EP1698410B1 - Rohr zum Innenhochdruckumformen sowie Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Rohres - Google Patents

Rohr zum Innenhochdruckumformen sowie Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Rohres Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1698410B1
EP1698410B1 EP05075534A EP05075534A EP1698410B1 EP 1698410 B1 EP1698410 B1 EP 1698410B1 EP 05075534 A EP05075534 A EP 05075534A EP 05075534 A EP05075534 A EP 05075534A EP 1698410 B1 EP1698410 B1 EP 1698410B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
dimple
pillar
hydroforming
steel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP05075534A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1698410A1 (de
Inventor
Maarten Hendrik Kelder
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tata Steel Ijmuiden BV
Original Assignee
Corus Staal BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Corus Staal BV filed Critical Corus Staal BV
Priority to EP05075534A priority Critical patent/EP1698410B1/de
Priority to AT05075534T priority patent/ATE385206T1/de
Priority to ES05075534T priority patent/ES2298922T3/es
Priority to DE602005004598T priority patent/DE602005004598T2/de
Publication of EP1698410A1 publication Critical patent/EP1698410A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1698410B1 publication Critical patent/EP1698410B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D26/00—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
    • B21D26/02—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
    • B21D26/033—Deforming tubular bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
    • B21D53/88—Making other particular articles other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a straight steel tube for hydroforming applications, especially for producing the A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar of an automobile as defined in claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a method for hydroforming a steel tube, especially for hydroforming the A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar of an automobile, as defined in claim 16.
  • a drawback of the hydroforming technology is that the amount of material in the tube is determined beforehand by choosing the diameter of the tube, while the circumference of the tube will often change during hydroforming. The result is that in such cases the thickness of the wall of the tube will be changed during hydroforming, often only locally, resulting in a weakened hydroformed part or a failure of the part during hydroforming.
  • the A-pillar, B-pillar and C-pillar should not bend easily and have to be strong and stiff. These requirements are a fortiori needed in the A-pillar of an open car, where the A-pillars should be able to withstand the forces during a roll-over of the car. Here also a slim part is required by the users of the car, so as not to hamper the sight.
  • a straight steel tube for hydroforming applications, especially for producing the A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar of an automobile, wherein the steel has a tensile strength of more than 400 MPa, wherein the tube has a wall thickness of 1 - 4 mm, and wherein the tube has been provided with a longitudinal dimple over at least 25 % of the length of the tube, the tube having a mean diameter between 30 mm and 200 mm in the region of the dimple.
  • a dimple is defined as a part of the circumference of a cross-section of the tube being curved inwardly, for instance approximately one third of the circumference being curved inwardly.
  • the transition between the normal semi-circular circumference of the cross-section and the inwardly curved part is smooth; no sharp angles are present.
  • the mean diameter is the average of all the diameters of the cross section of the tube as if no dimple was present.
  • the invention makes it possible during the hydroforming operation to provide more material in that section of the tube where the cross-section of the tube is enlarged by the hydroforming, by supplying part of the material in the dimple to enlarge the cross-section of the tube. This is accomplished by the dimple becoming less deep. For the A-pillar and C-pillar of a car this is especially useful at the part of the pillar where the pillar protrudes above the plane of the bonnet.
  • the dimple has to be present over at least 25 % of the length of the tube.
  • the dimple has been provided over at least 50 % of the length of the tube, more preferably over at least 75 % of the length of the tube.
  • the strength and stiffness of the tube will also be improved over a longer portion of the tube when the dimple is longer.
  • the dimple has been provided over the full length of the tube.
  • Such tubes are relatively easy to produce, and usually the dimple is required over the full length, such as for A-, B- and C-pillars.
  • the tube has preferably been made of high strength steel having a tensile strength of at least 500 MPa, preferably HSLA steel.
  • HSLA steels having a tensile strength of at least 500 MPa are well suited for hydroforming applications are and are often used for automotive parts.
  • the tube has been made of high strength steel having a tensile strength of at least 600 MPa, preferably DP 600 or stronger, TRIP 600 or stronger, complex phase or TWIP steel. Most of these high strength steels are strong, but show a low plastic strain. For such steel types a dimple in the tube is required, because otherwise the circumference cannot be enlarged to more than a small extent without failure of the tube.
  • the tube is a roll formed tube, preferably a roll formed precision tube.
  • Such tubes are easy to produce, and often used in hydroforming.
  • the tube is a tubular blank.
  • Tubular blanks are produced from a planar sheet, and not as a continuous tube as is the case in roll formed tubes.
  • Tubular blanks usually have a laser weld, which is stronger than a high frequency induction weld as in roll formed tubes.
  • the tube is a conical tube.
  • Conical tubes without dimple are more expensive to produce than tubes having a constant diameter, because they cannot be produced continuous, but have to be produced as tubular blank.
  • the dimple has a depth that is variable over the length of the dimple.
  • the depth of the dimple varies over the total length of the tube, it is possible to produce a conical tube starting from a tube having a constant diameter without dimple.
  • the conical tube with dimple is thus less expensive than a standard conical tube, because it can be produced from a tube having a constant diameter.
  • the tube is a tailored tube.
  • the tube thus can for example be formed from two different steel types, or can have two different thicknesses.
  • the tube has been made from a tailor rolled blank.
  • the tube thus has portions having different thicknesses.
  • the tube has been provided with two dimples on opposite sides of the tube. This can be useful to reduce the bending stiffness and strength of the tube at the location of the dimples.
  • the tube has been provided with two or more dimples on the same side of the tube, preferably one dimple having been provided over at least 25 % of the length of the tube. In this way for instance only the ends of the tube are provided with a dimple.
  • the tube has a mean diameter between 50 mm and 120 mm in the region of the dimple. Tubes to be hydroformed seldom have a diameter outside this range.
  • the invention also relates to a method for hydroforming a steel tube, especially for hydroforming the A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar of an automobile, wherein the steel has a tensile strength of more than 400 MPa, wherein the tube has a wall thickness of 1 - 4 mm, comprising the steps of:
  • This method describes the forming of the straight steel tube as described above and the forming of this tube by using hydroforming. In this way also the use of the tube with a dimple according to the invention is covered.
  • the straight tube provided with a dimple is bent. Often it will be necessary to bend the straight tube before it is hydroformed, since for instance an A-pillar is not straight.
  • the intermediate step and the further step are combined into one step.
  • the tube is thus bent in the hydroforming apparatus before the hydroforming itself takes place. In this way it is not necessary to use a separate bending apparatus. Of course this is only possible when the tube remains more or less straight.
  • a tube for an A-pillar for an automobile is described.
  • the tube has a length of approximately 2 meter and a wall thickness of 2 mm.
  • the tube Before the dimple is formed, the tube has a diameter of approximately 60 mm.
  • a dimple is formed over the full length of the tube, the dimple having a variable depth such that at one end of the tube the dimple is deeper than at the other end. In this way a conical tube is formed, the tube having a smaller mean diameter at the end where the dimple is deepest. This end will form the top of the A-piller after the tube with dimple has been bent and hydroformed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Claims (18)

