Abstract: A vehicle door trim panel has a vehicle interior-facing A-side and a vehicle door structure-facing B-side. The vehicle door trim panel includes a pocket portion that includes a side portion and a wall portion that surrounds and extends outward from the pocket portion. The wall portion has a first portion. The B-side of the first portion of the wall portion is concave and faces generally vehicle-downward. A thickness of the first portion of the wall portion is less than a thickness of the pocket portion adjacent to the first portion of the wall portion.

Abstract: Vehicle frames with buckling avoidance features are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a cross member extending between a first side rail and a second side rail, a battery coupled to the cross member and the second side rail, and a bracket opposite to the battery, the bracket coupled to the first side rail and the cross member at a first location and a second location.

Abstract: A vehicle door trim panel has a vehicle interior-facing A-side and a vehicle door structure-facing B-side. The vehicle door trim panel includes a pocket portion that includes a side portion and a wall portion that surrounds and extends outward from the pocket portion. The wall portion has a first portion. The B-side of the first portion of the wall portion is concave and faces generally vehicle-downward. A thickness of the first portion of the wall portion is less than a thickness of the pocket portion adjacent to the first portion of the wall portion.

Abstract: Vehicle frames with buckling avoidance features are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a cross member extending between a first side rail and a second side rail, a battery coupled to the cross member and the second side rail, and a bracket opposite to the battery, the bracket coupled to the first side rail and the cross member at a first location and a second location.

Abstract: A door-trim panel for a vehicle includes an armrest and a top roll extending upwardly from the armrest to an upper end. The upper end has an inboard portion and an outboard portion and the upper end is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The top roll includes pairs of ribs spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. The pairs of ribs include an inboard rib extending from the inboard portion toward the outboard portion to an outboard end. The pairs of ribs include an outboard rib adjacent to and spaced from the inboard rib of that pair. The outboard rib extends from the outboard portion toward the inboard portion to an inboard end of the outboard rib. The inboard ribs and outboard ribs are elongated transverse to the longitudinal axis. The inboard end and the outboard end are spaced from the inboard portion of the top roll.

Abstract: Vehicle frames with buckling avoidance features are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a cross member extending between a first side rail and a second side rail, a battery coupled to the cross member and the second side rail, and a bracket opposite to the battery, the bracket coupled to the first side rail and the cross member at a first location and a second location.

Abstract: An upper reinforcement for a door trim panel includes a reinforcement channel, and a rib extending across the reinforcement channel. More particularly, the rib includes a first end section that engages a first wall of the channel, a second end section that engages a third wall of the channel and an intermediate section that extends across a window in the second wall of the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a cross-vehicle axis. The vehicle frame includes a cross-beam elongated along the cross-vehicle axis between the first frame rail and the second frame rail. The cross-beam includes a first groove and a second groove both proximate the first frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis.

Abstract: A seatback for a vehicle comprises: a lid having a closed position preventing access to a storage area and an open position allowing access to the storage area; and a locking element having an engaged position that prevents the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position that does not prevent the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position; wherein, the locking element transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position via the force of gravity when the seatback transitions from a fold down position to an upright position, and transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the seatback transitions from the upright position to fold down position. The lid can pivot upward from a rearward portion of the seatback in the fold down position, as the lid transitions to the open position.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for a motor vehicle door. The locking device includes a body having a base, a stake, a lever, a gusset and a rotational axis. A method of locking a motor vehicle door closed in response to a side impact is also provided.

Abstract: An upper reinforcement for a door trim panel includes a reinforcement channel, and a rib extending across the reinforcement channel. More particularly, the rib includes a first end section that engages a first wall of the channel, a second end section that engages a third wall of the channel and an intermediate section that extends across a window in the second wall of the channel.

Abstract: A seatback for a vehicle comprises: a lid having a closed position preventing access to a storage area and an open position allowing access to the storage area; and a locking element having an engaged position that prevents the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position that does not prevent the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position; wherein, the locking element transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position via the force of gravity when the seatback transitions from a fold down position to an upright position, and transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the seatback transitions from the upright position to fold down position. The lid can pivot upward from a rearward portion of the seatback in the fold down position, as the lid transitions to the open position.

Abstract: An upper reinforcement for a door trim panel includes a reinforcement channel, softening features within reinforcement channel, a tab depending from the reinforcement channel, and a trigger feature between the reinforcement channel and the tab whereby the reinforcement channel is released from the tab during a side impact. A method of tuning performance characteristics of the upper reinforcement is also described.

Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a cross-vehicle axis. The vehicle frame includes a cross-beam elongated along the cross-vehicle axis between the first frame rail and the second frame rail. The cross-beam includes a first groove and a second groove both proximate the first frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis.

Abstract: An upper reinforcement for a door trim panel includes a reinforcement channel, softening features within reinforcement channel, a tab depending from the reinforcement channel, and a trigger feature between the reinforcement channel and the tab whereby the reinforcement channel is released from the tab during a side impact. A method of tuning performance characteristics of the upper reinforcement is also described.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure, a side bracket secured to the body structure, and a spacer bracket secured to the side bracket. The spacer bracket extends in a lateral direction toward an interior of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a roof bow secured to the spacer bracket. The roof bow extends in the lateral direction toward the interior of the vehicle. The roof bow may be secured to the spacer bracket through at least one fastener adapted to shear under a predetermined shear stress. The roof bow may be secured to the spacer bracket such that a distal end of the roof bow is disposed in spaced relation relative to a distal end of the of the spacer bracket. The roof bow may be secured to a K-brace which extends toward roof rails.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure, a side bracket secured to the body structure, and a spacer bracket secured to the side bracket. The spacer bracket extends in a lateral direction toward an interior of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a roof bow secured to the spacer bracket. The roof bow extends in the lateral direction toward the interior of the vehicle. The roof bow may be secured to the spacer bracket through at least one fastener adapted to shear under a predetermined shear stress. The roof bow may be secured to the spacer bracket such that a distal end of the roof bow is disposed in spaced relation relative to a distal end of the of the spacer bracket. The roof bow may be secured to a K-brace which extends toward roof rails.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for a door of a motor vehicle. That locking device includes a pin having a first end fixed to the door and a second end including an enlarged head. The locking device also includes a receiver on a rocker panel of the motor vehicle. When the door is subjected to a side impact the pin extends into the receiver and is captured to lock the door closed. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for a door of a motor vehicle. That locking device includes a pin having a first end fixed to the door and a second end including an enlarged head. The locking device also includes a receiver on a rocker panel of the motor vehicle. When the door is subjected to a side impact the pin extends into the receiver and is captured to lock the door closed. A related method is also disclosed.