Abstract: A forming sheet metal part (1) for a vehicle frame includes: a first portion (2) being locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The part (1) further includes a dedicated three-dimensional distortion-absorbing area (4), defining an internal boundary (6) within which the first portion (2) is to be locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The distortion-absorbing area (4) is dimensioned such that once said locally heat-softening step has been performed, the internal boundary (6) is adjacent to the first portion (2) and encloses the first portion (2) to absorb the dimensional distortions induced by the locally heat-softened first portion. The invention further relates to a method for producing a forming sheet metal part (1).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

Abstract: A forming sheet metal part (1) for a vehicle frame includes: a first portion (2) being locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The part (1) further includes a dedicated three-dimensional distortion-absorbing area (4), defining an internal boundary (6) within which the first portion (2) is to be locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The distortion-absorbing area (4) is dimensioned such that once said locally heat-softening step has been performed, the internal boundary (6) is adjacent to the first portion (2) and encloses the first portion (2) to absorb the dimensional distortions induced by the locally heat-softened first portion. The invention further relates to a method for producing a forming sheet metal part (1).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

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 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.