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Framework Member And Vehicle Body Structure

Abstract: This framework structure comprises: a corner part extending in the longitudinal direction; a first wall part extending from an end of the corner part in the short direction; and a second wall part extending from an end, of the corner part, on a side opposite to the abovementioned end. The corner part has formed therein a deformation start section that is shaped to protrude from the bending inner side or outer side of the corner part and that serves as a starting point of deformation when load is inputted in the longitudinal direction of the framework member. An average value H(K1) of hardness at a first position that is 10 mm away from an end of the deformation start section in the longitudinal direction outward of the deformation start section along the longitudinal direction and that is located at a 1/4 depth of the thickness of the framework member from the surface is a Vickers hardness of at least 330 Hv. A standard deviation s of a hardness frequency distribution at the first position satisfies a relationship of 3s = 60.

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Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
09 September 2021
Publication Number
52/2021
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
ELECTRONICS
Status
Email
patents@remfry.com
Parent Application
Patent Number
Legal Status
Grant Date
2024-02-05
Renewal Date

Applicants

NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
6-1, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1008071

Inventors

1. TODA Yuri
c/o NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION, 6-1, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1008071
2. KUBOTA Hiroaki
c/o NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION, 6-1, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1008071

Specification

[0001]The present invention relates to a frame member and a vehicle body structure. The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-063420 filed in Japan on March 28, 2019, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein. [Background Art] [0002] In related art, metallic sheets are processed into members having specific cross-sectional shapes, and these members are used as frame members of a vehicle body structure for an automobile. These frame members need to achieve weight reduction and have a sufficient load resistance. In recent years, materials having high strength, such as a high-tensile steel sheet, are therefore widely employed. On the other hand, when an impact of a collision is applied to a product including the frame member, the frame member needs to be deformed in a desired deformation mode to efficiently absorb the impact. [0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for controlling a deformation mode of an impact absorption member of an automobile by partially forming, in the impact absorption member, a lower strength part as a starting point of deformation. More specifically, the impact absorption member is formed with a recessed bead having a wedge-shaped cross section from a corner section to a wall section, and this recessed bead functions as the starting point of deformation. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document] [0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2 2013-43562 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] [0005] However, in a case where a high strength material is used for a frame member to achieve the weight reduction, it is necessary to consider an elongation property of the frame member when the frame member is being deformed. For example, when a frame member having a deformation starting portion is deformed by collision, deformation tends to occur locally at the deformation starting portion and the surrounding portion. In this case, it is difficult to realize an expected deformation mode if the high strength material of the related art is employed, and thus, it is difficult to achieve an expected energy absorption performance. [0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problem described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a frame member and a vehicle body structure which are novel and improved and which make it possible to improve an impact absorption performance of the frame member in a case that a high strength material is used for a frame member, by reliably controlling a bending deformation mode in which a deformation occurs from the deformation starting portion at the time of collision. [Means for Solving the Problem] [0007] To solve the above problem, the present invention employs following configurations. (1) A first aspect of the present invention is a frame member extending in a longitudinal direction, including a corner section extending along the longitudinal direction; a first wall section extending from an end portion of the corner section in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; and a second wall section extending from an opposite end portion of the corner section, wherein the corner section is formed with a deformation starting portion from which a deformation starts when a load is input 3 to the frame member in the longitudinal direction, the deformation starting portion having a shape protruding to an inner bending side or an outer bending side of the corner section, and an average hardness value H(KI> at a first region is equal to or greater than 330 Hv in Vickers hardness, and a 3-sigma range of a standard deviation o in a frequency distribution of the hardness at the first region is equal to or greater than 60, the first region being located at a portion outwardly apart from an end portion of the deformation starting portion in the longitudinal direction by 10 mm in the longitudinal direction, at a depth of 1/4 thickness of the frame member from a surface. (2) In the frame member according to the above (1), an average hardness value H(K2) at a second region may satisfy 1.06xH(K2) is controlled to be equal to or greater than 330 Hv in Vickers hardness and 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in terms of the Vickers hardness is controlled to be equal to or greater than 60 (3o>60). This frequency distribution of the hardness may be realized, for example, by refining the prior austenite grains in a complex microstructure including ferrite, bainite, fresh martensite, tempered martensite, and residual austenite, and then adjusting a precipitation order of the respective microstructure, such that ferrite, bainite, fresh martensite, tempered martensite, and residual austenite are finely dispersed at a various ratio in an area of an indentation of the Vickers hardness measuring test. As shown in Fig. 6, the frequency distribution of the hardness of the steel sheet having a ferrite-martensite dual phase structure exhibits a narrow 3-sigma range (3a). On the other hand, the frequency distribution of the hardness of the steel sheet having a complex structure in which fresh martensite, tempered martensite, ferrite, bainite, and a residual austenite are finely dispersed exhibits a broad 3-sigma range, because each 13 microstructure has a different hardness. Therefore, by suitably controlling the microstructure of the first region Kl, it is possible to realize 3-sigma range of equal to or greater than 60 (3o>60). [0033] Further, the microstructure may be locally controlled by employing a mechanism of a "processing induced transformation hardening" in the deformation starting portion 130. In this case, if an average hardness obtained at the second region K2 of the top section 111 shown in Fig. 1 is defined as H(K2), the value of H(KI> becomes larger than the value of H(K2) as shown in Fig. 5, and a relationship of H(K2)Xl.06 in Vickers hardness is equal to or greater than 330 Hv, the strength of a whole of the frame member 100 including a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130 can be fully secured, thus, the load resistance improves. As a result, the impact absorption performance of the frame member 100 further improves. [0035] Further, if 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the Vickers hardness obtained at the first region Kl is equal to or greater than 60 (3o>60), the distribution of the hardness at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130 has a certain range. That is, a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130 of the frame member 100 has a broad hardness range including a relatively low value and a relatively high value. As a result, when a load is applied to the frame member 100 to generate a deformation, whcih occurs from the deformation starting portion 130, at an area including a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130, the generation of the strain caused by this deformation continuously occurs in accordance with an internal stress of the frame member 100. That is, yielding phenomenon occurs continuously when the deformation occurs at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130, whereby the deformability of the frame member 100 further improves. [0036] Here, the frequency distribution of the hardness of the frame member 100 according to the first embodiment can be obtained by performing Vickers hardness test. First, a test sample is cut out from a part including a measuring portion. The size of the test sample may be 10 mm x 10 mm, depending on the measuring device. 15 In the test sample thus obtained, mechanical grinding process is performed to a surface by a depth of 1/4 sheet thickness. Then, to the test sample to which the measurement surface has been prepared based on JIS Z 2244: 2009, measurements are performed by using a micro-Vickers hardness tester in accordance with a method described in JIS Z 2244: 2009. More specifically, measurements are performed by applying a load of 0.98 N at 500 measurement points with an interval of equal to or greater than three times the diameter of the indentation. [0037] Further, in the frequency distribution of the hardness of the frame member 100 according to this embodiment obtained by the above explained Vickers hardness test, a known statistical method can be used to obtain values such as an average hardness value H(Ki) and a standard deviation o. [0038] Further, 1-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the hardness obtained at the first region Kl may be equal to or less than 20 (lo<20). In this case, in the frequency distribution of the hardness obtained at the first region Kl, the dispersion of the hardness is controlled within a certain range so that the occurrence of the crack due to the drastic change in the hardness can be suppressed. [0039] Further, 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the Vickers hardness obtained at the first region Kl may be equal to or less than 200 (3o<200). In this case, in the frequency distribution of the hardness obtained at the first region Kl, the dispersion of the hardness is controlled within a certain range so that the occurrence of the crack due to the drastic change in the hardness can be suppressed. [0040] According to the first embodiment, in the frame member 100 including the deformation starting portion 130, the hardness obtained at the first region Kl which is located at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130 has a certain 16 distribution. That is, the 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in a frequency distribution of the hardness obtained at the first region Kl is equal to or greater than 60 (3o>60). Further, in the frequency distribution of the hardness, the average hardness value H(Ki) is equal to or greater than 330 Hv. Thus, the distribution of the hardness of the frame member 100 has a certain range from a relatively lower value to a relatively higher value of the hardness, with an average value at the center of the range. As a result, when a deformation occurs from the deformation starting portion 130, the frame member 100 exhibits a sufficient load resistance and suppresses the occurrence of the crack due to the hardness change and locally concentrated strain, whereby the energy absorption amount of the frame member 100 increases. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the impact absorption performance of the frame member 100. [0041] Further, according to the first embodiment, the deformation starting portion 130 has a shape protruding to the inner bending side of the corner section 113, which is a structurally lower strength part, and the hardness obtained at the first region Kl located at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130 is controlled to have a certain distribution. With this configuration, when compared to a case in which the deformation starting portion 130 is simply softened to reduce the strength, the buckling deformation does not occur by a small load of the axial crushing, and thus the deformation starting portion 130 is deformed in a desired deformation mode. As a result, the frame member 100 according to the first embodiment can sufficiently secure an energy absorption amount. [0042] In the first embodiment, the first region Kl where the hardness distribution is obtained is located at a portion outwardly apart from the first corner-part 131a of the deformation starting portion 130 by a distance L=10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the first region Kl where the hardness distribution is obtained may be located at a portion outwardly apart from the second corner-part 131b of the 17 deformation starting portion 130 by a distance L=10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 100. Further, two of the first regions Kl may be set. In this case, each first region Kl is located at a portion outwardly apart from each of the first