Abstract: This disclosure details mounting systems and associated methods for mounting a battery pack to an electrified vehicle. An exemplary electrified vehicle may include a frame, a battery pack, and a mounting system for mounting the battery pack to the frame. The mounting system may include one or more side rails. Each side rail may include a predefined crush initiator configured to plastically deform for absorbing and transferring energy during vehicle impact loading events.

Abstract: This disclosure details mounting systems and associated methods for mounting a battery pack to an electrified vehicle. An exemplary electrified vehicle may include a frame, a battery pack, and a mounting system for mounting the battery pack to the frame. The mounting system may include one or more side rails. Each side rail may include a predefined crush initiator configured to plastically deform for absorbing and transferring energy during vehicle impact loading events.

Abstract: An improved joining process interlocks parts together and avoids breakthrough in joints that would otherwise be infeasible. The process is used to join a relatively thin rear part to a relatively thick front part. A dedicated backer plate is joined to the front and rear parts such that the rear part is sandwiched between the front part and the backer plate. The front part, rear part, and backer plate are plastically deformed to establish interlock by insertion of a self-piercing rivet, clinching, or insertion of a flow drill screw.

Abstract: An improved joining process interlocks parts together and avoids breakthrough in joints that would otherwise be infeasible. The process is used to join a relatively thin rear part to a relatively thick front part. A dedicated backer plate is joined to the front and rear parts such that the rear part is sandwiched between the front part and the backer plate. The front part, rear part, and backer plate are plastically deformed to establish interlock by insertion of a self-piercing rivet, clinching, or insertion of a flow drill screw.

Abstract: An improved joining process interlocks parts together and avoids breakthrough in joints that would otherwise be infeasible. The process is used to join a relatively thin rear part to a relatively thick front part. A dedicated backer plate is joined to the front and rear parts such that the rear part is sandwiched between the front part and the backer plate. The front part, rear part, and backer plate are plastically deformed to establish interlock by insertion of a self-piercing rivet, clinching, or insertion of a flow drill screw.

Abstract: Retaining apparatus (2) comprising: (i) first and second retaining elements (4, 6) extending adjacent one another; (ii) a hinge (8) connecting the first and second retaining elements (4, 6) at a hinge zone (10); and (iii) detent means (12) spaced from the hinge (8) and arranged to hold together the first and second retaining elements (4, 6); the retaining apparatus (2) being such that: (iv) the first retaining element (4) has an ability to be reorientable with respect to the second retaining element (6) between a first position of stability which is convex and a second position of stability which is concave; (v) the first retaining element (4) comprises a first part (14) and a second part (16); (vi) one of the first and second parts (14, 16) is shorter than the other of the first and second parts (14, 16) in order that the first retaining element (4) has the ability to be reorientable; and characterised in that: (vii) the shorter one of the first and second parts (14, 16) is crimped such that the crimping (18

Abstract: A floor pan for a body-in-white vehicle includes a front seat footwell portion and a rear seat footwell portion. The front seat footwell portion defines a front fluid passage hole for porting a surface treatment liquid during submersion of the floor pan in a surface treatment bath. The rear seat footwell portion defines a rear fluid passage hole for porting the surface treatment liquid during submersion of the floor pan in the bath.

Abstract: An improved joining process interlocks parts together and avoids breakthrough in joints that would otherwise be infeasible. The process is used to join a relatively thin rear part to a relatively thick front part. A dedicated backer plate is joined to the front and rear parts such that the rear part is sandwiched between the front part and the backer plate. The front part, rear part, and backer plate are plastically deformed to establish interlock by insertion of a self-piercing rivet, clinching, or insertion of a flow drill screw.

Abstract: A body structure for a vehicle includes a cowl side defining a first vertical and longitudinal plane. A hinge pillar including a tab portion is attached to the cowl side in the first plane. The hinge pillar includes a stepped surface defining a second vertical and longitudinal plane that is offset outwardly from the first plane and parallel to the first plane. A front end rail includes an inner sidewall fastened to the cowl side and an outer sidewall fastened to the stepped surface the stepped surface. The longitudinal loads applied to the front end rail are transferred in shear to the hinge pillar and cowl side.