Chassis for a vehicle and method for forming a chassis for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chassis (10) for a vehicle comprising a plurality of sandwich plate elements (100) and a plurality of connection elements (200, 200′, 200a-c) for connecting said plurality of sandwich plate elements (100). Each connection element (200, 200′, 200a-c) comprises two or more recesses (210, 220) configured to receive an edge portion (160) of one of the plurality of sandwich plate elements (100). The plurality of connection elements (200, 200′, 200a-c) comprises at least one connection element (200′, 200a-c) which has at least one external surface (202a-e) provided with a connection configuration (250a-e) for a mortise and tenon type joint. A method (20) for forming a chassis (10) for a vehicle is also provided.

Claims

1. A chassis for a vehicle, the chassis comprising a plurality of sandwich plate elements and a plurality of connection elements for connecting said plurality of sandwich plate elements, wherein, the sandwich plate elements each comprise a plate core and a first and second plate skin, wherein the first plate skin is arranged to at least partly cover a first major surface of the plate core, thereby forming a first major outer surface of the sandwich plate element, and the second plate skin is arranged to at least partially cover a second major surface of the plate core thereby forming a second major outer surface of the sandwich plate element, said first and second major outer surfaces being opposite to each other, wherein each connection element comprises two or more recesses, each recess comprising a first and a second inner surface and being configured to receive an edge portion of one of the plurality of sandwich plate elements such that at least a portion of the first major outer surface of the sandwich plate element interacts with the first inner surface of the recess and at least a portion of the second major outer surface of the sandwich plate element interacts with the second inner surface of the recess, and wherein the plurality of connection elements comprises at least one connection element which has at least one external surface provided with a connection configuration for a mortise and tenon type joint.

2. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the connection configuration comprises a slot of mortise type and/or a projection of tenon type.

3. The chassis according to claim 2, wherein the slot and/or projection has a straight extension along the at least one external surface of said at least one connection element.

4. The chassis according to claim 2, wherein the connection configuration comprises a plurality of slots of mortise type and/or projections of tenon type extending in parallel.

5. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the chassis further comprises at least one auxiliary element which is connectable to the at least one connection element by means of an outer surface which is provided with an auxiliary element connection configuration which is complementary to the connection configuration of the at least one connection element.

6. The chassis according to claim 5, wherein the connection configuration comprises a slot of mortise type and/or a projection of tenon type and wherein the auxiliary element connection configuration is configured for cooperation with a single slot or projection of the connection configuration of the at least one connection element.

7. The chassis according to claim 5, wherein the connection configuration comprises a slot of mortise type and/or a projection of tenon type and wherein the auxiliary element connection configuration is configured for cooperation with a plurality of slots and/or projections of the connection configuration of the at least one connection element.

8. The chassis according to claim 5, wherein the at least one auxiliary element is a coupling element for attachment of an additional element to the chassis.

9. The chassis according to claim 5, wherein the connection configuration and/or the auxiliary element connection configuration comprises a projection of tenon type which is provided with a groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the projection and configured to receive a locking member.

10. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein a connection element is made of metal.

11. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plate skin of a sandwich plate element is made from a fibre-reinforced polymer material.

12. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the plate core of a sandwich plate element is made from a polymeric foam.

13. The chassis according claim 1, wherein edge portions received in the recesses are bonded to the first and second inner surfaces of said recesses by an adhesive.

14. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the first and second major outer surfaces of the sandwich plate elements are at least partially parallel.

