
is an axis perpendicular to
top surface
Perpendicular to longitudinal
direction of tubular body
r1:Ratio of absorbed energy at a stroke of 90 mm, it is 100% with a conventional example 2 (to be described)
*Z:Ratio of absorbed energy of per unit weight at a stroke of 90 mm. it is 100% with the conventional example 2 (to be described)
[0069]
[Table 41
*l:Ratio of absorbed energy at a stroke of 90 mm, it is 100% with the conventional example 2
*2:Ratio of absorbed energy of per unit weight at a stroke of 90 mm, it is 100% with the
conventional example 2
*3:"Somewhat poor" means that "it can produce a good product, but it is inferior to Inventive
Examples in the stability of welding in mass production"
[0070]
As shown in Tables 2 and 3, the conventional Example 1 has a sheet thickness
of 1.0 mm, which causes bum-through to easily occur in butt arc welding, making it
difficult to produce the crash box.
. [0071]
In contrast to this, with the inventive examples 1 to 5, it is possible to perform
spot welding on the tubular body 1 to the set plate 7 with the outward flanges 5-1 and
5-2 or the outward flanges 5-3 and 5-4 interposed therebetween, which is available for
an impact energy absorbing structure for an automobile body. In particular, it was
found about the inventive examples 1,2, and 4, in which the locking sections 8-1 to 8-4
provided in the set plate 7 support the ridges 2-1 to 2-4 of the tubular body 1 from the
inside thereof, that the sheet thickness thereof is 1.0 mm, but a collapse of root R
portions toward the inside of the cross section in an end portion in the longitudinal
direction is suppressed, resulting in a very stable buckling behavior, as with the
conventional example 2 the sheet thickness of which is 1.2 inm.
[0072]
In addition, as illustrated by the inventive example 5, it was found that the
crash box exhibits stable buckling behavior even when a face to collide (impactor)
inclines with respect to a face perpendicular to the longitudinal direction axis of the
tubular body 1. Note that, in the inventive example 3, a phenomenon was recognized
that the root R portions of the outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2 or the outward flanges 5-3
and 5-4 slightly collapses toward the inside of the cross section, in the initial stage of
impactor stroke.
[0073]
According to the present invention, it is possible to attach, by spot welding or
the like, the tubular body 1 to the set plate 7 with the outward flanges 5-1 and 5-2 or the
outward flanges 5-3 and 5-4 interposed therebetween, enabling the prevention of poor
welding such as bum-through in conventional butt arc welding even for a tubular body
1 having a small sheet thickness, and thus it is possible to produce a lightweight crash
box having an excellent impact energy absorbing performance.
[0074]
In addition, it is understood by comparing between the inventive examples 9
and 10 with the conventional example 2 in Tables 2 and 4 that, according to the present
invention, it is possible to ensure a good weldability while keeping substantially the
same energy absorption and stable buckling behavior as those of the conventional
example.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0075]
0 Crash box
1 Tubular body
2-1 to 2-4 Ridge
3-1,3-2 Groove portion
5-1 to 5-4 Outward flange

We claim:
[Claim 11
A crash box comprising a longer-length metallic tubular body,
the tubular body having a basic cross-sectional shape that is a polygon
surrounded by a plurality of ridges extending in one direction and a plurality of side
wall portions, the tubular body including one or more groove portions in side wall
portions on long sides that are substantially parallel to a major axis direction of the cross
section, the groove portions extending in the one direction, and the tubular hody
including outward flanges in an end portion in the one direction.
[Claim 21
The crash box according to claim 1, wherein the polygon is a flat polygon.
[Claim 31
The crash box according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outward flanges are
provided in all the ridges excluding at least regions of the end portion corresponding to
a groove portion.
[Claim 41
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein the outward
flanges are molded integrally with the tubular hody.
[Claim 51
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 4, wherein the tubular
body is a press molded body of the metal sheet.
[Claim 61
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the metal
sheet has a sheet thickness of 1.2 mm or smaller.
