초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a method for making a vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion constructed ad arranged to be mounted to a structural component within a motor vehicle. The method comprises hydroforming a tubular blank within a hydroforming die by supplying press

The present invention relates to a method for making a vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion constructed ad arranged to be mounted to a structural component within a motor vehicle. The method comprises hydroforming a tubular blank within a hydroforming die by supplying pressurized fluid to the hollow interior of the blank. A drawforming member is moved inwardly with respect to the cavity of the hydroforming die while the fluid is pressurized so that the drawforming member deforms a portion of the tubular wall inwardly to form a recessed portion having an annular side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. The formed tubular blank is then removed from the hydroforming die and a mounting structure is disposed inside the recessed portion and the blank and mounting structure are then disposed within an injection molding die. Molten shock absorbing material is injected into the recessed portion so that the molten material surrounds the mounting structure. The molten shock absorbing material is thereafter solidified. Preferably, a pair of such recessed portions are formed. The present invention also relates to a vehicle frame member to be joined to a structural component in shock absorbing relation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for making a motor vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion comprising:disposing a tubular blank in a mold cavity of a hydroforming die, said die having interior surfaces defining the mold cavity and a reciprocating drawforming member movabl

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for making a motor vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion comprising:disposing a tubular blank in a mold cavity of a hydroforming die, said die having interior surfaces defining the mold cavity and a reciprocating drawforming member movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to said cavity;supplying a substantially incompressible hydroforming fluid to an interior of said tubular blank;pressurizing said fluid so as to expand said tubular blank against the interior surfaces defining said mold cavity to provide said blank with a shape generally defined by said interior surfaces;moving said drawforming member inwardly with respect to said mold cavity so that said drawforming member deforms a portion of said tubular blank to form a recessed portion in said blank;relieving the fluid pressure and removing the tubular blank from said hydroforming die;disposing a mounting structure within said recessed portion, said mounting structure being constructed and arranged to be joined with another structural component of the motor vehicle;disposing said tubular blank with said mounting structure within said recessed portion in an injection molding die;injecting molten shock absorbing material so that said molten material substantially fills said recessed portion in surrounding relation to said mounting structure; andthereafter solidifying said molten shock absorbing material to secure said mounting structure in said recess.