Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid structure comprising a first component having a base and an upstanding wall extending from the base, the first component having an interior enclosed between the upstanding wall and the base, and a thermoplastic second component moulded to the first component, the second component comprising a reinforcing portion for structurally reinforcing the first component, the reinforcing portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the first component and located in the interior of the first component, the thermoplastic second component further comprising a locking portion that extends adjacently over at least part of an exterior of the first component, wherein the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are integrally formed, thus interlocking the first component in the thermoplastic second component. The invention relates as well to a method for manufacturing such a hybrid structure, and to a vehicle comprising such a hybrid structure.

Abstract: The present invention is about a bumper beam comprising: —a first end portion and a second end portion, —a center beam contiguous with and oriented between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the center beam comprises a front face and a back face; wherein the center beam has a center section and end sections at opposite ends of the center section, the end sections being adjacent to the end portions, respectively, wherein the center beam comprises horizontal and vertical ribs extending from the front face and the back face and/or between the front face and the back face, wherein the bumper beam is made of a plastic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for housing battery cells arranged in a cluster, the enclosure having a wall formed of a low-cost monolithic extrusion formed of a thermoplastic and defining a plurality of elongate parallel hollows extending across the enclosure. The extrusion can include a metal sheet fastened to one side to provide an out downward-facing barrier against heat and road debris.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid structure comprising a first component having a base and an upstanding wall extending from the base, the first component having an interior enclosed between the upstanding wall and the base, and a thermoplastic second component moulded to the first component, the second component comprising a reinforcing portion for structurally reinforcing the first component, the reinforcing portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the first component and located in the interior of the first component, the thermoplastic second component further comprising a locking portion that extends adjacently over at least part of an exterior of the first component, wherein the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are integrally formed, thus interlocking the first component in the thermoplastic second component. The invention relates as well to a method for manufacturing such a hybrid structure, and to a vehicle comprising such a hybrid structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid structure comprising a first component having a base and an upstanding wall extending from the base, the first component having an interior enclosed between the upstanding wall and the base, and a thermoplastic second component moulded to the first component, the second component comprising a reinforcing portion for structurally reinforcing the first component, the reinforcing portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the first component and located in the interior of the first component, the thermoplastic second component further comprising a locking portion that extends adjacently over at least part of an exterior of the first component, wherein the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are integrally formed, thus interlocking the first component in the thermoplastic second component. The invention relates as well to a method for manufacturing such a hybrid structure, and to a vehicle comprising such a hybrid structure.

Abstract: A vehicle battery pack frame for a vehicle comprising: a base having a length and a width; side members on opposite sides of the base, extending along the length of the base, and attached to a periphery of the base; and crossbeams extending across the width of the base, between the side members; wherein each of the side members comprises a profiled body comprising a sidewall having a first surface facing the cross beams, and an opposite second surface; and a polymer reinforcement attached to the profiled body and facing the second surface of the sidewall of the profiled body.

Abstract: A battery pack comprising: a battery comprising at least one battery cell, connectors and heat exchanger means, and a battery housing comprising: a bottom enclosure comprising at least a base and an upstanding peripheral wall, the bottom enclosure is suitable to contain the battery, a lid suitable for closing the bottom enclosure, and fixation means suitable to maintain the lid on the bottom enclosure in order to close the battery pack housing, characterized in that the lid comprises at least a protrusion, the protrusion is positioned in order to press the battery assembly towards the center of the module, wherein the battery is contained inside the bottom enclosure and the lid is covering the bottom enclosure and retained by the fixation means inside the battery housing, adjacent to the wall of the bottom enclosure and the battery.

Abstract: The present invention is about a bumper beam comprising: —a first end portion and a second end portion, —a center beam contiguous with and oriented between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the center beam comprises a front face and a back face; wherein the center beam has a center section and end sections at opposite ends of the center section, the end sections being adjacent to the end portions, respectively, wherein the center beam comprises horizontal and vertical ribs extending from the front face and the back face and/or between the front face and the back face, wherein the bumper beam is made of a plastic material.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body-in-white member having an inboard side and an outboard side, a reinforcing structure molded on the inboard side, and an energy absorbing structure molded on the outboard side. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a body-in-white member having an inboard side and an outboard side, molding a reinforcing structure on the inboard side, and molding an energy absorbing structure on the outboard side.

