Abstract: A metal plating applied on a joining portion of a first metal member is heated before a rotating tool under rotation being pressed against a second metal member. Herein, the rotating tool under rotation starts being pressed against the second metal member when the metal plating is heated at least up to a specified temperature that is high enough to make the metal plating in a softened solid state. Thereby, a properly-high joining strength can be provided in a frictional joining of a metal member with a metal plating thereon and another metal member.

Abstract: In a frictional spot joining where plural metal members lapping over are jointed with a joining device comprising a rotating tool, a receiving tool disposed on a rotational axis of the rotating tool and a drive device to rotate and move the rotating tool in a pushing direction, a holding member is provided on a side of the receiving tool, which has a restriction portion to restrain a movement of the receiving tool in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis, and the joining device is moved by a moving device such that the receiving tool is disposed at the restriction portion. Accordingly, the rotational runout of the rotating tool can be restrained effectively with a simple structure of a properly small-sized rotating tool and receiving tool.

Abstract: In a first step, a roof panel and a front header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a front-end frictional joint area, and the roof panel and a rear header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a rear-end frictional joint area. The roof panel and a side roof rail are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at left-side and right-side frictional joint areas. Subsequently, in a second step, the members are joined at the plural rivet joint portions at a border area of the above-described joint areas, and the members are joined at plural rivet joints at a bounder area of the above-described joint areas. Accordingly, there can be provided a joining method and structure of metal members that can properly reduce deformation due to a thermal strain.

Abstract: In a friction spot joint structure, a first plate member is pressed against a second plate member by using a rotary tool and a receiving member. A concave portion is formed by a rotating pin portion of the rotating tool, with an interface between the first plate member and the second plate member remained. In this time, the first and second plate members are allowed to plastic-flow, so that an annular bulging portion of the second plate member raised into the first plate member is formed around the concave portion.

Abstract: In the third step of joining of the metal members, the pressing force of the rotational tool under rotation is maintained at the third pressing force that is smaller than the second pressing force until a specified period of time elapses after the tip of the pin portion of the rotational tool has reached the specified point that is at a distance from the joining face. Accordingly, the proper plastic flow of the metal member can be generated and thereby the joining strength with a sufficient period of time of agitation can be ensured, by maintaining a high temperature enough to soften the metal member and by preventing the rotational tool from coming into the metal member too deeply or from penetrating the metal member.

Abstract: In a first step, a roof panel and a front header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a front-end frictional joint area, and the roof panel and a rear header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a rear-end frictional joint area. The roof panel and a side roof rail are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at left-side and right-side frictional joint areas. Subsequently, in a second step, the members are joined at the plural rivet joint portions at a border area of the above-described joint areas, and the members are joined at plural rivet joints at a bounder area of the above-described joint areas. Accordingly, there can be provided a joining method and structure of metal members that can properly reduce deformation due to a thermal strain.

Abstract: In a spot joining method and apparatus, pressing force of a rotating tool is maintained at a first pressing force, the frictional heat due to the rotation of the rotating tool is generated on a surface of an aluminum plate, and the aluminum plate is softened by this frictional heat, so as to ensure the centering of a pin portion of the rotating tool. Thus, even if the pin of the rotating tool is short, a stable joining position can be obtained, so that the aluminum material can be prevented from accumulating on the rotating tool, the appearance of joining surfaces can be prevented from deteriorating, and the sufficient joining strength can be obtained.

Abstract: An aluminum plate and a steel plate are lapped. A rotating tool is placed on the aluminum plate, and then a pressing force and a rotational force around a pressing axis of the rotating tool are applied to the aluminum plate and the steel plate. A zinc plating layer having oxidation-prevention function is formed on the surface of the steel plate in advance. When joining the both plates, an oxidation film formed on the aluminum plate is destroyed and the zinc plating layer is pushed out outward from a joining portion, by applying the above pressing force and frictional heat and plastic flow due to the rotation of the rotating tool. Thereby, respective new uncovered surfaces of the both plates are directly contacted.

Abstract: A plurality of steel plates including at least one first non-coated steel plate and at least one metal-coated steel plate are prepared. The plurality of steel plates are overlaid in such a fashion that at least one of the two steel plates located on the respective sides in the overlaying direction is the first non-coated steel plate. A rotary tool is rotated and allowed to press a to-be-joined part of the plurality of overlaid steel plates from the first non-coated steel plate side to friction-spot-join the to-be-joined part in a solid state by causing plastic flow at the to-be-joined part by generated frictional heat. Whereby, both elongation of time required for joining and lowering of the corrosion resistance of the metal-coated steel plate are suppressed.

