Abstract: A pair of sub frames is provided on the outside of a heat exchanger in a vehicle width direction, there is provided a stiffener which interconnects front ends of the sub frames and projects forward, and the stiffener is connected to lower portions of the sub frames. Accordingly, the sufficient attachment rigidity of the stiffener can be secured in the normal state, whereas in the vehicle collision state the stiffener can be easily separated off the sub frames without resisting improperly, so that the safety of pedestrian can be secured.

Abstract: A convertible top has a convertible top cover, a backlight, and a headliner. A connector system includes a molded ring of material affixed to the backlight and the top cover. The connector system includes a clip attached to the headliner. The molded ring may have a slot formed on an interior surface between the backlight and the cover. The clip may be inserted into the slot to secure the headliner insider the top cover. A method of securing a headliner to a convertible top is also provided.

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 floor structure of a motor vehicle body is provided that has two side member arrangements substantially extending in vehicle longitudinal direction, which are interconnected by way of at least one front cross member and one rear cross member, and with a floor panel arranged above the cross members, which is provided with a reinforcing element substantially extending in vehicle longitudinal direction and arranged above the floor panel, which is structurally connected to at least one front cross member and to one rear cross member.

Abstract: A radiator grill arrangement for a motor vehicle front end of a motor vehicle with a number of air passage openings, which can be closed at least substantially by at least one flap element is provided. The at least one flap element is supported so as to be able to swivel about an associated flap axis. In driving states of the motor vehicle in which little cooling air is needed for the engine or engine compartment, the entire flap arrangement or a part of the flaps can thus be closed in order to improve the drag coefficient cw of the motor vehicle and to save fuel. Also in the parked state of the motor vehicle with the engine switched off, it is possible to close the flap arrangement in order to ensure a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a multi-cell motor compartment rail system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises an inner rail member and an outer rail member. Partition members couple to the inner rail member and outer rail member and are configured to form multiple cells within the engine compartment rail system when the inner rail member and outer rail member are coupled together. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a method for forming a multi-cell motor compartment rail is also provided. The method comprises coupling a first partition member to an inner rail member of an engine compartment rail system and coupling a second partition member to an outer rail member of an engine compartment rail system. Next, the inner rail member and the outer rail member are coupled together to form the multi-cell motor compartment rail.

Abstract: A deflector is attached to a sub-frame in the front end of a vehicle that rotates the front end of the vehicle in the event the vehicle contacts an object outboard of the sub-frame. The deflector has a deflection beam that is supported on an outboard end by a reaction leg. The reaction leg is backed by an attachment leg that is secured in a parallel orientation to a part of the sub-frame.

Abstract: A convertible top having a pivot link is provided that supports two bows. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively.

Abstract: A winding device is provided behind a rearmost-row seat and extends in a vehicle width direction to wind up a tonneau cover member. The tonneau cover member comprises a cover body portion and a board portion connected to a rear end of the cover body portion and has its rear end portion capable of engaging with an engaged portion of a lift gate. The lift gate further includes a pair of restraint portions at a specified position of both end portions of the inner face thereof which is located above the engaged portion, which is operative to restrain the cover body portion from moving upward when the lift gate is fully open and the tonneau cover member engages with the lift gate through a contact thereof with the board portion to stop further upward moving of the board portion.

Abstract: A structural member includes: a compression-side wall part disposed in a compressive stress field of a bend; a tension-side wall part disposed in a tensile stress field of the bend; and a coupling wall part that couples the compression-side wall part and the tension-side wall part. The neutral axis of the bend is disposed in the vicinity of the compression-side wall part. For example, the compression-side wall part is higher in material strength, and/or larger in sheet thickness, than the tension-side wall part.

