Structural part for the body or undercarriage of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A structural part for a body or undercarriage of a motor vehicle includes a channel-shaped or hollow length portion made of steel sheet; and a bulkhead received for reinforcement in the length portion in an area of high stress. The bulkhead may hereby extend transversely or in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the length portion.

1 . A structural part for a body or undercarriage of a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 a length portion made of steel sheet; and    a bulkhead received for reinforcement in the length portion in an area of high stress.    
   
   
       2 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the length portion is channel-shaped.  
   
   
       3 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the length portion is hollow.  
   
   
       4 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the length portion is defined by a longitudinal axis, said bulkhead extending transversely to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the length portion is defined by a longitudinal axis, said bulkhead extending in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       6 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the bulkhead is welded into the length portion.  
   
   
       7 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the length portion is made by shaping a plate of steel sheet.  
   
   
       8 . The structural part of  claim 7 , wherein adjacent edges of the plates are connected by welding to one another at least along a section thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the bulkhead is provided with a crease.  
   
   
       10 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the bulkhead is provided with an embossment.  
   
   
       11 . The structural part of  claim 1 , wherein the bulkhead is provided with an opening.  
   
   
       12 . The structural part of  claim 2 , wherein the length portion is made through a radial stamping process of a tube.  
   
   
       13 . A method of making a structural part for a body or undercarriage of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: 
 shaping a plate of steel sheet to form a shell of U-shaped cross section;    securing a bulkhead in the shell;    bending marginal areas next to free edges of the shell about the bulkhead to form the a length portion; and    welding the edges, at least sectionwise.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bulkhead extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the length portion, said bending step resulting in the formation of a tubular length portion.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bulkhead extends in parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the length portion, said bending step resulting in the formation of a box-shaped length portion.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the welding step involves spot welding.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the welding step involves linear welding.