Abstract: An exterior panel structure for a vehicle prevents unevenness of an outer surface of an exterior panel material caused by joining of a reinforcing member to the exterior panel. The reinforcing member is joined to the exterior panel material such that rigidity is maintained, thereby keeping dents in the exterior panel material small even when a user presses on the exterior panel material during waxing of the vehicle, or the like. The exterior panel structure includes a door outer panel, a reinforcing member, and a bracket. In the bracket, a joint surface which follows an inner surface of the door outer panel is joined to an outer peripheral edge of the door panel which is separated from the inner surface of the door outer panel in a thickness direction of the door outer panel, and another joint surface is joined to a reinforcing outer peripheral edge of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: An exterior panel structure for a vehicle prevents unevenness caused by distortion of an outer surface of the exterior panel and keeps dents small even when a user presses the exterior panel from the outside. The exterior panel structure includes the exterior panel, and a reinforcing member having joint sections and coupling sections. The joint sections are separated from each other along an inner surface of the exterior panel, and each is joined to the inner surface of the exterior panel. The coupling section follows the inner surface of the exterior panel and couples the adjacent joint sections. The inner surface of the exterior panel and the coupling section abut each other when a pressing force equal to or larger than a specified value is applied inward in a thickness direction of the exterior panel from an outer surface of the exterior panel, and are otherwise separated from each other.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly a first reinforcing bracket, a fastener and a vibration absorbing member. The first reinforcing bracket extends from a forward portion of an inner door panel to a rearward portion of the inner door panel. The first reinforcing bracket has a first main surface. The fastener is attached to the first reinforcing member such that a head portion thereof is spaced apart from of the first main surface. The vibration absorbing member has a main body with a first end and a second end. The first end has a slot that extends from an edge of the first end inward. The slot is dimensioned and shaped for sliding installation on to the fastener such that the first end of the vibration absorbing member is located between the head portion of the fastener and the first surface of the first reinforcing bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a reinforcement member, a latch mechanism and a secondary reinforcement portion. The reinforcement member is installed to an inner door panel of a door structure and extends from a forward area of the door structure to a rearward area of the door structure. The latch mechanism is installed to the rearward area of the inner door panel and is positioned such that a section of a rearward portion of the reinforcement member is outboard and level with a portion of the latch mechanism. The secondary reinforcement portion is fixedly attached to a central area of the reinforcement member spaced apart from a forward area of the inner door panel. In response to an impact event where force is directed to a central area of the door structure, the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism retaining the latch mechanism in the latching orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first pillar and a second pillar spaced from the first pillar along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. A rotational actuator is disposed at the first pillar. The rotational actuator is fixed relative to the first pillar. A cable is engaged with the rotational actuator and is elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis to the second pillar. The cable is moveable to a deployed position by the rotational actuator and is under tension in the deployed position.

Abstract: A door has a latch mechanism, a reinforcement bracket and a jamming bracket within a cavity of the door. The latch mechanism retains the door in a closed orientation and in response to operation of the latch mechanism the door is released for movement to an open orientation. The reinforcement bracket is fixedly attached to structures of the vehicle door. The jamming bracket is fixed to the reinforcement bracket and has a locking portion that extends to an area adjacent to a release lever of the latch mechanism. With the door in a non-deformed state, the release lever is movable between a door opened orientation and a door closed orientation. In response to deformation of the door resulting from an exterior impact force, the locking portion of the jamming bracket moves toward the release lever preventing the release lever from moving to the door opened orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a window frame and a lower surface portion formed jointly with the window frame in one piece from a hot formed and press hardened sheet metal plate which is made of a steel alloy which includes, in weight-%: Carbon 0.33-0.38, Silicon 0.2-0.7, Manganese 0.7-1.2, Phosphorus max. 0.03, Sulfur max. 0.02, Boron 0.002-0.005, Chromium 0.6-1.0, Copper max. 0.12, Nitrogen max. 0.005, Titanium 0.015-0.025, Nickel 1.5-2.0, Molybdenum 0.2-0.6, Tin max. 0.04, and as optional components Aluminum 0.006-0.08, Niobium 0.02-0.05, with a balance being iron and incidental impurities. At least the lower surface portion has a Brinell hardness of 500 to 600 HB and a yield strength of 1,200 to 1,450 MPa, wherein the lower surface portion and/or the window frame has a wall thickness of at least 6 mm.

