Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Structural detail
Patent
1991-09-20
1993-07-13
Stormer, Russell D.
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Structural detail
296 29, 403205, 403403, 52280, B60R 2700
Patent
active
052266966
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD
The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for assembly of a motor vehicle chassis More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling a motor vehicle chassis in which connectors or nodes are used to join together cast metal frame elements. The connector nodes join together the frame elements by fitting within specially provided notched end portions of each frame element in such a manner as to provide a smooth continuous seating surface for the windows and doors. The joining technique also reduces by half the number of structural joints which form part of the frame opening seating surfaces of the windows and doors.
BACKGROUND
Automotive chassis which use nodes or connecting members to hold together extruded light metal or cast metal frame sections are well known in the art. Examples of automotive chassis using nodes to connect tubular frame sections or elements are shown in Hasler et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,163) and UK Patent No. (GB 2 049 567).
In Hasler et al the frame elements comprise cast metal or extruded light metal rods. The ends of the frame elements are aligned and fitted within a conforming receiving ends of connecting members or nodes. The openings for the doors and windscreens are formed by the nodal connection of several cast metal frame elements and by the segments of the node elements which also face the openings. This results in the formation a joint for every union between a node element and a frame element Thus, transitional regions between adjoining frame elements contain at least two joints because of the node element. Since a portion of each node element also forms a part of the boundary of each opening, it is difficult to produce an exact contour curve for the openings To ensure an exact contour curve, a precise fit of the node to each receiving end of an abutting frame element is required, as well as a stable fixation of the node to each connected frame element during the assembly process. This method results in a labor intensive and costly assembly technique.
In the UK Patent, the frame elements are round tubular girders which are held together by a tubular node elements or lugs. The connectors have tubular flanges for sleeve-like connection to corresponding girder ends. As in Hasler et al, a circumferential joint is formed by the union of each girder to a connector so that there exists at least two joints for every transitional region between adjoining girders. As above, this technique results in an undesirable number of joints along the boundary curves of the frame which define the seating surfaces for the windscreen and door openings thus rendering the final assembly of a chassis having smooth contour curves difficult.
Accordingly, there is a definite need in the art for an improved node-connected motor vehicle chassis wherein the node elements do not form part of the seating surfaces for the windscreens and doors so that the number of joints in these boundary areas of the chassis is reduced by half, and a smooth contour curve for each transitional region is achieved. There is also need for a method of construction of such a motor vehicle chassis which is simple and cost effective to implement.
THE INVENTION
OBJECTS
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved motor vehicle chassis of the type constructed of tubular extruded or cast metal tubular members connected by node elements wherein the number of joints between abutting frame elements facing the seating surfaces for the door and window openings is reduced by half;
It is another object of the invention to provide such an improved motor vehicle chassis wherein the node elements join abutting frame elements by bonding to corresponding notched ends of each adjoining frame element in a manner such that the nodes themselves do not form part of the seating surface for the window and door openings;
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved node-connected motor vehicle chassis wherein the nodes include side projections for incr
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Ashley, Steve, "The Shape of Cars to Come", Mechanical Engineering May 1991, pp. 37-38.
Enning Norbert
Klages Ulrich
Timm Heinrich
Audi A.G.
Dulin Jacques M.
Feix Thomas C.
Hoge Gary C.
Stormer Russell D.
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