Abstract: In a first aspect, a B-pillar central beam made of steel which comprises hard zones and soft zones. Such soft zones have less mechanical strength than the hard zones. The B-pillar central beam further comprises an upper region with a fastening portion for fastening to a roof member, and a lower region with a fastening portion for fastening to a sill member. The B-pillar central beam includes two soft zones. A lower soft zone is located between the lower fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height, and an upper soft zone is located between the upper fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height. The upper soft zone has higher mechanical strength than the lower soft zone. Methods for manufacturing such B-pillar central beam are also provided.

Abstract: A rocker (2) of a vehicle, the vehicle and the rocker (2) comprising a main elongation axis, a width axis (Y) and a height axis (Z), a lower portion and an upper portion, the rocker (2) further comprising a central core (3) comprising a length along the main elongation axis and a height along the height axis (Z); two hollow units (4, 5) extending along the length and on one side and the other of the central core (3), such that one of the units (4) is closer to the outside of the vehicle (1) than the other unit (5), and a cross-section of the units in the main elongation axis, forms a closed polygon on the length of the central core (3); and two flanges (6) projecting from the lower and upper portions of the rocker (2).

Abstract: A vehicle body structure having left and right side frames located on both sides in a vehicle width direction, each side frame including an end on an external force acting side that receives a collision load in a vehicle longitudinal direction acting from outside of a vehicle, and an end on an opposite side of the end on the external force acting side. The side frames are provided with a plurality of fragile portions on left and right sides. The plurality of fragile portions include at least left and right first fragile portions located at the ends on the external force acting side, and left and right second fragile portions located on sides of the ends on the opposite side. An area of each of the left and right first fragile portions is set to be larger than each of areas of the left and right second fragile portions.

Abstract: A method for producing a chassis link includes shaping a single-shell main body from a sheet metal blank and deforming the sheet metal blank by deep drawing, which includes pre-drawing during which an indentation is produced on the main body and in which the indentation is trimmed and a bush is attached to a projection on the main body once the indentation has been trimmed. The sheet metal blank is pre-drawn such that the indentation is given a radius that matches the bush to be attached such that there is no further need for a further forming operation on the indentation once the indentation has been trimmed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe for a passenger vehicle. The subframe includes at least two longitudinal members, at least one crossmember which interconnects the longitudinal members, vehicle body connecting elements for connecting the subframe to a vehicle body, and at least one control arm connection for each side of the vehicle. The control arm connection has at least one insert part which is received in an interlocking manner in an opening of the subframe and is integrally and/or frictionally connected to the subframe. The insert part has a connecting portion for forming a screw connection and being chosen from a group comprising at least two different insert parts, the various insert parts differing from one another in terms of the vertical position of the connecting portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing reinforced steel structural components is described. The method comprises providing a previously formed steel structural component, selecting one or more reinforcement zones of the previously formed structural component, and locally depositing a material on the reinforcement zone to create a local reinforcement on a first side of the structural component. Locally depositing a material on the reinforcement zone comprises supplying a metal filler material to the reinforcement zone, and substantially simultaneously applying laser heat to melt the metal filler material and create the reinforcement by drawing specific geometric shapes on the first side of the structural component with the metal filler material and the laser heating. And the method further comprises providing cooling to areas on an opposite side of the structural component. The disclosure further relates to a tool for manufacturing reinforced steel structural components and to the components obtained using such methods.

Abstract: A beam provided with at least one first part that has a main body with an overall U-shaped straight cross-section provided with lateral flanges protruding outwards from the sides of the U, the main body further comprising a bottom part as well as two wings forming the sides of the U. The central portion of the main body defines cells working under tension and under compression, respectively, on either side of a neutral main bending axis formed by two transition zones, which are each located between the U-shaped element and a lateral flange. The bottom part of the main body comprises at least one transition formed by a curvature discontinuity. And at least one wing comprises at least one transition formed by a curvature discontinuity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shock absorber system for a vehicle comprising a main unit (100) adapted to be deformed in the event of an impact with a first energy level and a secondary unit (200) shorter in length than the main unit (100), adapted to be subjected to loads as a complement of the main unit (100), after a first deformation phase of the main unit (100), when the system receives an impact with a second energy level greater than the first, the secondary unit (200) being configured to orient the resultant of a force applied on a downstream structure (30) in a direction not parallel to the longitudinal axis of this downstream structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a front axle support for a motor vehicle, including side members and a crossmember interconnecting the side members, the crossmember being in the form of a hollow body and being provided with at least one attachment device for attaching a steering system housing.

Abstract: A metal piece having at least two areas of lower mechanical strength than the body of the piece, said pieces being respectively arranged on one side and the other of a longitudinal central section (PM) of said piece and alternatively located in two locations separated longitudinally along the piece, the areas of lower mechanical strength than the body of the piece being formed by local control of the stamping temperature during a stamping process of the piece, notably a process comprising steps including heating the piece to a temperature range suitable for obtaining an austenitic stage, then stamping this piece in a stamping tool suitable for defining different temperatures in the different areas of the stamped piece, for example by virtue of the voids formed in the stamping tool or by local reheating of the stamping tool.

