A part includes a sheet metal component having a predefined shape and at least one additively manufactured reinforcement deposited on, metallurgically bonded to, and extending along a surface of the sheet metal component. The at least one additively manufactured reinforcement can be a directed energy deposition (DED) reinforcement rib. Also, the at least one additively manufactured reinforcement can be deposited on the piece of sheet metal before the piece of sheet metal is formed into the predefined shape, or in the alternative, the at least one additively manufactured reinforcement can be deposited on the piece of sheet metal after the piece of sheet metal is formed into the predefined shape.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a reinforcing patch. The vehicle body component defines a cavity. The reinforcing patch is disposed within and attached to the vehicle body component. The reinforcing patch includes a substrate and a reinforcing body attached to the substrate. The reinforcing body has a first tab, a second tab, and a first slit between the first and second tabs. The slit is at least partially filled by the substrate.

A vehicle door module includes a unitary frame and areas circumscribed by the unitary frame wherein the circumscribed areas are filled with a material comprising a closed cell polymeric foam. The vehicle door module can be made by overmolding or compression molding.

An impact absorbing structure for a vehicle wherein the impact absorbing structure includes a metal beam and a resin crash pad installed on a side of the metal beam where an external impact is received, the resin crash pad is installed within a range in a longitudinal direction of the metal beam, the range including a site including a longitudinal direction center of the metal beam and receives the external impact, the resin crash pad is composed of a thermoplastic resin composition, and the thermoplastic resin composition constituting the resin crash pad has a flexural modulus if 1 to 20 GPa as measured using an ISO test piece obtained by injection molding, a bending test is performed in accordance with ISO 178 at a strain rate of 2 mm/min in an atmosphere at a temperature of 23° C. and a humidity of 50% to measure the flexural modulus.

A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel that partially defines a cavity therein, a door handle assembly, a main reinforcing bracket, a first reinforcing bracket and a vibration absorbing member. The first reinforcing bracket has an upper end fixedly attached to the main reinforcing bracket and to a rearward area of the inner door panel within the cavity below the door handle assembly. The vibration absorbing member has an outboard surface, an inboard surface and a main projection that extends forward from the main body. The main projection is fixed to the first reinforcing bracket such that the main body is rearward of the first reinforcing bracket. The outboard surface is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the overall shape of the inboard portion of the door handle assembly.

The present invention provides a panel for a vehicle including a coated steel sheet locally reinforced. A method for preparing the panel and the use of the panel are also provided.

A method for producing a reinforcing component from different materials, wherein, in a first step, the component is produced in a first mould by plastics injection-moulding with foaming of the plastics material used and by reducing large cross sections of the component by insert parts of the same plastics material, wherein, in a second step, at least one type of fibre is wound around the component, and wherein, in the third method step, the component as a whole is overmoulded with plastic of a second plastics material in a second mould.

A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel that partially defines a cavity therein, a door handle assembly, a main reinforcing bracket, a first reinforcing bracket and a vibration absorbing member. The first reinforcing bracket has an upper end fixedly attached to the main reinforcing bracket and to a rearward area of the inner door panel within the cavity below the door handle assembly. The vibration absorbing member has an outboard surface, an inboard surface and a main projection that extends forward from the main body. The main projection is fixed to the first reinforcing bracket such that the main body is rearward of the first reinforcing bracket. The outboard surface is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the overall shape of the inboard portion of the door handle assembly.

Systems and apparatus for a vehicle for improving occupant safety and covering a service hole of a door of the vehicle. The system includes a substantially flat body portion configured to cover the service hole. The system also includes a plurality of energy absorbers disposed across the body portion, each energy absorber having a top portion and one or more side walls surrounding the top portion and defining a cavity, each energy absorber having a closed end at the top portion and an open end opposite the closed end, each energy absorber configured to absorb energy and collapse when force is exerted by an object on the top portion, the object moving from the closed end toward the open end.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a reinforcing patch. The vehicle body component defines a cavity. The reinforcing patch is disposed within and attached to the vehicle body component. The reinforcing patch includes a substrate and a reinforcing body attached to the substrate. The reinforcing body has a first tab, a second tab, and a first slit between the first and second tabs. The slit is at least partially filled by the substrate.