Abstract: A method for manufacturing a foam in a conduit comprises extruding a metal conduit. A metal foam powder is injected into a cavity of the metal conduit. The metal foam powder is activated to form a metal foam in the cavity of the metal conduit. A device for producing a foamed metal comprises an extruder that comprises one or more screws for extruding a metal through a die to form a conduit. The die comprises a plurality of ports for injecting a metal foam powder into a central hollow cavity or a wall cavity of the conduit. The device comprises a pressurizing section for increasing pressure on the metal foam powder and a thermal section for increasing the temperature of the metal foam powder to facilitate its expansion into a metal foam.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.

Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle body structure includes a rocker rail having a boxed cross-section defining a rocker rail interior space, a rocker rail length, and a rocker rail outer surface along the length. The rocker rail defines at least one aperture connecting the interior space and the panel outer surface. The rocker assembly also includes an insert member configured to fit within the rocker rail interior space and extend along the panel length to reinforce the panel. The insert member includes at least one projection configured to match up with and extend at least partially through a respective at least one aperture. The projection(s) are configured to reinforce the rocker rail by opposing deformation of the boxed cross-section. The projection(s) oppose deformation via interference with the boxed cross-section at the respective aperture(s) when the rocker rail is subjected to an applied load perpendicular to the panel outer surface.

Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle body structure includes a rocker rail having a boxed cross-section defining a rocker rail interior space, a rocker rail length, and a rocker rail outer surface along the length. The rocker rail defines at least one aperture connecting the interior space and the panel outer surface. The rocker assembly also includes an insert member configured to fit within the rocker rail interior space and extend along the panel length to reinforce the panel. The insert member includes at least one projection configured to match up with and extend at least partially through a respective at least one aperture. The projection(s) are configured to reinforce the rocker rail by opposing deformation of the boxed cross-section. The projection(s) oppose deformation via interference with the boxed cross-section at the respective aperture(s) when the rocker rail is subjected to an applied load perpendicular to the panel outer surface.

Abstract: An assist step assembly includes a linkage assembly including a first linkage member and a second linkage member, an assist step coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first assist step position to a second assist step position, an aerodynamic member coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first aerodynamic member position to a second aerodynamic member position, a movement mechanism coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position, and a controller in electronic communication with the movement mechanism, the controller configured to determine an operating condition, determine a position of the assist step based on the operating condition, and generate one or more control signals to move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a foam in a conduit comprises extruding a metal conduit. A metal foam powder is injected into a cavity of the metal conduit. The metal foam powder is activated to form a metal foam in the cavity of the metal conduit. A device for producing a foamed metal comprises an extruder that comprises one or more screws for extruding a metal through a die to form a conduit. The die comprises a plurality of ports for injecting a metal foam powder into a central hollow cavity or a wall cavity of the conduit. The device comprises a pressurizing section for increasing pressure on the metal foam powder and a thermal section for increasing the temperature of the metal foam powder to facilitate its expansion into a metal foam.

Abstract: An assist step assembly includes a linkage assembly including a first linkage member and a second linkage member, an assist step coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first assist step position to a second assist step position, an aerodynamic member coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first aerodynamic member position to a second aerodynamic member position, a movement mechanism coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position, and a controller in electronic communication with the movement mechanism, the controller configured to determine an operating condition, determine a position of the assist step based on the operating condition, and generate one or more control signals to move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cargo bay defined by a fore endwall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bed. A closure panel is pivotable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the cargo bay. The vehicle also includes a collapsible storage container comprising a plurality of wall panels. Each respective wall panel of the plurality of wall panels is pivotably coupled to at least one other respective wall panel of the plurality of wall panels. The plurality of wall panels are selectively repositionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A respective wall panel of the plurality of wall panels is pivotably coupled to the interior side of the closure panel. In the stowed position each respective wall panel is disposed parallel to the closure panel and in the deployed position a storage volume is defined between the plurality of wall panels.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cab with a window and a cargo area with first and second sidewalls proximate the cab. A first accessory member is coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall and extends about a portion of a periphery of the window. A second accessory member includes a first leg member, a second leg member, and a horizontal member. A first leg member proximal end is coupled to the first sidewall, and a second leg member proximal end is coupled to the second sidewall. The horizontal member couples a first leg member distal end to a second leg member distal end. The second accessory member is pivotable between first, second, and third positions relative to the cargo area.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.

