US Patent 10286961 Lightweight vehicle structure flexibly manufactured

A body node for connecting shell-shaped body structures, of a vehicle, the body node having: a first connecting flange for connection to a first shell-shaped body structure, a second connecting flange for connection to a second shell-shaped body structure, a third connecting flange for connection to a third shell-shaped body structure, and a connecting structure rigidly connecting the connecting flanges with each other and, for example, forming a monolithic body with the connecting flanges.