Abstract: A battery pack assembly for a vehicle includes a tray assembly fixed under a floor panel in a vehicle height direction and on which a battery pack-associated component is placed. The tray assembly has a base with a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion. Each of the first and second edge portions is extended upward relative to the height direction from the base and secured to a frame assembly. A deformation feature is provided at a transition area between the base and the second edge portion. During a crash event the second edge portion is adapted to bend toward the base via the deformation feature allowing a displacement of the base in one of a vehicle front-back direction and a vehicle width direction and also downward in the height direction.

Abstract: A coupling device and method for removably coupling frames of a modular panel system includes a first coupling body fixedly and rotatably connected to a first panel frame of a first panel and a second coupling body fixedly and rotatably connected to a second panel frame of a second panel. The first and second coupling bodies are removably coupled to one another in a coupled state to thereby couple the first panel and the second panel together and are decoupled from one another in a decoupled state to thereby decouple the first panel and the second panel from one another.

Abstract: A modular panel system, kit and method includes a first panel and a second panel removably connected to the first panel. Each of the first and second panels includes end edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a panel length, and lateral edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a panel width with each of the lateral edge portions extending from one of the end edge portions to the other of the end edge portions. The panel length and panel width of the second panel are, respectively, the same as the panel length and panel width of the first panel. The first and second panels are configured to be removably coupled to one another by having respective edge portions of each of the first and second panels arranged longitudinally adjacent to one another and removably coupled together.

Abstract: A removable coupling device and method for coupling panels of a modular panel system includes a at least one cooperative housing portion defining a housing recess configured to receive an associated frame of an associated panel and a rotational locking member movably disposed on the at least one cooperative housing portion to selectively lock an angular position between the at least one cooperative housing portion and the associated frame. The rotational locking member axially movable between a first axial position wherein the rotational locking member prevents relative rotation between the at least one cooperative housing portion and the associated frame and a second axial position wherein the rotational locking member allows relative rotation between the at least one cooperative housing portion and the associated frame.

Abstract: An air guide assembly for a vehicle includes a first duct, a second duct, a rigid first housing, and a vehicle component. The first duct includes a flexible body, an inlet for receiving airflow from an exterior of a vehicle body, and an outlet, where the body of the first duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length. The second duct includes a flexible body, a first inlet for receiving airflow from the first duct, and an outlet, where the body of the second duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly for a vehicle includes a tray assembly fixed under a floor panel in a vehicle height direction and on which a battery pack-associated component is placed. The tray assembly has a base with a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion. Each of the first and second edge portions is extended upward relative to the height direction from the base and secured to a frame assembly. A deformation feature is provided at a transition area between the base and the second edge portion. During a crash event the second edge portion is adapted to bend toward the base via the deformation feature allowing a displacement of the base in one of a vehicle front-back direction and a vehicle width direction and also downward in the height direction.

Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.

Abstract: An air guide assembly for a vehicle includes a first duct, a second duct, a rigid first housing, and a vehicle component. The first duct includes a flexible body, an inlet for receiving airflow from an exterior of a vehicle body, and an outlet, where the body of the first duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length. The second duct includes a flexible body, a first inlet for receiving airflow from the first duct, and an outlet, where the body of the second duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length.

Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.

Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.

Abstract: A frame assembly of a vehicle front portion includes a windshield lower beam. A damper mount is disposed on the front portion and deforms when subjected to an impact energy. An A-pillar includes upper and lower pillar portions, the upper pillar portion having a lower end disposed adjacent the windshield lower beam, and the lower pillar portion having an upper end disposed adjacent to the windshield lower beam. A joint includes first and second joint members, the first joint member connecting the windshield lower beam to the lower and upper pillar portions and being connected to the damper mount, the second joint member contained within the first joint member and connected to the windshield lower beam, and upper and lower pillar portions. The joint is configured to resist deformation due to the impact energy such that the damper mount deforms and dissipates the impact energy.

Abstract: A frame assembly of a vehicle front portion includes a windshield lower beam. A damper mount is disposed on the front portion and deforms when subjected to an impact energy. An A-pillar includes upper and lower pillar portions, the upper pillar portion having a lower end disposed adjacent the windshield lower beam, and the lower pillar portion having an upper end disposed adjacent to the windshield lower beam. A joint includes first and second joint members, the first joint member connecting the windshield lower beam to the lower and upper pillar portions and being connected to the damper mount, the second joint member contained within the first joint member and connected to the windshield lower beam, and upper and lower pillar portions. The joint is configured to resist deformation due to the impact energy such that the damper mount deforms and dissipates the impact energy.

Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.

Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.

Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a first frame member and a separate second frame member having an end portion connected to an end portion of the first frame member. A frame patch is interposed between and connected to the respective end portions of the first and second frame members. The frame patch together with the respective end portions of the first and second frame members defines a tri-layer patch configured to divide an input load applied longitudinally to the vehicle frame assembly into multiple force vectors which distribute the input load across a wide area of the vehicle frame assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat arrangement includes a plurality of strikers connected with a vehicle frame, an inboard vehicle seat, and an outboard vehicle seat. At least one outboard seat rear striker includes a latching section divider dividing the outboard seat rear striker into at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. The outboard vehicle seat includes an outboard seat rear latch that cooperates with the outboard seat rear striker and an outboard seat front latch that cooperates with an outboard seat front striker. The outboard seat is generally laterally aligned with and laterally offset from the inboard seat. The outboard seat is laterally adjustable and the outboard seat rear latch is configured to engage the outboard seat rear striker at each of the at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. A method for laterally adjusting a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat arrangement includes a plurality of strikers connected with a vehicle frame, an inboard vehicle seat, and an outboard vehicle seat. At least one outboard seat rear striker includes a latching section divider dividing the outboard seat rear striker into at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. The outboard vehicle seat includes an outboard seat rear latch that cooperates with the outboard seat rear striker and an outboard seat front latch that cooperates with an outboard seat front striker. The outboard seat is generally laterally aligned with and laterally offset from the inboard seat. The outboard seat is laterally adjustable and the outboard seat rear latch is configured to engage the outboard seat rear striker at each of the at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. A method for laterally adjusting a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat assembly are also disclosed.