Manufacturing method of press-molded article and press molding apparatus

Abstract

A manufacturing method of press-molded article of the present invention comprises a step of placing a member to be pressed in a press molding apparatus and a step of pressing a flat plate portion of the member to be pressed by bringing a first press portion and a second press portion closer to each other. A first opposing surface and a second opposing surface, while facing to each other, keep in contact with the flat plate portion during pressing. In the press step, a thick part is formed on the flat plate portion by allowing a part of a material of the flat plate portion to flow, in a press direction, into a thickened portion-forming section formed on the first opposing surface. The second opposing surface is moved to the press direction as the flat plate portion is pressed by the first press portion and the second press portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manufacturing method of press-molded article by molding a member to be pressed including a flat plate portion, the method comprising:
 a step of placing the member to be pressed in a press molding apparatus in a manner such that a first main surface of the flat plate portion is opposed to a first opposing surface and a second main surface of the flat plate portion, directing opposite to the first main surface, is opposed to a second opposing surface; and   a step of pressing the flat plate portion by bringing a first press portion opposing to a first end portion of the flat plate portion and a second press portion opposing to a second end portion of the flat plate portion, the second end portion being located on an opposite side of the first end portion, closer to each other, wherein:   the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface, while facing to each other, keep in contact with the flat plate portion during pressing; and   in the press step:   a thick part is formed on the flat plate portion by allowing a part of a material of the flat plate portion to flow, in a press direction, into a thickened portion-forming section formed on at least one of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface; and   at least one of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface is moved to the press direction as the flat plate portion is pressed by the first press portion and the second press portion.   
     
     
         2 . The manufacturing method of press-molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of placing the member to be pressed, the flat plate portion is placed between a die provided with the first press portion and the first opposing surface and a die provided with the second press portion and the second opposing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The manufacturing method of press-molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the die provided with the first opposing surface includes a first divided portion and a second divided portion formed separately from the first divided portion;   the first press portion is formed in the first divided portion;   the second press portion is formed in the second divided portion; and   in the press step, the first divided portion is moved to the press direction of the first press portion as the flat plate portion is pressed by the first press portion, and the second divided portion is moved to the press direction of the second press portion as the flat plate portion is pressed by the second press portion.   
     
     
         4 . The manufacturing method of press-molded article according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first divided portion and the second divided portion have a comb-teeth shape so as to mesh with each other; and   in the press step, the first divided portion and the second divided portion come close to each other in such a manner that the both comb teeth mesh with each other.   
     
     
         5 . The manufacturing method of press-molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of placing the member to be pressed, the member to be pressed is placed so as to arrange the first main surface and the second main surface of the flat plate portion along a perpendicular direction. 
     
     
         6 . The manufacturing method of press-molded article according to  claim 5 , wherein, in the step of placing the member to be pressed, positions of the first main surface and the second main surface are maintained along the perpendicular direction by supporting the flat plate portion using a temporarily supporting member. 
     
     
         7 . The manufacturing method of press-molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the press step, pressing force is applied to the material of the flat plate portion flowing into the thickened portion-forming section. 
     
     
         8 . The manufacturing method of press-molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein the member to be pressed is molded by a hot press. 
     
     
         9 . A press molding apparatus for molding a member to be pressed including a flat plate portion, comprising:
 a first press portion opposing to a first end portion of the flat plate portion;   a second press portion opposing to a second end portion of the flat plate portion, the second end portion being located on an opposite side of the first end portion;   a first opposing surface opposing to a first main surface of the flat plate portion;   a second opposing surface opposing to a second main surface of the flat plate portion, the second main surface directing opposite to the first main surface; and   a driving section for bringing the first press portion and the second press portion closer to each other to press the flat plate portion, wherein:   a thickened portion-forming section is formed on at least one of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface for forming a thick part on the flat plate portion by allowing a part of a material of the flat plate portion to flow into the thickened portion-forming section;   the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface, while facing to each other, keep in contact with the flat plate portion during pressing; and   at least one of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface is moved to the press direction as the flat plate portion is pressed by the first press portion and the second press portion.   
     
     
         10 . The press molding apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first press portion and the first opposing surface are provided in a same die; and   the second press portion and the second opposing surface are provided in a same die.   
     
     
         11 . The press molding apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the die provided with the first opposing surface includes a first divided portion and a second divided portion formed separately from the first divided portion;   the first press portion is formed in the first divided portion; and   the second press portion is formed in the second divided portion.   
     
     
         12 . The press molding apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the first divided portion and the second divided portion have a comb-teeth shape so as to mesh with each other. 
     
     
         13 . The press molding apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface are arranged along a perpendicular direction. 
     
     
         14 . The press molding apparatus according to  claim 13 , comprising a temporarily supporting member for supporting the flat plate portion to maintain positions of the first main surface and the second main surface along the perpendicular direction. 
     
     
         15 . The press molding apparatus according to  claim 9 , comprising a back-pressure applicator for applying pressure force to the material of flat plate portion flowing into the thickened portion-forming section.