Abstract: An electric vehicle, including, a user compartment and a front section including a portion of a vehicle chassis, a crash absorbing member located in the front section and connected to the portion of the vehicle chassis, the crash absorbing member including a first extruded profile, preferably an aluminum profile, having a main extension direction in a transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, whereby the extrusion direction of the first extruded profile extends substantially in the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, and wherein further the first extruded profile includes at least two cells (C1, C2) being defined by outer walls and at least one intermediate wall separating the at least two cells (C1, C2), wherein the at least one intermediate wall has a main extension direction in the transverse direction (y) and a second extension direction which extends substantially in a vertical direction (z).

Abstract: A motor vehicle with at least one vehicle door includes a reinforcement component arranged in the lower section of the door body of the vehicle door. The reinforcement component is an open profile with lateral walls and an M-profile formed thereon which extend in the vehicle transverse direction in order to absorb forces acting in the vehicle transverse direction in the event of a load.

Abstract: Presented are structurally reinforced components for vehicle body structures, methods for making/using such components, and motor vehicles equipped with such components. A vehicle body structure includes an elongated support rail (e.g., a pair of lateral roof rails) with an inner contoured rail panel joined to an outer contoured rail panel to define an internal rail cavity. An elongated support pillar (e.g., front, side, and/or back vehicle pillars) adjoins the support rail and includes an inner contoured pillar panel joined to an outer contoured pillar panel to define an internal pillar cavity coupled to the internal rail cavity. The inner rail and pillar panels may be integrally from as a single-piece structure, and the outer rail and pillar panels may be integrally from as a single-piece structure. A structural reinforcement insert is located inside the support pillar and support rail, filling a discrete region within the rail cavity and pillar cavity.

Abstract: A door structure that can provide a bearing force against a load inputted from a hinge in a desirable way. The door structure includes: a tailgate; and a hinge that pivotally supports the tailgate with respect to a vehicle body. The tailgate has: an inner panel having an attachment surface portion substantially parallel to a plane whose normal is in the direction in which a rotating shaft of the hinge extends; and a hinge attachment portion, which is formed on the attachment surface portion and is for attaching the hinge thereto. The tailgate is provided with a stiffener attached together with the hinge to the tailgate. The stiffener has a first surface portion formed along the attachment surface portion.

Abstract: A vehicle-body structure of a vehicle comprises a vehicle-body frame member forming an opening portion for entrance at a vehicle side part and a front side door provided so as to open and close the opening portion, wherein the front side door comprises a door panel portion and reinforcement portions provided at a peripheral part of the door panel portion such that the reinforcement portions overlap with the vehicle-body frame member in a vehicle side view, the reinforcement portions being made of a plate member.

Abstract: A side door comprises a door panel portion and a reinforcement portion (a lower-side reinforcement portion and others). The door panel portion is provided to cover an opening portion for entrance and configured such that its peripheral part overlaps with an opening-portion-forming vehicle-body frame member (a side sill and others) in a vehicle side view. The reinforcement portion is provided at the peripheral part of the door panel portion such that it overlaps with the opening-portion-forming vehicle-body frame member in the vehicle side view, thereby reinforcing the peripheral part of the door panel portion against a collision load applied to the side door from a vehicle side. The reinforcement portion is provided at a portion of the peripheral part of the door panel portion which includes a part corresponding to the vehicle-width-direction-extending vehicle-body frame member (a first floor cross member and others).