Abstract: A rocker (2) of a vehicle, the vehicle and the rocker (2) comprising a main elongation axis, a width axis (Y) and a height axis (Z), a lower portion and an upper portion, the rocker (2) further comprising a central core (3) comprising a length along the main elongation axis and a height along the height axis (Z); two hollow units (4, 5) extending along the length and on one side and the other of the central core (3), such that one of the units (4) is closer to the outside of the vehicle (1) than the other unit (5), and a cross-section of the units in the main elongation axis, forms a closed polygon on the length of the central core (3); and two flanges (6) projecting from the lower and upper portions of the rocker (2).

Abstract: A beam comprising a first portion having a U-shaped cross-section, wherein the U-shape comprises a bottom and a first and a second side wall extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom, and wherein the first and/or the second side wall comprises a first substantially straight portion, a second substantially straight portion and a side transition zone between the first and the second substantially straight portion. The disclosure further relates to bumpers, rocker panels, side impact beams and B-pillars comprising such beams and to vehicles incorporating such components.

Abstract: A tool for manufacturing hot formed structural components having locally different microstructures and mechanical properties, the tool comprising upper and lower mating dies, each die being formed by two or more die blocks (10) comprising one or more working surfaces (34) that in use face the structural component to be formed and one or more supporting blocks, the upper and lower dies comprising die blocks are adapted to operate at different temperatures corresponding to zones of the structural component to be formed having locally different microstructures and mechanical properties, the die blocks including one or more warm die blocks adapted to operate at a higher temperature, and one or more cold die blocks adapted to operate at a lower temperature, and wherein at least one of the warm die blocks is an electrically conductive die block which is electrically connected to a current source configured to provide a DC current through the die block to control the temperature of the die block.

Abstract: A motor vehicle bodywork beam including a main reinforcement having a bottom, two side walls and two flanges substantially parallel to the bottom and a secondary reinforcement. The secondary reinforcement is fixed to the main reinforcement. The main reinforcement and secondary reinforcement are fixed at each side wall level, and of the side walls and/or bottom of the main and/or secondary reinforcement comprise a transition, such that at least a part of the bottom of the secondary reinforcement is in contact with a part of the bottom of the main reinforcement.

Abstract: Methods for joining a first blank and a second blank are disclosed, wherein at least one of the first and second blanks comprising at least a layer of aluminum or of an aluminum alloy. Methods may comprise selecting a first portion of the first blank to be joined to the second blank, and selecting a second portion of the second blank to be joined to the first portion; welding the first portion to the second portion, while supplying a metal powder to a weld zone, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the blanks and the metal powder in the weld zone are melted during welding and the metal powder is mixed with the melted first and second portions, and wherein the metal powder is an iron based powder comprising gammagenic elements. The disclosure further relates to blanks and products obtained using such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis component having a mount which is produced from a formable basic material and includes at least one slot for receiving a connection bolt for connecting a steering arm and at least one stop for an eccentric disc which is or can be connected in a torsionally stiff sense to the connection bolt. In order for it to be possible to produce the stop for the eccentric disc in a reliable and cost-effective manner without the risk of crack formation, the invention provides for a recess to be molded into the basic material, which recess defines a peripheral edge region and a base enclosed by the edge region, the base including the slot and the edge region including two oblong surfaces extending in parallel with one another which act as the stop for the eccentric disc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis link including a single-shell sheet metal main body, on which a plurality of bearing regions are formed for attaching bearing elements by which the main body can be connected to the bodywork and to a movable part of a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The main body includes two arms which merge into one another and define a main-body plane and a concave edge region of the main body. The concave edge region extends from a wheel-side bearing region towards a bodywork-side bearing region and is at an angle relative to the main-body plane. For such a chassis link having a high inherent stiffness and a low weight the invention proposes that the angled, concave edge region includes, along at least one curve length portion, at least one oblique surface which, when viewed in cross section, encloses an angle in the range of from 25° to 75° with a surface, adjacent thereto, of the angled, concave edge region.

Abstract: A motor vehicle bodywork beam including a main reinforcement having a bottom, two side walls and two flanges substantially parallel to the bottom and a secondary reinforcement. The secondary reinforcement is fixed to the main reinforcement. The main reinforcement and secondary reinforcement are fixed at each side wall level, and of the side walls and/or bottom of the main and/or secondary reinforcement comprise a transition, such that at least a part of the bottom of the secondary reinforcement is in contact with a part of the bottom of the main reinforcement.

Abstract: Press systems for manufacturing hot formed structural components are provided. The systems comprise a fixed lower body, a mobile upper body and a mechanism configured to provide upwards and downwards press progression of the mobile upper body with respect to the fixed lower body. The system further includes a cooling tool configured to cool down a previously heated blank. The cooling tool includes upper and lower mating dies, the lower die connected to the lower body with one or more lower biasing elements and/or the upper die connected to the upper body with one or more upper biasing elements. The system further includes a press tool configured to draw the blank, wherein the press tool is arranged downstream from the cooling tool. Moreover, methods for hot forming structural components are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe for a motor vehicle, in particular a front axle subframe, including a first shell element and a second shell element which is rigidly connected to the first shell element and defines a cavity therewith, and at least one bodywork connection sleeve for inserting a screw therethrough. The bodywork connection sleeve is attached at one of its ends to a through-hole in the first shell element and extends within the cavity towards a through-hole in the second shell element.