A system for managing lateral loads in a vehicle includes a crossmember and one or more structures that may be deformable. The crossmember is arranged laterally spanning a first longitudinal frame member, arranged on a first side of the vehicle, and a second longitudinal frame member of the vehicle, arranged on a second side of the vehicle. The structure is affixed to one lateral side of the vehicle, arranged longitudinally forward of the crossmember, arranged laterally outside of the first frame member, and is configured to deform during a small overlap collision. The structure, when under load, is configured to apply a lateral force on an end of the crossmember to cause lateral displacement of the vehicle. A vehicle may include a structure on each side of the vehicle to generate lateral displacement of the vehicle away from a colliding rigid barrier.

A system for managing lateral loads in a vehicle includes a crossmember and one or more structures that may be deformable. The crossmember is arranged laterally spanning a first longitudinal frame member, arranged on a first side of the vehicle, and a second longitudinal frame member of the vehicle, arranged on a second side of the vehicle. The structure is affixed to one lateral side of the vehicle, arranged longitudinally forward of the crossmember, arranged laterally outside of the first frame member, and is configured to deform during a small overlap collision. The structure, when under load, is configured to apply a lateral force on an end of the crossmember to cause lateral displacement of the vehicle. A vehicle may include a structure on each side of the vehicle to generate lateral displacement of the vehicle away from a colliding rigid barrier.

A rear vehicle body structure includes two opposite rear side members to which wheelhouse panels are respectively coupled and spring seats positioned respectively at lower sides of the two opposite rear side members.

A rear vehicle body structure includes two opposite rear side members to which wheelhouse panels are respectively coupled and spring seats positioned respectively at lower sides of the two opposite rear side members.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

Embodiments of the invention provide a storage container including a roof and two opposing side walls. At least one of the roof and the two side walls comprises a panel member including an inner skin, an outer skin, and a core between the inner skin and the outer skin. The panel member also including an inner skin trailing edge extending beyond the core and the outer skin and an outer skin leading edge, opposite the inner skin trailing edge, extending beyond the core and the inner skin. A viscoelastic tape is provided along the trailing edge and leading edge to maintain the position of the panel. Multiple panels can be joined with an adhesive material, with the viscoelastic tape maintaining the connection between the panels while the adhesive material sets and preventing the adhesive material from exiting past the trailing and leading edges.

Embodiments of the invention provide a storage container including a roof and two opposing side walls. At least one of the roof and the two side walls comprises a panel member including an inner skin, an outer skin, and a core between the inner skin and the outer skin. The panel member also including an inner skin trailing edge extending beyond the core and the outer skin and an outer skin leading edge, opposite the inner skin trailing edge, extending beyond the core and the inner skin. A viscoelastic tape is provided along the trailing edge and leading edge to maintain the position of the panel. Multiple panels can be joined with an adhesive material, with the viscoelastic tape maintaining the connection between the panels while the adhesive material sets and preventing the adhesive material from exiting past the trailing and leading edges.

A vehicle includes a body structure having an occupant compartment, and a frame structure having a chassis. The body structure and the frame structure are fastened together using a plurality of fasteners and an adhesive. To illustrate, the plurality of fasteners may include 20, 50, 70, or more fasteners. The adhesive is arranged at one or more positions along the interface between the body structure to the frame structure. The plurality of fasteners extend beyond the wheel wells, and provide hard mounts between the body structure and frame structure. The adhesive helps to prevent stress concentrations by extending the locations of load transfer between the body structure and the frame structure. Body panels are added before or after the body structure is affixed to the frame structure.

A front portion of a vehicle body includes front side frames, a subframe, and a vehicle compartment front structure body. The subframe has a subframe body, a leg portion, a front fastening portion, and a rear fastening portion. The front side frame has a subframe mounting portion which is arranged on a front side of a bending starting point and to which the front fastening portion is fastened. A component mounting bracket having an inclined guide portion with a front surface inclining downward toward a vehicle rear side is coupled to a rear side of the bending starting point of the front side frame. The inclined guide portion is arranged on a track in which the leg portion detached from the front side frame is displaced rearward when an impact load is input from the front of the vehicle.

A front portion of a vehicle body includes front side frames, a subframe, and a vehicle compartment front structure body. The subframe has a subframe body, a leg portion, a front fastening portion, and a rear fastening portion. The front side frame has a subframe mounting portion which is arranged on a front side of a bending starting point and to which the front fastening portion is fastened. A component mounting bracket having an inclined guide portion with a front surface inclining downward toward a vehicle rear side is coupled to a rear side of the bending starting point of the front side frame. The inclined guide portion is arranged on a track in which the leg portion detached from the front side frame is displaced rearward when an impact load is input from the front of the vehicle.