Abstract: A support plate and reinforcement member may be mounted within a hollow side sill between a rocker and crossmembers for a vehicle framework. The support plate may include flanges along either edge and a straight, projecting face between the flanges. The reinforcement member, mounted on the support plate proximate to an outer surface of the side sill, may include flanges along either edge and a wavy projecting face between the flanges. Contact portions of the projecting face for the reinforcement member may contact an interior of the side sill at regions aligned with where the side sill mounts to the crossmembers, with intervening portions of the projecting face, in areas adjacent energy absorbing crush cans, extending less far from the flanges. The intervening portions may also be laterally offset from the contact portions, to provide larger weld areas.

Abstract: An airflow deflector for a vehicle protrudes downward from an inner fender having a wheel housing that houses a front wheel. The airflow deflector includes an airflow guide member extending in both a lateral direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle and provided in front of the wheel housing. The guide member has an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion. The inboard end portion is spaced inboard from an inner sidewall of the front wheel and the outboard end portion is spaced inboard from an outer sidewall of the front wheel. The outboard end portion includes a cutout to guide airflow around the outer sidewall of the front wheel.

Abstract: An airflow deflector for a vehicle protrudes downward from an inner fender having a wheel housing that houses a front wheel. The airflow deflector includes an airflow guide member extending in both a lateral direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle and provided in front of the wheel housing. The guide member has an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion. The inboard end portion is spaced inboard from an inner sidewall of the front wheel and the outboard end portion is spaced inboard from an outer sidewall of the front wheel. The outboard end portion includes a cutout to guide airflow around the outer sidewall of the front wheel.

Abstract: An aerodynamic system for a vehicle having a plurality of heat exchangers can include a front assembly, a pair of front fenders, a hood, a ducting assembly, and a rear assembly. The front assembly can include air inlets. The air inlets can be in fluid communication with at least one of the heat exchangers. The pair of front fenders can include fender outlets in fluid communication with at least one of the heat exchangers. The ducting assembly can be in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers. The rear assembly can include raised C-pillars, air inlets adjacent the pair of raised C-pillars, a rear spoiler, a rear diffuser, and rear slot assemblies adjacent the rear spoiler.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a support structure for use with a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame to which the support structure is attached. The support structure can include an elongated pillar defining a hollow portion extending therethrough. The elongated pillar can also define at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar. The elongated pillar can also define one other channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar which at least partially defines a roof side rail. The front pillar includes a unitary, one-piece tubular structural member having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. A roof side rail extension is secured to the structural member. A windshield has a lateral edge portion, a forward part of the lateral edge portion is secured directly to the first end portion of the structural member and a rearward part of the lateral edge portion is secured directly to the roof side rail extension. The structural member is adapted to curve away from the rearward part of the windshield lateral edge portion and the roof side rail extension is adapted to maintain a substantially constant gap between the structural member and the lateral edge portion of the windshield.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar extending at an incline rearwards and upwards to form a part of a door opening. The front pillar includes a tubular structural member. The structural member defines a vehicle exterior-side wall section and a passenger compartment-side wall section. A windshield is adhered to the vehicle exterior-side wall section of the structural member. A pillar outer cover is disposed outwardly of the front pillar and is secured to the exterior-side wall section of the structural member. The pillar outer cover includes an edge section overlapping and sealingly engaged to the windshield.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar including a unitary, one-piece tubular structural member having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. The structural member defines a vehicle exterior-side wall section and a passenger compartment-side wall section. A first structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the first end portion of the structural member. A second structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the second end portion of the structural member. The structural member is formed of a first metal and each of the first and second structural nodes are formed of a second metal different than the first metal. An electrically nonconductive adhesive is interposed between the structural member first end portion and the first structural node and is interposed between the structural member second end portion and the second structural node.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar including a unitary, one-piece tubular structural member having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. The structural member defines a vehicle exterior-side wall section and a passenger compartment-side wall section. A first structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the first end portion of the structural member. A second structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the second end portion of the structural member. The structural member is formed of a first metal and each of the first and second structural nodes are formed of a second metal different than the first metal. An electrically nonconductive adhesive is interposed between the structural member first end portion and the first structural node and is interposed between the structural member second end portion and the second structural node.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar extending at an incline rearwards and upwards to form a part of a door opening. The front pillar includes a tubular structural member. The structural member defines a vehicle exterior-side wall section and a passenger compartment-side wall section. A windshield is adhered to the vehicle exterior-side wall section of the structural member. A pillar outer cover is disposed outwardly of the front pillar and is secured to the exterior-side wall section of the structural member. The pillar outer cover includes an edge section overlapping and sealingly engaged to the windshield.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a door, an actuator, and a controller. The body includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a pillar member. The actuator is coupled with the pillar member and includes a movable member that is movable between deployed and retracted positions. The controller is electrically coupled with the actuator and is configured to facilitate movement of the actuator from the retracted position to the deployed position in response to detection of a collision. When the movable member is in the deployed position with the door closed, the movable member is in an abutting relationship with the door. When the movable member is in the retracted position, the movable member is spaced from the door.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a door, an actuator, and a controller. The body includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a pillar member. The actuator is coupled with the pillar member and includes a movable member that is movable between deployed and retracted positions. The controller is electrically coupled with the actuator and is configured to facilitate movement of the actuator from the retracted position to the deployed position in response to detection of a collision. When the movable member is in the deployed position with the door closed, the movable member is in an abutting relationship with the door. When the movable member is in the retracted position, the movable member is spaced from the door.