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.

An aluminum cast part of a motor vehicle includes at least two upper walls rising from a bottom wall to form a passage, and at least two lower walls extending the upper walls beyond the bottom wall. The upper and lower walls form, with the bottom wall, a cross-section transverse to the passage which is generally H-shaped. In one or more predetermined cross-sections, at least one upper inner rib extends inside the H and transversely to the upper walls and the bottom wall, at least one outer rib extends outside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib, and at least one lower inner rib extends inside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib. A height of the upper inner rib in a central area of the H is compensated for by a height of the lower inner rib in the central area.

A collision resistance performance of a structural member is effectively improved while suppressing an unnecessary increase in mass of the structural member. The structural member includes a hollow member and a tension member. The hollow member forms a closed cross-sectional shape by a top sheet portion, a pair of sidewall portions each continuous to each side of the top sheet portion in a width direction, and a bottom sheet portion arranged to face the top sheet portion. The tension member is formed by a metal sheet extending along the width direction of the top sheet portion and being thinner than the sheet thickness of the hollow member, and connects inner surfaces of the pair of sidewall portions facing each other to each other to restrain the distance between the pair of sidewall portions from increasing.

The present invention relates to an unmanned (100) and configurable as a standalone energy module mobile vehicle, which comprises: one chassis (1)a body (27) mounted on the chassis (1)a drive system (4) comprising a motor (51), the drive system (4) configured to receive commands from a user-operated controller, the vehicle (100) comprising at least a rechargeable battery module (80) configured to feed the motor (51) and provide a source of electrical energy.

The present invention relates to an unmanned (100) and configurable as a standalone energy module mobile vehicle, which comprises: one chassis (1)a body (27) mounted on the chassis (1)a drive system (4) comprising a motor (51), the drive system (4) configured to receive commands from a user-operated controller, the vehicle (100) comprising at least a rechargeable battery module (80) configured to feed the motor (51) and provide a source of electrical energy.

An exemplary method for making a metal matrix composite vehicle component includes: using a mold including male and female die portions having mold surfaces and a plurality of spacers; heating the mold to a casting temperature; placing a ceramic preform on the plurality of spacers, the ceramic preform being spaced apart from at least one of the mold surfaces by the spacers; closing the mold to form a mold cavity between the mold surfaces of the male and female die portions, the ceramic preform being disposed within the mold cavity; providing molten metal into the mold cavity; and pressurizing the molten metal to a casting pressure for a casting duration to infiltrate the ceramic preform thereby forming the metal matrix composite vehicle component.

An exemplary method for making a metal matrix composite vehicle component includes: using a mold including male and female die portions having mold surfaces and a plurality of spacers; heating the mold to a casting temperature; placing a ceramic preform on the plurality of spacers, the ceramic preform being spaced apart from at least one of the mold surfaces by the spacers; closing the mold to form a mold cavity between the mold surfaces of the male and female die portions, the ceramic preform being disposed within the mold cavity; providing molten metal into the mold cavity; and pressurizing the molten metal to a casting pressure for a casting duration to infiltrate the ceramic preform thereby forming the metal matrix composite vehicle component.

A carpeted automotive vehicle load floor including a composite panel having first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins and a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between and bonded to the skins is provided. The first skin as a top surface. A cover having top and bottom surfaces is spaced apart from the composite panel. A substantially continuous top covering layer is bonded to the top surface of the panel and the top surface of the cover to at least partially form a carpeted load floor having a carpeted cover. An intermediate portion of the top covering layer between the cover and the panel is not bonded to either the panel or the cover to form a living hinge which allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions relative to the rest of the load floor.

A carpeted automotive vehicle load floor including a composite panel having first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins and a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between and bonded to the skins is provided. The first skin as a top surface. A cover having top and bottom surfaces is spaced apart from the composite panel. A substantially continuous top covering layer is bonded to the top surface of the panel and the top surface of the cover to at least partially form a carpeted load floor having a carpeted cover. An intermediate portion of the top covering layer between the cover and the panel is not bonded to either the panel or the cover to form a living hinge which allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions relative to the rest of the load floor.

A vehicle skeleton member 10 includes: a hat-shaped member 1; a closing plate 2; a reinforcement member 6; and a plurality of welds 31. The hat-shaped member 1 includes a first top plate 1a, two first walls 1b, and two flanges 1c. The reinforcement member 6 includes a second top plate 6a and two second walls 6b. The welds 31 join the first and second walls 1b and 6b. The welds 31 joining the first and second walls 1b and 6b are located at positions on the first walls 1b closer to the closing plate 2 than the middle surface C1 between the first top plate 1a and closing plate 2 is. Edge segments 4 of the reinforcement member 6 are located between the welds 31.