Processes for forming blanks having tailored properties in localized areas are provided. The blanks are then formed into three-dimensionally shaped components (e.g., high-strength automotive parts). A sheet of high-strength metal alloy may be selectively heated in a first region to a temperature below a melting point of the metal alloy with a heat source, while a second region of the sheet adjacent to the first region remains unheated. The selective heating creates a first region of the metal alloy having at least one material property distinct from the second region. After the sheet is cut to form a blank, the blank comprises a portion of the first region and a portion of the second region. In this manner, a plurality of distinct tailored regions may be formed on each blank. The process may be continuous or semi-continuous and further include cutting of blanks from the sheet. High-strength structural components are also provided.

A side sill assembly for an eco-friendly vehicle protects a high voltage battery mounted therein from shock upon side collision. The side sill assembly includes: a center member 11 fastened to a side surface of a center floor panel 23 for a vehicle, a front outer member 12 fastened to a front end of the center member 11, and a rear outer member 14 fastened to the rear end of the center member 11, in which each of the center member 11, the front outer member 12, and the rear outer member 14 has a cylindrical cross section and at least one partition wall for partitioning the inside thereof horizontally and vertically to absorb collision energy upon side collision.

Some embodiments are directed to a support structure for use with a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame to which the support structure is attached. The support structure can include an elongated pillar defining a hollow portion extending therethrough. The elongated pillar can also define at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar. The elongated pillar can also define one other channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

A crush-tube assembly for securing a truck bed to a frame of a vehicle. The crush-tube assembly includes a first hole defined by the truck bed, a crush-tube defining an inner diameter, a cross-member defining a second hole, and a frame defining a third hole. A bolt extends through the first hole, the crush-tube, the second hole, and third hole. The inner diameter is smaller than the second hole and maintains pressure around a periphery of the second hole. The pressure applied by the bolt around the hole in the cross-member prevents abrasion of the e-coat previously applied to the cross-member and thereby reduces the potential for corrosion of the cross-member.

An embodiment component integration type rear lower includes a body frame having an end portion of a first side and an end portion of a second side and having a predetermined length, a front-rear connection member connecting a side sill at the end portion of the first side and connecting a rear side member at the end portion of the second side, a bush mounting member coupling a bush to the end portion of the first side, and a coupled torsion beam axle (CTBA) mounting member coupled to at least one of a CTBA, a chassis spring, or a shock absorber, the at least one of the CTBA, the chassis spring, or the shock absorber being engaged with the end portion of the second side.

A front pillar structure of a vehicle has a flange which connects an inner panel, an outer panel, and a side outer panel at a lateral side to which a door is mounted. The inner panel, the outer panel, and the flange between the inner panel and the outer panel integrally form from a tubular body having a closed cross-sectional shape.

A front vehicle body structure may include front lower side members extended along a length direction of a vehicle, disposed in left and right sides along a width direction of the vehicle, and provided in a lower portion in a height direction of the vehicle, front upper side members extended along the length direction of the vehicle, disposed in left and right sides along the width direction of the vehicle, and provided higher in position than the front lower side members in the height direction of the vehicle, and fender apron upper members extended along the length direction of the vehicle, disposed in left and right sides along the width direction of the vehicle, and provided higher in position than the front upper side members in the height direction of the vehicle.

A subframe includes: a main body portion extending in a vehicle width direction; a left vehicle body support portion provided on a left side of the main body portion and supported by a vehicle body; and a right vehicle body support portion provided on a right side of the main body portion and supported by the vehicle body. The main body portion includes a seat portion to which a securing tool is connected, and a lateral rib extending in the vehicle width direction and projecting downward along a reference surface that passes through the left vehicle body support portion and the right vehicle body support portion and intersects a front-back direction. The seat portion is located to overlap the reference surface. A lower seat surface of the seat portion is surrounded by a peripheral wall projecting downward. The lateral rib is coupled to the peripheral wall.

A sub-frame includes: a main body portion that has a vehicle body support portion supported by a vehicle body; and a reinforcement plate that is attached to a bottom surface of the main body portion. The main body portion includes a torque rod support portion which supports a torque rod coupled to a power unit. The torque rod support portion has a first shaft support portion which supports one end of a shaft supporting the torque rod, a first opening portion into which the torque rod is able to be inserted, and a second opening portion which is formed below the first shaft support portion. The reinforcement plate has a second shaft support portion supporting the other end of the shaft and covers the second opening portion from below.

A workpiece includes a plurality of knots and webs, which are formed in one piece, of a sheet metal, in particular a steel plate. Each web extends between two openings from one knot to another knot, and at least three webs meet at each knot. A plurality of the webs has a cross section, which includes at least one hardened and one unhardened area.