Abstract: A center pillar structure may include a center pillar inner upper connected to a side inner, a center pillar inner connected to the center pillar inner upper in up and down directions, a center pillar reinforcement outer connected to a front pillar reinforcement outer and connected to the center pillar inner along the up and down directions, a center pillar reinforcement disposed along the up and down directions on the inner side between the center pillar inner and the center pillar reinforcement outer, and coupled between front/rear flange combined portions of the center pillar inner and the center pillar reinforcement outer, and a seat belt reinforcement shaped corresponding to the center pillar reinforcement, and connected to the center pillar reinforcement to form an inner closed section along the up and down directions.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to supercapacitor systems for supporting relatively high power transient electrical loads within vehicles. An exemplary supercapacitor system includes a mounting assembly and a supercapacitor housed within the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may be employed to mount the supercapacitor system within a vehicle, such as within a cowl assembly or cargo space of the vehicle. The mounting assembly may include multiple panels. At least one of the multiple panels may be made of a thermally conductive polymer, and at least one other panel of the multiple panels may be made of a polymer that is reinforced by a structural foam.

Abstract: A cargo bed assembly for a pickup truck includes: a pair of side walls opposing each other; a truck bed located between the pair of sidewalls, and having a first cavity; a tailgate pivotally connected to a rear end of the truck bed by a first pivot pin, and having a second cavity; a slide unit movably received in the first cavity; and a step unit movably received in the second cavity. In particular, the second cavity is configured to communicate with the first cavity, and the step unit is pivotally connected to the slide unit.

Abstract: A storage system can be located at a front end of a vehicle's rear cargo space. The vehicle can include a rear opening at the rear end of the cargo space and a closure selectively opening and closing the rear opening. The storage system can include a front panel located at the front end of the rear cargo space and a lid. The front panel can include an outer surface facing the rear cargo space and a storage space recessed from the outer surface. The lid can be selectively placed in a closed state and an opened state with respect to the front panel such that the lid conceals the storage space from the rear cargo space when the lid is in the closed state, and the storage space is opened to the rear cargo space when the lid is in opened state.

Abstract: A vehicle storage device includes a panel, a storage unit provided adjacent to the panel, having an opening in a certain part thereof, and capable of storing a person's goods and belongings therein, a lid which can open and close the opening, and a locking device capable of keeping the lid in a closed state. An operation unit includes a design surface that is exposed in a vehicle interior. One end of the operation unit design surface is substantially continuous from a design surface of the panel, and the other end of the operation unit design surface is positioned adjacent to the lid.

Abstract: A viewing port for sighting through a barrier includes a primary body and a secondary body engaging with a barrier aperture in the barrier. The primary body defines a first aperture. The secondary body defines a second aperture. The first aperture of the primary body is aligned with the second aperture of the secondary body defining a viewing channel between the primary body and the secondary body. The viewing channel providing a field of view through the barrier.

Abstract: A vehicle lower part structure includes: center rail portions disposed at a central part in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; front rail portions disposed forward of the center rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; rear rail portions disposed rearward of the center rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; front connecting rail portions connecting the center rail portions and the front rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; rear connecting rail portions connecting the center rail portions and the rear rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; first mount portions supporting a vehicle body constituting a cabin; and second mount portions supporting the vehicle body.

Abstract: A securement mat for mitigating the migration of loads within a shipping vessel. The securement mat having a length, a width, and a height, and including a first subsection and a second subsection, wherein an area of the second subsection is less than an area of the first subsection. The securement mat has a first fold boundary along the length or width of the sheet and proximate to one edge of the sheet defining a boundary between the first and second subsection, wherein the first subsection exhibits a first incline by folding, along the first fold boundary, the second subsection underneath the first subsection. The securement mat also has a notch on each end of the first fold boundary to facilitate folding of the second subsection under the first subsection.

Abstract: A drag reducing device includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, so the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is sized for a minimal prominence when stowed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base frame, first and second bins, first and second hydraulic assemblies, and a computer controller. The first hydraulic assembly is configured to selectively raise and lower the first bin relative to the base frame. The second hydraulic assembly is configured to selectively raise and lower the second bin relative to the base frame. The first and second hydraulic assemblies are individually actuable, and their actuation is coordinated by the controller. In another aspect, a method for transferring product using an apparatus includes inputting to a computer controller a first threshold rate of change in weight signals of a weight sensor; relaying a plurality of weight signals from the weight sensor to the controller; calculating a determination by the controller at least in part on whether the threshold rate of change has been exceeded; and automating actuation of a hydraulic assembly based on the determination.

