Device and method for increasing occupant protection in a vehicle during a side-impact

US7735901B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften e.V. · US
• Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Tobias Melz · Darmstadt, DE
• Michael Matthias · Darmstadt, DE
• Thilo Bein · Darmstadt, DE
• Eric Zimmerman · Kassel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 15, 2010
• Expiry date: Dec 8, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D25/04
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A device and a method are described for a motor vehicle for protecting passengers during a side impact or during a collision similar to a side impact, in which an energy input acts essentially laterally on a door area of the motor vehicle, a vehicle seat being located on the side of the motor vehicle door facing away from the energy input, having at least one unit stabilizing the motor vehicle door against an energy input acting essentially laterally on the motor vehicle door, which provides at least one lateral impact girder traversing the motor vehicle door internally, which is operationally linked in case of collision to at least two support areas within stable vehicle body areas enclosing the motor vehicle door. The present invention is distinguished in that the side impact girder and/or the support areas within the vehicle body area enclosing the motor vehicle door provide(s) at least one actuator, which is activable through controlled supply of a form of energy independent of the energy input produced by the collision and produces the operational link between the side impact girder and the support areas in a controlled way.