15. A method for forming a chassis for a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a plurality of sandwich plate elements, each plate element comprising a plate core and a first and second plate skin, wherein the first plate skin is arranged to at least partly cover a first major surface of the plate core, thereby forming a first major outer surface of the sandwich plate element, and the second plate skin is arranged to at least partially cover a second major surface of the plate core thereby forming a second major outer surface of the sandwich plate element, said first and second major outer surfaces being opposite to each other, providing a plurality of connection elements, each connection element comprising two or more recesses, each recess comprising a first and a second inner surface and being configured to receive an edge portion of one of the plurality of sandwich plate elements such that at least a portion of the first major outer surface of the sandwich plate element interacts with the first inner surface of the recess and at least a portion of the second major outer surface of the sandwich plate element interacts with the second inner surface of the recess, wherein the plurality of connection elements comprises at least one connection element which has at least one external surface provided with a connection configuration for a mortise and tenon type joint, providing at least one auxiliary element which has an outer surface which is provided with an auxiliary element connection configuration which is complementary to the connection configuration of the at least one connection element, arranging an edge portion of each of the plurality of sandwich plate elements into a recess of one of the plurality of connection elements, and connecting the at least one auxiliary element to the at least one connection element by means of the auxiliary element connection configuration and the connection configuration of the at least one connection element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred variants of the present inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a chassis for a vehicle.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a generic connection element.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the generic connection element of FIG. 2 with sandwich plate elements attached.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view of a connection element.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of a connection element.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective detail view of the connection element in FIG. 5 with an auxiliary element attached.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective detail view of the connection element in FIG. 5 with auxiliary elements attached.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of the connection element in FIG. 5 with an auxiliary element attached.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective detail view of the connection element in FIG. 5 with an auxiliary element attached.

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective detail view of the connection element in FIG. 5 with auxiliary elements attached.

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective detail view of a connection element with auxiliary elements attached.

(13) FIG. 12 is a flow scheme of a method for forming a chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) The present inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred variants of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the variants set forth herein; rather, these variants are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to the skilled person. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

(15) Initially a chassis 10 for a vehicle will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1. Followingly, the general concept of connecting sandwich plate elements 100 to each other by means of connection elements 200 used in the chassis 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Followingly, several variants and details of the chassis 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-11.

(16) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view conceptually depicting a chassis for a vehicle 10. The chassis 10 comprises a plurality of sandwich plate elements 100 and a plurality of connection elements 200 for connecting said plurality of sandwich plate elements 100. The chassis 10 further comprises auxiliary elements 300. The schematically depicted auxiliary elements 300, in form of e.g. wheel suspension, wheels, a steering wheel and a steering array are shown in FIG. 1 to more clearly illustrate the design and functionality of the chassis 10.

(17) Now referring to FIG. 2, here is conceptually depicted a general design of connection element 200 which may be used to connect sandwich plate elements 100 in the chassis 10 of FIG. 1. The connection element 200 comprises two recesses 210, 220 formed of flanges 211, 212, 221, 222. The recesses 210, 220 are in this case symmetrically formed with respect to each other. Each of the two recesses 210, 220 comprises a first and second inner surface 213, 214, 223, 224. The connection element 200 comprises a central portion 230 having a trapezoid shape. The central portion 230 serves to stabilize the flanges 211, 212, 221, 222 against outer forces and to transfer forces between plate elements 100 received in the connection element 200 or auxiliary elements 300. The connection element 200 is depicted as having a right angle between the flanges 211 and 221, and between the flanges 212, 222. It is not necessary to have the flanges 211, 212, 221, 222 define a right angle, and the angle may instead be any desired angle depending on the needs. The connection element 200 depicted in FIG. 2 is made of extruded aluminium. As an alternative, the connection element 200 may be made of a different metal such as steel, iron, or a combination thereof.

(18) Other suitable manufacturing techniques such as 3d printing, pultrusion or pullwinding may be used as an alternative to an extrusion process. The connection element 200 may be made from sheet metal or similar. Moreover, the connection element 200 may be made of polymer-based material, such as acrylic, PET, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide vinyl ester-based materials, lignin or epoxy. The polymer-based material may advantageously be reinforced by fibres such as flax fibres, thermoplastic fibres, carbon fibres, glass fibres, cotton fibres, hemp fibres, metal fibres, plastic fibres or any other sufficiently strong fibrous material, or a combination thereof.

(19) Now referring to FIG. 3, here is conceptually depicted how two sandwich plate elements 100 are connected to each other by means of the connection element 200 depicted in FIG. 2. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of the connection element 200 of FIG. 2 with a sandwich plate element 100 being received in the recess 210 of the connection element 200 and a sandwich plate element 100 being received in the recess 220 of the connection element 200.

(20) Each sandwich plate element 100 comprises a plate core 150, a first plate skin 110 and a second plate skin 120. The first plate skin 110 is arranged to at least partly cover a first major surface of the plate core 150, thereby forming a first major outer surface 115 of the sandwich plate element 100. The second plate skin 120 is arranged to at least partially cover a second major surface of the plate core 150 thereby forming a second major outer surface 125 of the sandwich plate element. The first and second major outer surfaces 115, 125 are opposite to each other. The first and second plate skins 110, 120 are attached to the plate core 150, and cover the plate core 150 as seen along a normal direction of the first or second plate skin 110, 120. The first and second plate skins 110, 120 each have a respective major outer surface 115, 125. The sandwich plate element 100 comprises an edge portion 160 at each of its edges.

(21) In the depicted sandwich plate element 100, the plate core 150 is made of a polymeric foam in the form of polystyrene foam. In the depicted sandwich plate element 100, the first and second plate skins 110, 120 are made of a fibre-reinforced polymer material in form of glass fibre reinforced polyester resin. In other words, the depicted first and second plate skins 110, 120 are made of glass fibres in cured polyester resin. The first and second plate skins 110, 120 are bonded to the plate core 150 using an adhesive. Examples of suitable adhesives are multi-component adhesives such as polyester/polyurethane resin, a polyol/polyurethane resin or an acrylic/polyurethane resin. Other examples may include epoxy, cyanoacrylate or silicone.

(22) As an alternative the plate core 150 may be made of polyurethane, polypropylene, PET or a combination of polyurethane and polystyrene foam. As an alternative the plate core 150 may be made of wood, such as solid wood or laminated veneer lumber, LVL. As an alternative the plate core 150 may be made of a honeycomb material structure.

(23) Further, the first and second plate skins 110, 120 may alternatively be made of sheet metal, polymer-based materials, such as acrylic, PET, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, vinyl ester-based materials, lignin, epoxy or a combination thereof. The first and second plate skins 110, 120 may be reinforced by fibres. Examples of suitable fibres are: flax fibres, thermoplastic fibres, carbon fibres, glass fibres, cotton fibres, hemp fibres, metal fibres and plastic fibres. The first and second plate skins 110, 120 may be made of different materials.

(24) The sandwich plate elements 100, may have a thickness in the range of about 2.5 cm to about 15 cm. Other thicknesses may be used to advantage and to suit specific needs.

(25) As is depicted in FIG. 3, the first and second inner surfaces 213, 214 interact with the edge portion 160 of the sandwich plate element 100, counteracting movement of the sandwich plate element 100 in directions normal to the first and second major outer surfaces 115, 125. The first and second inner surfaces 213, 214 are bonded to the sandwich plate element 100 by an adhesive 260, such as epoxy. The adhesive 260 may be applied to the sandwich plate element 100 before insertion of the sandwich plate element 100 into the recess 210. It may also be applied to the connection element 200 before insertion of the sandwich plate element 100 or to both the sandwich plate element 100 and the connection element 200 before insertion of the sandwich plate element 100. As an alternative, an adhesive 260 may be applied after insertion of the sandwich plate element 100 into the connection element 200 by way of injection into pre-formed grooves the flanges 211, 212, 221, 222. In FIG. 3, the first and second major outer surfaces 115, 125 are parallel to each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a sandwich plate element 100 has been received in a corresponding manner in recess 220.

(26) Now referring to FIG. 4, here is conceptually depicted a portion of a connection element 200a which may be used in the chassis 10 of FIG. 1. The overall functionality of the connection element 200a corresponds to the functionality of the connection element 200 discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. The general design of the connection element 200a and how the recesses 210, 220 thereof is used to hold sandwich plate elements 100 will not be discussed again to avoid undue repetition. The location of two recesses 210, 220 are indicated in FIG. 4 although the complete extent of the recesses 210, 220 are not shown since FIG. 4 is a detail view of the connection element 200a. In the following, differences to the in relation to the connection element 200 discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3 will consequently be discussed.

(27) The connection element 200a of FIG. 4 has an external surface 202a which is provided with a connection configuration 250a for a mortise and tenon type joint.