Abstract: A storage system for a tire repair kit for a vehicle can be located at the front end of a rear cargo space of the vehicle. The storage system can include a front panel and a lid. The front panel can be located at the front end of the rear cargo space and include an outer surface facing the rear cargo space and a storage space recessed from the outer surface. The storage space can be configured to contain the tire repair kit. The lid can be connected to the front panel such that the lid is selectively placed in a closed state and an opened state, the lid conceals the storage space from the rear cargo space when the lid is in the closed state, and the storage space is opened to the rear cargo space when the lid is in opened state.

Abstract: A cowl panel comprises an upper face portion where a windshield is joined, a forward protrusion portion extending downwardly from the upper face portion, protruding forwardly, a rearward protrusion portion extending downwardly from a rear lower end of the forward protrusion portion, protruding rearwardly, and a lower face portion extending forwardly from a lower end of the rearward protrusion portion. A reinforcing member which is positioned on a forward side of the forward protrusion portion and the rearward protrusion portion of the cowl panel and joined to the forward protrusion portion and the lower face portion is provided. The reinforcing member comprises a straight portion which substantially straightly extends downwardly from a joint part where the reinforcing member is joined to the forward protrusion portion, and the straight portion is provided with a fragile part.

Abstract: A rear module can include a tailgate configured to pivot about a pivot axis that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a frame element that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is integrated into the tailgate. The frame element has a first fastening assembly at its respective ends. The first fastening assembly being set up to selectively lock the rear module in a closed state of the tailgate together with second fastening assembly which are configured on the rear-side vehicle body. A motor vehicle can have such a rear module.

Abstract: A deformation structure includes at least one first layer and a second layer, which are arranged spaced apart from one another in a deformation direction and such that they can be displaced relative to one another. The first layer and the second layer have complementary protrusions and recesses, which are designed in such a way that the protrusions of the first layer and recesses of the second layer, as well as the protrusions of the second layer and recesses of the first layer can dip into one another.

Abstract: A tie down ratchet and strap includes, a ratchet shaft rotatably mounted in a ratchet body having a slot for receiving a wind-up strap therethough, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the ratchet shaft, a ratchet handle with a pawl engaging the ratchet wheels to rotate the ratchet shaft, a locking bar securing the ratchet wheels and ratchet shaft in position when the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheels, an anchor strap with a connector for securing the ratchet assembly to a first anchor point, and a wind-up strap including a non-metallic fabric strap with a braided metal outer cover extending continuously over the length of the non-metallic fabric strap.

Abstract: A spacer for vehicle panels can be shaped such that it absorbs a substantial portion of a first load, the first load applied in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior panel; controllably deforms along a second direction when a second load is applied substantially along the second direction; wherein the second direction is other than the first direction. The spacer need not deform along the second direction when the first load is applied. The spacer can have a shaped member having a channel extending through the spacer perpendicular from the exterior panel, such that the spacer can controllably deform along a width of the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle body lower structure may comprise: a rocker arranged at a lower lateral part of a vehicle body; a power supply package arranged under a floor panel of the vehicle; a first energy absorbing member fixed to a lateral side of the power supply package; and a second energy absorbing member being adjacent to the first energy absorbing member in a vehicle-width direction of the vehicle body, the second energy absorbing member being located outside the first energy absorbing member in the vehicle-width direction of the vehicle body. The first energy absorbing member may include a first protrusion protruding outward in the vehicle-width direction, the second energy absorbing member may include a second protrusion protruding inward in the vehicle-width direction, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion may overlap each other as seen along an up-down direction and are fixed together to the rocker by a bolt.

Abstract: A support assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes a base fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior, a panel disposed on the base, and a track assembly disposed between the base and the panel. The track assembly includes a track and an actuator slidably coupled with the track and coupled with the panel and movable from a first position to a second position to move the panel from a stored position to a deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicle sunshade device including: a sunshade configured to block at least a portion of light entering a vehicle cabin, by being disposed along a door glass of a vehicle; a knob attached to the sunshade; and a case configured to internally stow the sunshade, such that stowing of the sunshade is complete in a state in which the knob contacts the case.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front wall portion and a rear wall portion that are respectively provided in front and rear end portions of a vehicle, a side wall portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to separate the vehicle cabin from the exterior of the vehicle cabin, and a connecting portion that includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and has a closed section structure that is curved so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width and front-rear directions in a plan view. The first end portion is connected to an inner side of one of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the second end portion is connected to an inner side of the side wall portion in the vehicle width direction.