AXLE BEAM WITH VARIABLE WALL THICKNESS AND/OR VARIABLE CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

摘要

An axle beam (10) comprises a hollow middle portion (12) and a pair of hollow end portions (16). The hollow middle portion has a first corner-curved tapered arch cross-sectional shape. The pair of hollow end portions each have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and each extend at opposite ends of the middle portion. The hollow middle portion has a first wall thickness. The hollow end portions each have a second wall thickness that is larger than the first wall thickness.