摘要 |
A chassis for a vehicle is disclosed which combines rigidity, speed of manufacture, and a small environmental footprint. Such a chassis (10) comprises a framework of interconnected tubular sections (14, 18) and at least one composite sheet (50) bonded to the framework, at least part (78) of the composite sheet comprising unidirectionally-arranged fibres, the part of the sheet and the unidirectional fibres extending obliquely rearwardly from one side of the chassis to another side. Laser cutting, CNC bending, and computer-controlled welding mean that the required production time can be kept to 120 seconds and the rigidity of the structure as a whole is sufficient. Such a chassis also has an exceptionally low carbon footprint. The sheet may comprise a plurality of sections, joined by a method allowing a positional tolerance so that any tolerance in the construction of the framework can be accommodated. The part of the sheet that is of unidirectional fibres extends obliquely rearwardly from a tubular section on one side of the chassis to another tubular section on the other side of the chassis, the fibres also being oriented obliquely rearwardly in the same sense. A further similar part (80) extends in the opposite direction, symmetrically, overlapping as necessary to form the sheet (50). |