Abstract: Because of the nature of autonomous vehicles, and in particular that they do not require manual inputs from a driver or passenger to control braking and steering, autonomous vehicle can include features that may not necessarily be useful or practical in a typical non-autonomous (or semi-autonomous vehicle) that would require such manual input.

Abstract: Vehicle chassis with interchangeable performance packages and related methods. are disclosed herein. An example vehicle chassis disclosed herein includes a frame including a first chassis portion including a cavity, a battery platform coupled to first chassis portion, and a first subframe couplable within the cavity, the first subframe including a first motor and a first suspension assembly, and a second subframe couplable within the cavity, the second subframe including a second motor and a second suspension assembly, the second motor having a greater power than the first motor, the second suspension assembly having a greater stiffness than the first suspension assembly.

Abstract: A transportation system that includes one or more pods that include an interior space configured to house one or more travelers. The pods can be attached to and transported by multiple different vehicles. The different vehicles can provide for different modes of transportation. The pods are configured to supply one or more utility functions to the interior space. One or more of the utility functions to be supplied from the vehicles to the pods when the pods are attached to the vehicles.

Abstract: A multi-functional coupler for one or more vehicle components includes a shank, a head connected to the shank, a connector carried by the shank, and a tool. The tool is carried by the head or shank spaced from the connector, and the tool has a fastener engaging portion by which a fastener may be moved to install or remove the fastener from a component. The coupler may be used to both coupled together two or more components, and to remove fasteners or other connections via the tool of the coupler. Conveniently, as the coupler is normally installed on the vehicle to couple together two or more vehicle components, the coupler is readily available to a user wanting to remove fasteners compatible/drivable with the tool of the coupler.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a front frame module, a middle frame module, and a rear frame module. The front frame module is fastened to a front portion of the middle frame module. The rear frame module is fastened to a rear portion of the middle frame module. The middle frame module is interchangeable with at least one other middle frame module to change a length of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assembling a roof of a cargo body. A plurality of sidewalls are provided, each comprising a side panel and an upper rail coupled to the side panel. A roof panel is located above the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the upper rails. A roof bow extends between the upper rails below the roof panel. The roof bow is fixed to a track of one of the upper rails with a fastener.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a lower roof bow and an integrally-formed roof panel. The lower roof bow extends transversely between roof rails and defines a lower channel wall. The integrally-formed roof panel has longitudinal rails and an upper roof bow. The longitudinal rails extend parallel to the roof rails. The upper roof bow is secured to the lower roof bow. The upper roof bow includes an upper channel wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is spaced from the lower channel wall to define a channel therebetween. The exterior surface defines an exterior surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device and a method for fastening, clamping, or adjusting a molding part to a body-mounted part are provided. To allow the absorption of large tensile forces, a tensioning element designed as a tension strut is provided, which includes at least one oblong element made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The length of the tensioning element is adjustable between two end positions via a bracing device.

Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, a side wall, and a door. The door at least partially defines a passageway and is pivotally coupled with the side wall and pivotable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing portion is configured for selective routing through the handle and releasable coupling to an adjacent portion of the utility bed.

Abstract: A high-strength-per-unit-weight spaceframe-like vehicle has a front subassembly, a core frame and a rear subassembly configured to be bolted together, forming a spaceframe core platform. A roof structure assembly of formed, extruded or stamped components is bolted to the spaceframe core platform in a common plane and height. Closure panels common to a vehicle family style are provided, and non-load bearing colored panels defines the vehicle body color. A vehicle assembly method includes bolting together a plurality of subassemblies, bolting a roof structure assembly to the core platform, installing at a plant closure panels common to a vehicle family style, and thereafter installing a series of non-structural colored panels defining the vehicle body color and having only aesthetic and aerodynamic functionalities as the last assembly step in the plant or optionally at the point of sale or the other location outside the plant.

Abstract: A fairing unit (21) for enclosing a front portion of a vehicle body includes a fairing body (22) and a front edge member (23) mounted removably on the fairing body and forming a major component of a front edge of the fairing unit. The front edge member is made up of left and right front edge pieces (23a, 23b). A fairing assembly (43) includes the fairing unit and turn signal lamps (44A, 44B) mounted on the fairing body at a location rearwardly of the front edge member so as to protrude in a direction laterally outwardly thereof. The turn signal lamp is supported for collapsible movement in a direction laterally inwardly.

Abstract: A protective vehicle body of non-metallic material comprises an integrally molded base (1) providing a floor and a lower body wall (5), the lower body wall having a lip (6) extending outwardly therefrom; and an upper part (2) providing a roof and an upper body wall, a lower edge of the upper body wall fitting within the lip (6) and being demountably attached to the base (1). The body forms part of a vehicle additionally having a front portion (8) including a front axle and a rear portion (9) including a rear axle, the front and rear portions (8, 9) being attached to the vehicle body by attachment means that are severable from the vehicle body by a blast wave.

