Abstract: A reinforcement unit joins a B-pillar and a side sill of a vehicle. The side sill includes an inner side sill panel and an outer side sill panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, the outer reinforcement member having an upper flange and a lower flange, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and a shear plate attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member.

Abstract: A reinforcement unit for a side sill of a vehicle is provided. The side sill includes an inner panel and an outer panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and straps attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member, the inner reinforcement member being attached to the straps.

Abstract: A separator for sealing a cavity in a motor vehicle includes a first separator part for sealing a portion of the cavity that includes a first expandable layer located around an outer edge and a second separator part for sealing a second portion of the cavity that includes a second expandable layer. The first separator part abuts the second separator part when installed in the cavity of the motor vehicle. The first expandable layer and second expandable layer expand to provide a seal around the first separator part and second separator part when heated. The separator further includes a third separator part for sealing a third portion of the cavity that includes an expandable tape that adheres to a surface of the third portion of the cavity. The expandable tape expands to seal the third portion of the cavity when heated.

Abstract: A system for attaching a door to the body of a vehicle includes an inner pillar stiffener, an outer pillar stiffener laterally outward from the inner pillar stiffener, and an outer panel laterally outward from the outer panel stiffener. The system has a standoff structure located between the outer pillar stiffener and the outer panel, a door hinge, hinge bolts for fastening the door hinge to the standoff structure, the hinge bolts received through holes in the outer panel, the holes in the standoff structure, the holes in the outer pillar stiffener, and plate nuts for securing the hinge bolts to the outer pillar stiffener. The standoff structure includes a cup-shaped body having a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, and an edge, a flange extending around the edge of the cup-shaped body, holes in the cup-shaped body, and weld collars extending inward from the holes to the outer pillar stiffener.

Abstract: A reinforcement unit for a side sill of a vehicle is provided. The side sill includes an inner panel and an outer panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and straps attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member, the inner reinforcement member being attached to the straps.

Abstract: A reinforcement unit for a junction of a B-pillar and a side sill of a vehicle is disclosed. The side sill includes an inner side sill panel and an outer side sill panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, the outer reinforcement member having an upper flange and a lower flange, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and a shear plate attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame includes a longitudinally extending roof side rail. The roof side rail includes an outer panel, an inner panel fixed to the outer panel to define a cavity therebetween, and a reinforcement panel disposed between and fixedly secured to the outer and inner panels. The reinforcement panel separates the cavity into an inner cavity and an outer cavity. The roof rail has a forward end portion and a rearward end portion. An acoustic spray foam control bulkhead is secured within the cavity at the rearward end portion of the roof side rail. The bulkhead includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced from and opposed to the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls are configured to at least partially confine within the inner cavity between the first and second sidewalls an acoustic spray foam injected into an injection inlet aperture provided on the inner panel.

Abstract: An aerodynamic system for a vehicle having a plurality of heat exchangers can include a front assembly, a pair of front fenders, a hood, a ducting assembly, and a rear assembly. The front assembly can include air inlets. The air inlets can be in fluid communication with at least one of the heat exchangers. The pair of front fenders can include fender outlets in fluid communication with at least one of the heat exchangers. The ducting assembly can be in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers. The rear assembly can include raised C-pillars, air inlets adjacent the pair of raised C-pillars, a rear spoiler, a rear diffuser, and rear slot assemblies adjacent the rear spoiler.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A system for attaching a door to the body of a vehicle includes an inner pillar stiffener, an outer pillar stiffener laterally outward from the inner pillar stiffener, and an outer panel laterally outward from the outer panel stiffener. The system has a standoff structure located between the outer pillar stiffener and the outer panel, a door hinge, hinge bolts for fastening the door hinge to the standoff structure, the hinge bolts received through holes in the outer panel, the holes in the standoff structure, the holes in the outer pillar stiffener, and plate nuts for securing the hinge bolts to the outer pillar stiffener. The standoff structure includes a cup-shaped body having a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, and an edge, a flange extending around the edge of the cup-shaped body, holes in the cup-shaped body, and weld collars extending inward from the holes to the outer pillar stiffener.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame includes a longitudinally extending roof side rail. The roof side rail includes an outer panel, an inner panel fixed to the outer panel to define a cavity therebetween, and a reinforcement panel disposed between and fixedly secured to the outer and inner panels. The reinforcement panel separates the cavity into an inner cavity and an outer cavity. The roof rail has a forward end portion and a rearward end portion. An acoustic spray foam control bulkhead is secured within the cavity at the rearward end portion of the roof side rail. The bulkhead includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced from and opposed to the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls are configured to at least partially confine within the inner cavity between the first and second sidewalls an acoustic spray foam injected into an injection inlet aperture provided on the inner panel.

