EXTRUDED BODY COMPONENT WITH NOTCHED FLANGE TO REDUCE STRAIN IN BENDING

摘要

A vehicular system is provided with a substantially hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface substantially parallel to the long axis. The outer surface includes a plurality of notched elements configured to reduce strain from bending the member in the direction of the short axis, e.g., by a stretch bending process. The hollow member may also include an outer surface that is curved substantially in the direction of the short axis. A method of making the vehicular assembly includes the steps: providing a substantially hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface substantially parallel to the long axis; cutting a plurality of notched elements into the outer surface; and bending the member such that the portion of the outer surface in proximity to the notched elements is in tension and curved in the short axis direction.

主权项

1. A vehicular subassembly, comprising:
a substantially hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface substantially parallel to the long axis, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of notched elements configured to reduce strain from bending the member in the direction of the short axis.