A door structure includes (i) a door panel including a first wall provided with a hinge member, a second wall, and a first bent part provided between the first wall and the second wall, (ii) a first reinforcing plate including a first part joined to the first wall, a second part joined to the second wall, and a corner part provided between the first part and the second part, and (iii) a second reinforcing plate including a third part joined to the first part, a fourth part joined to the second part, and an intermediate part provided between the third part and the fourth part. The first reinforcing plate and the second reinforcing plate are configured such that a closed space is provided between the first reinforcing plate and the second reinforcing plate.

An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front crash pad, rear crash pad, and a connection beam. Both crash pads and the connection beam are coupled to an automobile in such fashion as to absorb and dissipate energy by converting kinetic energy into strain energy.

Disclosed is a battery-equipped vehicle body including: a lower panel of a vehicle extending in a planar direction, and having a battery coupled to the upper portion or lower portion thereof; a door opening/closing device located on the side surface of the lower panel, and coupled so that a door of the vehicle is opened and closed; and a cross member extending in a direction parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, coupled to the upper portion or lower portion of the lower panel, and located to correspond to the door opening/closing device in the transverse direction.

An impact beam for reinforcing a vehicle door includes an elongated beam having a hollow interior spanning a length of the elongated beam. The elongated beam includes an impact portion spanning the length and configured to face an exterior side of the vehicle door. The elongated beam also includes a cross-sectional shape having a top wall section and a bottom wall section that interconnect at a bend section of the cross-sectional shape, which includes the impact portion. The top and bottom wall sections each include an intermediate bend to define a substantially horizontal section and an angled section on opposing sides of the intermediate bend, where the intermediate bends are configured to limit inward displacement of the elongated beam from an impact force at the exterior side of the vehicle door.

A vehicle door includes a first interlock coupled to an inner frame panel. A second interlock coupled to an inner trim panel. The first and second interlocks are separated to define a ready state. During an impact condition, the first and second interlocks selectively engage one another to define an impact state that resists deflection of the inner trim panel away from the inner frame panel.

The disclosure relates to a crash structure for a motor vehicle, the crash structure being, in a starting state, at a minimum spacing of greater than zero from a door hinge of a vehicle door of the motor vehicle, and the crash structure being in contact with at least one contact region which is assigned to the door hinge in a crash state after a partial overlap crash by way of passing into an operative connection with a wheel of the motor vehicle, and forming a deflector surface for the deflection of the wheel.

A vehicle interior component configured for response in event of a side impact may comprise an armrest assembly for a door panel. The armrest assembly may comprise a base section and an armrest section and a region configured for response to side impact at the door panel. The region may comprise a movable/deformable structure. Response of the armrest assembly may comprise deformation to partially absorb force and/or movement of the armrest section relative to the base section to partially cover the base section. The armrest assembly may comprise a carrier and/or mechanism to attach the armrest section to the door panel. The carrier/mechanism may be configured to guide/direct movement of the armrest section and/or to partially absorb the side impact force. The mechanism may comprise a set of pins movable within a set of slots to provide for movement of the armrest section.

A door structure for a vehicle is provided. A door beam includes an arch-shaped beam body in which a center in a longitudinal direction bulges more outward in a vehicle width direction than a front end part and a rear end part attached to an inner panel, and a bracket interposed between the front end part of the beam body and the inner panel. A rigidity of the bracket is lower than a rigidity of the beam body. At least a portion of the inner panel to which the rear end part of the beam body is attached is opposed to a member on a vehicle body side located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, with a gap in the vehicle width direction being present therebetween.

An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front crash pad, rear crash pad, and a connection beam. Both crash pads and the connection beam are coupled to an automobile in such fashion as to absorb and dissipate energy by converting kinetic energy into strain energy.

Anchor brackets/tethers may be used to reinforce a vehicle's resin rear door without substantially increasing the mass of the resin rear door. Such anchor brackets hold an interior trim panel(s) in place, and keep the interior trim panel(s) connected to the door structure or portion(s) thereof. The interior trim panel(s) can act as a protective interior shield that eliminates any exposure of the interior cabin/passenger compartment from any outer (and/or interior) door panel cracks/gaps that may be created during an adverse event. Moreover, conventional interior trim panels may, during a collision, break apart, the broken pieces becoming potentially dangerous projectiles. By being attached to the door structure and/or door componentry, the chance that the interior trim panel (or portions thereof) becoming a projectile is negated or at least lessened.