Body of motor vehicle with increased torsional rigidity has fuel tank fabricated from sheet metal and connected to body to serve as force-transferring reinforcing element

摘要

The fuel tank fabricated from sheet metal is connected to the body of the vehicle and serves as a force-transferring reinforcing element. The fuel tank provides an increase in the torsional rigidity of the whole body by at least 10 per cent and preferably 20 per cent. The tank has fixing brackets or flanges around its circumference and which at least on two sides of the tank by at least 60 per cent of its length are connected to the body to transfer force. The fuel tank flange is connected to the body by screws, rivets, spot-welds or suchlike with a pitch of not more than 75 millimeters.