  1. Gerades Stahlrohr für Innenhochdruckumformanwendungen, insbesondere zur Herstellung der A-Säule, B-Säule oder C-Säule eines Automobils, wobei der Stahl eine Zugfestigkeit von über 400 MPa aufweist, wobei das Rohr eine Wanddicke von 1 - 4 mm aufweist und wobei das Rohr über mindestens 25% seiner Länge mit einer Längsvertiefung versehen worden ist, wobei das Rohr einen mittleren Durchmesser zwischen 30 mm und 200 mm im Bereich der Vertiefung aufweist.
  2. Rohr nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Vertiefung über mindestens 50% der Länge des Rohrs, vorzugsweise über mindestens 75% der Länge des Rohrs, vorgesehen worden ist.
  3. Rohr nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Vertiefung über die gesamte Länge des Rohrs vorgesehen worden ist.
  4. Rohr nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Vertiefung nur zwischen den äußeren Enden des Rohrs vorhanden ist.
  5. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr aus einem hochfesten Stahl mit einer Zugfestigkeit von mindestens 500 MPa, vorzugsweise HSLA-Stah1, hergestellt worden ist.
  6. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr aus hochfestem Stahl mit einer Zugfestigkeit von mindestens 600 MPa, vorzugsweise DP 600 oder fester, TRIP 600 oder fester, komplexer Phase oder TWIP-Stahl, hergestellt worden ist.
  7. Rohr nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 6, wobei das Rohr ein rollgeformtes Rohr, vorzugsweise ein rollgeformtes Präzisionsrohr, ist.
  8. Rohr nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 6, wobei das Rohr ein röhrenförmiger Rohling ist.
  9. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr ein konisches Rohr ist.
  10. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Vertiefung eine Tiefe aufweist, die über die Länge der Vertiefung variabel ist.
  11. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr ein Tailored Tube ist.
  12. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr aus einem Tailor Rolled Blank hergestellt worden ist.
  13. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr mit zwei Vertiefungen an gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Rohrs versehen worden ist.
  14. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr mit zwei oder mehr Vertiefungen auf der gleichen Seite des Rohrs versehen worden ist, wobei vorzugsweise eine Vertiefung über mindestens 25% der Länge des Rohrs vorgesehen worden ist.
  15. Rohr nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rohr einen mittleren Durchmesser zwischen 50 mm und 120 mm in dem Bereich der Vertiefung aufweist.
  16. Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Stahlrohrs, insbesondere zum Innenhochdruckumformen der A-Säule, B-Säule oder C-Säule eines Automobils, wobei der Stahl eine Zugfestigkeit von über 400 MPa aufweist, wobei das Rohr eine Wanddicke von 1 - 4 mm aufweist, mit den folgenden Schritten:
    - in einem ersten Schritt Bereitstellen eines geraden Stahlrohrs mit einer Längsvertiefung über mindestens 25% der Länge des Rohrs, so dass der mittlere Durchmesser des Rohrs in dem Bereich der Vertiefung zwischen 30 mm und 200 mm gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche liegt;
    - in einem weiteren Schritt, der von dem ersten Schritt getrennt ist, Innenhochdruckformen des Rohrs, das mit einer Vertiefung versehen worden ist.
  17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16, wobei zwischen dem ersten Schritt und dem weiteren Schritt während eines Zwischenschritts das mit einer Vertiefung versehene gerade Rohr gebogen wird.
  18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 17, wobei der Zwischenschritt und der weitere Schritt zu einem einzigen Schritt kombiniert werden.
EP05075534A 2005-03-04 2005-03-04 Rohr zum Innenhochdruckumformen sowie Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Rohres Not-in-force EP1698410B1 (de)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05075534A EP1698410B1 (de) 2005-03-04 2005-03-04 Rohr zum Innenhochdruckumformen sowie Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Rohres
AT05075534T ATE385206T1 (de) 2005-03-04 2005-03-04 Rohr zum innenhochdruckumformen sowie verfahren zum innenhochdruckumformen eines rohres
ES05075534T ES2298922T3 (es) 2005-03-04 2005-03-04 Tubo para aplicaciones de hidroformacion y metodo para la hidroformacion de un tubo.
DE602005004598T DE602005004598T2 (de) 2005-03-04 2005-03-04 Rohr zum Innenhochdruckumformen sowie Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Rohres

