Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a workpiece alignment system that includes a fixture configured to receive a workpiece, and multiple sensors disposed at different locations along the fixture. Each of the sensors is configured to detect a force applied to the sensor and to output a signal indicative of the force applied. Based on the signal, the system determined whether a workpiece is aligned on the fixture.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a floor side panel, a rocker panel, and a reinforcement structure. The floor side panel is secured to the rocker panel. The floor side panel and the rocker panel each extend longitudinally from a front to a rear of the vehicle body and define a cavity therebetween. The reinforcement structure is disposed within the cavity and forms a plurality of longitudinally aligned crush cans. Each crush can extends laterally from the floor side panel to the rocker panel.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a floor side panel, a rocker panel, and a reinforcement structure. The floor side panel is secured to the rocker panel. The floor side panel and the rocker panel each extend longitudinally from a front to a rear of the vehicle body and define a cavity therebetween. The reinforcement structure is disposed within the cavity and forms a plurality of longitudinally aligned crush cans. Each crush can extends laterally from the floor side panel to the rocker panel.

Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel and a side sill secured to the outer panel and defining a cavity with the outer panel. The rocker assembly further includes an attachment assembly including a mounting plate secured to the side sill and a mounting guide secured to the mounting plate. The mount guide includes a side rail that extends within the cavity. The rocker assembly further includes an insert pod disposed within the cavity and secured to the attachment assembly. The insert pod includes a plurality of interconnected walls defining a plurality of transversely extending open cells. The insert pod further includes a slot region extending through a side wall and sized to receive a portion of the mounting guide. The insert pod further includes guide channels walls extending from the side wall and defining a guide channel sized to receive the side rail therein.

Abstract: A rocker assembly includes a rocker reinforcement panel attached to a side inner panel to define a cavity and an elongated bar disposed within the cavity. The elongated bar is formed of a polymer resin that includes reinforcement strands of continuous fiber roving that are embedded in the polymer resin and extend along a full length of the bar. The elongated bar has a constant cross-section perpendicular to the length of the bar that may define at least one elongated opening. A method of making a rocker assembly includes pultruding a polymer resin and a continuous fiber roving to form a reinforced elongated bar that is assembled into a cavity defined between the rocker reinforcement panel and the side inner panel.

Abstract: A rocker assembly includes a rocker reinforcement panel attached to a side inner panel to define a cavity and an elongated bar disposed within the cavity. The elongated bar is formed of a polymer resin that includes reinforcement strands of continuous fiber roving that are embedded in the polymer resin and extend along a full length of the bar. The elongated bar has a constant cross-section perpendicular to the length of the bar that may defines at least one elongated opening. A method of making a rocker assembly includes pultruding a polymer resin and a continuous fiber roving to form a reinforced elongated bar that is assembled into a cavity defined between the rocker reinforcement panel and the side inner panel.

Abstract: A running board includes an integral hollow body having a step face and a first sidewall. The integral hollow body is made from a base polymer material with continuous reinforcing fibers running from a first end to a second, opposite end of the first sidewall while the step face is made from unfilled base polymer material. A production method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-adjusting cup holder assembly includes a housing having an open cavity and a flexible well held in that cavity. The flexible well is displaceable between a rest position and cup holding position whereby the cup is squeezed by the flexible well and positively maintained in the well by a positive gripping force.

Abstract: A self-adjusting cup holder assembly is provided. That cup holder assembly includes a housing having an open cavity and a flexible well held in that cavity. The flexible well is displaceable between a rest position and cup holding position whereby the cup is squeezed by the flexible well and positively maintained in the well by a positive gripping force.

Abstract: An emblem assembly for a vehicle having a number of attachment features such as two locating-pins, two opposing force clips, an orthogonal force clip, and an adhesive. A body panel having an embossed emblem-mating surface defining a number of attachment features such as a 2-way locating-slot, a 4-way locating-hole, a central void with opposing substantially parallel edges, a clip retention slot with an orthogonal edge, and a panel surface area for adhesive contact. The emblem assembly and the emblem-mating surface features combine to provide an effective support for an emblem on a body panel of a vehicle. The emblem may be located on a tailgate of a pickup with an aluminum body panel.

Abstract: An emblem assembly for a vehicle having a number of attachment features such as two locating-pins, two opposing force clips, an orthogonal force clip, and an adhesive. A body panel having an embossed emblem-mating surface defining a number of attachment features such as a 2-way locating-slot, a 4-way locating-hole, a central void with opposing substantially parallel edges, a clip retention slot with an orthogonal edge, and a panel surface area for adhesive contact. The emblem assembly and the emblem-mating surface features combine to provide an effective support for an emblem on a body panel of a vehicle. The emblem may be located on a tailgate of a pickup with an aluminum body panel.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly of a truck includes an anchor on the truck and a cable attachable between the tailgate and the anchor. A clip of the cable defines an opening for receiving the anchor. A finger secures the clip to the anchor and is deflectable to allow disconnection of the clip and the anchor. A lock is disposed on the clip and is slidable between a blocking position that prevents deflection of the finger and a releasable position that allows deflection of the finger.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism, for an automotive vehicle having a fuel filler door and a sliding door on a same side of the vehicle body, has a sensor mounted proximate the filler door for sensing movement thereof, a latch for releasably latching the sliding door in a closed position when the filler door is open, and a cable connected between the sensor and the latch for communicating the position of the filler door to the latch. The latch has a cam member mounted to the vehicle body, a pivotable pawl for preventing movement of the cam when the filler door is open and disengaged from the cam member when the filler door is closed, and a key extending from the sliding door for engagement with the cam member when the sliding door is in a closed position and for disengagement from the cam member when the sliding door is moved to an open position. The sliding door is locked in a closed position when the filler door is opened.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for a vehicle having a sliding door and a fuel filler door on the same side of the vehicle has three positions: a first, neutral position in which either the sliding door or the filler door can be opened, a second position in which the sliding door is open and the filler door is prevented from opening, and a third position in which the filler door is open and the sliding is prevented from opening. The interlock mechanism has a sliding door latch, a filler door latch, and a cable between the two. The sliding door latch has a striker on a rear edge of the sliding door to interact with a cam which locks the filler door closed when the sliding door is moved to an open position and allows the filler door to open when the sliding door is in a closed position. The cable is connected to the filler door latch and is prevented from movement by the cam when the sliding door is open, but is allowed to moves when the sliding door is shut.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism, for an automotive vehicle having a fuel filler door and a sliding door on a same side of the vehicle body, has a sensor mounted proximate the filler door for sensing movement thereof, a latch for releasably latching the sliding door in a closed position when the filler door is open, and a cable connected between the sensor and the latch for communicating the position of the filler door to the latch. The latch has a cam member mounted to the vehicle body, a pivotable hook for preventing movement of the cam when the filler door is open and disengaged from the cam member when the filler door is closed, and a key extending from the sliding door for engagement with the cam member when the sliding door is in a closed position and for disengagement from the cam member when the sliding door is moved to an open position. The sliding door is locked in a closed position when the filler door is opened.