Abstract: A pair of diagonal members are arranged to extend from a substantially central position of a rear end panel extending in a widthwise direction of a vehicle body toward respective junctions of rear frames and a cross member. An end of each of the diagonal members is jointed to the rear end panel, and the other end thereof is jointed to the rear frame together with an end of the cross member. In addition, a guard block protruding toward a bumper beam is detachably fixed to the substantially central position of the rear end panel. Thus, such a frame structure for a vehicle can disperse and absorb an impact load in a low-speed crash or an offset crash.

Abstract: A space frame for a motor vehicle having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side rail structures, a pair of forward-most upright structures each being connected to a respective side rail structure, thereby forming a pair of A pillars, a pair of roof rail structures, a forward end of each roof rail structure being connected to an upper end of an associated A pillar, and a rearward ring assembly connected at upper portions thereof with the roof rail structures and at bottom portions thereof with the side rail structures. The rearward ring assembly having (a) a tubular hydroformed inverted U-shaped upper member having a cross portion and a pair of leg portions extending downwardly from opposite ends of the cross portion, (b) a pair of tubular hydroformed side members, and (c) a cross structure rigidly connected in ring-forming relation between the second ends of the side members.

Abstract: A rear roof frame of a motor vehicle has a tailgate which is fastened to the roof frame and includes an upper shell and a lower shell which is fitted to the latter. For the design of a rear roof frame, which, in spite of the shell-type construction, provides, in a simple manner and lightweight construction, sufficient torsional and flexural stiffness in order to withstand high mechanical stresses, it is proposed to arrange within the shell structure a hollow profile which leads in each case from the transition region to the lateral roof frame and parallel to the longitudinal extent of the structure, and emerges, at least at the end facing away from the lateral roof frame, in a knee which kinks in the front-end direction of the vehicle. The end of the rear roof frame forms a tubular hollow profile of the lateral roof frame, which is connected to the hollow profile of the rear roof frame.

Abstract: A deformation element having a single or multi-chamber hollow section with a longitudinal axis to accommodate energy of impact acting in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the section. The deformation element contains outer section walls that form inner and outer section wall faces. The outer section walls are divided into section wall end lengths and lengths and section wall intermediate lengths, whereby the abutting section wall end length of a pair of outer section walls form corner regions with corners. The wall thicknesses of the section wall end lengths are greater than the wall thickness of the section wall lengths neighboring the section wall end lengths, with the result that a thickening of the section wall is provided in the corner region.

Abstract: A rear and side panel assembly for a vehicle body may include a one-piece inner body panel member mated with a one-piece outer body panel member, the body panels cooperating to at least partially define wheel well openings at opposing sides of the vehicle. The inner body panel member may include an inner rear panel portion with opposite ends, a first inner side panel portion at one end and a second inner side panel portion at the opposed end, with the inner side panel portions extending generally frontward from the inner rear panel portion. The outer body panel member may include an outer rear panel portion with opposite ends, a first outer side panel portion at one end and a second outer side panel portion at the opposed end, with the outer side panel portions extending generally frontward from the outer rear panel portion.

Abstract: The body of passenger motor vehicles comprises, among other things, two longitudinal bearers and a rear end having a rear end middle piece. In order to minimize the extent of repair of damages to the rear end, the invention provides that the rear bumper bending bearer is bolted as a lower module in the area of the rear longitudinal bearer to the body via deformation elements provided for absorbing energy. In order to minimize the complexity of repairs of damages involving a greater extent of deformation to the rear end, the invention additionally provides that the entire rear end middle piece or portions thereof is/are structured as another lower module of the rear end module that can be bolted to the body.

Abstract: A low profile vehicular seat having an occupant contacting surface and a headrest which is moved from a first position to a second head reception position upon the communication of force from the body of the vehicle to the seat assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rear impact absorption system for a motor vehicle. The rear impact absorption system includes a rear body assembly including longitudinally extending rear rails including first and second portions having first and second respective heights relative to a generally horizontal plane, the first height being greater than the second height. The invention further provides a neutralizing member connectable to bridge the first and second heights of each rear rail so as to minimize the effect of a moment arm created by the first and second heights during a rear impact.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced automobile body including damper stiffener extensions extending from the damper stiffeners to automobile body members rearward of the damper stiffeners, preferably opposite sides of the rear panel, the side panel outer extensions, the side panel outers or the rear frame members. A box-beam parcel shelf mounts at opposite sides to the region of the automobile body to which a suspension component attaches, such as the wheel house or rear inner panel. The box-beam parcel shelf substantially rigidities the automobile body, especially in combination with the damper stiffener extensions, which together form a contiguous structural reinforcement with the rear panel.

Abstract: For fixing a rear covering part on a side part with a zero gap, a guide rail is provided in the side part and is locked in place in channel-type supports, into which guide rail the rear covering part is slid. The guide rail is durably held in a precise position with respect to the side part.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel which is selectively coupled to the inner panel. The tailgate assembly further includes at least one stiffening member which is selectively and operatively contained between the panels and which increases the strength and durability of the tailgate assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle rear body structure is disclosed having a flat portion formed on a rear floor panel, a bottom portion of a spare tire resting concave portion lower in height than the flat portion, and a front wall connecting the flat portion and the bottom portion to one another and sloped downwardly rearwardly. A front wall reinforcing member for reinforcing the front wall is mounted along an inclined surface of the front wall. The front wall reinforcing member limits deformation of the front wall by guiding the spare tire along the inclined surface when the spare tire is moved forward. As a result, a distance between the front wall and a fuel tank disposed below the front wall and the flat portion is reduced for thereby enabling the fuel tank to have an increased volume.