[Claim 71
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the metal
sheet has a sheet thickness of 1.0 mm or smaller.
[Claim 81
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 7, wherein the metal
sheet is a steel sheet having a tensile strength of 440 MPa or higher.
[Claim 91
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 7, wherein the metal
sheet is a steel sheet having a tensile strength of 590 MPa or higher.
[Claim 101
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 9, wherein the polygon
is a substantial quadrilateral.
[Claim 111
The crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim 10, further comprising
a set plate that is welded with the outward flanges interposed therebetween.
[Claim 121
The crash box according to claim 11, wherein the set plate includes a locking
section that is provided projecting from a surface of the plate and is butted against an
inner surface of an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body.
[Claim 131
The crash box according to claim 12, wherein the locking section includes a
curved portion that is butted against a curved portion formed in an end portion in one
direction of the tubular body so as to support the curved portion.
[Claim 141
A method for producing the crash box according to any one of claim 1 to claim
10, the method comprising following First Step and Second Step;
First Step: a step of, using a pressing device including: a punch that includes a
groove portion that extends in one direction and a side wall provided in an end portion
in the one direction; a die that is disposed facing the punch; and a pad that includes a
protrusion extending in the one direction, to depress a developed blank of the tubular
body into the groove portion of the punch by a protrusion of the pad and bend the
developed blank using the die and the punch, so as to produce two press molded bodies
with an open cross-section, the press molded bodies each having a basic cross-sectional
shape that is a polygon surrounded by a plurality of ridges extending in the one
direction and a plurality of side wall portions, the press molded bodies each including I
one or more groove portions in side wall portions on long sides substantially parallel a
major axis direction of the cross section, the groove portions extending in the one
direction, and the press molded bodies each including outward flanges in an end portion
in the one direction, the outward flanges being continuous in a part of region along a
cross-section circumferential direction; and
Second Step: a step of overlapping and welding the two press molded bodies
produced through the first step, at plane portions that are each formed at both ends in a
cross-section circumferential direction of each of the two press molded bodies, so as to
produce the tubular body.
[Claim 151
The method for producing a crash box according to claim 14, wherein the pad
includes restraining portions that restrain portions in the developed blank to be molded
into ridges in a vicinity of outward flanges, the portions in the developed blank to be
molded into the ridge in the vicinity of the outward flanges are retained by the
re~training~portions.
[Claim 161
A method of producing the crash box according to any one of claim 11 to claim
13, the method comprising following First Step, Second Step, and Third Step;
First Step: a step of, using a pressing device including: a punch that includes a
groove portion that extends in one direction and a side wall provided in an end portion
in the one direction; a die that is disposed facing the punch; and a pad that includes a
protrusion extending in the one direction, to depress a developed blank of the tubular
body into the groove portion of the punch by a protrusion of the pad and bend the
developed blank using the die and the punch, so as to produce two press molded bodies
with an open cross-section, the press molded bodies each having a basic cross-sectional
shape that is a polygon surrounded by a plurality of ridges extending in the one
direction and a plurality of side wall portions, the press molded bodies each including
one or more groove portions in side wall portions on long sides substantially parallel a
major axis direction of the cross section, the groove portions extending in the one
direction, and the press molded bodies each including outward flanges in an end portion
in the one direction, the outward flanges being continuous in a part of region along a
cross-section circumferential direction; and
Second Step: a step of overlapping and welding the two press molded bodies
produced through the first step, at plane portions that are each fonned at both ends in a
cross-section circumferential direction of each of the two press molded bodies, so as to
produce the tubular body.
Third Step: a step of overlapping the tubular body obtained through the second
step and the set plate with the outward flanges interposed therebetween, and attaching
the tubular body to the set plate by spot welding, fillet arc welding, or laser welding.
[Claim 171
The method for producing a crash box according to claim 16, wherein the set
plate includes a locking section that is provided projecting from a surface of the plate
and is butted against an inner surface of an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the
tubular body.