CN116685523A

CN116685523A - Vehicle frame

Info

Publication number: CN116685523A
Application number: CN202180088580.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: I·拉什瓦尼
Original assignee: Shangyinuo Motorcycle Co ltd
Current assignee: Shangyinuo Motorcycle Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-24
Filing date: 2021-12-24
Publication date: 2023-09-01

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a frame (12) of a two-wheeled vehicle (10), the method comprising: providing a first frame element (202, 502, 504) and a second frame element (204, 604, 602) of the frame (12), wherein the first frame element (202, 502, 504) and the second frame element (204, 604, 602) are made of dissimilar materials; positioning the intermediate member (300, 310) between the first frame element (202, 502, 504) and the second frame element (204, 604, 602); connecting one end (302, 312) of the intermediate member (300) to one of the first frame element (202, 502, 504) and the second frame element (204, 604, 602) by a solid state welding process; and connecting the other end (304, 310) of the intermediate member (300) opposite the one end (302, 312) with the other of the first frame element (202, 502, 504) and the second frame element (204, 604, 602) by an arc welding process to form at least a portion of the frame (12) of the two-wheeled vehicle (10).

Description

Vehicle frame

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a frame structure of a vehicle.

Background

Vehicles, particularly vehicles configured to be ridable such as motorcycles, motor scooters, and the like, include a main body frame to support various components such as swing arms, engines, vehicle seats, and the like. The main body frame receives the load generated by these components. The main body frame includes various members such as a head pipe, a down pipe, various cross members, a bracket, or a stay. The various components that are joined together form a main body frame that supports the components.

Conventionally, in order to join these different members to form a main body frame, these different members are joined using a conventional process such as welding bolting. For example, the cross member is welded to other portions of the main body frame. In this case, in order for the cross member and its joint to have sufficient strength, the thickness of the cross member and its joint needs to have at least a predetermined strength. This tends to increase the weight of the main body frame.

In addition, in order to connect one component, such as a cross member, to another component, such as an upper frame member, using a welding process, the two components must be constructed of similar materials. This tends to limit the options regarding the use of different material members in a single frame body.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a frame for a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. A method for manufacturing a frame for a two-wheeled vehicle, the method comprising: providing a first frame element and a second frame element of the frame, wherein the first frame element and the second frame element are made of dissimilar materials; positioning an intermediate member between the first frame element and the second frame element; connecting one end of the intermediate member to one of the first and second frame elements by a solid state welding process; and connecting the other end of the intermediate member opposite the one end with the other of the first and second frame elements by an arc welding process to form at least a portion of a frame of the two-wheeled vehicle.

This configuration allows the frame to be made of different materials, allowing the frame to be lighter in weight without compromising structural stability. The method of the present invention also allows the complex shaped parts of the frame to be made of dissimilar materials and then joined with other parts/sub-parts to make the frame economical to manufacture.

In an embodiment, the intermediate member is made of a similar material as at least one of the first and second frame elements.

In one embodiment, the solid state welding process is a friction welding process. Further, friction welding is performed by displacing at least one of the intermediate members and one of the first and second frame elements relative to each other.

The dissimilar material components are joined to make a frame or at least a portion of a frame with reduced weight using a friction welding process.

In an embodiment, wherein the arc welding process is MIG welding.

In an embodiment, one of the first and second frame elements is received on a clamp for connecting the intermediate members.

In an embodiment, the intermediate member and one of the first and second frame elements are made of a ferrous material.

In an embodiment, the intermediate member and one of the first and second frame elements are made of a non-ferrous metal material.

Thus, a worker can easily weld the first member with the second frame member received on the jig or the fixture using MIG welding without disturbing the jig.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a frame for a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. A frame for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising a first frame element, a second frame element, wherein the first frame element and the second frame element are made of dissimilar materials; and an intermediate member connecting the first frame element and the second frame element, wherein one end of the intermediate member is connected to one of the first frame element and the second frame element by a solid state welding process, and the other end of the intermediate member opposite to the one end is connected to the other of the first frame element and the second frame element by an arc welding process.