(28) As can be seen in FIG. 4, the connection configuration 250a comprises a plurality of projections 252a of tenon type. A plurality of slots 254a of mortise type are formed between the projections 252a. As is seen, in the depicted connection configuration 250a a slot 254a of mortise type is formed between two adjacent projections 252a.

(29) As can be seen in FIG. 4 the slots 254a have a straight extension along the external surface 202a of the connection element 200a.

(30) As can be seen in FIG. 4 the projections 252a have a straight extension along the external surface 202a of the connection element 200a.

(31) The slots 254a and the projections 252a extend in parallel along the external surface 202a of the connection element 200a. The straight parallel extension of the slots 254a and the projections 252a allow for a sliding engagement of for instance an auxiliary element 300.

(32) The depicted connection element 202a of FIG. 4 is formed by extruded aluminium. Other materials may however be used to advantage as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 2.

(33) Although the connection configuration 250a of FIG. 4 has been depicted with a plurality of slots 254a and projections 252a the connection configuration 250a may likewise be formed with a single slot 254a and/or a single projection 252a.

(34) Now referring to FIG. 5, here is conceptually depicted a portion of a connection element 200b which may be used in the chassis 10 of FIG. 1. The overall functionality of the connection element 200b corresponds to the functionality of the connection element 200 discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. The general design of the connection element 200b and how the recesses thereof is used to hold sandwich plate elements 100 will not be discussed again to avoid undue repetition. The location of two recesses 210, 220 are indicated in FIG. 5 although the complete extent of the recesses 210, 220 are not shown since FIG. 5 is a detail view of the connection element 200b. In the following, differences to the in relation to the connection element 200 discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3 will consequently be discussed.

(35) The connection element 200b of FIG. 5 is similar to the connection element 200a of FIG. 4. Hence the connection element 200b of FIG. 5 has an external surface 202b which is provided with a connection configuration 250b for a mortise and tenon type joint. However, the connection configuration 250b of FIG. 5 has a different design as compared to the connection configuration 250a of FIG. 4. The connection configuration 250b comprises a plurality of projections 252b of tenon type. A plurality of slots 254b of mortise type are formed between the projections 252b. As is seen, in the depicted connection configuration 250b a slot 254b of mortise type is formed between two adjacent projections 252b. However, each projection 252b of the connection configuration 250b includes a groove 256. The groove 256 of each projection 252b is extending in a longitudinal direction of the respective projection 252b. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the groove 256 divides the respective projection 252b into two sub-projections which are joined at their bases. Those sub-projections are however forming part of a common projection 252b of tenon type as indicated by brackets in FIG. 5.

(36) In FIG. 5 it is depicted that each projection 252b includes a groove 256. However, any number of projections 252b may include a groove 256. A single projection 252b may include a groove 256. All projections 252b may be void of grooves 256.

(37) The grooves 256 of each projection 252b are configured to receive a locking member. This will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

(38) As can be seen in FIG. 5 the slots 254b have a straight extension along the external surface 202 of the connection element 200.

(39) As can be seen in FIG. 5 the projections 252b have a straight extension along the external surface 202 of the connection element 200.

(40) The slots 254b and the projections 252b extend in parallel along the external surface 202b of the connection element 200b. The straight parallel extension of the slots 254b and the projections 252b allow for a sliding engagement of for instance an auxiliary element 300.

(41) Now referring to FIG. 6, here is conceptually depicted how an auxiliary element 300a is connected to the connection element 200b depicted in FIG. 5. In order to be able to connect the auxiliary element 300a to the connection element 200b, the auxiliary element 300a is formed such that it is connectable to the connection element 200b. More specifically, the auxiliary element 300a is connectable to the connection element 200b by means of an outer surface 302a which is provided with an auxiliary element connection configuration 350a. In FIG. 6, the outer surface 302a which is provided with the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a is facing the outer surface 202b of connection element 202b and is therefore not visible although being indicated by reference numeral 302a at an edge thereof.

