# US 2023/0264759 A1 · Frame Joint Structure and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0264759 A1 - Document ID: US20230264759A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/306,788 - Filed: 2023-04-25 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-16 - Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Corporation - Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Corporation - Inventors: Won Ki Song; Heedae Oh; Jung Jong Chun; Yeongjae Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230264759A1 ## CPC - B62D 27/023: {Assembly of structural joints} - B62D 21/02: comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members - B62D 23/005: {with integrated chassis in the whole shell, e.g. meshwork, tubes, or the like (B62D33/044 takes precedence)} - B62D 25/02: Side panels {(B62D33/046 takes precedence; sideboards for open load compartments B62D33/023)} - B62D 25/06: Fixed roofs (non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08) - B62D 25/2009: {in connection with other superstructure subunits} - 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) ## Abstract An embodiment frame joint structure includes a plurality of body members, each body member including a closed section portion having a closed section of a set shape and a flange portion integrally extending from the closed section portion, and a plurality of joints, each joint having a first end coupled to a connection point of a respective one of the body members and a second end coupled to an adjacent joint. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: welding a blank patch to a main panel to provide a patched panel assembly; rolling a portion of the patched panel assembly into a pipe thereby forming a body member having a flange portion integrally extending in a closed section, and a joint being formed as a connection point of the body member; and welding an edge of the closed section of the body member to the flange portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising spot welding the joint to another joint that serves as a connection point of an adjacent body member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein rolling the portion of the patched panel assembly into the pipe and spot welding the joints comprises overlapping portions protruding from the connection points of the body members and spot welding the overlapped portions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising spot welding a panel component to the flange portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the spot welding comprises spot welding the panel component on the same plane of the flange portion and the joint. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: welding the blank patch comprises overlapping the main panel and the blank patch and spot welding the blank patch to the main panel; and welding the edge comprises welding an edge of the closed section and the flange to each other by laser welding. ### Claim 7 A frame joint method comprising: welding a blank patch to a main panel to provide a patched panel assembly; rolling a portion of the patched panel assembly into a pipe thereby forming a body member having a flange portion integrally extending in a closed section, and a joint being formed as a connection point of the body member; welding an edge of the closed section of the body member to the flange portion; spot welding the joint to another joint that serves as a connection point of an adjacent body member; and spot welding a panel component to the flange portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein welding the blank patch comprises overlapping the main panel and the blank patch and spot welding the blank patch to the main panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein rolling the portion of the patched panel assembly into the pipe and spot welding the joints comprises overlapping portions protruding from the connection points of the body members and spot welding the overlapped portions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein welding the edge comprises welding an edge of the closed section and the flange to each other by laser welding. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein spot welding the panel component comprises spot welding the panel component on the same plane of the flange portion and the joint. ### Claim 12 A frame joint method comprising: providing a plurality of body members, each body member including a closed section portion having a closed section of a set shape and a flange portion integrally extending from the closed section portion; providing a plurality of joints, each joint having a first end coupled to a connection point of a respective one of the body members and a second end coupled to an adjacent joint; and spot welding a roof panel or a floor panel to the flange portion on a same plane of the flange portion and the joints. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the closed section portion forms a circular closed cross section, the method further comprising connecting an edge of the closed section and the flange portion through a welding line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each of the joints comprises: a first portion welded to the connection point of the respective body member; and a second portion extending integrally with the first portion and protruding toward the second end of the adjacent joint. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein each body member includes a joint mounting groove corresponding to a thickness of the first portion formed at the connection point. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the second portion has a thickness smaller than that of the first portion, the method further comprising connecting the second portion to the first portion stepwise. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the second portions of the joints adjacent to each other overlap each other, the method further comprising spot welding the second portions of the joints adjacent to each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each body member comprises a roof side frame or a floor side frame.