Abstract: A method of attaching a sealing material to a vehicle body includes disposing a sealing material retaining part on the vehicle body. The retaining part includes a top surface configured to form a fluid seal with a compressed sealing material when a vehicle panel is in a closed position. An insertion channel extends between opposing ends of the retaining part and is configured to allow the sealing material to be slidably inserted therein. A bottom surface of the retaining part includes a retaining feature disposed proximate an end opposite of an end of the retaining part configured to allow the sealing material to be slidably inserted. A sealing material is provided that includes at least one perforated opening for receiving the retaining feature when the sealing material is slidably inserted into the insertion channel.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having an interior cavity and an alignment member positioned at least partially within the interior cavity, a second component having an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, the alignment aperture configured to receive the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component, and a third component seated within the interior cavity. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that (a) when the third component is inserted into the interior cavity, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the third component and the first component in a desired orientation, and (b) when the alignment member is inserted into the alignment aperture, the alignment member further elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A jounce bumper is used in a suspension system of a vehicle. The jounce bumper comprises an outer member comprising a base portion and a sidewall extending from said base portion. The sidewall of the outer member is flexible relative to the base portion. The base portion and the sidewall define a cavity such that the outer member has a cup-shaped configuration. A bumper is at least partially seated within the cavity of the outer member. The bumper is compressible into the cavity of the outer member such that the bumper expands against the sidewall of the outer member, which forces the sidewall of the outer member to flex and expand radially outward. An isolation layer is disposed on the base of the outer member outside of the cavity and separates the outer member from either the strut assembly or the frame member.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having an interior cavity and a pair of opposed alignment members positioned at least partially within the interior cavity, a second component having an inner wall defining a pair of opposed alignment apertures, each alignment aperture configured to receive one of the alignment members to couple the first component and the second component, and a third component seated within the interior cavity. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the opposed alignment members are inserted into the opposed alignment apertures (a) the alignment members elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation, and (b) the third component is secured within the interior cavity between the opposed alignment members to facilitate aligning the first and third components in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A jounce bumper is used in a suspension system of a vehicle. The jounce bumper comprises an outer member comprising a base portion and a sidewall extending from said base portion. The sidewall of the outer member is flexible relative to the base portion. The base portion and the sidewall define a cavity such that the outer member has a cup-shaped configuration. A bumper is at least partially seated within the cavity of the outer member. The bumper is compressible into the cavity of the outer member such that the bumper expands against the sidewall of the outer member, which forces the sidewall of the outer member to flex and expand radially outward. An isolation layer is disposed on the base of the outer member outside of the cavity and separates the outer member from either the strut assembly or the frame member.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having an interior cavity and an alignment member positioned at least partially within the interior cavity, a second component having an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, the alignment aperture configured to receive the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component, and a third component seated within the interior cavity. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that (a) when the third component is inserted into the interior cavity, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the third component and the first component in a desired orientation, and (b) when the alignment member is inserted into the alignment aperture, the alignment member further elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation.