Patent ID: 11938796
Assignee: TESLA, INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 6:
7. A method of manufacturing an automotive vehicle, comprising:
providing a monolithic metal sheet, wherein the monolithic metal sheet is manufactured comprising the steps of:
providing an initial monolithic metal sheet;
cutting the initial monolithic metal sheet to form a cut monolithic metal sheet; and
shaping the cut monolithic metal sheet to form the monolithic metal sheet;

attaching at least one component directly to the monolithic metal sheet to form an exterior panel, wherein the monolithic metal sheet bears the load of the at least one component thereby acting as a support structure; and
mounting the exterior panel to an exterior portion of an internal structural vehicle framework directly through a joint;
wherein the method does not consist of attaching an additional support structure to the exterior panel, the additional support structure selected from the group consisting of an additional metal panel, a support beam, a reinforcement, an anti-intrusion bar, and combinations thereof, and
wherein the exterior panel is configured to define a passenger compartment of the vehicle.