TWIST BEAM WITH JOINED INNER AND OUTER PARTS

摘要

A twist beam (22) for a rear suspension assembly (20) includes an outer beam part (24) and an inner beam part (26) each stamped from a sheet of steel or steel alloy. The beam parts (24, 26) both present an inverted U-shaped cross-section. The inner beam part (26) is disposed between side walls (56, 72) of the outer beam part (24), and the parts (24, 26) present an inverted U-shaped gap (28) therebetween. The inner beam part (26) includes a plurality of ribs (84) to modify the roll stiffness of the twist beam (22). Each part (24, 26) includes an outwardly flared section (62, 76) adjacent an outer side edge (58, 74). The parts (24, 26) are typically joined by spot welds (86) along the flared sections (62, 76).

主权项

1. A twist beam, comprising:
an outer beam part including an outer base portion extending longitudinally along an axis between opposite outer ends; said outer beam part including a pair of outer side walls spaced from one another by said outer base portion and each extending longitudinally along said axis between said opposite outer ends and transversely from said outer base portion to present an opening therebetween; an inner beam part disposed in said opening between said outer side walls of said outer beam part; said inner beam part including an inner base portion extending longitudinally along said outer base portion between opposite inner ends; said inner beam part including a pair of inner side walls spaced from one another by said inner base portion and each extending longitudinally along said axis between said opposite inner ends and transversely from said inner base portion to present an opening therebetween; and said inner side walls of said inner beam part being joined to said outer side walls of said outer beam part.