Method of manufacturing a sturctural ultra-thin sheet metal part with patch welded reinforcements

Abstract

A sheet metal component for a vehicle comprising a metal sheet having thickened portions integrated into the metal sheet that reinforces local areas of the sheet metal component. The metal sheet has integrally formed longitudinal members and cross-members. A method of manufacturing a sheet metal component is also disclosed that comprises selecting a planar sheet metal blank that is cut to size to define an outer contour. At least one reinforcing layer is provided on the blank to form thickened portions of the blank. The method also includes the steps of heating the blank, forming the blank into the desired geometric shape of the sheet metal component, and hardening the sheet metal component.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.