Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile robot, and more particularly to a mobile robot, including: a bumper which surrounds at least a portion of an outer circumference of the body; position restoring modules having an elastic member and disposed to be symmetrical to each other; a bumper guide module, having a guide hole and a protruding guider which moves inside the guide hole; and impact sensing modules configured to sense impact and disposed to be symmetrical to each other.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an energy-absorbing device can comprise: a polymer reinforcement structure, wherein the polymer reinforcement structure comprises a polymer matrix and chopped fibers; and a shell comprising 2 walls extending from a back and forming a shell channel, wherein the shell comprises continuous fibers and a resin matrix; wherein the polymer reinforcement structure is located in the shell channel.

Abstract: The present impact absorbing member includes: a hat-shaped member having a hat top section; and a plate-shaped member facing the hat top section. A deformation guidance section is provided on a wall section of at least one of the hat top section and the plate-shaped member. The deformation guidance section includes: a first high strength section having relatively higher buckling resistance in the wall section; and a pair of low strength sections having relatively lower buckling resistance and arranged on both sides of the first high strength section therebetween in a view along the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the impact absorbing member includes a pair of second high strength sections disposed on both sides of the deformation guidance section to be adjacent to the pair of low strength sections in a view along the longitudinal direction and having a higher buckling strength relative to the low strength sections.

Abstract: A galvanized reinforcement beam is continuously formed by uncoiling a roll of galvanized sheet stock in a generally horizontal plane. Protrusions are formed at an upper surface of the sheet stock, which is then roll formed to form a tubular shape with the protrusions abutting a surface of the sheet stock to form venting gaps. The sheet stock is laser welded at the protrusions to continuously form a weld joint, where zinc oxide gas generated from the welding is permitted to escape an interior of the tubular shape through the venting gaps.

Abstract: Significant safety advantages are recognized for vehicle-mounted or attached crash attenuators, particularly in the form of structural improvements in the nature of a catch shelf which helps to prevent underride of an impacting vehicle, meaning that the impacting vehicle is less likely to release drop under the attenuator. When an impacting vehicle slides under the crash attenuator, there is an inability to take full advantage of the ride-down afforded by elements of the attenuator as they are crushed by the impact, thus potentially increasing damage to the impacting vehicle and injuries to its occupants.

Abstract: Hybrid energy absorbing assembly for attachment to a vehicle for a vehicle, comprising a bumper beam comprising a plastic material; and a towing assembly, wherein the towing assembly comprises a metal insert. The invention also relates to a metal insert for such a hybrid energy absorbing assembly. Moreover, the invention relates to a vehicle provided with such a hybrid towing bumper beam assembly, wherein the metal insert is connected to a body-in-white of the vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a hybrid towing bumper beam assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising placing the metal insert in a mold; introducing molten thermoplastic material, to a mold to in site form the energy absorbing assembly and thus overmolding the metal insert with the thermoplastic material, thereby embedding the metal insert in the bumper beam.

Abstract: An increased amount of absorption of a load from the diagonally upper front side is achieved even in, for example, a vehicle having a high vehicle height. A first shock absorbing member is provided inside a bumper face upper to absorb a load from the diagonally upper front side, a second shock absorbing member is mounted on a front face portion of a bumper beam, and a third shock absorbing member is disposed below the first shock absorbing member and between a bumper face and the bumper beam to absorb a load from the diagonally upper front side. The rigidity of the first and third shock absorbing members in the up-down direction is higher than rigidity of the second shock absorbing member in the front-rear direction.

Abstract: Vehicle assemblies may include a plurality of loose layered build components. One or more of the loose layered build components may include locating features for locating and supporting the component relative to other components of the assembly while still permitting movement of the component or one of the other components in at least one direction during the assembly process.

Abstract: The invention is related to an energy absorber which is suitable to be mounted into a bumper having metal parts and is produce from weight reduced composite material, characterized in that it comprises at least two external curvatures forming the front undulating surface, an internal curvature in connection with said external curvatures, at least a rear surface, two side surfaces, a bumper beam made of composite material having an inner support that forms three grooves between the external surfaces, the internal surface, the two side surfaces and rear surface, at least two crash boxes which absorb the energy transferred from the bumper beam during a collision, a bumper beam coupling part which enables to fix the bumper beam with each crash box, and a chassis coupling part which enables to fix each crash box to the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A movable spoiler device provided in a front part of a vehicle body, the movable spoiler device includes: a link mechanism in which a plurality of links are coupled and configured to operate by driving the links by an actuator; a spoiler member connected with one of the plurality of links and being deployable and retractable with respect to the vehicle body by operation of the link mechanism; and a clutch mechanism provided on a driving force transmission path between the actuator and the spoiler member, and configured to block transmission of a driving force when an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the spoiler member with the spoiler member being in a deployed state.

Abstract: A kart includes a frame, front and rear wheels rotatable about front and rear axle axes, and an impact protection structure surrounding the frame. The impact protection structure includes: at least one front protective element, at least one rear protective element, and at least one lateral protective element on each lateral side of the kart. Each of the at least one lateral protective element is mounted to a pivot bearing fixed to the frame so as to be pivotally adjustable about a frame vertical axis, and is disposed closer to the rear axle axis than to the front axle axis. Each of the pivot bearings includes a bearing block and a bearing pedestal pivotable relative to the bearing block. Each of the at least one lateral protective element engages the bearing pedestal of a corresponding pivot bearing. Shock-absorbing dampers are disposed between the frame and the protective elements.

Abstract: A method of determining proof stress includes: calculating a needed load needed to completely crush a deformable impact absorption body of a barrier in a range that comes into contact with a rear bumper reinforcement, based on a load needed to completely crush the entire front surface of the impact absorption body, an area of the entire front surface of the impact absorption body, and an area of the front surface of the impact absorption body, which comes into contact with the rear bumper reinforcement; calculating a maximum bending moment acting on the rear bumper reinforcement in a case where the needed load is input; and determining proof stress of a pair of side members to be equal to or greater than the needed load and determining proof stress of the rear bumper reinforcement to be equal to or greater than the maximum bending moment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for additively manufactured structures with augmented energy absorption properties are presented herein. Three dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing structures may be constructed with spatially dependent features to create crash components. When used in the construction of a transport vehicle, the crash components with spatially dependent additively manufactured features may enhance and augment crash energy absorption. This in turn absorbs and re-distributes more crash energy away from the vehicle's occupant(s), thereby improving the occupants' safety.

Abstract: A cargo transport rear frame includes a pair of posts, an upper cross member, and a rear bolster. The posts are spaced in a width direction, and extend in a height direction. The upper cross member extends along the width between the posts. The rear bolster extends between lower ends of the posts such that the rear bolster is spaced below the upper cross member. The posts, the upper cross member, and the rear bolster bound the rear cargo opening. The rear bolster has a first side facing in a forward direction, and the rear bolster has a second side facing in a rearward direction to be exposed to a rear side of the cargo transport rear frame. The rear bolster comprises a sheet metal stamping including a base surface and a relief embossed in the rearward direction from the base surface to form a loading dock engagement feature.

Abstract: An adjustable datum pin assembly for temporarily affixing a bumper cover, fender, side panel, roof spoiler, or the like (i.e., a vehicle component) to an associated vehicle structure, the adjustable datum pin assembly including: a fixed lower portion adapted to be coupled to the associated vehicle structure; a translatable upper portion translatably coupled to the fixed lower portion, wherein the translatable upper portion includes an attachment structure adapted to be coupled to the bumper cover, fender, side panel, roof spoiler, or the like; and a friction mechanism disposed between the translatable upper portion and the fixed lower portion adapted to resist translation of the translatable upper portion with respect to the fixed lower portion.

Abstract: Vertical brackets extend downwardly from a trailer or semi-trailer frame to a transverse tubular bar to form an underride guard. The transverse tubular bar includes a top, a bottom, a rear impact side and a forward side and extends beyond the vertical brackets to define two end portions. The top and bottom have slits therethrough on the outer half of the end portions extending from inwardly of the rear impact side toward the forward side at an angle toward the vertical brackets. The slits extend toward the vertical brackets at an angle at least 45° through a portion of their length and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle through a second portion. The forward side includes two converging surfaces from the top and bottom. The slits extend from the top and bottom no more than half way to the convergence of the two surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper (10) for a motor vehicle, with a crossmember element (20) which has preferably two homogeneous outer sections (12, 13) and a central section (11) differing from the outer sections (12, 13), wherein the central section (11) is displaced vertically downwards or upwards with respect to the two outer sections (12, 13). According to the invention, provision is made that the crossmember element (20) is constructed as an extrusion and in that at least one of the sections (11 to 13) has at least one additional element (35, 38, 39) arranged monolithically with the crossmember element (20).

Abstract: A bumper assembly is provided for a vehicle having a frame. The bumper assembly includes a winch cradle defining a cradle mounting aperture corresponding to a first frame aperture of the frame. A bumper member is configured to at least partially surround the winch cradle and extend laterally from the winch cradle across a portion of the vehicle. The bumper member defines a bumper mounting aperture corresponding to a second frame aperture. The winch cradle is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the bumper member and the bumper member is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the winch cradle.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a pair of side members (4) extending in a fore and aft direction on either side of a vehicle body, each side member having a hollow structure defining a hollow interior (28), and provided with a vertical outboard wall (27), a bumper beam (3) extending laterally along fore and aft ends of the side members, and curved so as to be convex on a side thereof facing away from the vehicle body, and a pair of extension members (5) each connected to a corresponding end part of the bumper beam and partly received in the hollow interior of the corresponding side member, a pair of cushioning members (72, 91, 101, 111, 123, 131) are each interposed between the corresponding extension member and the vertical outboard wall of the corresponding side member, each cushioning member being deformable in a lateral direction of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicular shock-absorbing member may include a pair of upper and lower supporting wood members configured such that outer surfaces thereof function as load input surfaces in which a collision load is received and that axes of annual rings thereof extend along the load input surfaces, and shock-absorbing wood member sandwiched between the supporting wood members in such a manner that an axis of annual rings thereof extends in a direction perpendicular to the load input surfaces of the supporting wood members. The shock-absorbing wood member is configured such that a load input surface thereof in which the collision load is received is displaced inward relative to the load input surfaces of the supporting wood members.

Abstract: The crush can 4 is provided therein with the ribs 46 and 47 extending in the vehicle front and rear direction. The bumper beam 6 is provided therein with the ribs 66 and 67 extending in the vehicle front and rear direction. The rib 46 of the crush can 4 and the rib 66 of the bumper beam 6 are disposed at approximately the same height, and the rib 47 of the crush can 4 and the rib 67 of the bumper beam 6 are disposed at approximately the same height.

Abstract: An interface module for a vehicle crash management system wherein the interface module includes a support structure and a covering layer, and the interface module is adapted for attaching a crash box to a bumper beam. A first section of the support structure is adapted for being placed in direct contact with the bumper beam. A second section of the support structure comprises a recess adapted for receiving one end of the crash box, and the second section is further adapted for being covered by the covering layer. The covering layer is adapted for being arranged on the second surface, such that the support structure is completely enclosed between the bumper beam and the covering layer. Also disclosed are a crash management system and a method for assembling such a system.

Abstract: A magnetic collision damping device for vehicles is disclosed, in one embodiment of which a first trough 3 and a second trough 4 are slidably connected to a vehicle frame, and electromagnets 7, 8 whose like poles are arranged to face each other are fixed inside the first trough 3 and the second trough 4. This invention can prevent the electromagnets from being damaged when being subject to an impact, and can demonstrate its collision damping function regardless of whether a collision force comes from a vehicle front or a vehicle rear. All electromagnets are arranged close to the vehicle rear, effectively protecting the safety of passengers.

Abstract: A bumper cross member system for a motor vehicle having a base structure including a bumper cross member that, in the post-assembly position, extends transversely relative to the vehicle, and two crash boxes that, in the post-assembly position, extend from the bumper cross member longitudinally relative to the vehicle, at least one of the following add-on elements being configured on the base structure: a cross member expansion element, which, starting from an outer side of the bumper cross member, extends transversely relative to the vehicle outwardly in such a way that an extended base structure having an enlarged width is obtained, and/or a crash box extender element that extends from the bumper cross member in the post-assembly position forwardly longitudinally relative to the vehicle in such a way that an extended base structure having an elongated crash box is obtained. Also, a modular system and a motor vehicle having a bumper cross member system.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle engine suspension elastic device has a main body of metal and/or composite material elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle. The elastic device has a first end that can be connected to a structural connecting element of a motor-vehicle, and a second end that can be connected to a motor-vehicle engine. The main metal body of the elastic device includes at least one portion elastically deformable in the aforesaid longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present application provides a bumper assembly to be connected to a chassis bumper beam at a front of a vehicle. The bumper assembly comprises a plastic fascia; a metal reinforcement member; and a plastic reinforcement member disposed between the plastic fascia and the metal reinforcement member and connected with the plastic fascia and the metal reinforcement member. The plastic fascia, the plastic reinforcement member and the metal reinforcement member extend at a lateral direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: This supporting structure for an underrun protector includes a stay body that connects a beam and a frame to each other; a stay reinforcing body that reinforces the stay body from an outside in a vehicle width direction; and a gusset provided between the stay reinforcing body and the beam. A stay body web face of the stay body is provided with an opening part. A pair of wall face parts provided to extend outward in the vehicle width direction from both ends of the opening part in a vehicle forward-rearward direction is provided so as to face each other. Each of the wall face parts is provided at a height corresponding to an installation position of the gusset and abuts against an inner surface of the stay reinforcing body in the vehicle width direction.