(42) The auxiliary element connection configuration 350a is complementary to the connection configuration 250b of connection element 200b. Hence, auxiliary element connection configuration 350a is configured to engage connection configuration 250b of connection element 200b. Like connection configuration 250b of connection element 200b, the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a of auxiliary element 300a comprises a plurality of projections 352a of tenon type and a plurality of slots 354a of mortise type. The slots 354a are formed between the projections 352a. As is seen, in the depicted connection configuration 350a a slot 354a of mortise type is formed between two adjacent projections 352a of tenon type. The slots 354a of mortise type and projections 352a of tenon type are thus configured to engage slots 254b of mortise type and the projections 252b of tenon type so as to connect the auxiliary element 300a to the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element 300a is configured to be slid into the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b.

(43) Hence, the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a is configured for cooperation with a plurality of slots 254b and projections 252b of the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b.

(44) However, the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a may be configured for cooperation with a plurality of slots 254b or projections 252b of the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b.

(45) Further, the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a may to advantage be configured for cooperation with a single slot 254b or projection 252b of the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b.

(46) In order to lock the auxiliary element 300a with respect to the connection element 200b several strategies may be used. The connection configuration 250b of connection element 200b and the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a of the auxiliary element 300a may exhibit a tight fit such that the auxiliary element 300a is not easily slid along the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b.

(47) In order to achieve a more reliable locking of the auxiliary element 300a with respect to the connection element 200b a mechanical locking may be provided.

(48) As is depicted in FIG. 6, several alternatives for a mechanical locking may be utilized to advantage. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the centremost slot 354a of the auxiliary element 300a has been provided with a small indent coinciding with a groove 256 of the connection element 200b. The groove 256 is configured to receive a locking member so as to lock the auxiliary element 300a with respect to the connection element 200b. Several types of locking members may be used to advantage. A currently preferred variant of locking member is a screw. The screw acting as a locking member may hence be threaded into the groove such that the threads of the screw engages the material of the auxiliary element 300a and the connection element 200b thereby locking the auxiliary element 300a with respect to the connection element 200b. The screw may thus penetrate the material of auxiliary element 300a and the connection element 200b while forming threads therein.

(49) Other locking members than a screw may be used to advantage in the groove 256, such as a pin, a barbed member or a wedge to give a few examples.

(50) As an alternative or in addition to the groove, the auxiliary element 300a may be provided with one or more openings 310, 312 used for locking the auxiliary element 300a with respect to the connection element 200b. The depicted openings 310, 312 may be threaded at their internal surfaces and hence configured to receive a locking screw. The locking screw may thus be threaded into the openings thereby exhibiting a pressure on the connection element 200b and providing a pressure at the interface between the connection configuration 250b and the auxiliary element connection configuration 350. The locking screw may also penetrate the material of the connection element 200b to some extent. The auxiliary element 300a may be provided with a single opening 310, 312 or no opening 310, 312.

(51) Another way to lock the auxiliary element 300a with respect to the connection element 200b is to use an adhesive at the interface between the connection configuration 250b and the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a. An adhesive may be used in combination with the above described ways of locking of the auxiliary element 300a with respect to the connection element 200b.

(52) The depicted auxiliary element 300a includes two lugs 320 each provided with a through opening 322. The openings may be used to attach further components or auxiliary elements 300 to the auxiliary element 300a.

(53) The auxiliary element 300a may hence function as a coupling element for 300a attachment of an additional element to the chassis.

(54) The auxiliary element 300a may hence function as a coupling element for 300a attachment of an additional auxiliary element 300 to the chassis.

(55) Now referring to FIG. 7, here is conceptually depicted how two auxiliary elements 300a of the type discussed more in detail above in conjunction to FIG. 6 are connected to the connection element 200b. As can be seen in FIG. 7, both auxiliary elements 300a are connected to the connection element 200b by means of their respective auxiliary element connection configuration 350a. The respective auxiliary element connection configuration 350a is hence cooperating with the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b. Each auxiliary element 300a is connected as described above in conjunction to FIG. 6.

(56) Further, a further component or auxiliary element 300b is connected to the auxiliary elements 300a by means of a respective bolt 370 which is extending through the respective openings 322 of the lugs 320 of the auxiliary elements 300a. Hence the auxiliary element 300b is coupled to the connection elements 200b via the auxiliary elements 300a. The auxiliary elements 300a is jointly holding the auxiliary element 300b.

