Abstract: The present invention comprises: a front subframe consisting of steel and divided in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a rear subframe consisting of light metal such as an aluminum alloy. The front subframe comprises a press-formed body formed by pressing. The rear subframe comprises a die-cast body formed by die-casting. The front subframe and the rear subframe are joined together by friction stir welding while the left and right rear side sections of the rear subframe are superposed on the upper surfaces of the thin plate sections of the front subframe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a subframe for a vehicle that allows a molten metal to be smoothly guided in order to maintain a good flow. This subframe for a vehicle is equipped with a rear subframe. For the rear subframe, a rear cross member, a rear section of a left side member, and a rear upper section of a right side member are constructed with an aluminum alloy and formed into one piece that has a substantially U-shape in a plan view. The rear cross member has a radial rib group that extends radially and a parallel rib group that intersects with the radial rib group. The radial rib group is configured such that radial ribs positioned further outside in the vehicle width direction form larger tilt angles.

Abstract: A flange of a left rear side portion (aluminum member) includes a plane section extending toward a vertical wall of a left side member (steel plate-like member). The left side member includes a bent portion formed as a result of being bent between a flange and the vertical wall of the left side member, and a base section, which serves as a start point at which the bent section starts to be bent from the flange of the left side member. The plane section of the left rear side portion is provided such that it covers an area substantially up to the base section of the left side member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding tool (10) equipped with a probe (13) and a holder (16). At the tip of the probe (13) there is a pin part (11) and at the base there are probe-side protrusions (24) and probe-side recesses (25). At the tip of the holder (16) there are holder-side recesses (27) which mate with the probe-side protrusions (24), and holder-side protrusions (28) which mate with the probe-side recesses (25). External force applied to the probe (13) is transmitted from the probe-side protrusions (24) to the holder-side recesses (27) and from the probe-side recesses (25) to the holder-side protrusions (28).

Abstract: A front-end structure for a vehicle is provided with: front side frames, a subframe extending across a vehicle body floor front portion to support a suspension component and an electric power steering device, the subframe being supported at least at the front end portion and at the rear end portion and being formed in a subframe main body from a light alloy casting, and a pair of left and right extension arms that are fixed to the subframe main body and extend forward of the subframe main body, and that are formed from a light alloy or steel by press-molding. In the rear portion of the extension arms in the vicinity the subframe main body, provided is a recessed portion that serves as a point at which downward bending starts midway along the lengthwise direction of the subframe with an input load in the event of a vehicle frontal collision.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction-stir joining method for joining a first member, having a base metal covered with a substance different from the base metal, with a second member with the second member placed on the first member by moving a joining tool along a joining line having thereon a joining start point and a joining finish point. The method includes steps of: inserting the joining tool into the second member at the joining start point; moving the joining tool a predetermined distance along the joining line in a direction opposite the joining finish point; causing the joining tool to turn back at a turning-back point spaced the predetermined distance from the joining start point; moving the joining tool along the joining line to the joining finish point past the joining start point; and pulling the joining tool out from the second member at the joining finish point.

Abstract: Extending portions of a front sub-frame are each formed by stacking two thin plates made of steel, and flange portions of the front sub-frame and flange portions of a rear sub-frame made of aluminum are superimposed on each other, and are friction stir welded, with a seal material applied to the superimposed surfaces. Of the two thin plates, the thin plate joined to the rear sub-frame made of aluminum has, at each end thereof, a bent portion and an extending part. The bent portion is formed by bending. The end of the extending part extends outward farther than the rear sub-frame. The extending part is covered by the seal material. The bent portion is disposed at a farther end of the extending part.

Abstract: Friction stir welding is performed in the following manner. In the state in which a probe is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction, the probe is inserted into a flange of a rear sub frame, thereby starting friction stir welding to weld the flange of the rear sub frame and a flange of a front sub frame positioned on the inner side of the rear side of a vehicle. The probe is sequentially moved along the direction of arrow R1?arrow R2 (predetermined direction). When the probe reaches the end point of the direction indicated by arrow R2, the probe is inserted into the flange on the outer side across a protruding portion disposed between the flanges. Then, the probe is sequentially moved in the direction of arrow R4?arrow R5?arrow R6, which is opposite to the direction of arrow R1?arrow R2.

Abstract: A flange of a left rear side portion (aluminum member) includes a plane section extending toward a vertical wall of a left side member (steel plate-like member). The left side member includes a bent portion formed as a result of being bent between a flange and the vertical wall of the left side member, and a base section, which serves as a start point at which the bent section starts to be bent from the flange of the left side member. The plane section of the left rear side portion is provided such that it covers an area substantially up to the base section of the left side member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding tool (10) equipped with a probe (13) and a holder (16). At the tip of the probe (13) there is a pin part (11) and at the base there are probe-side protrusions (24) and probe-side recesses (25). At the tip of the holder (16) there are holder-side recesses (27) which mate with the probe-side protrusions (24), and holder-side protrusions (28) which mate with the probe-side recesses (25). External force applied to the probe (13) is transmitted from the probe-side protrusions (24) to the holder-side recesses (27) and from the probe-side recesses (25) to the holder-side protrusions (28).