Abstract: A stiffening structure for an automotive door panel part according to the present invention includes a door outer panel 3 made of a metal sheet curved along a height direction, and in which a character line 3a is formed; and an impact beam 5 disposed at an inner surface side of the door outer panel 3. The stiffening structure improves tensile rigidity of the door outer panel 3 by attaching a stiffening member 7 made of resin to the inner surface of the door outer panel 3. The stiffening member 7 includes vertical bone portions 9 extending in a streak shape from the impact beam 5 to the character line 3a along a curve of the door outer panel 3. The vertical bone portions 9 are arranged at a predetermined interval in a front-rear direction of the door outer panel 3, and outer surface of the vertical bone portions 9 is bonded to the inner surface of the door outer panel 3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock-absorbing member including: an exterior material 110 for an automobile; a first reinforcing member 122 that is disposed adjacent to the exterior material 110 and whose cross section orthogonal to the extending direction has a height, in the direction orthogonal to the exterior material 110, that is greater than the width in the S direction along the exterior material 110; a second reinforcing member 124 that is disposed adjacent to the exterior material 110 and whose cross section orthogonal to the extending direction has a height, in the direction orthogonal to the exterior material 110, that is greater than the width in the direction along the exterior material 110; an intersecting part where the first reinforcing member 122 and the second reinforcing member intersect and overlap; and a joint that joins the first reinforcing member 122 and the second reinforcing member 124 at the intersection.

Abstract: A side door assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle body having a side opening. The side door assembly includes a front casting for hinged connection to the vehicle body. A rear casting is also provided for latch connection of the vehicle door assembly to the vehicle. An extrusion and/or extrusions connect the front and rear castings providing a side door assembly that is extremely light, enhancing the ability of the driver to enjoy the vehicle.

Abstract: A tailgate panel assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel and the inner panel are directly joined to each other at an outer side with respect to a widthwise direction of the vehicle. An extended panel is joined to the inner panel and to the outer panel at an inner side with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle, thereby forming a closed cross-section.

Abstract: A door beam including an aluminum alloy extruded material of a closed section structure having a welded part along the longitudinal direction, webs and an outer flange are inhibited from buckling and further the welded part in the outer flange is inhibited from breaking at the time of collision. In a cross section of an aluminum alloy extruded material perpendicular to the extrusion direction, each of the webs includes an outer part connected to the outer flange and an inner part connected to an inner flange and the thickness of the outer part is larger than the thickness of the inner part. Each of the outer parts is positioned in a region outside a cross section center of the aluminum alloy extruded material in the vehicle body width direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retention system for an automotive door impact protection beam. The system comprises a bracket coupled to a door panel of a vehicle, the bracket comprising an aperture, and an impact protection beam coupled to the bracket and positioned adjacent to the door panel of the vehicle. The system further comprises a longitudinal primary face that includes a longitudinally extending mast comprising a stiffening bead and a hook end, wherein the mast extends through the aperture of the bracket, a first coupling shoulder coupled to the door panel, a shelf projecting laterally from a top edge of the primary face, a longitudinal secondary face projecting from an edge of the shelf; and a second coupling shoulder coupled to the door panel. The shelf includes an opening that is longer and wider than the mast.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes an inner panel, an outer panel, a guard beam and a reinforcing member. The guard beam extends laterally in a cavity between the inner and outer panels. The reinforcing member disposed in the cavity and being positioned on a floor of the vehicle door structure below the guard beam.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure that can displace inward a region directly above a lower end of a door built-in center pillar while preventing displacement of a door lower surface to absorb lateral collision energy immediately after lateral collision is provided. In the vehicle door structure including a door built-in center pillar extending from an upper end to a lower end at a front end in a rear door of a biparting door system, a reinforcement is provided on a door lower surface below the door built-in center pillar, a part of the lower end of the door built-in center pillar is mounted to the reinforcement, and a low rigidity portion having lower rigidity than an upper part the door built-in center pillar is provided directly above the lower end of the door built-in center pillar.

Abstract: A device can be used for reinforcing a vehicle body, which includes a front side inner panel and a side outer reinforce complement assembled to the front side inner panel. The device includes a bulkhead section formed in a closed space between the front side inner panel and the side outer reinforce complement. The front side inner panel and the side outer reinforce complement are cross-linked to each other by the bulkhead section.

