Body for a motor car, especially a small car

US5688021A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Micro Compact Car AG · DE

Inventors

• Johann Tomforde · Sindelfingen, DE
• Werner Nowak · Sindelfingen, DE
• Jens Manske · Yokohama, JP
• Walter Berlinger · Sindelfingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 11, 1996
• Grant date: Nov 18, 1997
• Expiry date: Jan 11, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D25/02
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a body for a motor car, especially a small car, in which the load-bearing structure of the body is formed by what is referred to as a "space-frame" structure. In the floor region and in the side region behind the doors, surface elements are integrated in a sealing and permanent manner into the framework structure and are in part closed off by window panes inserted in a sealing manner or by a roof inserted in a sealing manner. At the front, the body is closed off by a nose module which can be bolted on in a sealing manner, can be preassembled ready for operation and can be closed off laterally and at the rear by a side door fitted in a sealing manner and a tailgate, respectively. The outward-facing flat sides of the sections of the framework structure which lie above the beltline are exposed and in this region the bars are in each case shaped to match the desired surface profile of the body and--apart from a paint finish--directly form the body exterior surface area. Below the beltline, the framework structure is covered with panelling components which are connected removably to the framework structure, do not have a load-bearing function and, together with …