Abstract: A composite bar for the chassis of a vehicle; the composite bar consists of at least two extruded elements which are internally hollow and are butt jointed at a junction area; each extruded element has a trapezoidal cross section having a major base, a minor base parallel and opposite to the major base, and two side walls; a first end of a first extruded element arranged in the junction area has no major base; and a second end of a second extruded element arranged in the junction area is interference fitted into the first end through the missing major base.

Abstract: A body part of a front frame of a motor vehicle has a structural component of plastic arranged in a frame part. The structural component is connected with a cage nut through material connection. Via the cage nut a front axle is screwed to the body part. A carrying part for holding the cage nut is welded to the frame part for this purpose and connected to the structural component via over molding.

Abstract: A utilities pod (10) for a vehicle, especially a caravan. The pod is removably mounted underneath the cabin structure and contains utilities apparatus such as a water heater, space heater (62), battery and water tank (60). The pod is connected to the cabin of the vehicle by an interface unit having multiple ports (18) by which said respective utility services are provided to the cabin. The interface unit is configured for installation in the floor of said cabin such that the ports are exposed to the interior of the cabin structure.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, in particular a self-propelled forage harvester, has a body which includes frame parts and parts of the outer shell, a chassis having at least two drive axles which form the ground drive, and various working units and drive units, and the harvesting machine is separatable into at least one front module and one rear module which are displaceable relative to one another.

Abstract: A collar system for a connecting the cab of a vehicle to the cargo bed cover or similar boxed attachment, the vehicle mounting collar including a webbed collar frame designed to mount to a standard driver's compartment or cab, without modification to the vehicle. The collar and attachment method are extremely flexible and accommodates any vehicle tolerance variation. The collar mounts to the rear flange on the cab of the vehicle, and the bulkhead of the collar has slots to receive the shell of the cargo bed cover. Shell bolts within the bulkhead slots allow the shell to be adjustably repositionable on the bulkhead of the collar by slippage of the shell bolts within the bulkhead slots.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle including a frame having longitudinally-spaced ends defining a first longitudinal axis, and an engine supported by the frame. The engine includes a crankshaft defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An arrangement for suspension of an operator cab on a machine frame in order to permit controlled motion of the cab relative to the frame is provided. The arrangement includes at least one first suspension member disposed between an underside of the cab and the frame for supporting the cab on the frame. The arrangement further includes at least one second suspension member disposed between a rear side of the cab and a rigid support structure and wherein the second suspension member is arranged at an elevated position relative to the underside of the cab. The second suspension member is adapted to provide an increased rigidity against cab movements both in the longitudinal and lateral direction of the machine during operation of the work machine.

Abstract: A protective vehicle body of non-metallic material comprises an integrally molded base (1) providing a floor and a lower body wall (5), the lower body wall having a lip (6) extending outwardly therefrom; and an upper part (2) providing a roof and an upper body wall, a lower edge of the upper body wall fitting within the lip (6) and being demountably attached to the base (1). The body forms part of a vehicle additionally having a front portion (8) including a front axle and a rear portion (9) including a rear axle, the front and rear portions (8, 9) being attached to the vehicle body by attachment means that are severable from the vehicle body by a blast wave.

Abstract: A detachable side fairing for a vehicle in one form comprises a panel body that can include steps. An access opening is defined by the panel body and is opened and closed by a door, such as the riser of a step, to allow access to the rear of the panel. A latch actuator can be accessed through the access opening for use in operating a latch to allow movement of the panel body away from the vehicle. The latch actuator can comprise first and second actuators comprising respective first and second elongated handles that each actuates an associated latch to release the panel body. The handles can be configured to prevent closing of the door when the actuators have not been moved to a position that completes the latching of the panel body to the vehicle.

Abstract: A section of a motor vehicle front low area includes a first extendable elongated part, whose rear end is placed in front of a vehicle structural element embodied in a form of a cradle, whereas the front end thereof is connected to a bar-type structural element of the vehicle by a first connection device. The rear end of the first elongated part is movably mounted in front of the cradle-shaped vehicle structural element. The first connection device includes a connection in a form of a slide bar enabling a substantially longitudinal movement to be carried out and a removable stop member for normally hindering movement up to the removal.

Abstract: A motorcycle can include an engine, a fuel tank, a seat, and a canister. The fuel tank can have an upper surface and an inclined surface arranged to extend obliquely downward from a rear end of the upper surface toward a back of the motorcycle. The seat can include a seat front portion and a seat rear portion. The seat front portion can be provided on the inclined surface, and the seat rear portion can extend toward the back of the motorcycle. The canister can be arranged between the inclined surface and the seat front portion. The canister can store fuel gas generated in the fuel tank, and supply the fuel gas to the engine. At least one of the inclined surface and the lower surface can have a first cavity that stores the canister.