Abstract: A vehicle door for use in a vehicle body comprising a rocker (20) is described. The vehicle door comprises an inner door panel (11) and an outer door panel (13), wherein the door further comprises a reinforcement element (12) arranged in a lower portion of the door such that when the door is mounted in the vehicle body, the reinforcement element (12) is at the height of the rocker (20) and such that when a side impact is received by the door the reinforcement element with the inner door panel is supported by the vehicle rocker. The reinforcement element (12) is a U-shaped bracket that extends from the inner door panel (11) to the outer door panel (13), the U-shaped bracket (12) being arranged with an open side facing the inner panel. The disclosure further relates to a vehicle having a vehicle body that comprises a rocker and such a door.

Abstract: A door impact beam is provided. The beam includes a beam body that has a W-shaped cross section and a reinforcement portion. The reinforcement portion is disposed in middle of the beam body and has a width greater than that of the beam body. Additionally, the reinforcement portion has first and second edges that are symmetrically convex with respect to a central axis of the beam body and the first and second edges have a curved streamlined shape.

Abstract: An arrangement for the transfer of collision forces possibly resulting from a crash event from one body part to another body part of a motor vehicle, with a hollow profile acting as a crash profile, which hollow profile runs in the main direction of travel or transversely to the main direction of travel is loaded on pressure in the case of the crash event, and is frontally supported on each of the body parts. The hollow profile is frontally supported on the respective body part by means of interposition of in each case a load transfer element.

Abstract: An upper reinforcement for a door trim panel includes a reinforcement channel, and a rib extending across the reinforcement channel. More particularly, the rib includes a first end section that engages a first wall of the channel, a second end section that engages a third wall of the channel and an intermediate section that extends across a window in the second wall of the channel.

Abstract: A reinforcement unit joins a B-pillar and a side sill of a vehicle. The side sill includes an inner side sill panel and an outer side sill panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, the outer reinforcement member having an upper flange and a lower flange, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and a shear plate attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel and an energy absorbing member. The outer door panel being configured such that at least a portion of an outer periphery thereof is fixed to an outer periphery of the inner door panel, the inner door panel and the outer door panel defining a hollow interior therebetween. The hollow interior has an upper end and a lower end. The energy absorbing member is installed within the hollow interior between the inner door panel and the outer door panel. The energy absorbing member has an outboard end surface with a first predetermined surface area and an inboard end surface having a second predetermined surface area greater than the first predetermined surface area. The energy absorbing member is spaced apart from the upper end of the hollow interior and being spaced apart from the lower end of the hollow interior.

Abstract: A vehicle battery cradle has first and second side beams. Each side beam has a first and second end. The first and second side beams are spaced from one another and positioned substantially parallel to one another. A center beam, with a first and second end, is positioned between the first and second side beams. A cross beam is secured with a first end of the first, second and center beams. The cross beam, with a first and second end, is substantially transverse to the first, second and center beams. A truss is coupled with the cross beam. The truss stabilizes the cradle. The second ends of the first and second side beams include a mechanism to secure the cradle with the vehicle body. The first and second ends of the cross beam include a mechanism to secure the cradle with the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle door is described, including: a bracket that is configured to support a window during opening and closing; a door locking mechanism that is positioned proximate (e.g., near or adjacent to) the bracket; and an absorption member that is configured and positioned to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the door locking mechanism. The absorption member includes a body defining an internal channel that is configured to receive the bracket in an interference fit such that the absorption member is fixedly securable to the bracket.

Abstract: A door of a vehicle may include a first door module forming a door skeleton; and a second door module coupled with the first door module and forming a door window; and where the second door module is made of a relatively lightweight material as compared to the first door module and a reinforcement member is coupled along external edge portions of the first door module and the second door module, reducing weight and cost of the door of the vehicle.