Abstract: It is provided a carrier device for a motor vehicle having a base carrier which is substantially formed by an organo sheet and which extends along a main plane. The base carrier has at least one separation on which a material region is molded out from the main plane while forming at least one free space, such that said material region is spaced apart from an adjacent region of the base carrier by at least one portion, wherein the at least one free space is at least partially filled with an injection of thermoplastic material and/or with a separate insert element, such that the portion of the molded-out material region and the adjacent region are connected to one another thereby.

Abstract: A retractable under-guard, for example for dual-purpose trucks that travel on-road and off-road, provides impact protection to other vehicles colliding with the truck, but is raised for off-road travel to avoid obstacles. The under-guard connects by a frame wrap to horizontal frame beam(s) of many different trucks and does not hang down in its retracted position to an extent that it interferes with off-road travel. For entering the road, the guard frame pivots downward to the desired position at or near the outer perimeter of the truck, and typically about half way between the truck frame and the ground in the space into which a lower vehicle would enter in a collision. Hook and pin systems, and/or impact plates, maintain the under-guard in proper position upon an impact. The under-guard system may automatically deploy above a predetermined truck speed, to ensure deployment when the truck re-enters the roads.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes a pair of side rails extending in a vehicle forward-rearward direction on right and left sides in a front portion of the vehicle and a hollow bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle right-left direction and coupled to front ends of the pair of side rails. The bumper reinforcement includes side extension parts extending outward beyond the side rails, respectively. The vehicle front structure further includes load transmission members each extending from a front face of each of the side extension part of the bumper reinforcement through the side extension part and further extending rearward and toward the inward of the vehicle. In a small overlap crash, the load transmission member transmits a collision load directly to the side rail.

Abstract: In a collision detection device for a vehicle, the bumper absorber includes general parts and holding parts alternately in a lengthwise direction of the groove portion. In each of the general parts, a predetermined clearance is formed between an inner wall surface of the groove portion on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and the detection tube member. Each of the holding parts is in contact with a surface of the detection tube member on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and vehicle front and rear sides to hold the detection tube member. A holding part ratio, which is a ratio of a part of the detection tube member held by the holding parts to a unit length of the detection tube member, is set to be smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A bumper reinforcement includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a connection wall. Intermediate portions, in an extending direction, of the front wall and the rear wall are parallel to each other. An end portion, in the extending direction, of the front wall is bent toward the rear wall when viewed from the intermediate portion of the front wall. An end portion, in the extending direction, of the connection wall includes a front part and a rear part, and each of the front and rear parts extends from an inside to an outside in the vehicle width direction. A distance between a front end of the rear part and the rear wall gradually decreases in a direction from a base end of the rear part toward a distal end thereof. The front part is provided so as to extend along the front end of the rear part.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device includes an impact absorbing member extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; and a bumper reinforcement that extends in a vehicle width direction and is attached to a front end surface of the impact absorbing member. The bumper reinforcement includes a body portion extending in the vehicle width direction and having a length in a vehicle height direction that is smaller than a length of the impact absorbing member in the vehicle height direction, and a reinforcing portion fixed to the body portion and extending along a portion of the front end surface of the impact absorbing member, the portion being positioned above or below the body portion.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a bumper beam extending in a vehicle width direction, and a pair of right and left bumper beam mounting members each disposed at an outer side in the vehicle width direction of a back face of the bumper beam and mounting the bumper beam on a front side frame. The bumper beam includes a first displacement promoting part that is provided at a mounting part for the bumper beam and the bumper beam mounting members and capable of promoting displacement of the bumper beam by a collision load. The bumper beam mounting member includes a second displacement promoting part that is provided at the mounting part and capable of promoting displacement of the bumper beam by a collision load.