Abstract: A metal plating applied on a joining portion of a first metal member is heated before a rotating tool under rotation being pressed against a second metal member. Herein, the rotating tool under rotation starts being pressed against the second metal member when the metal plating is heated at least up to a specified temperature that is high enough to make the metal plating in a softened solid state. Thereby, a properly-high joining strength can be provided in a frictional joining of a metal member with a metal plating thereon and another metal member.

Abstract: In a friction spot joint structure, a first plate member is pressed against a second plate member by using a rotary tool and a receiving member. A concave portion is formed by a rotating pin portion of the rotating tool, with an interface between the first plate member and the second plate member remained. In this time, the first and second plate members are allowed to plastic-flow, so that an annular bulging portion of the second plate member raised into the first plate member is formed around the concave portion.

Abstract: In a frictional spot joining where plural metal members lapping over are jointed with a joining device comprising a rotating tool, a receiving tool disposed on a rotational axis of the rotating tool and a drive device to rotate and move the rotating tool in a pushing direction, a holding member is provided on a side of the receiving tool, which has a restriction portion to restrain a movement of the receiving tool in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis, and the joining device is moved by a moving device such that the receiving tool is disposed at the restriction portion. Accordingly, the rotational runout of the rotating tool can be restrained effectively with a simple structure of a properly small-sized rotating tool and receiving tool.

Abstract: The first and second metal members are joined by being pushed against the interposed member by the rotating tool in a state in which part of the surface of the second metal member corresponding to the joining portion contacts the contacting face of the interposed member that has a larger area than the an area of the tip of the rotating tool. Thus, the first and second metal members can be pressed against the receiving tool of the joining gun via the interposed member. Accordingly, there can be provided a high-quality superior joining product.

Abstract: In the third step of joining of the metal members, the pressing force of the rotational tool under rotation is maintained at the third pressing force that is smaller than the second pressing force until a specified period of time elapses after the tip of the pin portion of the rotational tool has reached the specified point that is at a distance from the joining face. Accordingly, the proper plastic flow of the metal member can be generated and thereby the joining strength with a sufficient period of time of agitation can be ensured, by maintaining a high temperature enough to soften the metal member and by preventing the rotational tool from coming into the metal member too deeply or from penetrating the metal member.

Abstract: In a friction spot joint structure, a first plate member is pressed against a second plate member by using a rotary tool and a receiving member. A concave portion is formed by a rotating pin portion of the rotating tool, with an interface between the first plate member and the second plate member remained. In this time, the first and second plate members are allowed to plastic-flow, so that an annular bulging portion of the second plate member raised into the first plate member is formed around the concave portion.

Abstract: In step S5, the pressing force of a rotating tool is maintained at a first pressing force. Namely, the frictional heat due to the rotation of the rotating tool is generated on a surface of an aluminum plate, and the aluminum plate is softened by this frictional heat. Accordingly, the centering of a pin portion of the rotating tool can be attained surely. Thus, even if the pin of the rotating tool is short, a stable joining position can be obtained, so that the aluminum material can be prevented from being accumulated on the rotating tool, the appearance of joining surfaces can be prevented from deteriorating, and the sufficient joining strength can be obtained as well.

Abstract: An aluminum plate and a steel plate are lapped. A rotating tool is placed on the aluminum plate, and then a pressing force and a rotational force around a pressing axis of the rotating tool are applied to the aluminum plate and the steel plate. A zinc plating layer having oxidation-prevention function is formed on the surface of the steel plate in advance. When joining the both plates, an oxidation film formed on the aluminum plate is destroyed and the zinc plating layer is pushed out outward from a joining portion, by applying the above pressing force and frictional heat and plastic flow due to the rotation of the rotating tool. Thereby, respective new uncovered surfaces of the both plates are directly contacted.

Abstract: Via a first path (P1) which extends for continuous treatment from one longitudinal end to the other of a cylinder head (H) passing between pairs of exhaust ports (15) and pairs of intake ports (14) opposed to each other with respect to one cylinder and which terminates in a tension bolt hole (21), and via second paths (P2P5) which, after treatment by this first path (P1), extend for successive treatment from cylinders adjacent the terminal point of the first path (P1) and between a pair of exhaust ports (15) and a pair of intake ports (14) opposed to each other and which terminate in tension bolt holes (21), the surface of the cylinder head (H) is stirred for refining without melting it by the heat from a rotating tool.

Abstract: Via a first path (P1) which extends for continuous treatment from one longitudinal end to the other of a cylinder head (H) passing between pairs of exhaust ports (15) and pairs of intake ports (14) opposed to each other with respect to one cylinder and which terminates in a tension bolt hole (21), and via second paths (P2P5) which, after treatment by this first path (P1), extend for successive treatment from cylinders adjacent the terminal point of the first path (P1) and between a pair of exhaust ports (15) and a pair of intake ports (14) opposed to each other and which terminate in tension bolt holes (21), the surface of the cylinder head (H) is stirred for refining without melting it by the heat from a rotating tool.