Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Brian T Thurgate

Kevin O'Beirne

William A Hardy

Wasim Ukra

Herb Meingast

Johnny Rose

Rajesh Chennagowni

Christopher M Higgins

Roy C Thorsell

Daniel B Gidcumb

Disclosed is a method for evaluating computational fluid dynamic simulation results. The method includes: performing at least two baseline runs of a simulated area or volume containing a first vehicle body shape using a set of initial conditions, performing a change run using a second vehicle body using the set of initial conditions, creating a noise map based on differences between the second baseline run and the first baseline run, creating a change map based on differences between the change run and a selected baseline run, and comparing the change map to the noise map.

Method for quantifying visual differences in automotive aerodynamic simulations

Disclosed is a method for evaluating computational fluid dynamic simulation results. The method includes, based on a set of initial conditions, performing a first baseline run and a second baseline run of a simulated area or volume containing a vehicle body shape, and then performing a change run of the simulated area or volume containing a modified vehicle body shape, and performing the following actions within the simulated area or volume: plotting an iso line of the first baseline run and a corresponding iso line of the second baseline run, plotting an iso line of the change run that corresponds to the iso line of the two baseline runs, and comparing whether the iso line of the change run falls between the iso lines of the two basline runs. If not, then the modification to the vehicle body shape may be considered significant.

Method for data-driven comparison of aerodynamic simulations

A vehicle door includes an inner panel including an upper portion defining a window aperture, and a lower portion positioned opposite the upper portion in a vertical direction, and a support assembly coupled to the inner panel, the support assembly including a first torsion member extending along the upper portion of the inner panel in a lateral direction that is transverse to the vertical direction, the first torsion member defining holes extending through the first torsion member, a second torsion member extending along the upper portion of the inner panel toward the first torsion member, the second torsion member defining holes that are aligned with the holes of the first torsion member, and at least one fastener positioned in corresponding aligned holes of the first torsion member and the second torsion member, the at least one fastener coupling the first torsion member to the second torsion member.

Vehicle doors including torsion bar support assemblies and methods for assembling the same

A method of installing a vehicle component to a vehicle panel is provided. The method includes aligning a rib receiving channel of the vehicle component with an alignment rib that is formed integrally with the vehicle panel while also aligning a fastening opening of the vehicle component with a fastening opening through the vehicle panel. The alignment rib is inserted into the rib receiving channel. A fastener is inserted through the fastening openings of the vehicle component and the vehicle panel. The fastener is tightened while the alignment rib and rib receiving channel inhibit rotation of the vehicle component.

Vehicle components including rib receiving channels for receiving alignment ribs of vehicle panels

A method of installing a vehicle component to a vehicle panel is provided. The method includes aligning a fastening opening of the vehicle component with a fastening opening through the vehicle panel. The vehicle component abuts against an alignment rib that is formed integrally with the vehicle panel. A fastener is inserted through the fastening openings of the vehicle component and the vehicle panel. The fastener is tightened while the alignment rib inhibits rotation of the vehicle component.

Vehicle panels including integrally formed alignment ribs for inhibiting rotation of vehicle components

A vehicle door includes an inner panel formed from a resin and including an upper portion, and a lower portion positioned opposite the upper portion in a vertical direction, and a torsion bar assembly coupled to the inner panel, the torsion bar assembly including a lateral bar that extends across the upper portion of the inner panel in a lateral direction that is transverse to the vertical direction, a pair of vertical bars extending downward from the lateral bar, where the pair of vertical bars and the lateral bar define an inner cavity extending along the torsion bar assembly, and the lateral bar defines an access hole that provides access to the inner cavity.

Vehicle doors including torsion bar support assemblies

A cross member including a base including a first side wall inclined at a first angle with the base and a second side wall inclined at a second angle with the base creating a hollow portion between the first side wall and a second side wall, a first outer flange and a second outer flange projecting from the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively, in a direction away from the hollow portion, and a first inner flange projecting from a top side of the first side wall into the hollow portion, wherein the base, the first side wall and the second side wall, the first outer flange and the second outer flange, and the first inner flange form an open cross-section.

Cross member with inner flanges

A trim strip for lining an opening of an interior panel for a vehicle includes a first trim segment having a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A second trim segment extends outwardly from the first trim segment at a first end of the first trim segment. The second trim segment has a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A third trim segment extends outwardly from the first trim segment at a second, opposite end of the first trim segment. The third trim segment has a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A detachable support member is connected to the second trim segment along a first line of weakness and to the third trim segment along a second line of weakness. The detachable support member includes a datum member arranged and configured to be engaged by a panel datum member during installation of the trim strip at the opening to align and maintain spacing between the second and third trim segments. The detachable support member is removable from the first and second trim segments along the first and second lines of weakness.

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Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

Brian T Thurgate