Abstract: A movable front spoiler device includes: an actuator including a rotation shaft provided so as to be rotatable forwardly and reversely; a link mechanism connected to the rotation shaft of the actuator; a spoiler connected to the link mechanism and provided so as to be pivotable between a deployed position and a retract position; and a spring attached to the spoiler and configured to bias the spoiler in a pivot direction in which the spoiler pivots toward the deployed position in which the spoiler pivots toward the deployed position when the rotation shaft of the actuator rotates forwardly, and pivots toward the retract position when the rotation shaft of the actuator rotates reversely, and the actuator is provided such that the rotation shaft is rotatable reversely by an external force applied to the spoiler in a pivot direction in which the spoiler pivots toward the retract position.

Abstract: A frame member for a vehicle comprises a first side wall, a second side wall provided on an inward side, in a vehicle width direction, of the first side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, which are configured to form a structure of the closed cross section of the frame member together with the first and the second side walls, an upper-side lateral rib and a lower-side lateral rib, which are respectively provided between the upper and lower walls to interconnect the first and the second side walls and extend linearly, when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the frame member, an upper-side vertical rib provided to face the first side wall and interconnect the upper wall and the upper-side lateral rib, and a lower-side vertical rib provided to face the first side wall and interconnect the lower wall and the lower-side lateral rib.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper beam (B) comprising an elongate main cross member (1) arranged to be horizontally attached to two crash boxes (3) at attachment portions (4) close to the respective ends of the main cross member (1), the bumper beam (B) having an inner side arranged to attach to outer ends of the crash boxes (3) and an opposite outer side, wherein the main cross member (1) further comprises a mid-portion (5) between said attachment portions (4), and wherein an off-set member (2) is arranged at each attachment portion (4). The off-set members (2) comprise a proximal web (6) extending inwards from the main cross member (1), a distal web (7) extending outwards to an end rim (10) from an inner part (8) joining the proximal web (6) to the distal web (7).

Abstract: A component, e.g., a bumper assembly, of a vehicle includes a fascia spaced from a bumper beam, a structure defining gaps between the structure and the bumper beam and between the structure and the fascia, and a computer programmed to supply electrical current to vary a stiffness of the structure in response to a vehicle speed beyond a threshold.

Abstract: A bumper beam structure includes a bumper beam that extends in the vehicle-width direction and that has a closed section formed by an outer vertical wall, an inner vertical wall, a top member, and a bottom member and a reinforcing member that is mounted inside the closed section of the bumper beam at the center in the vehicle-width direction of the bumper beam. The reinforcing member has a pair of angled members that diverge in the vehicle-width direction from the outer vertical wall toward the inner vertical wall and, in a minor collision, causes an impact load to act as a tensile force on the inner vertical wall of the bumper beam through the angled members. The angled members are spot-welded to the bottom member with mounting surfaces therebetween. In a major collision, spot welding points fracture after the bumper beam collapses, thereby absorbing impact energy.

Abstract: A bumper beam for a vehicle including a bumper beam body having a tubular portion extending in a vehicle width direction, the bumper beam having a metal section and a composite section, wherein the metal section and the composite section are coaxial, the composite portion being along an inner surface of the metal section.

Abstract: A removable upper garnish member is provided for a tailgate of a vehicle. The upper garnish member may include a longitudinally extending top portion, an exterior facing side portion, and an interior facing side portion. A camera is positioned within a space defined by the exterior facing side portion. The camera is configured to provide an image depicting a point of view of from a direction behind the vehicle. The removable upper garnish member is configured to be selectively positioned as part of a vehicle tailgate that is movable between one of a closed position, an open position, and a bed extender position. The camera point of view is preferably the same in both the closed and bed extender positions.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a reinforcing material layer formed of a fiber reinforced resin and a vehicle skeleton member having a closed sectional structure formed of metal. The reinforcing material layer is bonded to a surface of the vehicle skeleton member having a recessed portion recessed toward an inside of the closed sectional structure. An adhesive is disposed at least between the recessed portion and the reinforcing material layer.

