Method for Producing a Double-Chamber Hollow Profile

Abstract

A method for producing a double-chamber hollow profile having chamber walls integrally joined to one another, in which a tubular hollow profile blank having a single hollow space is bent to form two branches which run at least virtually parallel to one another, and inserted into a internal high pressure forming tool to be expanded into a final shape by a high internal fluid pressure until the opposing walls of the branches bear against one another and the remaining walls bear against the recess cavity of the forming tool.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A method for producing a double-chamber hollow profile with walls of the chambers being integrally joined to one another, comprising the steps of: 
 bending a tubular hollow profile blank having a single hollow space to form two branches, which run at least virtually parallel to one another;    inserting the blank into a internal high pressure forming tool; and    expanding the blank into a final shape of the hollow profile by application of a high internal fluid pressure until opposing walls of the branches (bear against one another and remaining walls of the branches bear against a recess cavity of the forming tool.    
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the hollow profile blank is bent about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the blank.  
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein during the bending step, an elongate body is enveloped by the two branches of the hollow profile blank.  
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein during the bending step, an elongate body is enveloped by the two branches of the hollow profile blank.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in the bending step, the hollow profile blank is bent by one end about an axis approximately 45° to a longitudinal axis of the blank and is bent back by the other end about an axis mirror symmetrical with the approximately 45° axis, such that the opposing walls of the branches of the hollow profile blank run along a central transverse axis of the blank.  
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the hollow profile blank is filled with a liquid or solid medium prior to the bending step.  
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the hollow profile blank is filled with a liquid or solid medium prior to the bending step.  
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the hollow profile blank is filled with a liquid or solid medium prior to the bending step.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the opposing walls of the two branches are coated with an adhesive or a solder prior to the expanding step.  
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the opposing walls of the two branches are coated with an adhesive or a solder prior to the expanding step.  
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the opposing walls of the two branches are coated with an adhesive or a solder prior to the expanding step.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the two branches is impressed on its wall opposed to the other branch with one or more interlocking elements, and a corresponding mating interlocking elements are formed on the opposing wall of the other of the two branches.  
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the two branches is impressed on its wall opposed to the other branch with one or more interlocking elements, and a corresponding mating interlocking elements are formed on the opposing wall of the other of the two branches.  
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the two branches is impressed on its wall opposed to the other branch with one or more interlocking elements, and a corresponding mating interlocking elements are formed on the opposing wall of the other of the two branches.  
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in the expanding step the two branches are perforated on the remaining walls, further comprising the step of: 
 clinching the opposing walls of the two branches with a male die and a female.    
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein in the expanding step the two branches are perforated on the remaining walls, further comprising the step of: 
 clinching the opposing walls of the two branches with a male die and a female.    
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein in the expanding step the two branches are perforated on the remaining walls, further comprising the step of: 
 clinching the opposing walls of the two branches with a male die and a female.    
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein in the expanding step the two branches are perforated on the remaining walls, further comprising the step of: 
 clinching the opposing walls of the two branches with a male die and a female.