Abstract: A multi-component structure includes a first component of a first material, an insert of a second material different than the first material, a retainer, and a second component. The first component includes a recess in which the insert is arranged. The retainer secures the insert in the recess by covering a portion of a top surface of the insert. To accomplish this, a) the retainer is joined to the first component by a solid-state weld or by solid-state additive manufacturing, or b) the base component and the retainer are of a one-piece construction and the retainer is of the first material. The second component is attached to the insert by a mechanical connection or by a resistance spot weld between the second component and the insert.

Abstract: A flexible, sheet-like, multi-layered lighting assembly for applying to a surface. The lighting assembly includes an on-board power source for powering the lighting assembly. The lighting assembly includes a sheet-like electroluminescent light source that is activated by power from the power source, and when activated, emits light. The power source may include a flexible thin sheet-like battery, a wireless power receiver, or a combination thereof. The wireless power receiver may receive power from a power signal generated by a wireless power transmitter; and may operate to directly power the electroluminescent light source, or may recharge the battery. The lighting assembly includes outer and inner polymer layers for protecting the other layers of the lighting assembly, and an adhesive layer on the inner polymer layer for adhering the lighting assembly to a surface.

Abstract: A method of adding a reinforcement to a metal blank prior to a forming process. The reinforcement is attached via ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) to create a composite blank which is then subjected to a forming process to bend and deform the composite blank and form a reinforced vehicle component. The reinforcement is placed on the metal blank such that after being subjected to the forming process, there is reinforcement in key areas of the formed vehicle component. The reinforcement results in the final formed vehicle component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.

Abstract: A flexible, sheet-like, multi-layered lighting assembly for applying to a surface. The lighting assembly includes an on-board power source for powering the lighting assembly. The lighting assembly includes a sheet-like electroluminescent light source that is activated by power from the power source, and when activated, emits light. The power source may include a flexible thin sheet-like battery, a wireless power receiver, or a combination thereof. The wireless power receiver may receive power from a power signal generated by a wireless power transmitter; and may operate to directly power the electroluminescent light source, or may recharge the battery. The lighting assembly includes outer and inner polymer layers for protecting the other layers of the lighting assembly, and an adhesive layer on the inner polymer layer for adhering the lighting assembly to a surface.

Abstract: A vehicle head up display system includes a transparent window assembly and an ultraviolet or infrared light source. The light source is used to irradiate transparent photovoltaic converters in the window assembly so that the photovoltaic converters produce an electric current. The electric current is transmitted to electrochromic pixels in the window assembly and actuates the electrochromic pixels in the window assembly to switch between having a transparent appearance and having an opaque appearance. Visual contrast between transparent pixels and opaque pixels provide indicia on the window assembly. The indicia can be removed from the window assembly by actuating the opaque pixels to have the transparent appearance by a subsequent application of electric current exceeding the threshold voltage. An electronic control unit can be including in the system for controlling operation of the light source.

Abstract: A system and method for joining multiple lightweight metal sheets to a steel sheet through friction welding that include rotating and moving a first fastener along a fastener axis towards a first workpiece, wherein the first workpiece includes a lightweight metal sheet. The system and method also include contacting the first workpiece and driving the first fastener through the first workpiece and a second workpiece. The system and method further include joining the second fastener and completing friction welding.

Abstract: A vehicle frame construction or frame assembly and method for assembling a multi-material vehicle frame includes a first frame member formed of a first metal material and a second frame member formed of a second metal material that is dissimilar to the first metal material. The second frame member is joined to the first frame member via vaporizing foil actuator welding (VFAW).

Abstract: A vehicle head up display system includes a transparent window assembly and an ultraviolet or infrared light source. The light source is used to irradiate transparent photovoltaic converters in the window assembly so that the photovoltaic converters produce an electric current. The electric current is transmitted to electrochromic pixels in the window assembly and actuates the electrochromic pixels in the window assembly to switch between having a transparent appearance and having an opaque appearance. Visual contrast between transparent pixels and opaque pixels provide indicia on the window assembly. The indicia can be removed from the window assembly by actuating the opaque pixels to have the transparent appearance by a subsequent application of electric current exceeding the threshold voltage. An electronic control unit can be including in the system for controlling operation of the light source.

Abstract: A vehicle frame construction or frame assembly and method for assembling a multi-material vehicle frame includes a first frame member formed of a first metal material and a second frame member formed of a second metal material that is dissimilar to the first metal material. The second frame member is joined to the first frame member via vaporizing foil actuator welding (VFAW).

Abstract: A method of adding a reinforcement to a metal blank prior to a forming process. The reinforcement is attached via ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) to create a composite blank which is then subjected to a forming process to bend and deform the composite blank and form a reinforced vehicle component. The reinforcement is placed on the metal blank such that after being subjected to the forming process, there is reinforcement in key areas of the formed vehicle component. The reinforcement results in the final formed vehicle component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.

Abstract: A process for hot stamping a steel component is described. The hot stamping process enables the formation of one or more regions of the component to exhibit specific physical properties different than other regions of the component. The various processes are particularly well suited for forming a variety of automobile structural members.

Abstract: A process for hot stamping a steel component is described. The hot stamping process enables the formation of one or more regions of the component to exhibit specific physical properties different than other regions of the component. The various processes are particularly well suited for forming a variety of automobile structural members.

Abstract: A process for hot stamping a steel component is described. The hot stamping process enables the formation of one or more regions of the component to exhibit specific physical properties different than other regions of the component. The various processes are particularly well suited for forming a variety of automobile structural members.