Abstract: An assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a towing hook orifice covering plate (10) and a skin (20), wherein the towing hook orifice covering plate comprises a covering plate modeling surface (10a) facing the outside of a bumper and a covering plate structural surface (10b) facing the inside of the bumper. The covering plate structural surface has oppositely arranged rotary lugs (13a, 13b) that are perpendicular to the covering plate structural surface and extend therefrom, and the rotary lugs have arc surfaces (131a, 131b) away from the covering plate structural surface. The skin (2) has grooves (21a, 21 b) for accommodating the rotary lugs, and the grooves comprise first arc sections (211a, 211b), linear sections (212a, 212b) and second arc sections (213a, 213b), wherein the linear sections are located between the first arc sections and the second arc sections.

Abstract: A semi-trailer has a rear impact guard including an elongated horizontal member that attaches to a trailer by a pair of vertical guards. The horizontal member may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a leading edge from which a surface of the guard member extends rearward to the top or bottom surface. The rear impact guard may include a pair of gussets that extend from the vertical guards. Each gusset may include a main generally planar portion, a first stiffening flange perpendicular to the main portion, and a second stiffening flange perpendicular to the first stiffening flange.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bumper reinforcement including: a bumper main body portion extending in a vehicle transverse direction and is provided at a vehicle longitudinal direction outer side of a pair of left and right side members, the pair of left and right side members being disposed at a vehicle front portion or a vehicle rear portion and extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a reinforcing member formed of wood and is block-shaped, and that is disposed within a cross-section of at least a vehicle transverse direction central portion of the bumper main body portion, an axially central direction of annual growth rings of the wood of the reinforcing member being set to a direction that runs along the vehicle transverse direction.

Abstract: A beam configured to couple to a vehicle includes end areas comprising end midpoints that are equidistant from a top face and a bottom face on a vertical axis when the beam is positioned on a vehicle, and a central area positioned between the end areas, the central area having a central area midpoint that is equidistant from the top face and the bottom face on the vertical axis when the beam is positioned on a vehicle and that is positioned in the center of the beam along the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the beam passes through the end area, wherein the central area is capable of rotating about the longitudinal axis when the beam is impacted by an applied force.

Abstract: An impact energy absorber member for a vehicle configured to protect a lower leg of a pedestrian, with integrated air guiding member for guiding air from a front bumper of the vehicle to a radiator of the vehicle, wherein the impact absorber member comprises at least one vertical flap, wherein the flap is reinforced by a rib that is fixed to the front bumper and/or to a bolster frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle structural or semi-structural component assembly or crash sensor assembly includes a body, wherein a first portion of the body comprises a polymer composite material and a sensor mount portion of the body is connected to the first portion; and a sensor directly attached to the sensor mount portion. The sensor mount portion comprises a polymer composite material and a flexible reinforcement material over-molded within the polymer composite material. A method for enabling tunable deceleration characteristics in a vehicle structural or semi-structural component assembly includes forming a structural or semi-structural component for a vehicle from a polymer composite material; over-molding a flexible reinforcement material within the polymer composite material at one or more locations along the component; and attaching a sensor directly to at least one of the one or more locations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bumper beams having a closed cross-section, the closed cross-section being formed by one or more metal plates. The metal plates include a plurality of holes and a plurality of projections, wherein the projections engage with corresponding holes to retain the closed cross-section. The present disclosure further relates to rocker panels having a closed cross-section, the closed cross-section being formed by one or more metal plates, and the metal plates including a plurality of holes and a plurality of projections, wherein the projections engage with corresponding holes to retain the closed cross-section. The present disclosure further relates to methods of manufacturing such bumper reinforcing members and rocker panels.

Abstract: A system for airbag deployment within a vehicle may include an airbag, a bumper beam, at least one sensor, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The bumper beam may include a left crush can and a right crush can. The left crush can and the right crush can may each include a first zone associated with a first stiffness in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a second zone associated with a second stiffness in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The sensor may receive one or more signals associated with an impact on the vehicle. The ECU may deploy the airbag at a timing based on one or more characteristics of one or more of the signals and one or more predetermined characteristics associated with the first stiffness of the first zone and the second stiffness of the second zone, thereby providing robust discrimination between a front flat impact mode and an front offset impact mode.