Body panel assembly and a method for manufacturing a body panel assembly

摘要

A body panel assembly and a method for manufacturing a body panel assembly are disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the body panel assembly includes, but is not limited to, an inner panel having a lower portion. The body panel assembly further includes an outer panel that is connected to the inner panel. The outer panel has a main portion, a transitional portion, and a bent portion. The main portion and the bent portion are positioned on opposite sides of the lower portion. The main portion, the transitional portion, and the bent portion are arranged to form a cavity having an elongated configuration below the inner panel. The bent portion defines an opening extending therethrough. The opening is positioned at least partially below the lower portion of the inner panel. The opening provides ventilation to the cavity.

主权项

1. A method for manufacturing a body panel assembly, the body panel assembly including an inner panel having a lower portion and an outer panel having a first end, a second end, and an opening extending through the outer panel, the opening being spaced apart from the first end, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the inner panel over the outer panel such that the lower portion of the inner panel is spaced apart from the opening; partially bending a portion of the outer panel around the lower portion of the inner panel, the portion including the first end of the outer panel and the opening; moving the inner panel towards the second end to a position where the lower portion of the inner panel will avoid obstruction of the opening once the bending of the portion of the outer panel has been completed; and completely bending the portion of the outer panel towards the inner panel to form the body panel assembly having the outer panel having a main portion, a transitional portion, and a bent portion, the main portion and the bent portion being positioned on opposite sides of the lower portion of the inner panel, the main portion, the transitional portion and the bent portion forming a cavity having an elongated configuration below the inner panel, and the opening extending through the bent portion to provide ventilation for the cavity.