Abstract: An insulating material for insulating a structural element in a vehicle including a support element with a first surface and a second surface, and an expandable material which is arranged on the support element. The expandable material is arranged here on a first sub-region of the first surface of the support element, and a second sub-region of the first surface is free from expandable material. The first sub-region is configured here in such a manner that the first surface of the support element is completely covered with expanded material after expansion of the expandable material.

Abstract: A vehicle with improved body—closure impact performance may include a frame having an outer side and an inner side, the frame comprising a door opening, a door sill secured to the frame and extending along an edge of the door opening, the door sill extruded to comprise an elongate cavity; and a door secured to the frame and comprising an elongate protrusion, the door movable between an open position and a closed position, where the elongate cavity is positioned to receive the elongate protrusion when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle structure provided with a hollow structural member includes one or more reinforcement members that are located in the hollow structural member and include a foaming member. The hollow structural member includes a first hollow structural portion that is configured by a first panel portion, a second hollow structural portion that is configured by a second panel portion, and a third hollow structural portion that is configured by a third panel portion and couples the first and second hollow structural portions to each other. The one or more reinforcement members include at least one of first and second reinforcement members. The first reinforcement member includes a first foaming member connected to the first and third panel portions. The second reinforcement member includes a second foaming member connected to the second and third panel portions.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methodologies for transportation vehicle fit-up can include a tuning assembly for tuning the spatial relationship between an accessory and adjacent portions of the transportation vehicle.

Abstract: An outer skin module of a vehicle door has a side impact support for stiffening the vehicle door, a shell-shaped outer skin having a shell edge, and a peripheral mounting frame on its edge, which is connected to the shell edge of the outer skin for fixing the outer skin to a door shell of the vehicle door. The mounting frame and the side impact support are designed as one-piece module components.

Abstract: A torsion beam of a vehicle torsion beam suspension has a closed cross section. A beam center portion has an inverse substantially v-shaped cross section or a substantially v-shaped cross section. Circumference increasing portions having a longer circumferential length toward the beam ends are disposed at opposite sides of the beam center portion. Each circumference increasing portion has a beam width that is a width in the fore and aft direction of a vehicle body, the beam width gradually increasing toward a beam end, and increasing at a higher rate as a position of the beam width is closer to the beam end.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a bracket-integrated double-layer door impact beam is provided. The apparatus includes a lower mold having a lower cavity formed with a base material molded to have a “U”-shaped cross section and a predetermined length. The base material is seated on the lower cavity. A lower electrode terminal is disposed in the lower mold to contact the base material. An upper mold has an upper cavity therein and is coupled with the lower mold to pressurize both end portions of the “U”-shaped cross section of the base material inward to form the base material with an “O”-shaped cross section. An upper electrode terminal is disposed in the upper mold to contact the base material.

Abstract: A vehicle side door internally includes an impact beam which extends along a longitudinal axis of a door. The impact beam is attached to a door inner panel via an outer extension. An inner extension is attached inside the outer extension. A distance along thickness of the door between the inner extension and the impact beam is shorter in a close proximity section than in a longitudinally neighboring area. Because the load received by the inner extension via the close proximity section is transferred to joint portions connecting to the outer extension, the load received by the outer extension from the impact beam is dispersed.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes an outer panel, an inner panel including an inner wall portion, a side wall portion, and a flange portion, an impact beam provided so to extend between the outer panel and the inner wall portion on a surface parallel to inner wall portion, and a bracket including a fixed portion, a joint portion, and a recessed portion. The recessed portion recesses toward an inner-panel side such that a tip end of the impact beam is distanced from the bracket. In an extending direction of the impact beam, a yield strength of a region from the fixed portion to a tip end position of the impact beam for a load applied from the outer panel-side is lower than a yield strength of a region from the tip end position of the impact beam to the joint portion for the load applied from the outer-panel side.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first pillar. The vehicle includes a second pillar having a distal end and spaced from the first pillar. The vehicle includes an extendible member supported by the first pillar and moveable from a retracted position where the extendible member has a first length to an extended position where the extendible member extends to the second pillar spaced from the distal end and has a second length greater than the first length.

