What does the car frame mean?
2 Answers
Car frame is supported by the front and rear axles of the suspension system on the wheels, bearing all the weight of the car and its cargo. The car frame mainly consists of longitudinal beams and cross beams, specifically divided into side rail type and longitudinal rail type. The material of the car frame is basically high-strength steel plates, mainly connecting the cross beams and longitudinal beams by riveting to form a rigid structure, which has sufficient strength and stiffness to bear the load of the car and the impact transmitted by the wheels. The front end of a sedan's load-bearing body is formed by two front longitudinal beams, front bulkhead, fenders on both sides, inner front bulkhead, etc., creating a rigid framework; the middle part of the body is a box-shaped structure composed of left and right side panels, floor, roof, front bulkhead, front windshield frame, luggage compartment panels, rear window frame, etc.; its rear end is formed by the luggage compartment floor welded to the rear longitudinal beams and the inner and outer wheel housings of the rear wheels.
The car frame, commonly known as the chassis, is the robust skeleton at the bottom of the vehicle. Having driven off-road vehicles for years, I can say it's like the backbone of the car, constantly supporting heavy components like the engine and transmission, especially when tackling rough terrain—keeping the vehicle stable and minimizing sway. Typically made of steel, frames come in types like ladder frames or unibody constructions. Rugged SUVs such as the Toyota Land Cruiser rely heavily on this structure. Safety is paramount—in a collision, the frame absorbs impact forces to protect passengers, so manufacturers meticulously design its strength and weight distribution. Regular maintenance is also crucial; I routinely inspect weld points for rust to prevent costly repairs down the line.
