Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. An inlet conduit is configured to draw air to the heat exchange module from an area underneath a vehicle. An outlet conduit is configured to dispense air from the heat exchange module to the area underneath the vehicle. An exemplary thermal management method includes, among other things, to manage thermal energy within a traction battery of a vehicle, exchanging thermal energy between a fluid and air at a heat exchange module. The air is drawn to the heat exchange module from an area underneath the vehicle. The air is dispensed from the heat exchange module to the area underneath the vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, an inlet duct that opens to a duct opening within a side of a cargo bed. The inlet duct is configured to communicate a flow of air to a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. A flow control structure is moved relative to the duct opening to selectively restrict or permit the flow of air entering the inlet duct through the duct opening. A flow control method includes, among other things, selectively blocking at least a portion of a duct opening to adjust a flow of air moved through the duct opening into an inlet duct. To manage thermal energy within a traction battery, the method further includes exchanging thermal energy between the air and another fluid at a heat exchange module that is disposed within a chamber of a cargo bed.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, inner and outer panels of a cargo bed, and a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. The heat exchange module is disposed within a chamber between the inner and outer panels. An exemplary thermal management method includes, among other things, managing thermal energy within a traction battery by exchanging thermal energy between a first fluid and a second fluid at a heat exchange module. The heat exchange module is disposed within a chamber between inner and outer panels of a cargo bed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle with a vibration isolator within a frame of the vehicle and a corresponding method. An electrified vehicle according to this disclosure includes a frame with a rail, a vibration isolator within the rail, and a battery pack connected to the rail by way of the vibration isolator. Among other benefits, mounting the vibration isolator within the rail increases the amount of available packaging space.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, an inlet duct that opens to a duct opening within a side of a cargo bed. The inlet duct is configured to communicate a flow of air to a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. A flow control structure is moved relative to the duct opening to selectively restrict or permit the flow of air entering the inlet duct through the duct opening. A flow control method includes, among other things, selectively blocking at least a portion of a duct opening to adjust a flow of air moved through the duct opening into an inlet duct. To manage thermal energy within a traction battery, the method further includes exchanging thermal energy between the air and another fluid at a heat exchange module that is disposed within a chamber of a cargo bed.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, inner and outer panels of a cargo bed, and a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. The heat exchange module is disposed within a chamber between the inner and outer panels. An exemplary thermal management method includes, among other things, managing thermal energy within a traction battery by exchanging thermal energy between a first fluid and a second fluid at a heat exchange module. The heat exchange module is disposed within a chamber between inner and outer panels of a cargo bed.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. An inlet conduit is configured to draw air to the heat exchange module from an area underneath a vehicle. An outlet conduit is configured to dispense air from the heat exchange module to the area underneath the vehicle. An exemplary thermal management method includes, among other things, to manage thermal energy within a traction battery of a vehicle, exchanging thermal energy between a fluid and air at a heat exchange module. The air is drawn to the heat exchange module from an area underneath the vehicle. The air is dispensed from the heat exchange module to the area underneath the vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle with a vibration isolator within a frame of the vehicle and a corresponding method. An electrified vehicle according to this disclosure includes a frame with a rail, a vibration isolator within the rail, and a battery pack connected to the rail by way of the vibration isolator. Among other benefits, mounting the vibration isolator within the rail increases the amount of available packaging space.

Abstract: A pickup bed support structure that includes longitudinally extending frame rails to which transversely extending beams used to support the truck bed box are assembled. The beams are received below a top surface of the frame rails by forming notches or holes in the frame rails into which the beams are inserted. Alternatively, notches or holes may be provided in the transversely extending beams that receive the longitudinal extending frame rails. One method of manufacturing a pickup truck bed support structure is disclosed in which holes are provided in the longitudinally extending frame rail that receive the transversely extending beam that support the pickup truck bed. An alternative method is also disclosed in which notches are formed in the frame rails that receive the beams that are welded to the frame rails prior to assembling the pickup truck bed to the beams.

Abstract: A system for clearing crush space in an automotive vehicle, the system including a vehicle having a passenger compartment, an impact displaced component assembled to the vehicle in a spaced relationship to the passenger compartment, an intervening component mounted on the vehicle between the passenger compartment and the impact displaced component, an active component secured to the vehicle in close proximity to the intervening component, a controller mounted on the vehicle, the controller activating the active component when the vehicle is involved in a collision, and the active component causing the intervening component to move when the active component is activated wherein crush space for movement of the impact displaced component is at least partially cleared in the event of a collision.

Abstract: A system for clearing crush space in an automotive vehicle, the system including a vehicle having a passenger compartment, an impact displaced component assembled to the vehicle in a spaced relationship to the passenger compartment, an intervening component mounted on the vehicle between the passenger compartment and the impact displaced component, an active component secured to the vehicle in close proximity to the intervening component, a controller mounted on the vehicle, the controller activating the active component when the vehicle is involved in a collision, and the active component causing the intervening component to move when the active component is activated wherein crush space for movement of the impact displaced component is at least partially cleared in the event of a collision.