The invention thus allows joining frame elements of different materials. Thus, one of the frame elements, such as the first frame element and the second frame element, is composed of steel material, while the other frame element may be composed of another material, such as an aluminum material. The invention thus allows for weight saving of the frame by allowing the various frame elements to be constructed of different materials as well as materials that are lighter than other materials.

In an embodiment, the intermediate member is made of a material similar to the material of at least one of the first and second frame elements.

In an embodiment, the intermediate member and at least one of the first and second frame elements are made of a ferrous material.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first frame element and the second frame element is made of a nonferrous metal material.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention itself, as well as additional features and noted advantages, will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a frame of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a view of a frame element prior to joining according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a view of a frame element according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein one end of the intermediate member is joined;

FIG. 5 shows a view of a frame element according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein both ends of the intermediate member are joined;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a pivot plate of a frame of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along A-A shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along B-B shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a pivot plate of a frame of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

the drawings referred to in this description should not be understood as being drawn to scale, except if specifically noted, and are merely exemplary in nature.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described below. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a list of elements, structures, or methods that comprise a list of elements or steps does not include only those elements or steps, but may include other elements or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such list. In other words, without further constraints, one or more elements in a system or apparatus beginning with "comprising … … a" do not exclude the presence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described below, and in the following drawings, like reference numerals are used to identify like elements in the various views.

However, while the invention has been described in the context of a vehicle, the frame body and aspects and features thereof can also be used with other types of vehicles. The terms "vehicle", "two-wheeled vehicle" and "motorcycle" are used interchangeably throughout the specification. The term "vehicle" includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, scooters, pedal-powered vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and the like.

The terms "front/forward", "rear/rearward", "up/top", "down/lower, bottom", "left/left", "right/right" as used herein refer to directions seen by a vehicle rider when riding over a seat, and these directions are indicated by arrows Fr, rr, U, lr, L, R in the drawings.

The term "solid state welding process" as used herein refers to a welding process in which two or more parts/components/elements of a frame are connected by movement relative to each other and subsequent application of converging pressure. Such a welding process may fuse two or more components without the need for filler material while limiting such fusion to being performed by applying pressure and relative movement during the fused portions of such two or more components. The terms "solid state welding process" and "arc welding" are used interchangeably throughout the specification.

The term "arc welding process" as used herein refers to a welding process in which a filler material is fed continuously between two or more components to be joined therearound. Such filler material may be configured to melt and join the two or more components, while the filler material may also be responsible for generating an arc between such two or more components to be joined. The terms "arc welding process" and "MIG welding" are used interchangeably throughout the specification.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle (10) is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle (10) referred to herein is embodied as a two-wheeled motorcycle. Alternatively, without limiting the scope of the present invention, the vehicle (10) may be implemented as any other ride-on vehicle, such as a scooter, tricycle, ATV, or the like.

A vehicle (10) includes one or more body portions such as a frame (12), a handlebar (14), front wheels (16), rear wheels (18), an engine (200), also referred to as a power unit (200), a head lamp (22), and a fuel tank (24). The frame (12) supports an engine (200) located in a middle portion of the vehicle (10). In the example shown, the engine (200) provides the necessary power required to drive the rear wheels (18) of the vehicle (10). Alternatively, without limiting the scope of the invention, the engine (200) may provide the necessary power to drive the front wheels (16), or both the front wheels (16) and the rear wheels (18). The rear wheel (18) is connected to the engine (200) by a transmission (not numbered). The fuel tank (24) provides the necessary fuel to the engine (200) to generate power within the vehicle (10).

Referring to fig. 2, a vehicle (10) includes a frame (12). The frame (12) is formed by integrally connecting a plurality of members and members. In the example shown, a frame (12) having a particular configuration is disclosed. Alternatively, the frame (12) may have a different body frame configuration commonly associated with motorcycles, but without limiting the scope of the invention.