Abstract: A section of a motor vehicle front low area includes a first extendable elongated part, whose rear end is placed in front of a vehicle structural element embodied in a form of a cradle, whereas the front end thereof is connected to a bar-type structural element of the vehicle by a first connection device. The rear end of the first elongated part is movably mounted in front of the cradle-shaped vehicle structural element. The first connection device includes a connection in a form of a slide bar enabling a substantially longitudinal movement to be carried out and a removable stop member for normally hindering movement up to the removal.

Abstract: The production of lightweight closure assemblies with a selection of materials optimized to have sufficient formability for each component of the closure assembly, while providing the necessary performance standards at a lighter weight. A mixed metal vehicle closure assembly with an inner panel and an outer panel operatively connected to one another such that they define a cavity therebetween. The closure assembly includes a unitary reinforcement panel attached to the inner and outer panels and inside the cavity therebetween. At least one of the inner, outer and unitary reinforcement panels is composed of a first type of sheet metal and at least one other of the remaining inner, outer or unitary reinforcement panel is composed of a second type of sheet metal.

Abstract: A modular vehicle includes a base body having a frame, driver compartment, chassis, motor and wheels, a removable modular component adapted to be locked and unlocked therefrom, and locks that fasten the removable modular component within the base body. The removable modular component provides added structural rigidity to the frame when installed, and can comprise at least 20 percent of the overall volume and at least 20 percent of the overall weight of the entire vehicle. Locks permit the modular component to be removed and replaced with another removable modular component when said locks are unlocked. Various modular components can be directed toward medical, weapons, fire equipment, rescue equipment, hunting supplies, reconnaissance, command center, outback vehicle, or a survival camper. A triangular truss support system provides increased support and protection for the underside of the vehicle, such as for when the vehicle runs over an IED or other destructive device.

Abstract: A detachable side fairing for a vehicle in one form comprises a panel body that can include steps. An access opening is defined by the panel body and is opened and closed by a door, such as the riser of a step, to allow access to the rear of the panel. A latch actuator can be accessed through the access opening for use in operating a latch to allow movement of the panel body away from the vehicle. The latch actuator can comprise first and second actuators comprising respective first and second elongated handles that each actuates an associated latch to release the panel body. The handles can be configured to prevent closing of the door when the actuators have not been moved to a position that completes the latching of the panel body to the vehicle.

Abstract: A structure of an upper frame for supporting a cabin of construction machinery, whereby, in the event of a rollover accident, an excessive vertical load or rearward load applied to a cabin structure is primarily dispersed by a reinforcing member of the cabin structure, and the dispersed load is supported by a separate cabin supporting structure, so that the plastic deformation of the cabin structure can be minimized.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle body and a module. The vehicle body has a front end and a rear end with an opening formed through the rear end. The module is sized to be received within the rear end opening. The module has at least a portion of a vehicle interior mounted therein. The module is adapted to be inserted into the opening of the rear end to cooperate with the vehicle body to form the at least a portion of the vehicle interior. A modular vehicle interior system is disclosed with a module which is sized to be received within a rear end opening of a vehicle body. A method for assembling a vehicle interior is also disclosed.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle and a vehicle having same, provides a receiver adapted for mounting to a vehicle chassis and including a multiplicity of receptacles; an accessory mounting element adapted to be affixed to a vehicle accessory and including a multiplicity of securing members each adapted to penetrate a separate one of said multiplicity of receptacles; a slidable device slidably engaged with said receiver and adapted to engage said multiplicity of securing members within the multiplicity of receptacles to provide attachment of the accessory mounting element to the vehicle chassis; and an actuator operably connected to said slidable device and adapted to engage and disengage said slidable device with said multiplicity of securing members with a single actuation.

Abstract: A cover is provided between a front hood and a vehicle component. The cover includes a cover main portion, a lid, a supporting portion, a supported portion, and a contacting portion. An opening is formed on the cover main portion. The supporting portion is integrally provided on the cover main portion and around the opening. The supported portion is integrally provided on a circumferential edge of the lid and engaged with the supporting portion. The contacting portion is provided on the lid and receives a downward load from the front hood. One or both of the supporting portion and the supported portion deforms elastically in case where a load has been applied to the contacting portion and thereby the lid drops off within the opening. According to the cover, a deformable amount of the cover can be increased and maintenance costs can be reduced.

