Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced from the front pillar. The vehicle body includes a rocker extending from the front pillar to the rear pillar. The vehicle includes a step bar supported by the rocker. The step bar extends from a first end aligned with the front pillar to a second end aligned with the rear pillar. The step bar is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the step bar overlaps the rocker in a vehicle-outboard direction. The step bar extends upwardly above the rocker.

Abstract: This disclosure details rigid linkages for mounting traction battery packs to portions of a vehicle frame. The rigid linkages are designed to allow the traction battery pack to articulate away from deforming structures of the vehicle frame as part of an energy distribution system. During the articulation, the rigid linkage is capable of conserving its integrity to push the traction battery pack away from the deforming structures, thereby preventing the deforming structures from contacting the traction battery pack.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery pack supported by at least one vehicle frame member, a side frame member positioned adjacent to an edge of the battery pack, and a cross-member extending away from the side frame member and above the battery pack. The cross-member is spaced from the battery pack by a gap. At least one bracket is mounted to at least one of the side frame member and cross-member within the gap such that in response to an impact load, the bracket prevents the cross-member from direct contact with the battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced from the front pillar. The vehicle body includes a rocker extending from the front pillar to the rear pillar. The vehicle includes a step bar supported by the rocker. The step bar extends from a first end aligned with the front pillar to a second end aligned with the rear pillar. The step bar is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the step bar overlaps the rocker in a vehicle-outboard direction. The step bar extends upwardly above the rocker.

Abstract: This disclosure details rigid linkages for mounting traction battery packs to portions of a vehicle frame. The rigid linkages are designed to allow the traction battery pack to articulate away from deforming structures of the vehicle frame as part of an energy distribution system. During the articulation, the rigid linkage is capable of conserving its integrity to push the traction battery pack away from the deforming structures, thereby preventing the deforming structures from contacting the traction battery pack.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery pack supported by at least one vehicle frame member, a side frame member positioned adjacent to an edge of the battery pack, and a cross-member extending away from the side frame member and above the battery pack. The cross-member is spaced from the battery pack by a gap. At least one bracket is mounted to at least one of the side frame member and cross-member within the gap such that in response to an impact load, the bracket prevents the cross-member from direct contact with the battery pack.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inner rail and a rocker rail outboard of the inner rail. The assembly includes a torque box having a first panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, a second panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, and a third panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail.

Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle comprising a rocker panel and a side sill that enclose an injection molded reinforcement. The reinforcement includes a plurality of intersecting walls that may be provided in horizontal and vertical planes. An intermediate wall formed by frames within four sided cells that define windows. The rocker assembly may include two different types of reinforcements, one with intersecting walls, or fins, extending laterally and one formed by a plurality of longitudinally extending tubular members.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inner rail and a rocker rail outboard of the inner rail. The assembly includes a torque box having a first panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, a second panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, and a third panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail.

Abstract: A connected assembly can include, among other things, first and second side rails of a battery pack of an electrified vehicle. The battery pack including a plurality of battery arrays disposed between the first and second side rails within an enclosure assembly. The connected assembly further includes a lateral rail extending from the first side rail to the second side rail, and a bracket assembly directly connected to the first side rail and the lateral rail. A battery pack connection method can include, among other things, directly connecting a bracket assembly to a horizontally facing side of a lateral rail, and directly connecting the bracket assembly to a horizontally facing side of a first side rail of an enclosure assembly that holds a battery pack of an electrified vehicle between the first side rail and a second side rail.

Abstract: A connected assembly can include, among other things, first and second side rails of a battery pack of an electrified vehicle. The battery pack including a plurality of battery arrays disposed between the first and second side rails within an enclosure assembly. The connected assembly further includes a lateral rail extending from the first side rail to the second side rail, and a bracket assembly directly connected to the first side rail and the lateral rail. A battery pack connection method can include, among other things, directly connecting a bracket assembly to a horizontally facing side of a lateral rail, and directly connecting the bracket assembly to a horizontally facing side of a first side rail of an enclosure assembly that holds a battery pack of an electrified vehicle between the first side rail and a second side rail.

Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle comprising a rocker panel and a side sill that enclose an injection molded reinforcement. The reinforcement includes a plurality of intersecting fins that may be provided in horizontal and vertical planes. An intermediate wall formed by frames within four sided cells that define windows. The rocker assembly may include two different types of reinforcements, one with intersecting fins, or walls, extending laterally and one formed by a plurality of longitudinally extending tubular members.

Abstract: A rocker including a sill elongated along an axis and a reinforcement disposed in the sill. The reinforcement, in cross-section transverse to the axis, includes an intermediate portion, a first lobe, and a second lobe. The first lobe has a first wall extending from the intermediate portion to a first end. The second lobe has a second wall extending from the intermediate portion to the second end. The first and second ends abut opposite surfaces of the intermediate portion. The first lobe and the second lobe of the reinforcement resist buckling in response to components of the impact force applied to the sill reinforcement.

Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle comprising a rocker panel and a side sill that enclose an injection molded reinforcement. The reinforcement includes a plurality of intersecting fins that may be provided in horizontal and vertical planes. An intermediate wall formed by frames within four sided cells that define windows. The rocker assembly may include two different types of reinforcements, one with intersecting fins, or walls, extending laterally and one formed by a plurality of longitudinally extending tubular members.

Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle comprising a rocker panel and a side sill that enclose an injection molded reinforcement. The reinforcement includes a plurality of intersecting fins that may be provided in horizontal and vertical planes. An intermediate wall formed by frames within four sided cells that define windows. The rocker assembly may include two different types of reinforcements, one with intersecting fins, or walls, extending laterally and one formed by a plurality of longitudinally extending tubular members.

Abstract: A rocker including a sill elongated along an axis and a reinforcement disposed in the sill. The reinforcement, in cross-section transverse to the axis, includes an intermediate portion, a first lobe, and a second lobe. The first lobe has a first wall extending from the intermediate portion to a first end. The second lobe has a second wall extending from the intermediate portion to the second end. The first and second ends abut opposite surfaces of the intermediate portion. The first lobe and the second lobe of the reinforcement resist buckling in response to components of the impact force applied to the sill reinforcement.

Abstract: An airbag includes a panel including a first lobe and a second lobe connected at a spine. The first lobe and the second lobe are affixed to each other along a seam. An inflation chamber is defined between the first lobe and the second lobe. The first lobe has a tab extending from and transverse to a perimeter of the first lobe. The tab is connected to the second lobe, and a vent is on the tab and in communication with the inflation chamber.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a plunger. A deformable wall extends along an axis and defines a cavity for receiving the plunger during relative movement between the plunger and the deformable wall resulting from impact between the bumper assembly and another object. A ledge is fixed to the deformable wall and extends between the cavity and the plunger for collapsing the deformable wall into the cavity. The deformable wall collapses inwardly to eliminate material stack up to accommodate packaging restraints in the design of the bumper assembly.

Abstract: A tire rotation blocking apparatus is disclosed for preventing a front tire of a vehicle from moving toward a passenger compartment in a small offset rigid barrier front-end collision. In one embodiment, an elongated bar is received by a plurality of guide members that each define an aperture extending in a longitudinal direction and that are fixedly attached to the vehicle. An actuator, such as a pyrotechnic device, is operatively connected to the bar to drive the bar longitudinally between the wheel and the passenger compartment in a front-end collision. In another embodiment, the actuator includes a spring attached to the bar, or blocker, that is released to drive the bar in a forward longitudinal direction. At least one stop engages the bar to hold the bar in the blocking position between the wheel and the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An airbag includes a panel including a first lobe and a second lobe connected at a spine. The first lobe and the second lobe are affixed to each other along a seam. An inflation chamber is defined between the first lobe and the second lobe. The first lobe has a tab extending from and transverse to a perimeter of the first lobe. The tab is connected to the second lobe, and a vent is on the tab and in communication with the inflation chamber.