Abstract: An exemplary automotive vehicle includes a body having a wheelhouse, the wheelhouse including a wheelhouse edge defining a wheelhouse opening, and a wheel disposed in the wheelhouse opening, a suspension system including a suspension component adjacent to the wheelhouse, the suspension component configured to vertically deflect during vehicle operation, an aerodynamic system including an aerodynamic member disposed within the wheelhouse opening and coupled to the suspension component, the aerodynamic member having a first position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel and a second position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel, wherein the aerodynamic member moves from the first position to the second position with deflection of the suspension component such that a distance between the aerodynamic member and the wheel is greater when the aerodynamic member is in the second position than when the aerodynamic member is in the first position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure frame defining an opening, and a closure for selectively covering the opening. The closure has a plurality of positions including a closed position, an open position, and an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes an optical sensor disposed proximate the closure. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the open position in response to a closure open request and no feature being detected by the optical sensor, and to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the intermediate position in response to a closure open request and a feature being detected by the optical sensor.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, or method for joining components is provided. The system applies force along an axis, with a friction pin, to a first substrate, such as with a joiner or joining apparatus. The system also frictionally melts a portion of the first substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin about the axis at a first speed within the first substrate. The system also applies force to the second substrate along the axis and frictionally melts a portion of the second substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin at a second speed within the second substrate. The system embeds a portion of the friction pin within the first substrate and the second substrate. In some configurations, the first speed and the second speed are substantially equivalent. In other configurations, the first speed is different from the second speed.

Abstract: An exemplary automotive vehicle includes a body having a wheelhouse, the wheelhouse including a wheelhouse edge defining a wheelhouse opening, and a wheel disposed in the wheelhouse opening, a suspension system including a suspension component adjacent to the wheelhouse, the suspension component configured to vertically deflect during vehicle operation, an aerodynamic system including an aerodynamic member disposed within the wheelhouse opening and coupled to the suspension component, the aerodynamic member having a first position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel and a second position with respect to the wheelhouse edge and the wheel, wherein the aerodynamic member moves from the first position to the second position with deflection of the suspension component such that a distance between the aerodynamic member and the wheel is greater when the aerodynamic member is in the second position than when the aerodynamic member is in the first position.

Abstract: A system and method to control a cellular device in a vehicle includes determining whether the cellular device is associated with a driver of the vehicle based on a location of the cellular device or an identity of the cellular device. The method also includes signaling the cellular device to inhibit functionality of the cellular device based on determining that the cellular device is associated with the driver of the vehicle. The inhibiting functionality includes disabling one or more functions of the cellular device.

Abstract: An automotive structural component includes a lattice structure. The lattice structure defines a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells include a multitude of at least partially filled cells each at least partially filled with a filling, and a multitude of hollow cells distributed amongst the multitude of at least partially filled cells to distribute and direct load.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a vehicle structure includes a first portion and a second portion having a body cooperating with the first portion using an additive manufacturing process. The body of the second portion includes one or more projections extending from the body. A third portion includes at least one opening and operatively engages the one or more projections of the second portion.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, or method for joining components is provided. The system applies force along an axis, with a friction pin, to a first substrate, such as with a joiner or joining apparatus. The system also frictionally melts a portion of the first substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin about the axis at a first speed within the first substrate. The system also applies force to the second substrate along the axis and frictionally melts a portion of the second substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin at a second speed within the second substrate. The system embeds a portion of the friction pin within the first substrate and the second substrate. In some configurations, the first speed and the second speed are substantially equivalent. In other configurations, the first speed is different from the second speed.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure frame defining an opening, and a closure for selectively covering the opening. The closure has a plurality of positions including a closed position, an open position, and an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes an optical sensor disposed proximate the closure. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the open position in response to a closure open request and no feature being detected by the optical sensor, and to automatically control the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the intermediate position in response to a closure open request and a feature being detected by the optical sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a vehicle structure includes a first portion and a second portion having a body cooperating with the first portion using an additive manufacturing process. The body of the second portion includes one or more projections extending from the body. A third portion includes at least one opening and operatively engages the one or more projections of the second portion.