corner-part 131a and the second corner-part 131b of the deformation starting portion 130 by a distance L=10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 100. [0043] <2. Second embodiment Hereinafter, a frame member 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the frame member 100 according to the second embodiment. The frame member 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a point that the deformation starting portion 130A is provided so as to protrude to the outer bending side of the corner section 113. In the explanation of the second embodiment, some of mutual configurations which have already been explained in the first embodiment will be omitted. [0044] As shown in Fig. 7, the deformation starting portion 130A is partially formed at a middle part of the corner section 113 in the longitudinal direction. The deformation starting portion 130A is formed along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the corner section 113. The deformation starting portion 130A has a shape protruding to the outer bending side of the corner section 113. [0045] In the deformation starting portion 130A of the frame member 100 according to the second embodiment, as same as the first embodiment, the hardness obtained at the first region Kl, which is located at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion Kl, has a certain distribution. More specifically, the first region Kl is set at a portion outwardly apart from R-end points of the corner section in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 100 (Y direction in Fig. 7) by a distance L=10mm, at a 18 depth of 1/4 thickness of the frame member 100 in the sheet thickness direction. The depth in the sheet thickness direction is a depth from the surface continuing to an outer bending side surface of the corner section (surface of the closed cross section of the frame member 100). [0046] Further, regarding the hardness obtained at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130A of the frame member 100 according to the second embodiment, the hardness obtained at the first region Kl is controlled to have a certain frequency distribution of the hardness. More specifically, in the frequency distribution of the hardness, an average hardness value H(KI> is controlled to be equal to or greater than 330 Hv. Further, 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the hardness is equal to or greater than 60 (3o>60). [0047] According to the second embodiment, even if the deformation starting portion 130A has a shape protruding to the outer bending side of the corner section 113, the frequency distribution of the hardness is suitably controlled at the first region Kl located at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130A. As a result, when the deformation occurs from the deformation starting portion 130A, the frame member 100 exhibits a sufficient load resistance, and the crack caused due to the difference in hardness or the local concentration of stress can be suppressed, whereby the expected deformation mode can be realized. Therefore, the energy absorption amount of the frame member 100 increases. Accordingly, the impact absorption performance of the frame member 100 further improves. [0048] <3. Third embodiment A frame member 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will subsequently be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of the frame member 200 according to the third embodiment. The frame member 200 according to the third embodiment has a 19 rectangular tubular shape and is different from the first embodiment in this point. In the explanation of the third embodiment, some of mutual configurations which have already been explained in the above embodiments will be omitted. [0049] As shown in Fig. 8, for example, the frame member 200 extends in the Y direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction. Fig. 8 shows that the frame member 200 is a member having a hollow rectangular shape and has a closed cross section in the X-Z plane cross section in which the normal direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the frame member 200. The frame member 200 includes a pair of first wall sections 211, corner sections 213 provided on end portions of the first wall section 211 in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z direction in Fig. 8), and a pair of second wall sections 215 provided in the direction perpendicular to the first wall section 211 from each of the corner sections 213. [0050] The deformation starting portion 230 is partially formed at a middle part of the corner section 213 in the longitudinal direction. The deformation starting portion 230 is formed along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the corner section 213. The deformation starting portion 230 has a shape protruding to the inner bending side of the corner section 213. In other words, the deformation starting portion 230 is provided in a shape of a groove in the corner section 213. [0051] At the first region Kl which is located at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 230, the frequency distribution of the hardness is controlled to have a certain distribution. Specifically, in the frequency distribution of the hardness, the average hardness value H(KI> is controlled to be equal to or greater than 330 Hv. Further, 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in this frequency distribution of the hardness is equal to or greater than 60 (3o>60). [0052] 20 According to this third embodiment, even if the frame member 200 has a rectangular tubular shape, when the deformation occurs from the deformation starting portion 230A, the frame member 200 exhibits a sufficient load resistance, and the crack caused due to the difference in hardness or the local concentration of stress can be suppressed, whereby the expected deformation mode can be realized. Therefore, the energy absorption amount of the frame member 200 increases. Accordingly, the impact absorption performance of the frame member 200 further improves. [0053] [Applicable examples of the frame member according to the embodiments of the present invention] Preferable embodiments of the present invention have been explained in detail. Applicable examples of the frame member according to the embodiments of the present invention will be further explained with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows an example of a vehicle body structure 300 to which the frame members 100 and 200 according to the embodiments of the present invention are applied. The frame member 100 or 200 may be used as part of the vehicle body structure 300, to expect a function of an impact absorption frame. The frame member 100 or 200 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction thereof corresponds to the vehicle-longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the vehicle body structure 300. Further, in the vehicle body structure 300, the frame member 100 or 200 may be used as an impact absorption frame. Specifically, a rear side member 301, an apron upper member 303, a crush box 305, and a front side member 307 are examples of the impact absorption frame to which the frame member 100 or 200 is applied. [Example] [0054] To evaluate the properties of the frame member according to the present invention, frame members having a shape as shown in Fig. 1 were formed to perform axial compression tests. 