The frame (12) includes a head pipe (124), a lower frame member (125), and an upper frame member (126). The head tube (124) includes an upper portion (124 a) and a lower portion (124 b). The upper frame member (126) extends downward and rearward from the head pipe (124) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10). Specifically, the upper frame member (126) extends downward and rearward from an upper portion (124 a) of the head pipe (124) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10). The upper frame member (126) supports the fuel tank (114).

The lower frame member (125) extends downward and rearward from the head pipe (124) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10), and is disposed below the upper frame member (126). Specifically, the upper frame member (126) extends downward and rearward from an upper portion (124 a) of the head pipe (124) in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10), and is positioned below the head pipe (124) and at an angle relative to the upper frame member (126). The lower frame member (125) is connected at the other end to a pivot plate (600). Alternatively, one or more frame members are connected to the pivot plate to connect to the other end of the upper frame member (126). The lower frame member (125) supports the power unit (110) (shown in fig. 1). The head tube (124) is a cylindrical member that supports the steering assembly (104) and the front ground engaging member (16). A steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported on the head pipe (124). The front fork is inclined at substantially the same inclination angle as the head pipe (124).

The frame (12) includes a left seat track member (123), also referred to as a first seat track member (123), and a right seat track member (127), also referred to as a second seat track member (127). A left seat rail member (123) and a right seat rail member (127) extend rearward from the upper frame member (126). The left seat rail member (123) and the right seat rail member (127) support a seat (116) of the vehicle (10).

The frame (12) comprises a left subframe member (131), also referred to as a first subframe member (131), and a right subframe member (133), also referred to as a second subframe member (133). The left subframe member (131) extends between the left seat track member (123) and the first cross member (170). The right subframe member (133) extends between the right seat track member (127) and the first cross member (170). The left (131) and right (133) subframe members provide support for the left (123) and right (127) seat track members, respectively.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4, the frame (12) of the vehicle (10) further includes a first frame element (202) and a second frame element (204). The first frame element (202) has a first end portion (202 a). Likewise, the second frame element (204) has a second end portion (204 a). An intermediate member (300) having a first end (302) and a second end (304) is used to join the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204).

In an embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, it is considered that the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) will be connected at one location of the frame (12). The first frame element (202) is rigidly positioned in and/or held in the clamp, while the intermediate member (300) is connected to the second frame element (204) using a solid state welding process. Alternatively, the first frame element (202) may also be held in at least one of a robotic line (robotics line) or a frame suspension. As shown in fig. 3, the first end (302) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the second end portion (204 a) of the second frame element (204) using a solid state welding process. In one embodiment, the first end (302) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the second end portion (204 a) of the second frame element (204) using a friction welding process. More specifically, the first end (302) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the second end portion (204 a) of the second frame element (204) using a friction welding process that forms a butt joint. In an example, the intermediate member (300) is constructed of steel and at least one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) is constructed of a non-ferrous metal material. In another example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of steel, and at least one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) is composed of aluminum (Al). In yet another example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of steel, and at least one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) is composed of magnesium (Mg).

On the other hand, the second end (304) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the first end portion (202 a) of the first frame element (202) using a welding process other than a friction welding process. In one embodiment, the second end (304) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the first end portion (202 a) of the first frame element (202) using an arc welding process. Specifically, the second end (304) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the first end portion (202 a) of the second frame element (204) using a spot welding process. Alternatively, the second end (304) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the first end portion (202 a) of the first frame element (202) using a MIG welding process.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the second end (304) of the intermediate member (300) is joined to the first end portion (202 a) of the first frame element (202) using a friction welding process. In the same embodiment, the first end portion (302) of the intermediate member (300) may be joined to the second end portion (204 a) of the second frame element (204) using a welding process other than a friction welding process. The intermediate member (300) is composed of a different material than at least one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204). In one embodiment, the intermediate member (300) is constructed of a different material than the first frame element (202). Alternatively, the intermediate member (300) is constructed of a different material than the second frame element (204).

