A structural hydroformed joint member has projecting portions (30a, 30b) formed integrally on an outer peripheral face of a hollow main tube part (20) by hydroforming an element tube with an outside diameter D. In this case, both intersecting planes (35a, 35b), which are projecting planes of end faces (33a, 33b) of the projecting portions (30a, 30b) toward the main tube part (20), share a plane perpendicular to the main axis (40) of the main tube part (20) only in portions (36a, 36b) of the intersecting planes (35a, 35b). At that time, by setting areas of the portions (36a, 36b) to 30% or more and 90% or less relative to an area of each of the intersecting planes (35a, 35b), a projecting height of each of the projecting portions (30a, 30b) is 0.3D or higher for functioning as a joint.

A vehicle frame (10) includes a space frame assembly (16) which is mounted to a pair of longitudinal mainframes (14). The space frame assembly includes a multiple of a interconnected supports, which are configured to support a plurality of vehicle components.

L'invention concerne un véhicule (1) léger utilitaire moteur du type constitué d'un châssis (2) porteur, d'une cabine (3) et d'un plateau de chargement (4).

Ce véhicule est caractérisé en ce que le groupe motopropulseur (6) du véhicule (1) est situé à l'arrière du véhicule, sous le plateau de chargement, ledit plateau (4) étant constitué d'au moins deux parties (4A, 4B) dont au moins l'une (4A) est mobile pour faciliter l'accès audit groupe motopropulseur (6).

A network structure for a bus chassis, in particular for airport service buses, said structure comprising a pair of closed truss-centres (6) for each one of the openings (3, 3', 4, 4', 5) provided laterally in the body sides; at least two longitudinal members (9,10) on the floor (7) which are joined by first transverse members (8) which are interposed in a parallel direction to said pairs of closed truss-centres (6); first vertical and horizontal members arranged on the body sides (11) and interconnected to each other and to the vertical members of said closed truss-centres (6) by means of first reinforcement diagonal members (10); two wheelhouse zones (25) for each one of said body sides, said zones being each one made up of second vertical (27) and horizontal (26) members as well as of second reinforcement diagonal members (28); two upper lateral beams (15, 16,'17) defining the roof (14) which are connected by trusses (18) parallel to the upper side of said closed truss-centres (6) and joined to each other through longitudinal members (20) and third diagonal members (19); and two open truss-centres (21) in a position which is transverse and central on said roof (14) for supporting the motor and the relative equipment; the two head parts (22) of said structure being each one provided with an opening (23) for the entrance/exit door and with a seat for housing a overhanging or an inner driver's cab in a position which is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the structure.

The present application discloses a wheel beam type axleless vehicle frame that comprises five sections in sequence from front to back, including a front hanging rack, a front wheel carrier, an intermediate coupling rack, a rear wheel carrier, and a rear hanging rack. Every two adjacent sections amongst the five sections are manufactured and connected in a unified and standardized integrated mode; a modular combination structure is used; and the five sections, which are independent respectively, may be assembled and adjusted according to requirements, and have sufficient strength and stiffness as well as completely independent interchangeability. According to the present application, laterally-loaded connection of the vehicle frame, wheel alignment, and integration of suspensions and elastic elements as well as resistance points on the vehicle frame are achieved. The vehicle frame is capable of reasonably bearing all the loads with axles being removed. The vehicle frame can be matched with all the other elastic elements than leaf springs in various suspensions; and the height of the floor of a motor vehicle can be reduced significantly, such that the utilization of the interior space of a vehicle is enhanced to a large extent effectively and the comfort is enhanced. The vehicle frame has the advantages that match with the needs of an electric vehicle, and thus may be used as the optimum configuration frame for the electric vehicle; and the vehicle frame may be improved according to requirements to be applicable to various fuel and hybrid electric passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles.

A vehicle body structure comprising a pair of side members (1) which are disposed at side portions of a vehicle body and extend in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body; a first cross member (2) which extends in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body and connects the pair of side members (1) each other; a center member (3) which is extends from a central portion of the first cross member in the widthwise direction to the front in the front-to-rear direction; a pair of connecting members (5) which extend in the front-to-rear direction at a rear side of the first cross member in the front-to-rear direction, which are connected to the center member at front ends thereof and of which rear ends extend outwards in the widthwise direction towards the side members (1)and are connected to the side members; and a second cross (6) member which extends in the widthwise direction at the rear side of the first cross member in the front-to-rear direction and connects the pair of connecting members (5) each other.

A first split-bracket 6 is joined to a first tube-shaped frame 2 by laser welding. A second split-bracket 8 is joined to an end portion of a second tube-shaped frame 4 by the laser welding. The second tube-shaped frame 4 equipped with the second split-bracket 8 is assembled to the first tube-shaped frame 2 equipped with the first split-bracket 6. A second flange 606 of the first split-bracket 6 and a second flange 806 of the second split-bracket 8 are joined temporarily by spot welding. The second flange 606 of the first split-bracket 6 and the second flange 806 of the second split-bracket 8 are joined by continuous welding with laser welding. Accordingly, the tube-shaped frames can be connected properly without forming any hole at a wall of the tube-shaped frame, ensuring the rigidity of the connection portion of the tube-shaped frames.

An integral box-like vehicle body, characterized in that it comprises a three-dimensional truss framework, the framework of the vehicle body includes two lateral trusses, which are connected to each other at the points of an upper longeron (1) of the lateral trusses by a plurality of vaulted crossbeams (7) to form a vault top, and the points of a lower longeron (2) of the lateral trusses are connected to each other to by a plurality of bottom inclined beams 5 and bottom crossbeams 6 to form a bottom truss. The deadweight of the vehicle body is 5-7 tons lower than that of the box-like semi-trailer or the box-like full trailer of the same weight. The vehicle body improves strength, rigidity and stability, and reduces the cost.