TWIST BEAM AXLE WITH INTEGRAL TORSION BAR

摘要

A traditional twist beam axle found in a vehicle includes a twist beam with a separate torsion beam or a hollow tube formed into an inverted U shape that acts as both the twist beam and the torsion beam. Both solutions are expensive to manufacture A twist beam axle (14) is provided wherein the torsion member (42) is rigidly secured to the twist beam (40) The twist beam (40) has a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a bight portion (44) with first (50) and second (52) projections extending therefrom Embodiments include the cross- sectional configuration having an open cavity and the bight portion (44) having an indentation into the open cavity and forming a depression that is covered by the torsion member (42) A method of forming the disclosed twist beam axle (14) is also provided, the method including the step of rigidly securing the torsion member (42) to the bight portion (44) of the twist beam (40)