In one embodiment, at least one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) is constructed of a ferrous material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) is constructed of steel. In one example, the first frame element (202) is constructed of steel and the second frame element (204) is constructed of a non-ferrous metal material such as aluminum. In another example, the second frame element (204) is constructed of steel and the first frame element (202) is constructed of a non-ferrous metal material such as aluminum. Alternatively, the second frame element (204) may be composed of a zinc material.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides frame elements, such as a first frame element (202) and a second frame element (204), that are joined using friction welding and conventional welding processes. The invention thus allows joining frame elements of different materials. Thus, one of the frame elements, such as the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204), is composed of steel, while the other frame element may be composed of another material, such as an aluminum material. The invention thus allows for weight saving of the frame by allowing the various frame elements to be constructed of different materials as well as materials that are lighter than other materials.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, it will now be explained with an example of a pivoting plate (600).

Referring now to fig. 6, a frame (12) of a vehicle (10) includes a down tube element (500) having a first down tube member (502) and a second down tube member (504). The second down tube member (504) may be positioned at an angle relative to the first down tube member (502). The first lower tube member (502) comprises a first end portion (502 a) thereof. Likewise, the second down tube member (504) includes a first end portion (502 b). For simplicity, the first lower tube member (502) including the first end portion (502 a) and the second lower tube member (504) including the first end portion (502 b) are collectively referred to as "lower frame member (125)".

The frame (12) of the vehicle (10) also includes a plate member (600) having a first top portion (602), a second top portion (604), and a body portion (606). In an example, the plate member (600) [ or interchangeably referred to as "pivot plate (600)" ] is implemented as a pivot plate. For simplicity, the plate members (600) and their components/portions are collectively referred to as "pivot plates (600)".

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the frame (12) of the vehicle (10) includes an intermediate member (300). In the disclosed embodiment, there are two intermediate members, so that the intermediate member (300) can be said to include a first intermediate member (300) and a second intermediate member (310). The first intermediate member (300) includes a first end (302) and a second end (304). In the same manner, the second intermediate member (310) includes a first end (312) and a second end (314).

In one embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, it is contemplated that the lower frame member (125) and pivot plate (600) will be connected at one location of the frame (12). The lower frame (126) is rigidly positioned in and/or held in the clamp, while the intermediate member (300) is connected to the pivot plate (600) using a solid state welding process. Alternatively, the lower frame (125) may also be held in at least one of a robotic production line or a frame suspension. The intermediate member (300) is then connected to the lower frame (126) with the pivot plate (600) using an arc welding process between the intermediate member (300) and the lower frame member (125). Alternatively, the intermediate member (300) and the pivot plate (600) are connected using an arc welding process and then connected to the lower frame (126) using a solid state welding process.

Turning now to fig. 7, 8 and 9, an embodiment of the invention is shown in which the pivot plate (600) and the lower frame member (125) are connected at two locations of the frame. As shown in fig. 7, each of the first intermediate member (300) and the second intermediate member (310) has a hollow cylindrical profile. Alternatively, the first intermediate member (300) and the second intermediate member (310) may have the same, similar, or different profiles without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The second end (304) of the intermediate member (300) is connected to at least one of the first top portion (602), the second top portion (604) using a solid state welding process, such as a friction welding process. Specifically, the second end (304) of the intermediate member (300) is connected to the first top portion (602) using a friction welding process, and the second end (314) of the intermediate member (310) is connected to the second top portion (604) using a friction welding process. This solid state welding process is employed to join the intermediate member (300) and the plate member (600) due to differences in material composition, which indicates that the intermediate member (300) and the pivot plate (600) are made of dissimilar (or different) materials.

On the other hand, the first end (302) of the intermediate member (300) is connected to at least one of the first end portion (502 a) and the first end portion (502 b) using an arc welding process, such as metal inert gas welding (also referred to as MIG welding), which is different from the friction welding process. In an embodiment, the first end (302) of the intermediate member (300) is connected to at least one of the first end portion (502 a) and the first end portion (502 b) using a spot welding process.