(57) Now referring to FIG. 8, here is conceptually depicted how a relatively speaking large auxiliary element 300c is connected to the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element 300c includes a circular 371 seat to which further components or auxiliary elements may be connected. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the auxiliary element 300c is connected to the connection element 200b by means of the auxiliary element connection configuration 350b provided on the external bottom surface of the auxiliary element 300c. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350b is hence cooperating with the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350b is similar to the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a. However, the auxiliary element connection configuration 350b is configured to engage all seven protrusions 252b of the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350b is generally configured to engage the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b as described above in conjunction with FIG. 6.

(58) Now referring to FIG. 9, here is conceptually depicted how a relatively speaking large auxiliary element 300d is connected to the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element 300d includes two parallel slits 380. Further components or auxiliary elements 300 may be connected to the auxiliary element 300d by means of the slits 380. In the depicted auxiliary element 300d, coupling details 382 are provided in the slits 280. One coupling detail 382 has for illustrative purposes been provided with bolt 384. The bolt 384 may connect to and hold further components. The bolt 384 may lock the coupling detail 382 with respect to the auxiliary element 300d while connecting said further components or auxiliary elements 300.

(59) As can be seen in FIG. 9, the auxiliary element 300d is connected to the connection element 200b by means of the auxiliary element connection configuration 350b The auxiliary element connection configuration 350b of auxiliary element 300d corresponds to auxiliary element connection configuration 350b of auxiliary element 300c and will not be discussed again to avoid undue repetition.

(60) Now referring to FIG. 10, here is conceptually depicted how three relatively speaking small auxiliary elements 300e are connected to the connection element 200b. Each auxiliary element 300e has the general shape of a clip with two legs 371 extending in a normal direction to the outer surface 202a of the connection element 200b. Insertion and removal of each auxiliary element 300e may be facilitated by pressing the legs 371 towards each other.

(61) The legs 371 of the auxiliary elements 300e are jointly holding a further component or auxiliary element 300f. The auxiliary element 300f has the shape of a plate. The auxiliary element 300f may for instance be a plate made of a thermoplastic material. The auxiliary element 300f may for instance form part of a body of a vehicle. Each leg 371 of the depicted auxiliary elements 300e is bent inwards at its outer end such that a pair of barb-like features is provided at the outer portion of each auxiliary element 300e. The barb-like features may facilitate insertion of auxiliary element 300f. The barb-like features may counteract removal of auxiliary element 300f. The auxiliary element 300f counteracts pressing of the legs 371 towards each other hence counteracting removal of the auxiliary element 300f from the connection element 200b. In other words, the insertion of auxiliary element 300f between the legs 371 locks each auxiliary element 300f to the connection element 200b.

(62) As can be seen in FIG. 10, the auxiliary elements 300e are connected to the connection element 200b by means of the auxiliary element connection configuration 350c provided on the external bottom surface of each auxiliary element 300e. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350c is hence cooperating with the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350c is integrally formed with the auxiliary element 300e. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350c is forming a bottom portion of the clip-like auxiliary element 300e. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350c is configured to engage a single slot 254b of the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350c is configured to engage the connection configuration 250b of the connection element 200b as described above in conjunction with FIG. 6.

(63) Now referring to FIG. 11, here is conceptually depicted how a connection element 200c is used to connect two sandwich plate elements 100. The sandwich plate elements 100 are of the type discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 3. The sandwich plate elements 100 will not be discussed here again to avoid undue repetition. The sandwich plate elements 100 are received in a respective recess 210, 220 of the connection element 200c.

(64) The connection element 200c has three external surfaces 202c, 202d, 202e which are provided with a respective connection configuration 250c, 250d, 250e for a mortise and tenon type joint. The connection configurations 250c, 250d, 250e are depicted as being of the type shown in FIG. 5. However, any connection configuration may be used to advantage. The type of connection configuration of the type shown in FIG. 4 may be used to advantage.

(65) In the depicted connection element 200c there are no auxiliary elements 300 connected to the connection configurations 250d, 250e provided on the external surfaces 202d, 202e. As is understood, these connection configurations 250d, 250e may however be used to connect auxiliary elements 300 as described above in conjunction to FIGS. 6-10.

