Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Fahrzeug-Hohlrahmenkomponente mit einer starken Biegung

摘要

A method of manufacturing a hollow vehicle frame component having at least one relatively sharp bend may include the initial step of pre-forming a generally linear, hollow member into a desired configuration. The hollow member (15) may be expansion shaped by a hydroforming process. Next, a section (20, 21) of the hollow pre-formed member (15) is removed at a location where it is desired to be provide a relatively sharp bend. The section (20, 21) is removed along a portion of the pre-formed member (15) so as to divide it into two sections, thereby forming a hinge-like structure (23) therebetween. The two sections are then bent toward one another such that the edges (20a, 21a, 20b, 21b) adjacent the removed section are moved toward one another. Finally, the adjacent edges (20a, 21a, 20b, 21b) are secured together to form the vehicle frame component. Portions of the edges (20a, 21a, 20b, 21b) may abut one another or overlap one another for securement. A plurality of such bends may be formed in the hollow member (15). The ends (11, 13) of the hollow member (15) may extend within a single plane or within different planes. The magnitude of the angle formed in the member (15) is dependent upon the size of the section (20, 21) which is removed therefrom.