Abstract: The technology relates to assisting in the closing of a vehicle door by automatically pulling a door closed. One or more computing devices having one or more processors may receive, from one or more sensors, information indicating that a door on the vehicle is not closed. In response to the received information indicating that the door is not closed, the one or more computing devices may determine to send a triggering signal to close the door. The one or more computing devices may send the triggering signal to the actuator and the actuator may receive the triggering signal. In response to receiving the triggering signal the actuator may be activated to close the door of the vehicle without user input.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes: a door inner including a body wall portion, a first opposed wall portion, and a second opposed wall portion; a door outer panel; an impact beam; an impact beam extension including a door-inner-side end portion and a fixed end; and a first reinforcement including a support portion fixed to the first opposed wall portion and a free end portion extending from the support portion toward the impact beam, wherein the impact beam extension and the free end portion are configured to be fitted to each other.

Abstract: An upper reinforcement for a door trim panel includes a reinforcement channel, softening features within reinforcement channel, a tab depending from the reinforcement channel, and a trigger feature between the reinforcement channel and the tab whereby the reinforcement channel is released from the tab during a side impact. A method of tuning performance characteristics of the upper reinforcement is also described.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines a front door opening, and includes an A-pillar framing the front door opening, and a door over the front door opening. The front door includes an inner door panel and an outer door panel defining an interior door cavity therebetween. The vehicle also includes an impact beam and a transfer member housed in the interior door cavity. The impact beam has a forward end that laterally overlaps the A-pillar. The transfer member laterally overlaps the A-pillar in common with the forward end of the impact beam, and faces the inner door panel from laterally between the forward end of the impact beam and the inner door panel. When the vehicle experiences a side impact event, the A-pillar assumes side impact energy via transfer from the forward end of the impact beam through the transfer member.

Abstract: An impact absorber to be mounted on a vehicular exterior side surface of a vehicular interior part covering a vehicular panel from a vehicular interior side includes an opposite wall to be opposite the vehicular panel, outer walls extending from edges of the opposite wall toward a vehicular interior side, and mounting portions that are to be fit to mount members included on the vehicular exterior side surface of the vehicular interior part, each of the mounting portions including a basal portion being included at a vehicular interior side end of one of the outer walls and in contact with the vehicular exterior side surface of the vehicular interior part, a distal end portion being on a vehicular exterior side than the basal portion and to be secured to one of the mount members, and an intermediate portion connecting the basal portion and the distal end portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a reinforcement or brace that can be installed on the tailgate of a vehicle. The reinforcement can provide structural support for heavier mounted objects, such as tires, as well as allowing for different attachment points. Advantageously, the tailgate hinge does not need to be removed or replaced.

Abstract: Motor vehicle hybrid structural part, comprising a main structural part 2 and at least one reinforcement patch the main structural part 2 being embodied as a sheet-metal structural part made of a steel alloy or light metal alloy and the reinforcement patch being made of light metal, which is characterized in that the reinforcement patch is an extruded structural part with at least two wall thicknesses differing from one another in cross section.

Abstract: A vehicle impact absorption structure includes a door trim and an impact absorption member located on an outer side of the door trim in a vehicle width direction. The impact absorption member includes a base plate arranged to face the door trim, a plurality of legs extending from the base plate toward the door trim, and a plate-shaped rigid wall extending from the base plate toward the door trim. Each of the legs is bent between a distal end of the rigid wall and the base plate.

Abstract: Even when a heavy load is applied to a tailgate of resin, deformation of the tailgate is inhibited. The tailgate includes a window frame portion of resin forming a window opening portion. The window frame portion includes a bottom wall located on the vehicle interior side, and an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall each of which extending from the corresponding either one end of the bottom wall. The tailgate connects the exterior ends of an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall to form a closed cross-section, and includes a hinge reinforcement member fitted to a hinge mechanism. The hinge reinforcement member includes an outer sidewall reinforcement portion along the outer sidewall. The hinge member is fastened to the outer sidewall reinforcement portion and the outer sidewall together by a connection bolt and a nut.