Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Alfred L Kresse, Jr

Gregory L Nagel

James L Luttinen

John C Johnson

Soo Aun Tan

Raymond L Wojdacki, Jr

Edward L Pauly

A vehicle frame structure provides a large protected cavity. Lateral energy management zones absorb impact energy on the sides of the protected cavity, and forward and rearward energy management zones absorb impact energy forward and rearward of the protected cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is characterized by dual load paths along the protected cavity and by graduated front and rear energy management zones.

Vehicle lower frame structure

An apparatus comprises a current source, first and second wheels through which a current from the current source selectively flows, and a source of gas, wherein the first and second wheels receive first and second pieces of metal having overlapping portions, force the first and second pieces of metal together at said overlapping portions. The current from the current source flows through the first and second wheels in the overlapping portions of the first and second pieces of metal, generating heat in said first and second pieces of metal sufficient to melt a coating on the first and second sheets of metal where the first and second sheets of metal contact and overlap. The source of gas comprises removes said melted coatings away from the overlapping portions of metal to clean the metal surfaces in preparation for movement to a weld station where the pieces of metal are resistive seam welded or laser lap seam welded. Preferably the source of gas supplies an inert gas to prevent reoxidation of the pieces between the apparatus and the weld station.

Method and apparatus for cleaning metal pieces prior to resistive seam

Two sheet metal panels are joined together to form a closed box section structure. The two panels are individually stamped from a blank and each has a flange along one edge and a toothed edge of alternating notches and tabs along the opposite edge. The two panels are assembled in box section forming relationship with the flanges of the two panels abutting with one another and the toothed edges abutting with one another with the tabs of the one panel interdigitating with the tabs of the other panel. Clamps are applied to the panels and urge the interdigitating tabs into tight fitting relationship. Then the panels are welded together at the interdigitating tabs and also at the abutting flanges to form the closed box section structure. The toothed edges of the panels preferably extend generally normal to one another and the length of the tab is not substantially less than the length of the notch which receives the tab so that the interlocking tabs and notches align the panels longitudinally relative one another pending the welding together of the panels. The weld may be a single sided spot resistance weld, an arc weld, or a laser weld.

Joint for single side welding and self-fixturing of closed steel sections

Joint and method for single side welding and self-fixturing of closed

Growing community of inventors

Romeo, MI, United States of America

Alfred L Kresse, Jr