In an example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of a ferrous material, and at least one of the down tube element (500) and the plate member (600) is composed of a nonferrous metal material. In another example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of steel, and at least one of the down tube element (500) and the plate member (600) is composed of aluminum (Al). In yet another example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of steel, and at least one of the down tube element (500) and the plate member (600) is composed of magnesium (Mg).

Further, in another example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of sheet metal, and the plate member (600) is composed of a nonferrous metal material. In another example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of steel, and the plate member (600) is composed of aluminum (Al). In yet another example, the intermediate member (300) is composed of steel, and the plate member (600) is composed of magnesium (Mg).

Thereby, the intermediate member (300) is composed of a material different from at least one of the down tube element (500) and the plate member (600), while ensuring that the material of the intermediate member (300) is the same as at least one of the down tube element (500) and the plate member (600). In one embodiment, the intermediate member (300) is constructed of a different material than the lower tube element (500), with such material being similar to the plate member (600). In one embodiment, the intermediate member (300) is constructed of a different material than the plate member (600), with such material being similar to the down tube element (500).

In one embodiment, at least one of the first lower tube member (502) and the second lower tube member (504) is constructed of a ferrous material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first lower tube member (502) and the second lower tube member (504) is constructed of steel. In one example, the first frame element (202) is constructed of steel, a ferrous alloy such as steel.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a frame (12) of a vehicle (10) is shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Furthermore, individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.

At block 001, the lower frame member (125) and pivot plate (600) of the frame (12) to be assembled are properly positioned and aligned. In the present invention, the lower frame member (125) related to the lower pipe element (500) is positioned and held in a jig (not shown). The clamp is configured to hold other components of the frame (12), including but not limited to the head tube (124), the lower frame member (125), and the upper frame member (126), while the intermediate component (300) and the pivot plate (600), referred to as the pivot plate (600), are sub-assembled away from the clamp.

At block 002, the intermediate member (300) is selected such that the intermediate member (300) can be aligned and properly positioned between the lower frame member (125) and the pivot plate (600). The intermediate member (300) is concentric or coaxial or circumferential with respect to the lower frame member (126) and the pivot plate (600). When positioning the intermediate member (300), selectively connecting with at least one of the lower frame member (125) and the pivot plate (600) is performed, as in block 003. Such connection may be performed by considering factors such as, but not limited to, the material of each of the intermediate member (300), the lower frame member (125), and the pivot plate (600).

For example, if the intermediate member (300) and the lower frame (126) are made of similar materials and at the same time the second component (500) is made of a different material, then preferably the intermediate member (300) and the pivot plate (600) are first connected using a solid state welding process. The solid state welding process is initially performed when a relative motion is to be performed between two parts of different materials, which may not be feasible to move a lower frame (126) positioned in a fixture. However, this aspect of the invention is not limited in that where the intermediate member (300) and the lower frame (126) are made of different materials, then the intermediate member (300) may be displaced relative to the lower frame (126), which is positioned in a fixture for connection using a solid state welding process. In any event, one end of the intermediate member (300) is connected to at least one of the lower frame (126) and the pivot plate (600) by a solid state welding process.

In block 004, the other end of the intermediate member (300) remote from the end connected using the solid state welding process is connected to the remaining one of the lower frame (126) and the pivot plate (600) by an arc welding process. . Such connection is performed, for example, by first connecting the intermediate member (300) and the pivot plate (600) using a solid state welding process, and then connecting the intermediate member (300) with the lower frame member (125) using a solid state welding process. Alternatively, the intermediate member (300) may be first directly connected to the lower frame member (125) using an arc welding process, and then the pivoting plate (600) may be connected to the other end of the intermediate member (300) using a solid welding process by displacing the pivoting plate (600) with respect to the intermediate member (300) connected to the lower frame member (125). In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 5A and 5B, since there are two portions where the pivoting plate (600) is connected to the lower pipe element (500) (i.e., the lower frame member (125)), it is preferable to connect the intermediate member (300) to the pivoting plate (600) and then to the lower pipe (500).

