Safety device for a motor vehicle to protect passengers during side collision

US5000509A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT · DE

Inventors

• Ruprecht Sinnhuber · Gifhorn, DE
• Jurgen Wiemann · Braunschweig, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 7, 1989
• Grant date: Mar 19, 1991
• Expiry date: Sep 7, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/0006
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In order to protect passengers during an impact affecting a side of a vehicle, a safety device is provided in a motor vehicle. The safety device comprises an impact-resistant, low-deformation body part and a support structure adjacent to the low-deformation body part attached to the vehicle body. The support structure exhibits extremely low deformation in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel so that impact energy resulting from a side impact may be transferred through the vehicle by engagement of the low-deformation body part with the low-deformation support structure. As a result of these features, the safety device opposes penetration of an impacting object into a passenger compartment and provides good collision protection and force transfer.