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction stir welder that includes a stage on which at least two material pieces to be welded are mounted and stacked, a pressing member that covers and presses end faces of the material pieces to be welded that are mounted and stacked on the stage, and a rotary tool that is inserted into the stacked material pieces to be welded while rotating, so that a plastic flow is generated at an interfacing portion as well as in the vicinity thereof between the rotary tool and the material pieces to be welded, thereby to joint the material pieces to be welded to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction-stir joining method for joining a first member, having a base metal covered with a substance different from the base metal, with a second member with the second member placed on the first member by moving a joining tool along a joining line having thereon a joining start point and a joining finish point. The method includes steps of inserting the joining tool into the second member at the joining start point; moving the joining tool a predetermined distance along the joining line in a direction opposite the joining finish point; causing the joining tool to turn back at a turning-back point spaced the predetermined distance from the joining start point; moving the joining tool along the joining line to the joining finish point past the joining start point; and pulling the joining tool out from the second member at the joining finish point.

Abstract: The present invention comprises: a front subframe consisting of steel and divided in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a rear subframe consisting of light metal such as an aluminum alloy. The front subframe comprises a press-formed body formed by pressing. The rear subframe comprises a die-cast body formed by die-casting. The front subframe and the rear subframe are joined together by friction stir welding while the left and right rear side sections of the rear subframe are superposed on the upper surfaces of the thin plate sections of the front subframe.

Abstract: In a structure for mounting a subframe, located under a vehicle body, to the vehicle body via an elastic assembly, the elastic assembly includes: a first mounting member located under the vehicle body and over the subframe; a second mounting member located immediately above the first mounting member; and an elastic member disposed between the first and second mounting members. The first mounting member is mounted to the vehicle body, while the second mounting member is mounted to the subframe.

Abstract: A fluid filled vibration damping device having an orifice passage formed in a partition member to connect a pressure receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber, wherein a first end section of the orifice passage extends in along a plane of the partition member, and a communication hole is formed to bend at a right angle from the first end of the orifice passage and open towards the pressure receiving chamber to form a dead water region by orthogonal wall faces of a terminal end face and a bottom face of the orifice passage in a connecting corner section of the orifice passage with the communication hole. A shunt hole of smaller cross-sectional area than the orifice passage and the communication hole is formed in a bottom wall so that the pressure receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber communicate through the shunt hole in the dead water region.

Abstract: A fluid-filled type vibration damping device including a resin bracket provided on an outside peripheral face of a second mounting member. The resin bracket includes a mating portion mated within a mating groove of the second mounting member opening in an outside peripheral face of the second mounting member, a mating tubular portion extending on the outside peripheral face of the second mounting member from the mating portion to one axial side, and a mounting portion which is formed at a distal end portion of the mating tubular portion on the one axial side and extends peripherally outward. A weight reducing space opens at a distal end face of the mating tubular portion on the one axial side while extending between an inside peripheral face of the mating tubular portion and the outside peripheral face of the second mounting member in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A friction stir welding member is formed by welding a second member to a first member in such a manner that a second member is stacked on a first member, a material property of the second member being different from a material property of the first member, a pin of a welding tool using a Friction Stir Welding technique is inserted into the second member, welding is started at one end of the second member, and the pin is pulled out at a welding terminal portion before the pin reaches the other end of the second member. A projection projecting toward the welding tool is provided integrally with the second member, the projection is formed so as to have a height that is higher than a length of the pin, and the projection is provided with the welding terminal portion.

Abstract: A cylindrical vibration isolating device that prevents damage to a vibration isolating rubber and cracks in a welded portion of a sub-frame. The sub-frame mount comprises an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder connected by the vibration isolating rubber. Small and large diameter portions are provided on a lateral wall of a barrel portion of the outer cylinder. Between the small and large diameter portions is formed a step-like boundary portion. The height in the axial direction of the boundary portion changes in the circumferential direction and has a substantially mountain-like shape with a top projecting in the press fitting direction. A contact area of the large diameter portion contacting a mounting hole of the sub-frame is increased in accordance with an amount of the press fitting. Therefore, when the sub-frame mount is press-fitted into the mounting hole of the sub-frame, the press fitting load is gradually increased.

Abstract: A vibration damping mount assembly having a vibration damping mount main body and a tubular bracket. The tubular bracket is made of lightweight material composed of non-ferric metal or synthetic resin, and has an inside peripheral face including an upper tapered face and a lower tapered face that gradually expand in diameter towards openings at either axial end from an axially medial section. A flanged portion of a second mounting member is axially juxtaposed against an open end of the upper tapered face, while the lower tapered face is pressed against a rubber fitting, with the lower tapered face locked in contact against an annular mating face of the rubber fitting thereby providing dislodging of the vibration damping mount main body from the tubular bracket.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator for use in a vibration damping device comprising: a base housing; an elastic wall member being fastened fluid-tightly to the base housing to form a working air chamber therebetween; and an urging member positioned within the working air chamber for exerting urging force on an output portion provided to the elastic wall member, such that the output portion is actuated to undergo displacement in opposition to the urging member through change in an air pressure in the working air chamber from an outside. At least one of opposing faces of the base housing and the elastic wall member on the working air chamber side thereof has a plurality of rib portions which extend from an inner circumferential side thereof towards an outer circumferential side thereof. A vibration damping device equipped with the pneumatic actuator is also disclosed.