21 In the Comparative Example 1, the hardness obtained at the first region Kl which is located at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion, 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the hardness was 40 (3o=40). Similarly in the Example 1, 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the hardness was 76 (3o=76). Further, similarly in the Example 2, 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the hardness was 151 (3o=151). In these Comparative Example and the Examples, the average value in the frequency distribution was equal to or greater than 330 Hv. [0055] The first region Kl was set at a portion outwardly apart from R-end points Rl and R2 of the first corner-part 131a by a distance L=10mm, at a depth of 1/4 thickness of the frame member 100 in the sheet thickness direction. [0056] Inputting the load by pressing an impactor by 50 mm from the longitudinal direction of the frame member (Y direction in Fig. 1), the deformation mode and the existence of the crack at the deformation starting portion of the frame member were evaluated. Table 1 shows the results. [0057] [Table 1] 3-sigma range in the frequency distribution of the hardness (3o) Strain at the deformation starting portion after collision (y) Existence of crack at the deformation starting portion Comparative Example 1 40 0.6 Exist Example 1 76 0.4 Not Exist Example 2 151 0.38 Not Exist [0058] 22 As shown in Table 1, in the Comparative Example 1, 3-sigma range of the standard deviation o in the frequency distribution of the hardness was smaller than 60. Thus, a lot of strains were generated in the deformation starting portion, whereby the crack occurred at the deformation starting portion. On the other hand, in the Example 1, 3-sigma range was 76 (3o=76), and a relationship of 3o>60 was satisfied; thus, the generation of the strain was suppressed at the deformation starting portion, and the crack did not occur at the deformation starting portion. The same applies to the Example 2 in which 3-sigma range was 151 (3o=151); the generation of the strain in the deformation starting portion was suppressed, and the crack did not occur. As shown above, if the first region Kl, which is located at a portion in the vicinity of the deformation starting portion 130, has a proper frequency distribution of the hardness, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the crack at the deformation starting portion 130. [0059] Preferable embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is apparent that a person who has typical knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can realize a variety of changes or modifications within the technical idea category set in the present application, and it is understood that the changes or modifications also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [0060] For example, in the above embodiments, the deformation starting portion 130, 130A, 230 is provided at the corner section 113, 213, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the deformation starting portion 130, 130A, 230 may be provided so as to extend from the corner section 113, 213 to the top section 111, 211, which corresponds to a first wall section. Further, the deformation starting portion 130, 130A, 230 may be provided so as to extend from the corner section 113, 213 to the vertical wall section 115, 215, which corresponds to a second wall section. [0061] 23 Further, in the above embodiments, the deformation starting portion 130, 130A, 230 is provided at one place in the corner section 113, 213. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, two or more deformation starting portions 130, 130A, 230 may be partially provided at middle parts of the corner section 113, 213 in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 100, 200. [0062] Further, in the above embodiments, the deformation starting portion 130, 130A, 230 has a structure of a rectangular cross section when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the frame member 100, 200, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the deformation starting portion 130, 130A, 230 may have an arc type cross section and a wedge type (V-type) cross section when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the frame member 100, 200. When these shapes are employed, the length (depth) d, which is a length in the protruding direction of the protruding shape of the deformation starting portion 130, 130A, 230, is a length from a surface of the frame member 100, 200 to the furthest portion from the surface in the protruding direction. [Industrial Applicability] [0063] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a frame member and a vehicle body structure which can improve the impact absorption performance of the frame member. [Brief Description of the Reference Symbols] [0064] 100^200 Frame member 110 First member 111, 211 Top section (First wall section) 113,213 Corner section 115, 215 Vertical wall section (Second wall section) 117 Flange section 24 120 Second member 130, 130A, 230 Deformation starting portion 300 Vehicle body structure WE CLAIMS 1.A frame member extending in a longitudinal direction, comprising: a corner section extending along the longitudinal direction; a first wall section extending from an end portion of the corner section in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; and a second wall section extending from an opposite end portion of the corner section, wherein the corner section is formed with a deformation starting portion from which a deformation starts when a load is input to the frame member in the longitudinal direction, the deformation starting portion having a shape protruding to an inner bending side or an outer bending side of the corner section, and an average hardness value H(KI> at a first region is equal to or greater than 330 Hv in Vickers hardness, and a 3-sigma range of a standard deviation o in a frequency distribution of hardness at the first region is equal to or greater than 60, the first region being located at a portion outwardly apart from an end portion of the deformation starting portion in the longitudinal direction by 10 mm in the longitudinal direction, at a depth of 1/4 thickness of the frame member from a surface. 2. The frame member according to claim 1, wherein an average hardness value H(K2) at a second region satisfies 1.06xH(K2)

