Rivian IP Holdings, LLC

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Randall Frank

Rajinder Pal Singh

Akshat Chauhan

Michael J Gardynik

John Michael McGuckin

Chris O'Connor

Anish Shah

Laike Misikir

Barry Lett

Mohammed Nomaan Khan

Greg B Zinn

Michael Luchtman

Luis Jesus Chavela Guerra

Yi Qu

Christopher Pope

Sushil Shastry

Jorge Barrios

Kevin Greene

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for providing a frame insert insertable between sections of a structural frame to provide lateral stiffness to resist deformation of the structural frame. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame insert configured to be received between sections of a structural frame. The frame insert includes a body of extruded material having opposing ends. Each of the opposing ends is configured to engage an inner face of one of the sections of the structural frame. A plurality of transverse ribs extends between the opposing ends. The plurality of transverse ribs is configured to provide support to the structural frame.

Aluminum-reinforced vehicle frame

A system for managing wheel kinematics during a small overlap collision event includes a deflector apparatus. The deflector is configured to direct a wheel away from an occupant compartment of a vehicle. The deflector includes a first section arranged at an inside wall of a wheel well facing a wheel, near the base of a hinge-pillar. The first section includes a hollow structure configured to absorb energy from the collision event by plastically deforming. The deflector also includes a second section arranged at an angle to the wheel and configured to deflect the wheel laterally outwards from the vehicle away from an occupant compartment during the small overlap collision event. The deflector may be formed of extruded aluminum. The system may include an absorber arranged behind the first section and configured to further absorb energy from the collision event by plastically deforming.

Wheel deflector for a small overlap crash

A system for managing opening and closing a pocket door includes a spindle, an actuator, and brackets. The spindle extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, and is configured to be coupled to the pocket door. The actuator is coupled to the spindle and is configured to cause the spindle to move axially along the longitudinal axis. The brackets are connected to the spindle at each end and are constrained from longitudinal motion relative to the spindle. The brackets are configured to affix the spindle to the pocket door. A bushing system couples each bracket to the spindle and is configured to dampen impact between the spindle and the brackets. For example, the bushing system may include lobed elements, made of a rubber material, that engage each other to transmit azimuthal forces. In some embodiments, another actuator is included to improve cycle life and redundancy.

Power pocket sliding door

A system for managing opening and closing a pocket door includes a spindle, an actuator, and brackets. The spindle extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, and is configured to be coupled to the pocket door. The actuator is coupled to the spindle and is configured to cause the spindle to move axially along the longitudinal axis. The brackets are connected to the spindle at each end and are constrained from longitudinal motion relative to the spindle. The brackets are configured to affix the spindle to the pocket door. A bushing system couples each bracket to the spindle and is configured to dampen impact between the spindle and the brackets. For example, the bushing system may include lobed elements, made of a rubber material, that engage each other to transmit azimuthal forces. In some embodiments, another actuator is included to improve cycle like and redundancy.

A vehicle hood includes an inner panel, an outer panel coupled to the inner panel, and an insert disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. The insert is formed of a material that is brittle relative to a material of the outer panel. The insert includes a plurality of strips connected to each other. Each strip is elongated along and disposed adjacent to the outer panel.

Vehicle hood stiffener

A solar-activated body panel for a vehicle includes outer and inner panels with an internal cavity defined therebetween. The internal cavity includes first and second portions that correspond to first and second heat gain portions, respectively, on the outer surface, wherein the first heat gain portion retains solar energy at a first heat gain rate and the second heat gain portion retains solar energy at a second heat gain rate, the first heat gain rate being greater than the second heat gain rate. A thermal material is disposed on the outer surface, wherein when solar energy is radiated onto the outer surface, the first heat gain portion absorbs heat at the first heat gain rate and, in turn emits heat to the thermal material to alter the thermal material and define a predetermined indicia on the outer surface and within the thermal material.

Solar-activated structure for revealing a hidden indicia within a body panel of a vehicle

A vehicle body structure includes a side sill formed of high strength steel and a seat cross-member formed of high strength steel. A floor pan is welded to at least one of the side sill and the seat cross-member. A flange includes a base extending from the seat cross-member and a tab extending from the base. The tab is spaced from the seat cross-member and is welded to the floor pan and the side sill.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Randall Frank