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: The present disclosure relates to methods for forming a floor panel for a vehicle framework, comprising providing a main blank made of a press-hardenable steel, providing one or more first patch blanks, and welding the first patch blanks to the main blank to form a patchwork blank. The methods further comprise pressing the patchwork blank to form the floor panel, wherein the first patch blanks are arranged along a part of the main blank to form a first seat cross member, and wherein left and right portions of the first patch blanks in an area of the main blank to form an area of the floor panel to be attached to a rocker are made of a steel that is more ductile than the steel of the main blank. The present disclosure further relates to floor panels for vehicle frameworks made from a single integral piece.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to structural members for a vehicle framework at least partially configured for supporting compressive loads. A structural member comprises a main piece and a patch. The main piece has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and comprises a bottom, a first side wall and a second side wall. The patch is attached to the main piece and comprises three patch portions: a bottom patch portion that extends over the bottom of the main piece, a first side wall patch portion that extends over the first side wall of the main piece, and a second side wall patch portion that extends over the second side wall of the main piece. The main piece is made of a more ductile material than the patch.

Abstract: Structural members for a vehicle at least partially configured for supporting bending loads and methods for manufacturing such structural members are provided. A structural member includes a main piece with a substantially U-shaped cross-section comprising a bottom, a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the main piece comprises a region configured for supporting bending loads. The structural member includes a first patch having a first patch edge and an opposite second patch edge, wherein the first patch is attached to the main piece by continuous laser welding inside the first patch substantially along the first patch edge and along the second patch edge at least in the region configured for supporting bending loads.

Abstract: A vehicle structure comprising a portion extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the portion comprises a first member extending in the longitudinal direction and a second member extending in the longitudinal direction. The first member is configured to face an inside of a vehicle, and the second member is configured to face an outside of the vehicle. The first and second members are attached to one another to form a closed space between them. The portion comprises a wave-shaped first tubular reinforcement member located in the closed space.

Abstract: A hot stamping vehicle floor (1) for a vehicle frame (100) includes a main floor panel (2) stamped out from at least one sheet metal blank. The floor further includes at least one sheet metal reinforcing patch (4), arranged on the main floor panel (2), overlapping the main floor panel (2). The reinforcing patch (4) is more ductile than the main floor panel (2). The at least one reinforcing patch (4) is joined to at least one area (6) of the main floor panel (2) conceived to withstand compressive crash forces in case of a crash situation of the vehicle and the main floor panel (2) and the at least one reinforcing patch (4) are joined to each other before said vehicle floor (1) is stamped out. The invention also refers to a method for producing the vehicle floor.

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: Structural beam which comprises a first beam and a cover plate to be attached to the first beam. The first beam has a substantially U-shaped cross-section along at least a first portion of its length. The U-shape comprises a bottom wall, two sidewalls, a lateral flange at an end of at least one of the two sidewalls, and a groove in the junction between the sidewall and the lateral flange. The groove has a substantially flat first joining region at or near the bottom of the groove. The cover plate of the structural beam has a substantially flat second joining region welded to a first joining region. Methods for manufacturing such beams are also provided.

Abstract: A structural beam which comprises a first beam and a reinforcement to be attached to it. The first beam has a substantially U-shaped cross-section along at least a first portion of its length and comprises a bottom wall and two sidewalls wherein the bottom wall comprises a substantially flat first joining region. The reinforcement of the structural beam has a substantially flat second joining region which may be welded to a first joining region. Both parts of the structure are made of hardened UHSS. Methods for manufacturing such beams are also provided.

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 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: 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: Structural beam which comprises a first beam and a cover plate to be attached to the first beam. The first beam has a substantially U-shaped cross-section along at least a first portion of its length. The U-shape comprises a bottom wall, two sidewalls, a lateral flange at an end of at least one of the two sidewalls, and a groove in the junction between the sidewall and the lateral flange. The groove has a substantially flat first joining region at or near the bottom of the groove. The cover plate of the structural beam has a substantially flat second joining region welded to a first joining region. Methods for manufacturing such beams are also provided.

Abstract: A structural beam which comprises a first beam and a reinforcement to be attached to it. The first beam has a substantially U-shaped cross-section along at least a first portion of its length and comprises a bottom wall and two sidewalls wherein the bottom wall comprises a substantially flat first joining region. The reinforcement of the structural beam has a substantially flat second joining region which may be welded to a first joining region. Both parts of the structure are made of hardened UHSS. Methods for manufacturing such beams are also provided.

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: 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 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 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 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.