VEHICLE FRAME HAVING ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

摘要

A hollow structural member ( 30 ) for a vehicle is provided with a unitary energy absorbing end portion ( 34 ) having a reduced wall thickness (T₂), for deforming and absorbing the force of an impact, and a site for initiating such deformation. The initiation site preferably comprises a taper of the end section. A method for forming the structural members includes the steps of reducing the wall thickness of the member end section and subsequent tapering of the end section.