A frame assembly for a motor vehicle that may include a first load beam, a second load beam, and a frame rail that are configured for receipt and transfer of energy to a sill that can move the sill in a downward direction. A counterbalancing load beam that includes a first fixed end is attached to the first load beam and a second fixed end is attached to the frame rail. The counterbalancing load beam is configured for receipt of at least a portion of the energy applied to the first load beam, and the counterbalancing load beam is configured to transfer the energy received from the first load beam to the frame rail such that the transfer of energy to the sill that can move the sill in the downward direction is counterbalanced by the energy transferred by the counterbalancing load beam to the frame rail.

A subframe for a vehicle, which comprises a first and second longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal members extend in a longitudinal direction (x) and are relatively offset in a transverse direction (y) of the subframe, a transverse front member connectable to the first and second longitudinal member at a front section of the subframe, a transverse rear member connectable to the first and second longitudinal member at a rear section of the subframe.

A vehicle storage structure is deformed and crushed, when an excessive load is inputted to a vehicle from outside, without any influence to functions of surrounding structures. The vehicle storage structure includes a case formed in a box shape having side walls, rising integrally with a periphery of a bottom plate, and an open top face, wherein when a line in a vehicle front-rear direction, connecting centers in an up-down direction of the bottom plate, is defined as a bottom-plate center line, and a line connecting a front end of the bottom-plate center line with a rear end of the bottom-plate center line is defined as a bottom-end connection line, the bottom-plate center line is a polygonal line having a ridge as a folding point and the ridge is positioned higher than the bottom-end connection line.

A forming sheet metal part (1) for a vehicle frame includes: a first portion (2) being locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The part (1) further includes a dedicated three-dimensional distortion-absorbing area (4), defining an internal boundary (6) within which the first portion (2) is to be locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The distortion-absorbing area (4) is dimensioned such that once said locally heat-softening step has been performed, the internal boundary (6) is adjacent to the first portion (2) and encloses the first portion (2) to absorb the dimensional distortions induced by the locally heat-softened first portion. The invention further relates to a method for producing a forming sheet metal part (1).

A forming sheet metal part (1) for a vehicle frame includes: a first portion (2) being locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The part (1) further includes a dedicated three-dimensional distortion-absorbing area (4), defining an internal boundary (6) within which the first portion (2) is to be locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The distortion-absorbing area (4) is dimensioned such that once said locally heat-softening step has been performed, the internal boundary (6) is adjacent to the first portion (2) and encloses the first portion (2) to absorb the dimensional distortions induced by the locally heat-softened first portion. The invention further relates to a method for producing a forming sheet metal part (1).

A tray (20) including a bottom wall (21) and a peripheral side wall (22) erected from an outer periphery of the bottom wall (21) includes a high-strength portion HT having a high tensile strength; and a low-strength portion LT having a tensile strength lower than that of the high-strength portion HT. The low-strength portion LT includes a recessed portion (C) having a corner portion (22C) in a first side wall inner surface (221a) and a second side wall inner surface (222a) which are adjacent to each other at a minor angle and a corner section (21C) on an upper surface (21a) of the bottom wall (21) having a minor angle to each of the first side wall inner surface (221a) and the second side wall inner surface (222a).

A tray (20) including a bottom wall (21) and a peripheral side wall (22) erected from an outer periphery of the bottom wall (21) includes a high-strength portion HT having a high tensile strength; and a low-strength portion LT having a tensile strength lower than that of the high-strength portion HT. The low-strength portion LT includes a recessed portion (C) having a corner portion (22C) in a first side wall inner surface (221a) and a second side wall inner surface (222a) which are adjacent to each other at a minor angle and a corner section (21C) on an upper surface (21a) of the bottom wall (21) having a minor angle to each of the first side wall inner surface (221a) and the second side wall inner surface (222a).

A vehicle engine cradle structure includes a front member, a rear assembly and a side member. The front member extends in a vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The rear assembly extends in the vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard area and a second outboard area opposite the first outboard area. The first side member has a first forward end, a first rearward end and a first forward outboard portion all being formed as a single monolithic unitary element. The first forward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard end of the front member. The first rearward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard area of the rear assembly. The first forward outboard portion extends in an outboard direction from the first outboard end of the front member defining an off-center impact area.

A battery box for a motor vehicle for receiving battery cells has a structural frame with at least two structural components joined to one another at the end face. Each structural component has at least one profile segment that is partially hollow and has a substantially L-shaped cross section. A reinforcement element for absorbing collision energy in the event of a collision is arranged within at least one of the profile segments. The reinforcement element is a molded part having a plurality of open cells, which are arranged adjacent to one another and with their longitudinal extent substantially parallel to one another. When the battery box is mounted in the motor vehicle, the open cells are oriented with their longitudinal extent substantially parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

A battery box for a motor vehicle for receiving battery cells has a structural frame with at least two structural components joined to one another at the end face. Each structural component has at least one profile segment that is partially hollow and has a substantially L-shaped cross section. A reinforcement element for absorbing collision energy in the event of a collision is arranged within at least one of the profile segments. The reinforcement element is a molded part having a plurality of open cells, which are arranged adjacent to one another and with their longitudinal extent substantially parallel to one another. When the battery box is mounted in the motor vehicle, the open cells are oriented with their longitudinal extent substantially parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle.