Deforming wheelhouse structure for a vehicle

A method comprising:

• providing a wheelhouse inner panel, comprising an inner flange that includes a first substantially straight portion;
• providing a wheelhouse outer panel comprising:
• an outer flange sized and shaped to interface with the inner flange along at least a second substantially straight portion in contact with the first substantially straight portion;
• a first stiffening bead situated forward from the second substantially straight portion;
• and
• coupling the inner flange to the outer flange with a plurality of joins;
• providing a first gap in the plurality of joins, wherein the first gap is aligned with the first stiffening bead,
• wherein when a rear portion of the outer panel is subjected to a loading force in a forward direction, the outer panel bends in locations proximate to the first stiffening bead more easily than in locations remote from the first stiffening bead.

A system for distributing crash energy within a vehicle, comprising:

• the vehicle;
• a wheelhouse structure of a vehicle, comprising:
• a metallic inner panel, comprising an inner flange that includes a first substantially straight portion;
• a metallic outer panel comprising:
• an outer flange sized and shaped to interface with the inner flange along at least a second substantially straight portion in contact with the first substantially straight portion;
• a first radially oriented stiffening bead situated forward from the second substantially straight portion;
• a second radially oriented stiffening bead situated aft from the second substantially straight portion;
• a plurality of joins coupling the inner flange to the outer flange;
• a first gap in the plurality of joins, wherein the first gap is aligned with the first stiffening bead;
• and
• a second gap in the plurality of joins, wherein the second gap is aligned with the second stiffening bead,
• wherein when a rear portion of the wheelhouse structure is subjected to a loading force in a forward direction, the outer panel bends in locations proximate to the first stiffening bead or proximate to the second stiffening bead more easily than in locations remote from the first stiffening bead.