Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a monolithic rear floor assembly having a front cross member with an underside having an integral catcher formed thereon. The catcher has a pair of angled sidewalls joined at a contact nose of the catcher that faces a rear of the vehicle. A traction battery is disposed forward of the front cross member. A subframe is attached under the rear floor assembly and includes a cross beam spaced rearwardly from the contact nose of the catcher. The contact nose of the catcher is configured to engage with the subframe to limit forward movement of the subframe towards the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a monolithic rear floor assembly having a rear transverse beam and a first side member joined to the beam and extending forwardly therefrom in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The side member has a wheel-well section with a forward segment and a rear segment. The forward segment has a plurality of first ribs arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction and each with an upper U-shaped rib portion and a lower single rib portion extending downwardly from the U-shaped rib portion. The rear segment has a plurality of second ribs arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction and each with a lower, up-side-down U-shaped portion and an upper single rib portion extending upwardly from the up-side-down U-shaped rib portion.

Abstract: The invention discloses a uni-body frame subassembly for a motor vehicle having a towing hitch member. The uni-body frame subassembly involves a configuration for neutralizing the effect of a rear impact involving the rear bumper and the towing hitch member. More specifically, the subassembly comprises reinforcements for supporting and controlling the frame rail segments in a crash event. Controlling the collapse of the uni-body frame subassembly helps to dissipate energy from the impact and as a result delivers less energy to a vehicle occupant compartment.

Abstract: The invention discloses a uni-body frame subassembly for a motor vehicle having a towing hitch member. The uni-body frame subassembly involves a configuration for neutralizing the effect of a rear impact involving the rear bumper and the towing hitch member. More specifically, the subassembly comprises reinforcements for supporting and controlling the frame rail segments in a crash event. Controlling the collapse of the uni-body frame subassembly helps to dissipate energy from the impact and as a result delivers less energy to a vehicle occupant compartment.

Abstract: A tensioner having a base. A spring connected to the base biases a plate, having a pulley, toward a belt. Frictional blocks are aligned on the base in a staggered fashion along a spring centerline. The plate slidingly moves in a linear path between the blocks. The blocks constrain the path of the plate allowing movement in only a single axis parallel to a spring axis. A hubload from a belt running on the pulley combined with the spring force acting on the plate creates a force couple acting on the plate through the frictional blocks. The engaging surfaces between the plate and the blocks have a predetermined coefficient of friction thereby creating a damping force as the pulley and plate move in a linear path on the blocks.

Abstract: A tensioner having a pulley journaled to a housing. The housing further comprises a guide. The guide slidingly engages rails on a base. The guide and rails constrain the housing to move in a predetermined linear path. The rails are horizontally offset from two axis defined by the pulley. The pulley load is also vertically offset from the axis of movement of the guide. The guide and rails have a predetermined frictional coefficient so that the cumulative result is an asymmetric damping effect. Further, a linkage is connected between the housing and a camming body. The camming body is rotatably connected to the base. A biasing member such as a torsion spring biases the camming body against the belt load through the linkage. The radius of the camming body is variable to maintain a constant belt load as the tensioner pulley moves in response to a load change.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner having a pulley journaled to a housing. The housing further comprises a guide. The guide slidingly engages rails on a base. The guide and rails constrain the housing to move in a predetermined linear path. The rails are horizontally offset from two axis defined by the pulley. The pulley load is also vertically offset from the axis of movement of the guide. The guide and rails have a predetermined frictional coefficient so that the cumulative result is an asymmetric damping effect. Further, a linkage is connected between the housing and a camming body. The camming body is rotatably connected to the base. A biasing member such as a torsion spring biases the camming body against the belt load through the linkage. The radius of the camming body is variable to maintain a constant belt load as the tensioner pulley moves in response to a load change.