Abstract: An electric-vehicle frame includes a mid-section and an end section. The mid-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a first distance along a cross-vehicle axis defining a battery compartment therebetween. The end-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a second distance along the cross-vehicle axis smaller than the first distance. A first connector is fixed to the first frame rail of the mid-section and to the first frame rail of the end-section. A second connector is fixed to the second frame rail of the mid-section and to the second frame rail of the end-section.

Abstract: Vehicle frames for battery powered electric vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a vehicle subframe including a first rail and a first rocker on a first side of the vehicle subframe, and a second rail and a second rocker on a second side of the vehicle subframe, the first side opposite the second side, a first diagonal member coupled between the first rail and the second side of the vehicle subframe, the first diagonal member to transfer a first longitudinal load from the first rail to the second side, and a second diagonal member coupled between the second rail and the first side of the vehicle subframe, the second diagonal member to transfer a second longitudinal load from the second rail to the first side.

Abstract: Vehicle frames for battery powered electric vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a vehicle subframe including a first rail and a first rocker on a first side of the vehicle subframe, and a second rail and a second rocker on a second side of the vehicle subframe, the first side opposite the second side, a first diagonal member coupled between the first rail and the second side of the vehicle subframe, the first diagonal member to transfer a first longitudinal load from the first rail to the second side, and a second diagonal member coupled between the second rail and the first side of the vehicle subframe, the second diagonal member to transfer a second longitudinal load from the second rail to the first side.

Abstract: An electric-vehicle frame includes a mid-section and an end section. The mid-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a first distance along a cross-vehicle axis defining a battery compartment therebetween. The end-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a second distance along the cross-vehicle axis smaller than the first distance. A first connector is fixed to the first frame rail of the mid-section and to the first frame rail of the end-section. A second connector is fixed to the second frame rail of the mid-section and to the second frame rail of the end-section.

Abstract: Splayed front horn for vehicle frames are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a first structural member extending along an axial direction of a vehicle, a second structural member coupled to the first structural member, the second structural member splayed relative the first structural member, second structural member including a first section having a first material property, the first section adjacent to the first structural member, and a second section joined to the first section, the second section having a second material property, the first material property different than the second material property.

Abstract: An electric-vehicle frame includes a mid-section and an end section. The mid-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a first distance along a cross-vehicle axis defining a battery compartment therebetween. The end-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a second distance along the cross-vehicle axis smaller than the first distance. A first connector is fixed to the first frame rail of the mid-section and to the first frame rail of the end-section. A second connector is fixed to the second frame rail of the mid-section and to the second frame rail of the end-section.

Abstract: A hybrid structural assembly includes a vehicle structural member extending from a first end to a second end, and a composite reinforcement member attached to the vehicle structural member between the first and second ends of the vehicle structural member. The composite reinforcement member being formed by a continuous method and cut to a predetermined length extending from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A hybrid structural assembly includes a vehicle structural member extending from a first end to a second end, and a composite reinforcement member attached to the vehicle structural member between the first and second ends of the vehicle structural member. The composite reinforcement member being formed by a continuous method and cut to a predetermined length extending from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a hood at a front end, a frunk under the hood, and a cabin. The vehicle includes a cross-beam positioned between the frunk and the cabin, and configured to inhibit protrusion of the frunk into the cabin in a frontal impact. The vehicle also includes a frame and the cross-beam is coupled to the frame. The cross-beam is a unitary member that is coupled to the frame or the cross-beam includes two members separated by a gap and each member is coupled to the frame. The frame includes shock towers for coupling the cross-beam to the frame. The frame can also include a bracket for coupling the cross beam to the frame.

Abstract: This disclosure details systems and methods for supporting and protecting vehicle underbody-mounted battery packs. An exemplary electrified vehicle may include a frame, a battery support structure mounted to the frame, and a battery pack. The battery pack is supported relative to the frame by the battery support structure but is not itself directly coupled to the frame. The battery support structure may be configured to provide an under-frame mounting configuration, cross member positioning, skid plate positioning for battery pack protection, weight optimized sub-components, unique shapes for ground clearances, etc.

Abstract: Barriers for rear frame mounted spare tires are disclosed. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a frame including a cross member, a spare tire, a skid plate, and a barrier extending between the skid plate and the cross member, the barrier abutting the spare tire, the barrier including a first surface having a first curvature, the first curvature concave relative to a rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle frames for battery powered electric vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a vehicle subframe including a first rail and a first rocker on a first side of the vehicle subframe, and a second rail and a second rocker on a second side of the vehicle subframe, the first side opposite the second side, a first diagonal member coupled between the first rail and the second side of the vehicle subframe, the first diagonal member to transfer a first longitudinal load from the first rail to the second side, and a second diagonal member coupled between the second rail and the first side of the vehicle subframe, the second diagonal member to transfer a second longitudinal load from the second rail to the first side.

Abstract: An electric-vehicle frame includes a mid-section and an end section. The mid-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a first distance along a cross-vehicle axis defining a battery compartment therebetween. The end-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a second distance along the cross-vehicle axis smaller than the first distance. A first connector is fixed to the first frame rail of the mid-section and to the first frame rail of the end-section. A second connector is fixed to the second frame rail of the mid-section and to the second frame rail of the end-section.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a hood at a front end, a frunk under the hood, and a cabin. The vehicle includes a cross-beam positioned between the frunk and the cabin, and configured to inhibit protrusion of the frunk into the cabin in a frontal impact. The vehicle also includes a frame and the cross-beam is coupled to the frame. The cross-beam is a unitary member that is coupled to the frame or the cross-beam includes two members separated by a gap and each member is coupled to the frame. The frame includes shock towers for coupling the cross-beam to the frame. The frame can also include a bracket for coupling the cross beam to the frame.

Abstract: Splayed front horn for vehicle frames are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a first structural member extending along an axial direction of a vehicle, a second structural member coupled to the first structural member, the second structural member splayed relative the first structural member, second structural member including a first section having a first material property, the first section adjacent to the first structural member, and a second section joined to the first section, the second section having a second material property, the first material property different than the second material property.

Abstract: Barriers for rear frame mounted spare tires are disclosed. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a frame including a cross member, a spare tire, a skid plate, and a barrier extending between the skid plate and the cross member, the barrier abutting the spare tire, the barrier including a first surface having a first curvature, the first curvature concave relative to a rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: Splayed front horn for vehicle frames are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frame of a vehicle having a side rail directed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a splayed front horn coupled to the side rail, the splayed front horn angled outward relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the splayed front horn includes a first section and a second section, the first and second sections having different physical properties.

Abstract: This disclosure details systems and methods for supporting and protecting vehicle underbody-mounted battery packs. An exemplary electrified vehicle may include a frame, a battery support structure mounted to the frame, and a battery pack. The battery pack is supported relative to the frame by the battery support structure but is not itself directly coupled to the frame. The battery support structure may be configured to provide an under-frame mounting configuration, cross member positioning, skid plate positioning for battery pack protection, weight optimized sub-components, unique shapes for ground clearances, etc.

Abstract: An assembly includes an interior component. The assembly includes a deployable panel having an upper panel and a lower panel supported by the interior component, the deployable panel being movable relative to the interior component from a retracted position to an extended position. The assembly includes a hinge between the upper panel and the lower panel. The assembly includes an airbag inflatable to an inflated position in which the airbag is positioned to abut the upper panel in the extended position.

Abstract: Splayed front horn for vehicle frames are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frame of a vehicle having a side rail directed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a splayed front horn coupled to the side rail, the splayed front horn angled outward relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the splayed front horn includes a first section and a second section, the first and second sections having different physical properties.