An embodiment plastic composite material panel includes an outer plate portion bent in a predetermined shape and configured to be bonded to a vehicle body frame through an adhesive, and a material filling portion integrally formed with the outer plate portion, the material filling portion being thicker than the outer plate portion.

An additively manufactured node is disclosed. A node is an additively manufactured (AM) structure that includes a feature, e.g., a socket, a channel, etc., for accepting another structure, e.g., a tube, a panel, etc. The node can include a node surface of a receptacle extending into the node. The receptacle can receive a structure, and a seal interface on the node surface can seat a seal member between the node surface and the structure to create an adhesive region between the node and the structure, the adhesive region being bounded by the node surface, the structure, and the seal member. The node can also include two channels connecting an exterior surface of the node to the adhesive region. In this way, adhesive can be injected into the adhesive region between the node and the structure, and the adhesive can be contained by the seal member.

A hydraulic mount apparatus includes a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion disposed on a center axis and defining a housing chamber. A partition member is disposed in the housing chamber dividing the housing chamber into a pumping chamber and a receiving chamber. The pumping chamber extends between the upper portion and the partition member. The receiving chamber extends between the lower portion and the partition member. A decoupler is attached to the partition member separating the pumping chamber and the receiving chamber. A moving member is disposed in the pumping chamber and attached to the decoupler. The moving member is made from a non-elastomeric polymer sheet secured to the decoupler for providing the additional damping force.

A liftgate arrangement including a thermoplastic inner panel with an outer surface and an inner surface. The liftgate arrangement further includes one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements connected to and extending across a portion of the outer surface of the inner panel. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements also includes a channel extending between two openings on the one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements are used to strengthen the inner panel at desired locations.

A bracket for mounting a vehicle running board to a vehicle. The bracket includes an L-shaped main body having a bottom support panel adapted to receive and fixedly retain the running board, a top support panel adapted to be fixedly attached to an inboard surface of a vehicle rocker panel, and intermediate support panel adapted to be fixedly attached to a pinch weld formed as part of the rocker panel.

A mounting part (11) for affixing a composite fiber part of a motor vehicle to at least one adjoining component of a motor vehicle is made from a fiber composite material. The mounting part (11) has a three-dimensionally shape that defines ribs and/or webs and/or protrusions and/or depressions.

A vehicle chassis is provided. The vehicle chassis may comprise one or more vehicle chassis modules or chassis substructures that are formed from a plurality of customized chassis nodes and connecting tubes. The customized chassis nodes and connecting tubes may be formed of one or more metal and/or non-metal materials. The customized chassis nodes may be formed with connecting features to which additional vehicle panels or structures may be permanently or removeably attached. The vehicle chassis modules or chassis substructures may be interchangeably and removeably connected to provide a vehicle chassis having a set of predetermined chassis safety or performance characteristics.

A modular composite structure containing multiple individual composite structures attached together. The individual composite structures form sections of a vehicle component. The composite structures are lightweight and made of materials that can function to absorb energy or attenuate vibration or noise. The composite structures contain a core material adhered to a fiber layer and a fiber reinforcement region for improving the strength and stiffness of the modular composite structure. The modular composite structure can include multiple floor pan segments that can be attached to a central composite structure that can be a utility tunnel or housing.

An assembly of subassemblies having a mating bond interface for a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a first subassembly of molded composite material and a second subassembly of molded composite material. An adjustable mating interface couples the subassemblies together. The interface includes a groove and a flange disposed on the first subassembly and bonded within the groove. The groove is sized and shaped relative to the size and shape of the flange to allow a bonding position of the flange within the groove to be adjusted during assembly of the subassemblies so that the mating interface is adjustable.

A housing and trailer system comprising a trailer and a housing. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing and may be positioned on friction-reducing members that reduce friction between the housing and trailer. The reduction of friction facilitates the housing to slide more efficiently on the trailer. A safety lever and linkage system operates to safely move roof support structures and raise/lower the upper housing. An adjustable cargo system is attached to a roof on the housing. The adjustable cargo system is adjustable to receive and/or secure different sizes of cargo.