Vehicle chassis

摘要

A chassis for a vehicle is disclosed which combines rigidity, speed of manufacture, and a small environmental footprint. Such a chassis comprises a framework of Interconnected tubular sections (14, 18) and at least one composite sheet (50) bonded to the framework, at least part of the composite sheet being of unidirectional fibers. The sheet can be non-flat, and is preferably a concave geometry such as a tub. It can be composed of a plurality of sections (78, 80). The part of the composite sheet that Is of unidirectional fibers extends obliquely rearwardly from a tubular section on one side of the chassis toward a further tubular section on another side of the chassis, the fibers also being oriented obliquely rearwardly In the same sense. A further similar part extends in the opposite direction/symmetrically, overlapping as necessary.

主权项

1. A chassis for a vehicle, comprising a framework, the framework comprising interconnected circular cross-section tubular sections including four longitudinal members, an upper and a lower longitudinal member on both a left hand and a right hand side of the vehicle and at least one composite sheet bonded to the framework to provide an internal structure to the vehicle and having a flat region laying in front of and on either side of the driver's seating area and beneath the driver's feet, at least two sections of the flat region of the composite sheet being of unidirectional fibres, the unidirectional fibres extending obliquely rearwardly, the fibers in one section extending from one side of the chassis to another side of the chassis between the lower left hand longitudinal member and the lower right hand longitudinal member, and the fibres in a second section extending from the another side of the chassis to the one side of the chassis between the lower right hand longitudinal member and the lower left hand longitudinal member, the sections being bonded to the lower left and right hand longitudinal members.