In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a lower tube element (500) and a plate member (600) that are joined using friction welding and arc welding processes, such as a lower frame member (125). The invention thus allows joining frame elements of different materials. Thus, one of the frame elements, such as the first frame element (500) and the plate member (600), is composed of steel material, while the other frame element may be composed of another material, such as an aluminum material. The invention thus allows for weight saving of the frame by allowing the various frame elements to be constructed of different materials as well as materials that are lighter than other materials.

The invention thus allows the vehicle to have a pivoting plate made of a stronger material, a lighter material or any other material, since the choice of material for the pivoting plate remains independent of the choice of material of the other elements of the frame to be connected to the pivoting plate.

It may be noted herein that while the present description and the related figures illustrate and explain the present invention in the context of a pivoting plate, the present invention may be applied to various other elements of a vehicle without any limitation.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that appropriate modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Although specific features of the invention have been emphasized here too much, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention, and that many modifications are possible in the preferred embodiments. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be clearly understood that the foregoing illustrative aspects are to be construed as merely illustrative and not limiting of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a frame (12) of a two-wheeled vehicle (10), the method comprising:

-providing a first frame element (202, 502, 504) and a second frame element (204, 604, 602) of the frame (12), wherein the first frame element (202, 502, 504) and the second frame element (204, 604, 602) are made of dissimilar materials;

positioning an intermediate member (300, 310) between the first frame element (202, 502, 504) and the second frame element (204, 604, 602);

-connecting one end (302, 312) of the intermediate member (300) with one of the first frame element (202, 502, 504) and the second frame element (204, 604, 602) by a solid state welding process; and

the other end (304, 310) of the intermediate member (300) opposite one end (302, 312) is connected to the other of the first (202, 502, 504) and second (204, 604, 602) frame elements by an arc welding process to form at least a portion of the frame (12) of the two-wheeled vehicle (10).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member (300) is made of a similar material as at least one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid state welding process is a friction welding process.

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the friction welding is performed by displacing at least one of the intermediate members (300) and one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) relative to each other.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the arc welding process is Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding.

6. The method according to claims 1 to 5, wherein one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) is accommodated on a clamp for connecting an intermediate member (300).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member (300) and one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) are made of a ferrous material.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member (300) and one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) are made of a non-ferrous metal material.

9. A frame (12) of a two-wheeled vehicle (10), comprising:

a first frame element (202);

-a second frame element (204), wherein the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) are made of dissimilar materials; and

-an intermediate member (300) connecting the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (600);

wherein one end of the intermediate member (300) is connected to one of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) by a solid state welding process, and the other end (304) of the intermediate member (300) opposite to the one end (302) is connected to the other of the first frame element (202) and the second frame element (204) by an arc welding process.

10. A frame body (12) of a vehicle (10), the frame body (200) comprising:

a head tube (124) configured to receive the steering assembly (104),

an upper frame member (126) configured to receive at least one of the fuel tanks (24),

-a lower frame member (125) connected to the head pipe (124) and extending from the head pipe (124), wherein the lower frame member (126) is made of a first material;

a pivot plate (600) connectable to the lower frame member (126) and made of a second material, wherein the first material is dissimilar to the second material; and

an intermediate member (300) positioned between the lower frame member (125) and the pivoting plate (600), wherein one end of the intermediate member (300) is connected to one of the lower frame member (125) and the pivoting plate (600) by a solid state welding process,

wherein the other end of the intermediate member (300) opposite to one end is connected to the remaining one of the lower frame member (125) and the pivoting plate (600) by an arc welding process.

11. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) of claim 10, characterized in that the intermediate member (300) is made of a similar material as at least one of the lower frame member (125) and the pivot plate (600).

12. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) of claim 10, characterized in that the solid state welding process is performed by displacing at least one of the intermediate members (300) and one of the lower frame member (125) and the pivot plate (600) relative to each other.

13. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) of claim 10, characterized in that one of the lower frame member (125) and the pivot plate (600) is received on a clamp for connection with an intermediate member (300).