Abstract: A tunnel arrangement for a floor assembly of a vehicle body is proved. The floor assembly includes spaced apart first and second floor parts. A tunnel is arranged between the first and second floor parts and includes first and second flanges and front and rear tunnel sections extending between the first and second flanges. A tunnel bridge is provided on a lower surface of the tunnel for stiffening the tunnel arrangement.

Abstract: A tunnel arrangement for a floor assembly (2) of a vehicle body has front and rear tunnel sections (24, 26) and a tunnel bridge (27) that increases stiffness. A floor assembly also is provided and has the tunnel arrangement.

Abstract: In a preassembly position, the hinge elements of the two hinges of the vehicle door are each connected fixedly to the vehicle door via a pivotable hinge element of the two hinges. The vehicle door is held in position with precise gap positioning in a side wall door cutout of the vehicle body. In a final assembly position, the positionally fixed hinge element of the two hinges is connected to outer and inner wall parts of a vehicle pillar of the vehicle body via fastening screws and via a torque strut.

Abstract: A device for absorbing side forces during a side impact of a motor vehicle has a reinforcing structure (12) with a transversely extending reinforcing beam (14). An end (15) of the reinforcing beam (14) is mounted in a bracket (20) that is fixed to the vehicle. A profile part (30) is at the end (15) of the reinforcing beam (14) and supports the reinforcing beam (14). The profile part (30) is connected firmly to the bracket (20) that is fixed to the vehicle thereby providing improved side impact protection and enhanced safety for vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a large area sheet metal part, in particular a body component for a vehicle, from a flat blank, provides that one sided pressurization with an active medium in a forming tool gives the flat blank a prestretched preform, and that then the preform, removed from the forming tool, is formed into the final shape in a separate deep drawing tool.

Abstract: A vehicle side door or hatchback structure incorporates at least one hydroformed component. In one configuration, a window frame, a door frame and a reinforcement member are press-fit together by pressurized fluid during a hydroforming process to join the frames and the reinforcement member together. In another configuration, a vehicle hatchback frame subassembly includes a one-piece hydroformed window frame with a central portion disposed between opposing end portions. Inner and outer panels are attached to each other and secured to the opposing end portions of the window frame. In yet another configuration, a vehicle door and window frame subassembly includes a hydroformed one-piece first door frame, a roll formed second door frame and a reinforcement member secured to the tubular one-piece first door frame. An outer front panel is attached to the reinforcement member by at least one mirror bracket.

Abstract: Method and system for designing and producing a lightweight automobile or vehicle body. Structural performance targets are selected, a beam model analysis is conducted, and a body-in-white design is developed. A shell model is created and analyzed and material gauges and manufacturing processes for the body components are selected. A structural analysis is conducted to determine whether the shell model meets the selected structural performance targets. A crash model is created, analyzed, and modified until satisfactory crash requirements are met. A final structural analysis is conducted to determine whether the shell model meets the selected structural performance targets.

Abstract: An arrangement for increasing the buckling strength of windshield pillars of a vehicle, particularly of the very inclined windshield pillars of a convertible, includes a supporting strut which interacts with an activating device. In its deposited position, the strut is aligned approximately horizontally and extends along an upper area of a side vehicle door having an inside door panel. In the event of danger, an end of the strut facing the windshield pillar is moved by an activating device into an operative position along a guide rail to an upper end area of the windshield pillar.

Abstract: A radiator arrangement for a motor vehicle has air inlet openings in the front of the arrangement and lateral air discharge openings. The arrangement is composed of an air guiding housing which has two separated spaces for receiving the water radiator and the oil radiator respectively. Separate air inlet ducts are provided for the spaces and a combined air guiding duct combines the air flows downstream of the radiators. The air is then discharged through lateral discharge openings in the side walls of the vehicle located ahead of the front wheels.