A frame joint connecting connection portions to each other, the connection portions being arranged in frame members of a vehicle, includes an inner peripheral wall including abutment surfaces, the abutment surfaces being arranged in the one connection portion and crossing with each other in the radial direction, tapered surfaces being arranged in the other connection portion and facing the inner peripheral wall, an expansion collar movable in the radial direction so as to abut on the inner peripheral wall, and a fastener keeping fitting of the expansion collar in a state where the expansion collar abuts on the inner peripheral wall.

A body for a vehicle includes a bridge member having a pipe shape of an open cross-sectional structure in which one side thereof is opened, having end portions formed in a closed shape, and having an intermediate portion formed to be bent, and at least two members, wherein the bridge member is connected to a weak rigidity portion between the at least two members of the body.

A body for a vehicle includes a bridge member having a pipe shape of an open cross-sectional structure in which one side thereof is opened, having end portions formed in a closed shape, and having an intermediate portion formed to be bent, and at least two members, wherein the bridge member is connected to a weak rigidity portion between the at least two members of the body.

A mounting system is provided for positioning a battery in a vehicle, particularly between frame rails of a vehicle chassis. The system includes a battery housing that may include a base portion on which at least one battery is placed, a cover portion, and a side wall perimeter portion extending between the base portion and cover portion. A plurality of mounting brackets are coupled to the battery housing and configured for removably securing the battery housing to a structural component of the vehicle in a manner that allows for limited movement of the structural component, such as minor twisting of frame rails, without the displacement of the battery housing. Each mounting bracket may include at least one flexible portion that is elastically positioned to conform to a shape of at least a portion of the structural component. Methods for securing the battery housing in a vehicle chassis are also disclosed.

A mounting system is provided for positioning a battery in a vehicle, particularly between frame rails of a vehicle chassis. The system includes a battery housing that may include a base portion on which at least one battery is placed, a cover portion, and a side wall perimeter portion extending between the base portion and cover portion. A plurality of mounting brackets are coupled to the battery housing and configured for removably securing the battery housing to a structural component of the vehicle in a manner that allows for limited movement of the structural component, such as minor twisting of frame rails, without the displacement of the battery housing. Each mounting bracket may include at least one flexible portion that is elastically positioned to conform to a shape of at least a portion of the structural component. Methods for securing the battery housing in a vehicle chassis are also disclosed.

An apparatus for a vehicle body including a rocker insert is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle body including a plurality of metallic structure members and a lower portion operable to provide support to a floor surface within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a rocker insert mounted to an in-vehicle side portion of the lower portion. The rocker insert includes an elongated bar portion including a hollow center portion including internal reinforcing web features. The rocker insert is oriented with respect to the vehicle body such that a longitudinal axis of the elongated bar portion of the rocker insert is parallel to an in-vehicle forward direction of the vehicle body.

An assembly for releasably engaging an upper vehicle part with a base vehicle part comprises the upper vehicle part, the base vehicle part and a securing assembly for ensuring that the upper vehicle part is secured to the base vehicle part in an operational state of the vehicle. The securing assembly comprises an inter-connecting member adapted to extend from the upper vehicle part to the base vehicle part in said operational state, said inter-connecting member having a body portion and a projecting portion defining an abutment surface. The securing assembly further comprises a releasable fixation support having a recess adapted to accommodate a part of the body portion, wherein another part of the releasable fixation support is capable of restricting displacement of said inter-connecting member in a direction towards said upper part vehicle by engaging with said abutment surface of said projecting portion in said operational state.

An assembly for releasably engaging an upper vehicle part with a base vehicle part comprises the upper vehicle part, the base vehicle part and a securing assembly for ensuring that the upper vehicle part is secured to the base vehicle part in an operational state of the vehicle. The securing assembly comprises an inter-connecting member adapted to extend from the upper vehicle part to the base vehicle part in said operational state, said inter-connecting member having a body portion and a projecting portion defining an abutment surface. The securing assembly further comprises a releasable fixation support having a recess adapted to accommodate a part of the body portion, wherein another part of the releasable fixation support is capable of restricting displacement of said inter-connecting member in a direction towards said upper part vehicle by engaging with said abutment surface of said projecting portion in said operational state.

A first body cross-member is disposed on body mounts and fixed to the body mounts through outer brackets and mount bolts that are fastening members. A battery and a cooling blower that is a battery accessory provided on an outer side of the battery in a vehicle width direction are installed on a vehicle body, between a pair of rockers. The rockers have a closed cross-sectional structure, and a brace that is a reinforcing member is housed in a battery flanking portion of each rocker that is a portion corresponding to the cooling blower in position in a vehicle front-rear direction.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attaches to a ferry vehicle for transport to the location of use.