Abstract: A cylinder head for a compressor is disclosed. A compressor is also disclosed including the head. A refrigeration system is also disclosed, including the compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid structure comprising a first component having a base and an upstanding wall extending from the base, the first component having an interior enclosed between the upstanding wall and the base, and a thermoplastic second component moulded to the first component, the second component comprising a reinforcing portion for structurally reinforcing the first component, the reinforcing portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the first component and located in the interior of the first component, the thermoplastic second component further comprising a locking portion that extends adjacently over at least part of an exterior of the first component, wherein the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are integrally formed, thus interlocking the first component in the thermoplastic second component. The invention relates as well to a method for manufacturing such a hybrid structure, and to a vehicle comprising such a hybrid structure.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body-in-white member having an inboard side and an outboard side, a reinforcing structure molded on the inboard side, and an energy absorbing structure molded on the outboard side. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a body-in-white member having an inboard side and an outboard side, molding a reinforcing structure on the inboard side, and molding an energy absorbing structure on the outboard side.

Abstract: A cross-car beam, includes a plastic beam body 22, defining a first end 24 and a second end 26 spaced from the first end 24 along a first direction D1, such that the plastic beam body 22 is elongate in the first direction D1. The plastic beam body 22 further defines a cross-sectional shape 28 along, a plane P1 that is normal to the first direction D1. The cross-car beam 20, may further include a metallic beam body 42 configured to be coupled to the plastic beam body 22. The metallic beam body 42 defining a first end 44 and a second end 46 spaced from the first end 44 along a direction, for example the first direction D1 when the metallic bean body 42 is coupled to the plastic beam body 22, such that the metallic beam body 42 is elongate in the first direction D1.

Abstract: A method of making a support arm includes heating a mold to a glass transition temperature of a thermoplastic material; injecting the thermoplastic material comprising a filler into the mold and allowing the thermoplastic material to conform to the mold; cooling the mold to an ejection temperature to form the support arm; and ejecting the support arm from the mold; wherein a cross-section of the support arm taken along a line from an inner edge to an outer edge of the support arm comprises a first “U” shaped portion and a second “U” shaped portion.

Abstract: A support arm (12) includes: a body portion disposed between a seat end (20) and a table end (18); wherein the support arm (12) comprises a composition comprising a polymeric material, a metallic material, a thermoset material, an elastomeric material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and a filler; and wherein the seat end (20) comprises a snap fit connector (14) configured to engage with an opening (22) in the seat end (20).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to thermal management devices and methods of making the same. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heat sink system (250, 252) including a heat sink (200, 253) having thermal wicks (214) and cooling structures (205). The thermal wicks (214) can extend from a heat source (48) at a first end (202) of the heat sink (200, 253) to a second end (204) and the cooling structure (205) can include at least one channel (246) configured to receive a thermal transport material positioned within the main body (201) of the heat sink (200, 253).

Abstract: A cross-car beam, includes a plastic beam body 22, defining a first end 24 and a second end 26 spaced from the first end 24 along a first direction D1, such that the plastic beam body 22 is elongate in the first direction D1. The plastic beam body 22 further defines a cross-sectional shape 28 along, a plane P1 that is normal to the first direction D1. The cross-car beam 20, may further include a metallic beam body 42 configured to be coupled to the plastic beam body 22.

Abstract: A cylinder head for a compressor is disclosed. A compressor is also disclosed including the head. A refrigeration system is also disclosed, including the compressor.

Abstract: A method of making a support arm includes heating a mold to a glass transition temperature of a thermoplastic material; injecting the thermoplastic material comprising a filler into the mold and allowing the thermoplastic material to conform to the mold; cooling the mold to an ejection temperature to form the support arm; and ejecting the support arm from the mold; wherein a cross-section of the support arm taken along a line from an inner edge to an outer edge of the support arm comprises a first “U” shaped portion and a second “U” shaped portion.

Abstract: A surgical stapler can comprise: a housing having side walls an end wall, a front wall, and a upper side that define a channel; a trigger; and a thermoplastic leaf spring having a proximal end and a distal end, the leaf spring comprising a non-corrugated portion and a corrugated portion. The leaf spring is attached to the trigger at the proximal end. The leaf spring extends from the trigger, through the channel toward the upper side. In an embodiment, a method for using a surgical stapler can comprise: creating relative motion between a housing and a trigger of a surgical stapler by placing a load on the surgical stapler; contacting a surface of the trigger with a cartridge comprising staple pins; releasing a staple pin from the cartridge and folding ends of the staple pin; releasing the load; and biasing the housing and trigger apart with the thermoplastic leaf spring.