A body component arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a body component having a specific shape which under the action of an applied force has different load and/or stress conditions within different regions of the body component including high load and/or stress conditions in a first region and lower load and/or stress conditions in a second region. A pattern of through holes is provided so that the through holes in the region of the lower load and/or stress conditions form a perforation pattern having a configuration arranged so that the load and/or stress conditions arising in that region under the action of an applied force will have a substantially uniform distribution. This produces a weight saving that is very economical and achieves a reduction of damage in the region of lower load and/or stress conditions.
A reinforcing support frame structure, for use in a roof portion of a vehicle body, includes a panel enclosure with an opening for supporting a roof panel therein. The panel enclosure includes an intermediate portion, which may have two parts situated at different levels, with a curved border therebetween. The reinforcing frame also includes a brace operatively attached to the panel enclosure. The brace may include a triangular portion, having a narrow end facing toward the opening of the panel enclosure. The reinforcing frame structure may also include a plurality of interconnected crossmembers, which are operatively connected to the panel enclosure. Where used, the crossmembers give additional strength to the structure. The reinforcing frame structure may be substantially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis thereof.
In order to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle, a bodyshell element forming a hood or trunk lid has at least one edge area with an outer part isolated from a support structure, in such a way that the outer part creates an energy-absorbing zone in front of the support structure part as a means of protection in a collision.
