Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Ohio State Innovation Foundation

Other

Allen Benson Sheldon

Ryan M Hahnlen

Duane Trent Detwiler

Marcelo J Dapino

Leon M Headings

Mark Bryant Gingerich

Takashi Nakano

Charles Gagliano

Benjamin Adam Hoffman

Steven U Behm

Hiroshi Akiyama

Martyn Morrish

Brent Andrees

Matthew Scheidt

Brad Klein

Ryan Joseph Phillips

Kyle Pearce

James W Post, Ii

Andrew John Fox

Patrick M Shafer

A vehicle roof stiffener includes at least one fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) portion and at least one metal or metal alloy portion. The FRP portion includes at least one transition structure including a metal or a metal alloy. At least some of the fibers of the FRP portion are embedded in the transition structure. The metal or metal alloy portion is secured to the transition structure of the FRP portion. In an example vehicle roof stiffener, the metal portion extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle, and the FRP portion extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. The example vehicle roof stiffener may include a front FRP portion, a rear FRP portion, and two metal side portions. The metal side portions and the FRP portions may be joined by welding the transition structures to the metal portions.

Multi-material vehicle roof stiffener

A transition structure includes a metallic portion, a fiber portion including a plurality of tows embedded within the metallic portion and extending out from the metallic portion forming a fabric, and a binding material forming a matrix surrounding the fiber portion embedded within the metallic portion. The fiber portion may be attached to or form part of a composite vehicle component. The transition structure may join a metallic component and a composite component. The transition structure may be manufactured by creating first channels within a layer of a metallic substrate, inserting fiber tows into the first channels, placing a first metallic layer over the metallic substrate and the fiber tows, consolidating the metallic layer to the metallic substrate, and binding the fiber tows within a resin. Prior to binding, additional layers of channels and fiber tows may be consolidated onto the first metallic layer.

Hybrid structures for joining of metals and continuous fiber materials

A method of adding a reinforcement to a metal blank prior to a forming process. The reinforcement is attached via ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) to create a composite blank which is then subjected to a forming process to bend and deform the composite blank and form a reinforced vehicle component. The reinforcement is placed on the metal blank such that after being subjected to the forming process, there is reinforcement in key areas of the formed vehicle component. The reinforcement results in the final formed vehicle component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.

Features of dissimilar material-reinforced blanks and extrusions for forming

A method of making a composite component and the composite component is disclosed. The composite component can comprise multiple portions with different materials. By configuring the composite component with different materials, the weight of the composite component can be reduced while maintaining the strength and support of the composite component for a cockpit assembly. Furthermore, the method provides for an increase in the efficiency of the die casting process used to create the composite component.

Method of making a composite component and apparatus

A trailer is presented. First and second axles are provided, each of the first and second axles being configured to couple to at least two wheels. A chassis is connected to the first and second axles, and a hitch is connected to the chassis. A lift system engaging structure is connected to the chassis of the trailer. The lift system engaging structure is configured to releasably engage a lifting component of a lift system. The lift system is configured to raise the lifting component to position the trailer in a stowed position.

Trailer

A vehicle system and method includes a primary vehicle (PV) and an auxiliary vehicle (AV) selectively connectable to the primary vehicle. The PV and AV vehicles each having an ECU, a propulsion system a braking system, and a directional control system for steering at least one wheel thereon. The ECU of the PV and the ECU of the AV in communication with one another to form an interactive control system that control operation of the systems of the PV and the AV when connected to one another. The vehicle system also includes a docking system for connecting the AV and the PV. The docking system includes an automatic docking actuator that automatically connects the AV to the PV when actuated. Optionally, a remote control device communicates with the ECU of the AV for controlling the AV through the ECU of the AV when disconnected from the PV.

Vehicle system and method for selectively coupled vehicles

A layering knife assembly for cutting of layers in cakes and other pastry items and for slicing articles such as fruit. The layering knife assembly is comprised of a base member having a pair of upward projecting cylindrical members. The knife comprises an elongate blade with a handle having a pair of cooperatively disposed holes for sliding over the cylindrical members on the base so as to allow the parallel translation of the knife and blade with respect to the surface on which the base is resting. Thumb screws in the handle provide locks for retaining the knife at any desired elevation. Alternative embodiments are described.

Layering knife assembly

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Allen Benson Sheldon