PATENT: BMW’s single-unit CARBON frame and swingarm

BMW has filed a design patent for a new carbon fibre chassis, which sees the frame and swingarm constructed as a single unit.

Carbon fibre frames are nothing new, nor are carbon fibre swingarms – but BMW taking things one step further, filing a patent which integrates the two together. Unlike a conventional setup, there’s no structural separation between the frame and swingarm.

Carbon fibre’s the perfect material for this innovation. The material can constructed to be extremely strong and stiff in one direction, while remaining flexible in the other direction. This is particularly important for the swingarm which needs both lateral rigidity and vertical flexibility.

At this stage, the patent appears to be purely theoretical – so it’s likely we’ll have to wait to see a fixed carbon frame and swingarm. Regardless, it’s an interesting development which shows that BMW’s looking to innovate.