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05075534A EP1698410B1 (de) 2005-03-04 2005-03-04 Rohr zum Innenhochdruckumformen sowie Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Rohres

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1698410A1 EP1698410A1 (de) 2006-09-06
EP1698410B1 true EP1698410B1 (de) 2008-01-30

Family

ID=34938082

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05075534A Not-in-force EP1698410B1 (de) 2005-03-04 2005-03-04 Rohr zum Innenhochdruckumformen sowie Verfahren zum Innenhochdruckumformen eines Rohres

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1698410B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE385206T1 (de)
DE (1) DE602005004598T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2298922T3 (de)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2090668A1 (de) * 2008-01-30 2009-08-19 Corus Staal BV Verfahren zur Herstellung eines hochfesten Stahls und dadurch gewonnener hochfester Stahl
DE102010063094A1 (de) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zur Herstellung eines materialhybriden Bauteils
US9379408B2 (en) * 2013-03-05 2016-06-28 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Hemmed fuel cell stack enclosure
DE102015218463A1 (de) 2015-09-25 2017-03-30 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Fahrzeugbauteils

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19708905C2 (de) * 1997-03-05 2002-06-27 Daimler Chrysler Ag Verfahren zum Herstellen von Karosserieträgern
UY25199A1 (es) * 1997-10-07 1999-04-07 Cosma Int Inc Metodo y aparato para hidroformacion sin arrugas de componentes tubulares oblicuos
JP4155707B2 (ja) * 1997-10-16 2008-09-24 コスマ インターナショナル インコーポレイテッド ハイドロフォーム加工された立体フレーム及びその製造方法
US6957845B2 (en) * 2003-07-31 2005-10-25 Dana Corporation Space frame cross member with integrated door seal feature
DE10338025B3 (de) * 2003-08-19 2005-04-14 Thyssenkrupp Stahl Ag Versteifungsprofil

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE602005004598D1 (de) 2008-03-20
ATE385206T1 (de) 2008-02-15
EP1698410A1 (de) 2006-09-06
ES2298922T3 (es) 2008-05-16
DE602005004598T2 (de) 2008-12-11

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