(66) In the depicted connection element 200c there is an auxiliary element 300g connected to the connection configuration 250c provided on the external surface 202c of the connection element 200c.

(67) As can be seen in FIG. 11, the auxiliary element 300g is connected to the connection element 200c by means of the auxiliary element connection configuration 350d provided on the external surface of the auxiliary element 300g. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350d is hence cooperating with the connection configuration 250c of the connection element 200g. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350d of auxiliary element 300d corresponds to auxiliary element connection configuration 350b of auxiliary element 300c and will not be discussed again to avoid undue repetition. Hence, the auxiliary element connection configuration 350d is configured to engage all seven protrusions 252b of the connection configuration 250c of the connection element 200b. The auxiliary element connection configuration 350d is configured to engage the connection configuration 250c of the connection element 200c as described above in conjunction with FIG. 6.

(68) It is further depicted in FIG. 11 how an auxiliary element 300h forming part of a wheel suspension 12 of a chassis 10 is connected to the auxiliary element 300g by being bolted to the auxiliary element 300g. The wheel suspension includes further components or auxiliary elements 300. It is to be noted that a wheel suspension 12 of the type depicted in FIG. 11 is shown in its entirety in FIG. 1. The connection element 200′ in FIG. 1 corresponds to the connection element 200c in FIG. 11.

(69) Above, a number of different auxiliary elements 300a-h have been discussed and exemplified. All of those auxiliary elements 300a-h may be used to advantage in a chassis 10. Further, all of those auxiliary elements 300a-h may be used to advantage in different suitable combinations in a chassis 10.

(70) Now referring to FIG. 12 here is shown a flow chart of a method 20 for forming a chassis 10 for a vehicle.

(71) The method 20 includes providing 22 a plurality of sandwich plate elements 100. Each plate element 100 comprising a plate core 150 and a first and second plate skin 110, 120. The first plate skin 110 is arranged to at least partly cover a first major surface of the plate core, thereby forming a first major outer surface 115 of the sandwich plate element 100. The second plate skin 120 is arranged to at least partially cover a second major surface of the plate core 150 thereby forming a second major outer surface 125 of the sandwich plate element 100. The first and second major outer surfaces 115, 125 are being opposite to each other.

(72) The method 20 includes providing 24 a plurality of connection elements 200, 200′, 200a-c. Each connection element 200, 200′, 200a-c comprises two or more recesses 210, 220, each recess 210, 220 comprises a first and a second inner surface 213, 214, 223, 224 and being configured to receive an edge portion 160 of one of the plurality of sandwich plate elements 100, such that at least a portion of the first major outer surface 115 of the sandwich plate element 100 interacts with the first inner surface 213, 214, 223, 224 of the recess 210, 220 and at least a portion of the second major outer surface 125 of the sandwich plate element 100 interacts with the second inner surface 213, 214, 223, 224 of the recess 210, 220. The plurality of connection elements 200, 200′, 200a-c comprises at least one connection element 200′, 200a-c which has at least one external surface 202a-202e provided with a connection configuration 250a-250e for a mortise and tenon type joint.

(73) The method 20 includes providing 26 at least one auxiliary element 300, 300a-h which has an outer surface which is provided with an auxiliary element connection configuration 350a-350d which is complementary to the connection configuration 250a-250e of the at least one connection element 200′, 200a-c.

(74) The method 20 proceeds with arranging 28 an edge portion 160 of each of the plurality of sandwich plate elements 100 into a recess 210, 220 of one of the plurality of connection elements 200′, 200a-c.

(75) The method 20 proceeds with connecting 30 the at least one auxiliary element 300, 300a-h to the at least one connection element 200′, 200a-c by means of the auxiliary element connection configuration 350a-350d and the connection configuration 250a-250e of the at least one connection element 200′, 200a-c. Hence, the method 20 includes connecting the parts described above to form a chassis 10.

(76) It will be appreciated that the present inventive concept is not limited to the variants shown. Several modifications and variations are thus conceivable within the scope of the invention which thus is defined by the appended claims.