Abstract: A cargo container that includes a U-shaped panel, and/or an L-shaped panel is disclosed. The cargo container has a top, bottom, and two sides, each U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels forms part of the top and a side, or the bottom and a side. The cargo container may further include doors with hinges and/or doors that slide. Landing gear may support the container when not in transit. The U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels may be inhomogeneous in size and thickness to reinforce the areas of highest stress concentration such as the container edges or the attachment location of the landing gear. The cargo container may also have a bottom floor with a greater thickness than each of the significantly parallel sides, or a bottom floor with parallel or interconnected support protrusions. The U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels may include internal support structures. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels.

Abstract: A vehicle end portion includes a right-hand closure assembly, a left-hand closure assembly, an end module, and at least one locating component positioned to locate the end module relative the left-hand closure assembly and the right-hand closure assembly.

Abstract: The present application relates to a mobile conveying vehicle comprising axles rigidly arranged on a support frame, an operator's cabin and a series of units and additional unit parts such as an engine, pumps, a radiator, hydraulic tank and/or fuel tank. In accordance with the application, the operator's cabin and the units with additional unit parts are mounted on a common frame construction. The frame construction is uncoupled from the support frame.

Abstract: A structure is provided for a passenger motor vehicle, which comprises a panel structure of non-metallic material, such as fiber-reinforced plastic. For optimization of the structure with regard to high strength, light weight, and functional performance, said structure comprises a passenger cell, the panel structure of which includes a front panel structure and a rear panel structure, while the panel structures are connected with a floor structure bordered by longitudinal girders extending between the panel structures.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a carrier panel attachable to a vehicle door outer structure such that the carrier panel substantially covers an opening of the door outer structure. The carrier panel is configured to function as a water shield between the door outer structure and a vehicle occupant compartment. The carrier panel also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion defines a lower appearance surface. The assembly further includes a hardware component mounted to and supported by the carrier panel, and an upper trim panel arrangement that is attachable to the carrier panel after the carrier panel has been attached to the door outer structure. The upper trim panel arrangement is configured to substantially cover the upper portion of the carrier panel and defines an upper appearance surface.

Abstract: A pillar trim structure comprises: a vehicular pillar; a pillar trim for covering the pillar from the inner side of a compartment; a first retained member having its one end fixed on a vehicular widthwise face of the pillar trim and extended to the side of the pillar and its other end retained in a first hole formed in the pillar; and a second retained member having its one end fixed on the vehicular widthwise face of the pillar trim and extended to the side of the pillar and its other end retained in a second hole formed in the pillar. The engagements between the first and the second retained members, and the pillar can be released by deforming the pillar trim to separate the other end of the first retained member and the other end of the second retained member.

Abstract: A vehicular body and frame assembly includes a plurality of individual frame modules that can be selectively connected together to form customized assemblies. Each of the individual modules can be constructed in any desired manner. To connect the modules together, each module has cooperating first and second connecting structures provided thereon. The first connecting structures are designed to connect to the second connecting structures. For example, the first connecting structures may be formed as hooks provided on the lower portions of the frame modules, and the second connecting structures may be formed as pins provided on the lower portions of the frame modules upon which the hooks can be engaged. The frame modules can be connected together in this manner and pivoted to a mating position, wherein they can be positively retained together by bolts or other fasteners that extend between the mating frame modules.

Abstract: To provide a front-end panel which is low-cost and looks attractive when incorporating a reinforcement, a front-end panel includes a first holding member provided along the reinforcement so as to hold one edge of the reinforcement, a second holding member provided along the reinforcement so as to hold the other edge of the reinforcement, and connecting bands for connecting the first holding member with the second holding member.

Abstract: This body structure is suitable for motor vehicles, especially for passenger cars and comprises a passenger compartment structure and at least one supporting structure adjoining thereon, for example, for accommodating a driving unit and wheel suspension elements. The supporting structure is connected to the passenger compartment structure through holding elements. To optimize the supporting structure, having a region connecting with the passenger compartment structure and a rear end region, the supporting structure is formed as an enveloping device of a high-strength, especially a fiberglass reinforced plastic, which is reinforced with a supporting device and surrounds the driving unit at least regionally, the enveloping device having several openings, each of which forms an access to the driving unit, and being provided with bearing mountings for the driving unit.

Abstract: A vehicular body and frame assembly includes a plurality of individual frame modules that can be selectively connected together to form customized assemblies. Each of the individual modules can be constructed in any desired manner. To connect the modules together, each module has cooperating first and second connecting structures provided thereon. The first connecting structures are designed to connect to the second connecting structures. For example, the first connecting structures may be formed as hooks provided on the lower portions of the frame modules, and the second connecting structures may be formed as pins provided on the lower portions of the frame modules upon which the hooks can be engaged. The frame modules can be connected together in this manner and pivoted to a mating position, wherein they can be positively retained together by bolts or other fasteners that extend between the mating frame modules.