STRUCTURAL COMPONENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A structural component for a motor vehicle, such as a center pillar or bumper cross member, includes comprising a plurality of metal sheets joined together by welding spots. At least one of the metal sheets is provided with relief zones in an area between the welding spots, with the relief zones being formed by recesses in the metal sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a section of a structural component according to the present invention for use in a motor vehicle; and

FIG. 2 is a detailed cutaway view of the structural component, showing a region between two welding spots.

Claims

1. A structural component for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of metal sheets joined together by welding spots, wherein at least one of the metal sheets is provided with relief zones in an area between the welding spots, said relief zones being formed by recesses in the metal sheet.

2. The structural component of claim 1, wherein the recesses are open toward an edge of the metal sheet.

3. The structural component of claim 1, wherein one of the metal sheets has a cup-shaped configuration, with another metal sheet forming a cover plate to close the one metal sheet.

4. The structural component of claim 1, for application as a center pillar.

5. The structural component of claim 1, for application as a bumper cross member.

6. A structural component for a motor vehicle, comprising first and second metal sheets joined together by welding spots, wherein at least one of the first and second metal sheets is provided with a relief zone in an area between two successive ones of the welding spots, said relief zone being formed by at least one recess in the one of the first and second metal sheets.

7. The structural component of claim 6, wherein the recess is open toward an edge of the metal sheet.

8. The structural component of claim 6, wherein one of the first and second metal sheets has a cup-shaped configuration, with the other one of the first and second metal sheets forming a cover plate to close the one of the first and second metal sheets.

9. The structural component of claim 6, for application as a center pillar.

10. The structural component of claim 6, for application as a bumper cross member.

11. A structural component for a motor vehicle, comprising first and second metal sheets joined together by welding spots, wherein at least one of the first and second metal sheets has an edge which is constructed of waveform configuration, defining peaks and valleys, wherein a valley is positioned between two successive ones of the welding spots and peaks are positioned adjacent to the welding spots.

12. The structural component of claim 11, wherein the valley is positioned in midsection between the welding spots.

13. The structural component of claim 11, wherein one of the first and second metal sheets has a cup-shaped configuration, with the other one of the first and second metal sheets forming a cover plate to close the one of the first and second metal sheets.

14. The structural component of claim 11, for application as a center pillar.

15. The structural component of claim 11, for application as a bumper cross member.