Vehicle bodywork

摘要

A laser-cut and spot-welded tubular frame chassis typically has an accuracy of ±1.5 mm. To allow positioning of exterior body panels to an accuracy of ±0.2 mm we propose that the vehicle comprise one or more integration panels, lying between the tubular framework and the exterior body panels. These can be made of a lightweight material, and can be made to be structural or non-structural depending on the intended use and location of the panel. It can also be attached adhesively to the framework at an early stage of manufacture. A jig with a suitable datum point can hold the integration panels while the adhesive sets, or a robotic arm or the like can hold the panel in the correct position. An adhesive thickness of about 3 mm will allow chassis tolerances of ±1.5 mm in any direction to be accommodated. The exterior body panels can then be attached to the integration panels in any preferred manner, such as adhesives, bolts, clips or the like. This attachment is preferably non-adhesive, and can therefore be done at a late stage in manufacture after much of the interior work has been done. The integration panel will also provide a convenient point for providing fittings and fixings for ancillaries within the vehicle such as brake lines, wiring, NVH panels and the like. A molded integration panel can be formed with appropriate fitting and fixings as necessary. This will also reduce the number of brackets and the like which need to be welded to the framework, reducing the energy cost of the vehicle manufacturing process.

主权项

1. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis including a tubular framework, at least one intermediate panel, adhesively attached to the tubular framework, at least one exterior body panel, attached to the intermediate panel and at least partially concealing the intermediate panel.