Abstract: A vehicle front body structure is provided for reliably transferring a collision load to a crash can and a front frame by preventing a bumper beam from buckling during a small overlap collision. Bending rigidity of the bumper beam in a vehicle width direction is such that 1) a bending moment generated on the bumper beam when a collision load in a direction toward a vehicle rear side is applied to an extending section, which extends outward in the vehicle width direction from a crash can fixed section, is the highest in a vehicle width direction inner end portion of the crash can fixed section on a side where the collision load is applied, and 2) the bending moment is continuously reduced as a distance from the vehicle width direction inner end portion in the vehicle width direction increases.

Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure is provided that is lightweight and reduces an impact load transmitted to lower limbs of an occupant. Embodiments include a transmission disposed in a vehicle front portion, a dash lower panel dividing an inside from an outside of a vehicle cabin in a vehicle rear of the transmission, and an organ type accelerator pedal disposed on a vehicle-width-direction inner side of the dash lower panel opposed to the transmission. The dash lower panel includes a panel rear portion in which the accelerator pedal is arranged, a panel front portion extending from the panel rear portion to a vehicle front upper side, and a fragile portion extending in a vehicle width direction along a boundary between the panel rear portion and the panel front portion, which is fragile compared to the panel rear portion and the panel front portion.

Abstract: A method for etching features in a stack below a mask with features is provided. A fill layer is deposited on the mask, wherein the fill layer fills the features of the mask. The fill layer is etched back to expose the mask. The mask is selectively removed with respect to the fill layer. The stack is etched using the fill layer as a mask.

Abstract: A front subframe structure includes a subframe body and a pair of right and left longitudinal members. The subframe body includes an arm front-side supporting portion, an arm rear-side supporting portion, and a detaching portion. Each of the longitudinal members has, in the rear part thereof, a bent portion that is further in the vehicle width direction outer side with respect to the arm front-side supporting portion. A lower arm has, in the rear part thereof, a longitudinally extending portion. The rear face portion of the bent portion, and the front face portion which is in the front side of the longitudinally extending portion of the lower arm extend substantially parallel to each other along the vehicle width direction. A reinforcing portion is provided on a face of the rear face portion of the bent portion, the face opposing the front face portion of the longitudinally extending portion.

Abstract: A fragile portion is provided at a portion of a suspension arm which is positioned near a vehicle-body attachment portion. The fragile portion is configured such that when a load which is greater than a specified magnitude is inputted to a front wheel from a vehicle forward side, the suspension arm is bent at the fragile portion, whereby the front wheel is rotated rearwardly around the fragile portion.

Abstract: A reinforcing member is provided inside a closed cross section of a front side frame at a position, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, which corresponds to a forming position of a bead. The reinforcing member extends between an outward side wall portion and an inward side wall portion of the front side frame. The reinforcing member is joined to the outward side wall portion and the inward side wall portion of the front side frame. A joint length, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the reinforcing member and the inward side wall portion is set to be longer than that of the reinforcing member and the outward side wall portion.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a frame extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction outside a power train in a vehicle width direction, the power train being mounted on a front portion of a vehicle. The vehicle body structure further includes a load receiving portion expanding outward in the vehicle width direction from a front end of the frame and configured to receive impact load acting upon front collision of the vehicle outside the frame in the vehicle width direction, a cutout portion provided at the front end of the frame and cut out rearwardly from the front end of the frame to leave two side portions, and a connection member connecting the side portions of the cutout portion in the vehicle width direction.

Abstract: Methods for etching features into carbon material using a metal-doped carbon-containing hard mask to reduce and eliminate redeposition of silicon-containing residues are provided herein. Methods involve depositing a metal-doped carbon-containing hard mask over the carbon material prior to etching the carbon material, patterning the metal-doped carbon-containing hard mask, and using the patterned metal-doped carbon-containing hard mask to etch the carbon material such that the use of a silicon-containing mask during etch of the carbon material is eliminated.

Abstract: A dash cross member which extends in a vehicle width direction is provided at a dash panel. A hinge-pillar reinforcing member which rigidly connects a hinge pillar to a side sill is provided at a lower end portion of the hinge pillar. A load-transmission portion (a dash reinforcement) to transmit a load which is inputted to the hinge-pillar reinforcing member in an inward direction of the vehicle width direction to the dash cross member is provided at the dash panel.

Abstract: A front subframe structure includes front and rear cross members, a pair of left and right side members, and a vehicle body mounting portion disposed on front ends of the side members. The side member has a lateral widening portion at a front end thereof, wherein the lateral widening portion bulges outward in a vehicle width direction. The front cross member has a front widening portion at an end portion thereof in the vehicle width direction, wherein the front widening portion bulges forward of the vehicle. A portion of the front cross member excluding the front widening portion is disposed on the rear side with respect to the vehicle body mounting portion, and on the front side with respect to a rear end of the lateral widening portion.