Documents

Application Documents

# Name Date
1 202117040883-TRANSLATIOIN OF PRIOIRTY DOCUMENTS ETC. [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
2 202117040883-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
3 202117040883-REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION (FORM-18) [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
4 202117040883-PROOF OF RIGHT [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
5 202117040883-PRIORITY DOCUMENTS [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
6 202117040883-POWER OF AUTHORITY [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
7 202117040883-FORM 18 [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
8 202117040883-FORM 1 [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
9 202117040883-DRAWINGS [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
10 202117040883-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
11 202117040883-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [09-09-2021(online)].pdf 2021-09-09
12 202117040883.pdf 2021-10-19
13 202117040883-Verified English translation [10-12-2021(online)].pdf 2021-12-10
14 202117040883-FORM 3 [01-02-2022(online)].pdf 2022-02-01
15 202117040883-FER.pdf 2022-03-25
16 202117040883-OTHERS [23-05-2022(online)].pdf 2022-05-23
17 202117040883-FER_SER_REPLY [23-05-2022(online)].pdf 2022-05-23
18 202117040883-DRAWING [23-05-2022(online)].pdf 2022-05-23
19 202117040883-CLAIMS [23-05-2022(online)].pdf 2022-05-23
20 202117040883-ABSTRACT [23-05-2022(online)].pdf 2022-05-23
21 202117040883-PatentCertificate05-02-2024.pdf 2024-02-05
22 202117040883-IntimationOfGrant05-02-2024.pdf 2024-02-05

Search Strategy

1 202117040883searchstrategyE_24-03-2022.pdf

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