A semi-rigid panel of foam insulation is secured transversely between the front fenders and certain body structures of a motor vehicle at several locations. Specifically, the insulation is located and secured to the fender by a retainer or clip having a channel that receives the insulation panel; the panel includes projections or lugs that are complementary to and seat within with frame or body member openings, ribs or other features; is secured within an integrated bracket or holder in the upper plenum having a slot or channel having a width equal to the thickness of the insulation; and includes a hook or lip that is received within an air inlet of the heating and air conditioning system of the vehicle.

Disclosed herein is a technique for further improving the quietness in a vehicle cabin while reducing an increase in the weight of a motor vehicle. A noise reduction member, arranged in a fender inner space defined between a fender panel serving as an exterior panel for a motor vehicle and an inner fender forming a wheelhouse, includes a pair of wall portions which are made of a foamed material and arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body. A floor of the cargo body is constructed of a first composite material. A roof, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a nose of the cargo body are constructed of a second composite material different from the first composite material. Various components of the composite cargo body are bonded together with an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners also may be used to join other components of composite cargo body.

A load floor for a vehicle, by which, as the load floor is manufactured by including manufacturing a honeycomb structure with paper and adding polyurethane sheets to both side surfaces of the honeycomb structure, light and sufficient structural stiffness and a sound absorption effect are obtained through the honeycomb structure. As the polyurethane sheets are respectively provided on both surfaces of the honeycomb structure, sound absorption and insulation performances are obtained to further increase a sound absorption and insulation effect.

A method and apparatus for transporting a payload carrying device is disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one payload carrying device, a vehicle for transporting the at least one payload carrying device, a connection device for connecting the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device, at least one sensor device for capturing information regarding the vehicle's surrounding environment, and a control unit for operating the connection device autonomously to connect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device where, once connected, the weight of the at least one payload carrying device rests directly on the floor and the vehicle autonomously transports the at least one payload carrying device to a desired location, and operating the connection device autonomously to disconnect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device at the desired location where the at least one payload carrying device is immobilized.

A method and apparatus for transporting a payload carrying device is disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one payload carrying device, a vehicle for transporting the at least one payload carrying device, a connection device for connecting the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device, at least one sensor device for capturing information regarding the vehicle's surrounding environment, and a control unit for operating the connection device autonomously to connect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device where, once connected, the weight of the at least one payload carrying device rests directly on the floor and the vehicle autonomously transports the at least one payload carrying device to a desired location, and operating the connection device autonomously to disconnect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device at the desired location where the at least one payload carrying device is immobilized.

The invention relates to a fuel tank of thermoplastic polymer for a motor vehicle, having at least one reinforcing element inside the fuel tank, the reinforcing element inside the fuel tank extending between opposing tank walls (15), parts of the reinforcing element passing through the tank wall and parts of the reinforcing element engaging behind the tank wall from outside, the fuel tank being distinguished according to the invention in that the reinforcing element (8) is provided with at least one multipart fastening head (11), which comprises a first closing means engaging through the tank wall (15) from inside and a second closing means engaging through the tank wall (15) from outside, which closing means are of mutually complementary construction.

An open top container for transporting loads and a rail for strengthening an upper rim of the container's peripheral wall. The rail includes a U-shaped first region including first, second, and third legs secured end-to-end; and an F-shaped second region comprising a base with first and second arms extending downwardly from the base. The base is secured end-to-end with the third leg of the first region. A first strengthening rib extends outwardly from the first region and toward the container's wall. The first rib is laterally spaced from the wall but runs parallel thereto for substantially the entire length of the rail. A second rib vertically spaced from the first rib but parallel thereto may also extend outwardly from the first region and toward the container's wall. The rail increases progressively in thickness from the first leg to the second leg, then the third leg, and finally the base.

A commercial vehicle having various GVWR configurations with a vehicle body with two or more axles, and a cab that does not pivot relative to the vehicle body, and a battery-electric-powered or hydrogen-electric-powered propulsion system. The vehicle has a center of gravity that is substantially lower, and a track width which is substantially narrower, than an articulating tractor-trailer combination with a trailer size comparable to the vehicle body of the present invention, providing substantially increased stability, and with all axles steerable, substantially improving the turning and trailing of the vehicle. Additional attributes are improved safety, increased payload weight and cubic capacity, higher productivity and lower maintenance costs. Many other advantages flow from this vehicle design.

A commercial vehicle having various GVWR configurations with a vehicle body with two or more axles, and a cab that does not pivot relative to the vehicle body, and a battery-electric-powered or hydrogen-electric-powered propulsion system. The vehicle has a center of gravity that is substantially lower, and a track width which is substantially narrower, than an articulating tractor-trailer combination with a trailer size comparable to the vehicle body of the present invention, providing substantially increased stability, and with all axles steerable, substantially improving the turning and trailing of the vehicle. Additional attributes are improved safety, increased payload weight and cubic capacity, higher productivity and lower maintenance costs. Many other advantages flow from this vehicle design.