Joints and connections – Interfitted members with external bridging piece
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-15
2001-04-17
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members with external bridging piece
C403S364000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217251
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a joining structure for joining adjacent members, more particularly, to a joining structure for joining end portions of adjacent members in the field of manufacturing automobile parts such as suspension arms, building materials such as beams, or the like.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, there have been various methods for joining end portions of adjacent metal members. Examples of such methods include a welding method such as a TIG welding (tungsten-inert-gas arc welding) or a MIG welding (metal electrode inert gas welding), a solid-phase joining method such as a friction agitation joining method, and a fit-and-engage method in which end portions of adjacent members are fitted and engaged to join the members.
However, the welding method and the friction agitation joining method cause less tensile strength, i.e., less coupling efficiency, due to heat generated during the welding or joining. Further, according to these methods, the joining portions should be welded or joined around the whole circumference thereof, which takes time and cost. According to the e fit-and-engage method, there may be a possibility that water or the like sinks into the joined portion to cause crevice corrosion, thereby resulting in poor corrosion resistance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a joining structure for joining adjacent members, which is superior in high tensile strength and corrosion resistance and enables a quick joining with low cost.
According to the present invention, a joining structure for joining adjacent members includes a first member having a protruded portion and a dented portion at one end portion of the first member, a second member having a protruded portion and a dented portion at one end portion of the second member, and a hollow joining member. The one end portion of the first member is joined to the one and portion of the second member such that the protrusions of the first and second members are engaged with the dented portions of the second and first members, respectively, and the hollow joining member is fitted on a joined portion of the first and second members and crimped on the joined portion to integrally join the first and second members.
According to the joining structure, not only the joined portion is crimped, but also the hollow joining member disposed on the outer surface of the joined portion is crimped. Therefore, the joined portion having superior tensile strength can be obtained. Since the first and second members can be securely joined when the end portions of the first and second members are engaged with each other and the hollow joining member disposed on the joined portion is crimped, the joining process can be easily and quickly performed with low cost.
In the joining structure for joining adjacent members, if the hollow joining member is disposed so that the hollow joining member covers the joined portion, there is no possibility that water or the like sinks into the joined portion to cause crevice corrosion, thereby resulting in excellent corrosion resistance.
Further, if outer surfaces of the protrusions and/or an inner surface of the hollow joining member are roughened and the hollow joining member is crimped via the roughened surfaces, a joined portion becomes superior in tensile strength because of the synergistic effect of the roughened surface and the crimping.
Furthermore, if the protrusions have grooves on opposed surfaces thereof and an intervening member is disposed in the grooves, the intervening member anchors the arm members, whereby the joined portion becomes superior in tensile strength.
Other objects and the features will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the attached drawings.
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Kato Rentaro
Kawata Naoyuki
Nishikawa Naoki
Ogawa Yuichi
Tochigi Masaharu
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Tokai Rubber Industries Ltd.
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