In a structure such as that described in WO2009/122178, it is necessary to provide an adhesive bond between composite panels and the tubular framework. We describe a chassis comprising a framework of interconnected tubular-section metallic members and a plurality of composite panels, each panel being adhesively bonded to a plurality of the metallic members, wherein at least one bond between a composite panel and a metallic member is formed by an arcuate formation integral with and extending from an edge of a planar section of the composite panel and fitting around an exterior of the metallic member, and a layer of adhesive along the gap there between extending substantially from the edge of the planar section across a part of but less than the complete angular extent of the arcuate section. We also describe a method of forming a vehicle chassis, comprising the steps of assembling a framework of tubular-section metallic members, providing a plurality of composite members, at least one of which has a planar section and, at an edge thereof, an arcuate formation substantially matching an external profile of a metallic member, applying an adhesive bead along the arcuate formation to a predetermined depth and covering an angular extent of the arcuate formation that is less than the complete extent thereof, bringing together the at least one composite member and the metallic member so that the metallic member sits within the arcuate formation and a spacing between them is less than the predetermined depth.
Vehicle chassis structures
2017-05-11
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch