초록 ▼

A stiff torque box is used with frame rail segments to compose a vehicle frame. The stiff torque box is used to cross-link the left hand and right hand sides of a vehicle frame and is made up of an extruded aluminum skeleton which forms a number of internal cavities, as well as connecting tabs. The

A stiff torque box is used with frame rail segments to compose a vehicle frame. The stiff torque box is used to cross-link the left hand and right hand sides of a vehicle frame and is made up of an extruded aluminum skeleton which forms a number of internal cavities, as well as connecting tabs. The connecting tabs are used to fix the frame rail segments to the stiff torque box. Implementing stiff torque boxes in vehicle frame construction allows for more rigid vehicle frames with the advantage of additional weight savings. This construction is ideal for aluminum frame, front wheel drive and body on frame vehicles. Because of the characteristics of such a vehicle frame, opportunities arise to implement other weight conservative vehicle components.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A vehicle frame comprising:a torque box including a skeleton structure which defines a plurality of cavities, said torque box including a pair of upper connecting portions disposed at opposite ends of said torque box and a pair of lower connecting portions disposed at o

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A vehicle frame comprising:a torque box including a skeleton structure which defines a plurality of cavities, said torque box including a pair of upper connecting portions disposed at opposite ends of said torque box and a pair of lower connecting portions disposed at opposite ends of said torque box; anda pair of upper frame rail segments positioned within a common first plane and each connected to a respective upper connecting portion of said torque box; anda pair of lower frame rail segments positioned within a common second plane and each connected to a respective lower connecting portion of said torque box.