Abstract: A separator for sealing a cavity in a motor vehicle includes a first separator part for sealing a portion of the cavity that includes a first expandable layer located around an outer edge and a second separator part for sealing a second portion of the cavity that includes a second expandable layer. The first separator part abuts the second separator part when installed in the cavity of the motor vehicle. The first expandable layer and second expandable layer expand to provide a seal around the first separator part and second separator part when heated. The separator further includes a third separator part for sealing a third portion of the cavity that includes an expandable tape that adheres to a surface of the third portion of the cavity. The expandable tape expands to seal the third portion of the cavity when heated.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame includes a longitudinally extending roof side rail. The roof side rail includes an outer panel, an inner panel fixed to the outer panel to define a cavity therebetween, and a reinforcement panel disposed between and fixedly secured to the outer and inner panels. The reinforcement panel separates the cavity into an inner cavity and an outer cavity. The roof rail has a forward end portion and a rearward end portion. An acoustic spray foam control bulkhead is secured within the cavity at the rearward end portion of the roof side rail. The bulkhead includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced from and opposed to the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls are configured to at least partially confine within the inner cavity between the first and second sidewalls an acoustic spray foam injected into an injection inlet aperture provided on the inner panel.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar which at least partially defines a roof side rail. The front pillar includes a unitary, one-piece tubular structural member having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. A roof side rail extension is secured to the structural member. A windshield has a lateral edge portion, a forward part of the lateral edge portion is secured directly to the first end portion of the structural member and a rearward part of the lateral edge portion is secured directly to the roof side rail extension. The structural member is adapted to curve away from the rearward part of the windshield lateral edge portion and the roof side rail extension is adapted to maintain a substantially constant gap between the structural member and the lateral edge portion of the windshield.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar including a unitary, one-piece tubular structural member having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. The structural member defines a vehicle exterior-side wall section and a passenger compartment-side wall section. A first structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the first end portion of the structural member. A second structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the second end portion of the structural member. The structural member is formed of a first metal and each of the first and second structural nodes are formed of a second metal different than the first metal. An electrically nonconductive adhesive is interposed between the structural member first end portion and the first structural node and is interposed between the structural member second end portion and the second structural node.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar including a unitary, one-piece tubular structural member having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. The structural member defines a vehicle exterior-side wall section and a passenger compartment-side wall section. A first structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the first end portion of the structural member. A second structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the second end portion of the structural member. The structural member is formed of a first metal and each of the first and second structural nodes are formed of a second metal different than the first metal. An electrically nonconductive adhesive is interposed between the structural member first end portion and the first structural node and is interposed between the structural member second end portion and the second structural node.

Abstract: A striker reinforcement plate for support of a striker member on an automotive vehicle body. The plate has a first substantially planar face, including at least two holes for receiving mating bolts or screws. A flange extends from multiple edges of the face substantially perpendicular to the face. The flange includes mounting tabs extending outwardly and substantially perpendicular to the flange. The mounting tabs are provided for mating with an automotive vehicle pillar. The face of the striker reinforcement plate mates with a rear surface of a striker stiffener.