Abstract: We disclose a chassis for a vehicle, comprising an interconnected framework comprising a plurality of tubular sections, and at least one sheet bonded to the framework, wherein the tubular sections are of a non-ferrous metallic composition. The non-ferrous tubular sections have a very thin wall; generally, these sections are made by extrusion, which currently allows for wall thicknesses no thinner than about 2.5 mm. We prefer the wall thickness to be about this level, and ideally no greater than 3 mm. Such a thin-walled tube would usually imply a lower resistance to buckling, but as part of the structural element defined above, we have found that the tube does not buckle and in fact has an impact response that is superior to other alternatives. We therefore prefer that the tubular sections have a profile for which the ratio of the minimum area moment of inertia of its cross section to the square of the unsupported length of the section is less than 2 mm2.

Abstract: An axially compressible energy absorbing member for a vehicle comprising a thin-walled tube having at least two adjacent, substantially parallel, axially-extending passageways defined by tube walls and separated where they are adjacent by a wall section, wherein the wall section includes one or more apertures of predetermined shape(s) and/or size(s), and wherein the thickness of the tube walls and of the wall section is substantially constant and the same.

Abstract: A chassis and a method of forming the chassis comprising assembling a framework of interconnected tubular-section metallic members and a plurality of composite panels, each panel being adhesively bonded to a plurality of the metallic members, wherein at least one bond between a composite panel and a metallic member is formed by an arcuate formation integral with and extending from an edge of a planar section of the composite panel and fitting around an exterior of the metallic member, and providing a layer of adhesive along the gap there between extending substantially from the edge of the planar section across a part of but less than the complete angular extent of the arcuate section.

Abstract: The provision of impact structures is difficult in the case of small vehicles, due to the shortage of working depth. We propose to use the wheel and tire as part of the deformable structures, which reduces the overall weight of the vehicle and requires little or no additional space in which to provide the impact structures. There is still a need to control the movement of the wheel under impact, but we have found that this can be done by appropriate design of the suspension components so that they react in a defined manner to an impact and guide the wheel in the correct manner.

Abstract: An axially compressible energy absorbing member for a vehicle comprising a thin-walled tube having at least two adjacent, substantially parallel, axially-extending passageways defined by tube walls and separated where they are adjacent by a wall section, wherein the wall section includes one or more apertures of predetermined shape(s) and/or size(s), and wherein the thickness of the tube walls and of the wall section is substantially constant and the same.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension comprises an assembly of a hub carrier and a support arm, the support arm being attached to the hub carrier at two points spaced from each other in the direction of travel and extending inwardly therefrom to a support arm attachment point for fixing to a chassis, and a trailing link extending from the assembly in a direction transverse to that of the support arm, toward a trailing link attachment point for fixing to the chassis. The trailing link preferably extends from the assembly in a forward direction, and is preferably connected directly to the hub carrier. A strut can extend upwardly toward an attachment point for fixing to a chassis, to provide a spring and damper. The support arm can comprise a pair of arms extending divergently from the attachment point to each of the two points. A toe control link extends generally parallel to but spaced from the rear arm, linking the hub carrier to the chassis to provide geometry control under high load conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle with a load space to provide a chassis comprising a framework (10) comprising a pair of spaced-apart elongate longitudinal members (12, 14) connected by a pair of spaced-apart elongate lateral members (20, 22) and bracing for the thus-defined framework, a rear suspension attached to the rearmost lateral member (20) and comprising a trailing-arm arrangement (52), and a front suspension attached to the front most lateral member (22) and comprising a leading-arm arrangement (58). This creates a rigid core for the chassis, which also provides all four suspension mounting points.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a first recess portion extending in a vehicle widthwise direction is located in a boundary portion between a hood portion and a front bumper portion. A second recess portion is located in each of headlight portions. A third recess portion extending in the front-rear direction is located in each of front fender portions. The upper edges of the first, second, and third recess portions define a ridge line which projects toward the outside of the vehicle body and extends from the center in the vehicle widthwise direction to the vehicle body rear side beyond the lower end of a pillar portion through position lamp portions. The ridge line is defined by a first overhang portion of the hood portion, a lamp cover of each of the position lamp portions, and a bulge portion of each of the front fender portions.

Abstract: The provision of impact structures is difficult in the case of small vehicles, due to the shortage of working depth. We propose to use the wheel and tyre as part of the deformable structures, which reduces the overall weight of the vehicle and requires little or no additional space in which to provide the impact structures. There is still a need to control the movement of the wheel under impact, but we have found that this can be done by appropriate design of the suspension components so that they react in a defined manner to an impact and guide the wheel in the correct manner.

Abstract: A vehicle with a load space to provide a chassis comprising a framework (10) comprising a pair of spaced-apart elongate longitudinal members (12, 14) connected by a pair of spaced-apart elongate lateral members (20, 22) and bracing for the thus-defined framework, a rear suspension attached to the rearmost lateral member (20) and comprising a trailing-arm arrangement (52), and a front suspension attached to the front most lateral member (22) and comprising a leading-arm arrangement (58). This creates a rigid core for the chassis, which also provides all four suspension mounting points.

Abstract: In a structure such as that described in WO2009/122178, it is necessary to provide an adhesive bond between composite panels and the tubular framework. We describe a chassis comprising a framework of interconnected tubular-section metallic members and a plurality of composite panels, each panel being adhesively bonded to a plurality of the metallic members, wherein at least one bond between a composite panel and a metallic member is formed by an arcuate formation integral with and extending from an edge of a planar section of the composite panel and fitting around an exterior of the metallic member, and a layer of adhesive along the gap there between extending substantially from the edge of the planar section across a part of but less than the complete angular extent of the arcuate section.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension comprises an assembly of a hub carrier and a support arm, the support arm being attached to the hub carrier at two points spaced from each other in the direction of travel and extending inwardly therefrom to a support arm attachment point for fixing to a chassis, and a trailing link extending from the assembly in a direction transverse to that of the support arm, toward a trailing link attachment point for fixing to the chassis. The trailing link preferably extends from the assembly in a forward direction, and is preferably connected directly to the hub carrier. A strut can extend upwardly toward an attachment point for fixing to a chassis, to provide a spring and damper. The support arm can comprise a pair of arms extending divergently from the attachment point to each of the two points. A toe control link extends generally parallel to but spaced from the rear arm, linking the hub carrier to the chassis to provide geometry control under high load conditions.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a first recess portion extending in a vehicle widthwise direction is located in a boundary portion between a hood portion and a front bumper portion. A second recess portion is located in each of headlight portions. A third recess portion extending in the front-rear direction is located in each of front fender portions. The upper edges of the first, second, and third recess portions define a ridge line which projects toward the outside of the vehicle body and extends from the center in the vehicle widthwise direction to the vehicle body rear side beyond the lower end of a pillar portion through position lamp portions. The ridge line is defined by a first overhang portion of the hood portion, a lamp cover of each of the position lamp portions, and a bulge portion of each of the front fender portions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) comprises a base unit (12) and an upright seat back (14), the base unit (12) being moulded composite materials with optimised fibre orientations and metallic fixing points for attachment to the vehicle and at least two laterally-spaced upstanding arms (46), the seat back (14) being of a moulded composite material with optimised uni-directional fibre orientations and being attached to each upstanding arm (46) via a connection that is distributed along the vertical direction. This vertical distribution can be achieved by providing a plurality of mechanical attachments (48) between the two parts, with the attachments (48) spaced apart in the vertical direction.