In an interior member (1) for a vehicle, a lens (18) extends along a light guide member, and is provided with a groove (26) receiving the light guide member therein, a first engaging portion (21) provided on a wall that defines the groove, and a second engaging portion (22) provided on a wall that defines the groove, and the interior member main body is provided with a first engaged portion (34) engaged by the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion (35) engaged by the second engaging portion, the lens being resiliently deformable so as to bring the walls defining the groove toward each other.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a reinforcement or brace that can be installed on the tailgate of a vehicle. The reinforcement can provide structural support for heavier mounted objects, such as tires, as well as allowing for different attachment points. Advantageously, the tailgate hinge does not need to be removed or replaced.

Energy conversion systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, the system is for converting or redirecting energy received by an impact to an automobile in a proximal direction into another type of energy. The system includes a body having a first engagement structure and an impact member configured to be installed within an outer perimeter compartment of the automobile to receive an impulse. The impact member having a second engagement structure and a third engagement structure. The second engagement structure being configured to engage with the first engagement structure of the body to facilitate the impact member translating in the direction relative to the body. The system further includes a converter having a fourth engagement structure, the fourth engagement structure being configured to engage with the third engagement structure of the impact member and convert the energy received by the impact member into another type of energy. The system may change or redirect a direction of a force vector associated with the received impulse.

A hinge assembly comprises a link arm; a first pivot connected to a door leaf and the link arm; a second pivot parallel, distant to the first pivot, and connected to a body leaf and the link arm; a first gear attached to the first pivot; a second gear attached to the second pivot; and an idler gear engaging the first and second gears at a plane substantially perpendicular to the first pivot.

A door ECU includes a non-detection field calculation unit calculating a non-detection field of an obstacle with reference to a location of a proximity sensor arranged in a vehicle, a travel path calculation unit calculating a travel path until the vehicle comes to a stopped state, a non-detection field movement path calculation unit calculating a movement path of the non-detection field associated with the travel path of the vehicle, a door opening operation path calculation unit calculating an opening operation path of the vehicle door when the vehicle is in the stopped state, and a door opening restriction calculation unit generating a control signal of a door check device in order to restrict the opening operation angle of the vehicle door if the vehicle door may operate to open beyond the movement path of the non-detection field.

An opening and closing body control device for a vehicle includes: a control unit configured to control an opening and closing body drive device driving an opening and closing body of a vehicle to open and close the opening and closing body based on an operation request; and a detection unit configured to detect an obstacle present around the opening and closing body based on a detection result of an obstacle sensor. The control unit sets an operation speed of the opening and closing body to a first speed when the obstacle is not detected during an operation of the opening and closing body, and sets the operation speed to a second speed or less and causes the opening and closing body to stop at a position where the opening and closing body is close to the obstacle, when the obstacle is detected during the operation.

A structural member (10) includes: a hat member (1); and a closing plate (2). The hat member (1) includes: a top-surface portion (1a); a pair of side walls (1b) extending from both edges of the top-surface portion (1a); and flanges (1c). The closing plate (2) is in contact with the flanges (1c). Each of the side walls (1b) includes a low-strength portion (1s) extending from one edge of the side wall (1b) to a position at a distance Sh. The distance Sh is 20 to 40% of the height H of the side wall (1b). The yield strength of the low-strength portion (1s) is 60 to 85% of the yield strength of the side wall (1b) as measured at a position (1mid) of one-half of the height of the side wall (1b).

A manufacturing method includes a preparing step, an intermediate pressing step, a heating step, and a hot stamping step. In the preparing step, a blank is prepared. In the intermediate pressing step, press working is applied to the blank to produce an intermediate formed product. In the heating step, the intermediate formed product is heated. In the hot stamping step, press working is applied to the intermediate formed product to produce a panel-like formed product. In the hot stamping step, a machine including a first die, a second die, a punch, and a blank holder is used. While the intermediate formed product is pinched between the first die and the punch, the second die and the blank holder are moved relative to the first die and the punch, and thereby, the panel-like formed product is produced.

A manufacturing method includes a preparing step, an intermediate pressing step, a heating step, and a hot stamping step. In the preparing step, a blank is prepared. In the intermediate pressing step, press working is applied to the blank to produce an intermediate formed product. In the heating step, the intermediate formed product is heated. In the hot stamping step, press working is applied to the intermediate formed product to produce a panel-like formed product. In the hot stamping step, a machine including a first die, a second die, a punch, and a blank holder is used. While the intermediate formed product is pinched between the first die and the punch, the second die and the blank holder are moved relative to the first die and the punch, and thereby, the panel-like formed product is produced.

A vehicle door structure includes: a door hinge member mounted on a vehicle body; a door inner panel that constitutes a side door of an automobile; a door outer panel that is mounted on an outer side of the door inner panel in a vehicle width direction, and constitutes the side door of the automobile; and a door impact beam that is disposed between the door inner panel and the door outer panel, a first end side of the door impact beam being mounted on the door inner panel through a mounting member, a second end side of the door impact beam being rotatably mounted on the door hinge member.