One of many massive objects of hype across the Tesla Cybertruck when it was revealed 4 years in the past was that it might have an exoskeleton. Earlier than we get to what that truly means, let’s have a look at the usual definition of an exoskeleton. From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an exoskeleton is: “a tough supporting or protecting construction (as of an insect, spider, or crustacean) on the skin of the physique.” As a substitute of an inner skeleton such as you and I’ve, it’s an exterior skeleton.
So, what does that imply with regard to vehicles and vans, and particularly the Tesla Cybertruck? Theoretically, that may imply that a number of the core supportive construction of the Cybertruck is seen on the skin. However we’ll get into extra element in a second when trying on the patent software for this.
Earlier than any of that, although, the explanation I’m writing about that is truly that I believed primarily based on current headlines that Tesla had ditched the Cybertruck exoskeleton thought. I used to be beginning to write about this massive change primarily based on experiences in the Wall Road Journal (by way of Pocket book Examine), after which I found these experiences appear to be improper. (Possibly.) The core declare is that “Current spy photographs of their structural physique elements on the Gigafactory in Texas didn’t whiff of exoskeleton. In reality, they merely seemed like sections produced by Tesla’s price saving gigacast technique with assist constructions and crumple zones that each one different autos bought within the US are constructed with.” In different phrases, this isn’t what some folks had been anticipating in the case of how the Cybertruck would look and be put collectively. Nevertheless, evidently what Elon Musk meant by “exoskeleton” continues to be what we’re getting.
Tesla filed a “Car with Exoskeleton” patent software in Might 2021. The summary of that patent software explains what the corporate means relating to this time period: “A car having an exoskeleton exterior panel that gives crash resistance is described. The outside panel could also be fashioned from a monolithic steel sheet and hooked up to an exterior portion of the car body, and the outside panel doesn’t comprise an extra assist construction. No less than one element could also be instantly hooked up to the outside panel, and the outside panel could bear the load of the no less than one element. Strategies of producing the car are additionally described.”
So, yeah, the exoskeleton is there to offer extra security and is each a metal assist construction and part of the truck’s exterior. Listed below are pics of the diagrams from the patent software:
That each one appears the identical, no?
The Wall Road Journal article about this claims that “sources accustomed to the matter” point out that the exoskeleton was dumped “no less than partially, to fulfill security requirements.” The one drawback: so far as we will inform, the exoskeleton continues to be there and is a part of the structural assist of the Cybertruck. If we’re lacking one thing, although, tell us! Possibly there have been sure design parts that had been dropped or modified so as to fulfill security requirements and testing?
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