# US 2014/0193659 A1 · Method of manufacturing a sturctural ultra-thin sheet metal part with patch welded reinforcements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193659 A1 - Document ID: US20140193659A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/203,866 - Filed: 2014-03-11 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-22 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Horst Heribert LANZERATH; Omar GHOUATI; Juergen WESEMANN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193659A1 ## CPC - B21D 31/00: Other methods for working sheet metal, metal tubes, metal profiles (deforming one surface of tubes helically by rolling B21H3/00; upsetting B21J5/08; working metal by removing material therefrom B23; embossing B44B) - B62D 25/20: Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} - B62D 25/2027: {the subunits being rear structures} - B62D 29/00: Superstructures, {understructures, or sub-units thereof,} characterised by the material thereof {(B62D33/044, B62D33/048 take precedence)} - Y10T 428/12389: having variation in thickness - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sheet metal component for a vehicle comprising: a metal sheet having thickened portions integrated into the metal sheet that reinforce local areas of the sheet metal component, wherein the metal sheet has integrally formed longitudinal members and cross-members. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sheet metal component of claim 1 wherein the metal sheet is selected from a group consisting essentially of: boron steel; FeMn steel; FeAl steel; and aluminum alloy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sheet metal component of claim 1 wherein the metal sheet is boron steel having a thickness of less than or equal to 0.7 mm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sheet metal component of claim 1 wherein the integrally formed longitudinal members further comprise at least one U-shaped channel formed in a longitudinal direction in the sheet metal component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sheet metal component of claim 1 wherein the cross-members further comprise at least one rib formed in a transverse direction in the sheet metal component. ### Claim 6 A method of manufacturing a sheet metal component comprising: selecting a planar sheet metal blank that is cut to size defining an outer contour; providing at least one reinforcing layer to the blank to form thickened portions on the blank; heating the blank; forming the blank into a geometric shape of the sheet metal component; and hardening the sheet metal component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing at least one reinforcing layer further comprises assembling small planar sheet metal plates to the blank and welding the small planar sheet metal plates to the blank. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing at least one reinforcing layer further comprises assembling small planar sheet metal plates to the blank and pressing the small sheet metal plates into the blank. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing at least one reinforcing layer further comprises rolling the reinforcing layer onto the blank by varying a roll gap.