Laminated structural members for vehicles

Abstract

A tubular structural member of an automobile wherein such member includes a double wall construction. Such product is initially formed from a double walled tube. The resulting member exhibits superior sound and/or vibration dampening without sacrificing stiffness or strength.

1 . A hollow structural member for an automobile having a double wall formed from a laminate of two metal sheets.  
   
   
       2 . The structural member of  claim 1  wherein the metal sheets are formed from the same metal.  
   
   
       3 . The structural member of  claim 1  wherein the metal sheets are formed from different metals.  
   
   
       4 . The structural member of  claim 1  wherein said member is a vehicle frame component selected from the group consisting of pillars, rockers, support beams, drive shafts, side impact beams, bumpers, and cross members.  
   
   
       5 . The structural member of  claim 1  wherein said member is a vehicle frame cross member.  
   
   
       6 . A method for forming a hollow structural member for an automobile comprising: 
 a) providing a hollow tube having a double wall comprising a laminate of two metal sheets;    b) forming said tube into said structural member.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said structural member is a vehicle frame component selected from the group consisting of pillars, rockers, support beams, drive shafts, side impact beams, bumpers, and cross members.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising, prior to step (a), providing a laminate of two metal sheets and forming the laminate into a tube.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said forming step includes bending and/or hydroforming.