Abstract: A monopost for a free-standing seat of a vehicle comprises: an inner subassembly of first clamshell components attached to each other; an outer subassembly of second clamshell components attached to each other around the inner subassembly, the outer subassembly forming a wing portion at one end; and a wing clamshell attached to the first clamshell components and to the wing portion.

Abstract: A structural beam component for a vehicle comprises: a beam body that has an I-section for at least part of its length, the beam body having first and second sides opposite each other, wherein the I-section extends at least partially along the first and second sides; a crash rail attachment at one end of the beam body, the crash rail attachment providing a fore-aft backup structure for a crash rail in the vehicle; another attachment at an opposite end of the beam body, the other attachment connecting the structural beam component to a side sill of the vehicle; and first and second ribbing on the first and second sides, respectively.

Abstract: A monopost for a free-standing seat of a vehicle comprises: an inner subassembly of first clamshell components attached to each other; an outer subassembly of second clamshell components attached to each other around the inner subassembly, the outer subassembly forming a wing portion at one end; and a wing clamshell attached to the first clamshell components and to the wing portion.

Abstract: A monopost for a free-standing seat of a vehicle comprises: an inner subassembly of first clamshell components attached to each other; an outer subassembly of second clamshell components attached to each other around the inner subassembly, the outer subassembly forming a wing portion at one end; and a wing clamshell attached to the first clamshell components and to the wing portion.

Abstract: A structural beam component for a vehicle comprises: a beam body that has an I-section for at least part of its length, the beam body having first and second sides opposite each other, wherein the I-section extends at least partially along the first and second sides; a crash rail attachment at one end of the beam body, the crash rail attachment providing a fore-aft backup structure for a crash rail in the vehicle; another attachment at an opposite end of the beam body, the other attachment connecting the structural beam component to a side sill of the vehicle; and first and second ribbing on the first and second sides, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel support structure is provided having fixing and mounting surfaces linked together by ribs in an open space frame structure. The ribs are sized, shaped and positioned to create critical load paths and eliminate the outer skin of the instrument panel support structure. Magnesium alloy material is only placed where it is needed for structure and function. The functionality of the vehicle instrument panel support structure is maintained as are the stiffness and crashworthiness when compared to the traditional design, but the weight of the instrument panel structure and the projected area are reduced. A method of designing an instrument panel support structure using a computer aided engineering platform is also provided.