Abstract: A modular reconfigurable bumper system for an off road vehicle includes a center base mountable to the front of the vehicle. The center base has ends, a top face, and a front face. A pair of first mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the front face of the center base adjacent its ends and a pair of second mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the top face adjacent the ends of the center base. A pair of third mounting locations are located on the ends of the center base. A plurality of optional accessories including end plates, end extenders, an overrider, a prerunner, a stinger, and D-rings are selectively mountable to the center base, all via the first, second, and third mounting locations. The system also includes a rear bumper assembly mountable to the back of the vehicle and having a hinged spare tire carrier and D-rings selectively attachable to the rear bumper via common fourth mounting locations.

Abstract: A trim part for a vehicle has a base part (1) and a design part (2) including a bulge (16) adjacent a rim (15).

Abstract: The connection of a vehicle fuel fill system access door to an access door hinge includes exposed guide members on the access door and the hinge to assist an installer in properly positioning and moving the access door relative to the hinge. Spacing structures between the access door and the access door hinge have a variable relationship for accommodating part variations. An audible sound is generated as the door is connected to indicate final positioning of the door on the hinge.

Abstract: A convertible top assembly for a motor vehicle having a seating compartment with front and rear seating areas includes multiple panels with a front panel displaceable over the rear seating panel and at least two panels displaceable to form a stack that is displaced rearwardly of the seating compartment.

Abstract: Deformation of an instrument panel reinforcement is effectively suppressed even if there is a large difference between impact loads that are inputted to a driver seat side and a passenger seat side of the instrument panel reinforcement. At the passenger seat side of the instrument panel reinforcement, a passenger seat side brace member is provided that joins a cowl inner panel with a small diameter portion of the instrument panel reinforcement in a vehicle front-rear direction. The passenger seat side brace member is structured by a front side bracket and a rear side bracket being detachably joined by a bolt. Therefore, the rear side bracket is detached when an offset impact occurs at the driver seat side, a large load is inputted to a large diameter portion of the instrument panel reinforcement and the small diameter portion is pulled to the vehicle rearward side.

Abstract: An automotive energy dissipation device includes a bladder disposed adjacent to an interior surface of a body panel of an automobile. A protective liner is disposed between the bladder and the body panel. A valve for inflating the bladder is associated with the bladder. Additionally, a pressure relief valve is associated with the bladder. The automotive energy dissipation device functions when pressure within the bladder exceeding a preset limit attributable to compression during an impact is released through the pressure relief valve. As air exits the pressure relief valve it dissipates energy. This in turn reduces the damage and severity of a crash thereby better protecting the occupants from injury.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle, which can achieve a reduction in weight and cost and has improved mechanical properties, structural strength, and crash performance, load introduction, load distribution to the fixation points, thus reducing the thickness of the bumper, compared to conventional plastic composite bumper beams. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in design and the marketability due to the reduction in thickness of the bumper. More specifically, the plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle includes a bumper beam body having the shape of a bumper beam and formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material; and an insert reinforcing member inserted into the bumper beam body, the insert reinforcing member having a loop shape and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the bumper beam body.

Abstract: A latch assembly with a first leg securing to a seat bottom and a second leg pivotally engaged to an upper end of a stanchion mount. A sector is pivotally slaved to the second leg opposing the stanchion and exhibits a bottom shoulder projection separating into first and second surface locations. A pendulum pivotally secures to the stanchion and seats against a first sector location with the seat bottom in a downward position. The seat bottom is rotated in an upward direction, causing a detent lever to pivot out of engagement with a notch location of a supporting frame and travel along an edge extending profile thereof, simultaneous with the sector displacing relative to the pendulum. The detent lever reestablishes seating engagement with a second notch location concurrent with the pendulum pivoting into engagement with a second sector location corresponding to an upwardly rotated position of the seat.

Abstract: A rear underbody is provided for a vehicle with a rear frame structure, a floor structure forming the floor for the footwell of the vehicle and with a termination structure delimiting the footwell to the rear. It is provided that the rear frame structure extends at least partially forward and beyond the termination structure.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a panorama screen, a pull-out roller blind, more preferably sun roller blind, for covering said screen and at least one support member for supporting the at least partially pulled-out roller blind against the screen. The support member relative to the pull-out roller blind is moveably guided on the screen.