A method and vehicle control system for controlling stiffness of at least one support structure of a vehicle includes at least one of an acceleration sensor, a braking sensor and a corner sensor for providing a driving condition of the vehicle. A controller obtains information from the sensors to determine the driving condition and control the stiffness of a support structure of the vehicle. A magnetic field generator provides a magnetic field to control the stiffness of the support structure having a magnetorheological fluid or elastomer. An electrical source provides electrical current to a support structure including an electrorheological fluid or a support structure including a meta-material. When a vehicle collision is predicted no energy is provided to the support structure to minimize the stiffness and maximize energy absorbance by the support structure in a collision.

A galvanized reinforcement beam is continuously formed by uncoiling a roll of galvanized sheet stock in a generally horizontal plane. Protrusions are formed at an upper surface of the sheet stock, which is then roll formed to form a tubular shape with the protrusions abutting a surface of the sheet stock to form venting gaps. The sheet stock is laser welded at the protrusions to continuously form a weld joint, where zinc oxide gas generated from the welding is permitted to escape an interior of the tubular shape through the venting gaps.

An embodiment of a thermoplastic energy absorber for a vehicle comprises: a base and a crush lobe. The crush lobe comprises load walls extending from the base and a convex front face located at an end of the load walls opposite the base, wherein the convex front face bow outward, away from the base. The convex front face is connected to the load walls with fillets. The base and crush lobes comprise a plastic material.

A dual position bulb seal is provided for selectively sealing an interface gap between two components of a vehicle. The dual position bulb seal includes an elongated base portion configured for coupling to a first vehicle component. A hollow, bulbous portion may extend from the elongated base portion. A flexible sealing fin upwardly extends from the bulbous portion, along a length of the bulbous portion. The flexible sealing fin may be configured to rest in a first, non-sealing position that permits a flow of air over the flexible sealing fin, and a second, sealing position contacting a second vehicle component such that it prevents a flow of air through the interface gap.

A body arrangement having a longitudinal member arrangement, a bumper cross-member, and a support element. The bumper cross-member is fastened to one end of the longitudinal support and an end portion of the bumper cross-member projects in the transverse direction beyond the longitudinal support. The support element is fastened to the end portion of the bumper cross-member and extends over a predetermined length towards the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The support element preferably extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal member arrangement. The support element is disposed or designed with a predetermined spacing with respect to the longitudinal member arrangement. The support element supports the end portion of the longitudinal member arrangement in the event of a deformation of the end portion of the bumper cross-member following a frontal collision of the vehicle, in particular a frontal collision with little overlap.

A protection device of self-propelled vehicle including a main body, a frame body, and at least two pivoting members is provided. The main body has a rail or a moving block, and the frame body has a moving block or a rail. The frame body moves on a plane relative to the main body via the moving block being removably coupled to the rail. The two pivoting members being removably pivoted to the main body and the frame body along two normal lines of the plane respectively. The frame body is forced to be rotated on the plane with one of the two pivoting members relative to the main body.

Aspects of the disclosure relate altering the rigidity of a vehicle's surface. More particularly, the vehicle may contain tension members that are arranged so that a change in tension across one or more of the tension members will alter the rigidity of the vehicle's surface. The vehicle may identify and respond to a potential collision by altering the tension that is applied to one or more tension members, thereby altering the rigidity of the vehicle's surface.

A framework structure of a body-on-frame vehicle, the framework structure comprises a first framework, a second framework, and a battery. The first framework includes: a pair of left and right side rails extending in a vehicle body front-and-rear direction, a first cross-member and a second cross-member, both extending in a vehicle body left-and-right direction and linking the side rails. The second framework is structured in a rectangular shape in plan view and includes: a front cross portion and a rear cross portion that are formed in chamber shapes and extend in the vehicle body left-and-right direction, and a left side cross portion and a right side cross portion that are formed in chamber shapes and extend in the vehicle body front-and-rear direction. The battery is disposed in a cavity surrounded by the first framework and the second framework.

A framework structure of a body-on-frame vehicle, the framework structure comprises a first framework, a second framework, and a battery. The first framework includes: a pair of left and right side rails extending in a vehicle body front-and-rear direction, a first cross-member and a second cross-member, both extending in a vehicle body left-and-right direction and linking the side rails. The second framework is structured in a rectangular shape in plan view and includes: a front cross portion and a rear cross portion that are formed in chamber shapes and extend in the vehicle body left-and-right direction, and a left side cross portion and a right side cross portion that are formed in chamber shapes and extend in the vehicle body front-and-rear direction. The battery is disposed in a cavity surrounded by the first framework and the second framework.

A bumper assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The bumper assembly includes a main body which includes at least one cutout. The bumper assembly also includes a window plate that may be removably coupled to the main body and cover the at least one cut out. The bumper assembly can also include a lower section that may be removably coupled to the main body and includes a protection plate extending below the at least one cutout.