Patent ID: 6302478
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B23K,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A space frame for a motor vehicle, comprising,a pair of tubular hydroformed upper longitudinal members, each being defined by an irregularly outwardly deformed metallic wall fixed into a predetermined irregular exterior surface configuration and each having a pillar forming portion and a first portion;a tubular hydroformed cross member defined by an irregularly outwardly deformed metallic wall fixed into a predetermined irregular exterior surface configuration and having a second portion and a pair of leg portions extending from junctures at each end of the second portion;the first portion of each upper longitudinal member and each juncture of the cross member each including a segment that defines an exterior surface portion;a pair of laterally spaced side rail structures;the side rail structures and the hydroformed members being assembled such that the pillar forming portion of each upper longitudinal member is connected to and forms a pillar on a respective side rail structure, the leg portions of the cross member are each connected to a respective side rail structure and extend upwardly therefrom and the second portion of the cross member connects the pair of side rail structures in laterally spaced relation,the upper longitudinal members and the cross member being assembled together such that the exterior surface portion of each upper longitudinal member and the exterior surface portion of the associated juncture are in abutting relation; andwelding material disposed in bonding relation between each pair of abutting surface portions to fixedly secure the first portion of each upper longitudinal member to the associated juncture of the cross member.