Abstract: A frame (extension frame) extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction on an outward side, in a vehicle width direction, of a powertrain mounted at a front portion of a vehicle includes front-side and rear-side high strength portions which are spaced apart, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, from each other and a low strength portion which is positioned, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, between the both high strength portions. The low strength portion has a lower bending strength than each of the both high strength portions. A specified portion which is a part of the low strength portion is positioned on the outward side, in the vehicle width direction, of and in front of a part of the powertrain (oil pan) which is located at the same level as the specified portion of the frame.

Abstract: A front subframe structure includes a subframe body and a pair of right and left longitudinal members. The subframe body includes an arm front-side supporting portion, an arm rear-side supporting portion, and a detaching portion. Each of the longitudinal members has, in the rear part thereof, a bent portion that is further in the vehicle width direction outer side with respect to the arm front-side supporting portion. A lower arm has, in the rear part thereof, a longitudinally extending portion. The rear face portion of the bent portion, and the front face portion which is in the front side of the longitudinally extending portion of the lower arm extend substantially parallel to each other along the vehicle width direction. A reinforcing portion is provided on a face of the rear face portion of the bent portion, the face opposing the front face portion of the longitudinally extending portion.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a frame extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction outside a power train in a vehicle width direction, the power train being mounted on a front portion of a vehicle. The vehicle body structure further includes a load receiving portion expanding outward in the vehicle width direction from a front end of the frame and configured to receive impact load acting upon front collision of the vehicle outside the frame in the vehicle width direction, a cutout portion provided at the front end of the frame and cut out rearwardly from the front end of the frame to leave two side portions, and a connection member connecting the side portions of the cutout portion in the vehicle width direction.

Abstract: A fragile portion is provided at a portion of a suspension arm which is positioned near a vehicle-body attachment portion. The fragile portion is configured such that when a load which is greater than a specified magnitude is inputted to a front wheel from a vehicle forward side, the suspension arm is bent at the fragile portion, whereby the front wheel is rotated rearwardly around the fragile portion.

Abstract: A reinforcing member is provided inside a closed cross section of a front side frame at a position, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, which corresponds to a forming position of a bead. The reinforcing member extends between an outward side wall portion and an inward side wall portion of the front side frame. The reinforcing member is joined to the outward side wall portion and the inward side wall portion of the front side frame. A joint length, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the reinforcing member and the inward side wall portion is set to be longer than that of the reinforcing member and the outward side wall portion.

Abstract: A dash cross member which extends in a vehicle width direction is provided at a dash panel. A hinge-pillar reinforcing member which rigidly connects a hinge pillar to a side sill is provided at a lower end portion of the hinge pillar. A load-transmission portion (a dash reinforcement) to transmit a load which is inputted to the hinge-pillar reinforcing member in an inward direction of the vehicle width direction to the dash cross member is provided at the dash panel.

Abstract: A frame (extension frame) extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction on an outward side, in a vehicle width direction, of a powertrain mounted at a front portion of a vehicle includes front-side and rear-side high strength portions which are spaced apart, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, from each other and a low strength portion which is positioned, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, between the both high strength portions. The low strength portion has a lower bending strength than each of the both high strength portions. A specified portion which is a part of the low strength portion is positioned on the outward side, in the vehicle width direction, of and in front of a part of the powertrain (oil pan) which is located at the same level as the specified portion of the frame.

Abstract: A front subframe structure includes front and rear cross members, a pair of left and right side members, and a vehicle body mounting portion disposed on front ends of the side members. The side member has a lateral widening portion at a front end thereof, wherein the lateral widening portion bulges outward in a vehicle width direction. The front cross member has a front widening portion at an end portion thereof in the vehicle width direction, wherein the front widening portion bulges forward of the vehicle. A portion of the front cross member excluding the front widening portion is disposed on the rear side with respect to the vehicle body mounting portion, and on the front side with respect to a rear end of the lateral widening portion.

Abstract: A method for etching features in a stack comprising a patterned hardmask over a carbon based mask layer is provided. A pattern is transferred from the patterned hardmask to the carbon based mask layer, comprising providing a flow of a transfer gas comprising an oxygen containing component and at least one of SO2 or COS, forming the transfer gas into a plasma, providing a bias of greater than 10 volts, and stopping the flow of the transfer gas. A post treatment is provided, comprising providing a flow of a post treatment gas comprising at least one of He, Ar, N2, H2, or NH3, wherein the flow is provided to maintain a processing pressure of between 50 mTorr and 500 mTorr inclusive, forming the post treatment gas into a plasma, providing a bias of greater than 20 volts, and stopping the flow of the post treatment gas.

Abstract: A longitudinal member is configured to transmit a part of a collision load occurring in a vehicle head-on collision to a suspension cross member by way of a front portion, a bending portion, and a rear portion. A lower arm, a portion of which is co-fastened to a vehicle body together with a fastening portion, is configured to transmit another part of the collision load occurring in the vehicle head-on collision to the fastening portion from the front portion. Accordingly, the rear end of the sub frame can be properly detached from the vehicle body in the vehicle head-on collision even in a case in which any weak portion extending in a vehicle width direction may not be provided.