The present disclosure relates to a door protection system (2) for a vehicle (1). The door protection system (2) includes sensor means (10, 11) for detecting an object (O) proximal to the vehicle (1). Processing means (14) are provided to process a signal (S1, S2) received from said sensor means (10, 11) to determine if the detected object (O) obstructs opening of a vehicle door (5, 6). Output means are provided for outputting a suspension control signal (S.sub.SUS) to control operation of a vehicle suspension (7) dependence on determining that the detected object (O) obstructs opening of the vehicle door (5, 6). The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle (1); to a method of controlling operation of a vehicle suspension (7); and to an electronic processor (14).

A vehicular apron is provided. The vehicular apron is dimensioned and adapted to extend the length of a door of the vehicle at its outward-most portion, thereby absorbing damage that would otherwise be imparted into the underlying door. The vehicular apron provides clips at each end for slipping on and off of a lip of the door only when the door is in an open position, whereby unintentional removal of the vehicular apron is nearly impossible when the door is in the closed position. Magnets along an inward first surface may also secure the vehicular apron to the door. A bellow strip or a plurality of spaced apart bellow piles may be provided along each apron. The bellow strip and bellow piles have accordion sidewalls which facilitate the bellow strip or pile being urged between a uninflated condition and an expanded condition for absorbing impact.

An opening structure includes a lower door having an upper end configured to be rotated and opened with respect to a lower surface of a vehicle body, a garnish unit located on a surface of the lower door, at least a portion of a lower end of the garnish unit configured to be tilted from the lower door, a driving unit extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to apply driving force to the lower door and the garnish unit, a first driver configured to tilt the garnish unit, a second driver configured to integrally pop up the tilted garnish unit and the lower door and to apply opening force thereto, and a hinge arm connecting the first driver and the second driver to each other.

Provided is a door structure including: a door installed capable of opening and closing a door opening part of a vehicle body; a decorative member attached to a surface of the door which faces an outside of a vehicle; and a sealing member arranged along an end part of the door which faces an outside of the door, and sealing the door opening part, wherein the sealing member includes a thick part which becomes thicker toward an inside of the door, and which is inserted into a gap formed between the end part of the door which faces the outside of the door and an end part of the decorative member which faces the outside of the door, and the sealing member is biased toward an inside of the vehicle.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vehicle protection device (VPD) having a telescoping barrier including a housing with at least one telescoping extension extending therefrom, and having clips at each end of the telescoping barrier to attach the VPD to a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a security extension may be attached to the housing which may releasably couple the VPD to a vehicle. Clips may be provided with two arms which may be operated to releasably couple the clip to a vehicle tire and wheel rim. A VPD may be provided with rotating extension arms. A VPD may be provided with at least one mechanism operable to transition the VPD between a fully collapsed state and a fully extended state, or partially therebetween. A VPD may be provided with fender clamps. Various embodiments may advantageously provide a compact, removable, retractable, non-magnetic vehicle scratch, ding, and dent protector.

A door edge protector device includes a protector, a cam member and a link mechanism. Cam portions are formed in the cam member, and the cam member is rotated by an input corresponding to a close/open state of a door. The link mechanism includes cam followers which are engaged with the cam portions, and the protector is attached to the link mechanism. By the engagement between the cam portions and the cam followers, the link mechanism moves in an interlocking manner with rotation of the cam member. A locus T includes an accommodated position corresponding to the close state of the door and a set position covering a door edge corresponding to the close state of the door. The cam portions are configured so that the protector moves along the locus by movement of the link mechanism.

A vehicle dent protection assembly includes a vehicle that has a plurality of body panels. A plurality of extension units is each removably coupled to the vehicle. Each of the extension units is actuatable between a deploying position and a retracting position. The plurality of extension units includes a set of first extension units and a set of second extension unit. A pair of barrier units is each movably coupled to a respective one of the first and second sets of extension units. Each of the barrier units is urged upwardly along the body panels when the respective first and second sets of extension units are actuated into the deployed position to protect the body panels. Each of the barrier units is drawn beneath the vehicle when the respective first and second sets of extension units are actuated into the retracted position such that the body panels are exposed.

A cladding device of a side sill of a passenger vehicle includes an inherently rigid outer cladding element arranged in a longitudinal region of the side sill below a door opening which can be displaced between a cladding position and a release position. A flexible cladding element is provided, one end of which is arranged on the inherently rigid outer cladding element, which can be displaced with the inherently rigid outer cladding element during a displacement movement between the cladding position and the release position. The flexible cladding element is arranged in a region of the side sill covered by a vehicle door associated with the door opening when the inherently rigid outer cladding element is arranged in the cladding position. In the cladding position, a gap is covered between the end of the inherently rigid outer cladding element, which has the flexible cladding element, and another component.

A cover device for a side sill of a passenger vehicle has a sill cover which includes first and second cover elements which are arranged in a length region of the side sill below a door opening and are coupled moveably to one another and a drive unit via which the cover elements are jointly displaceable between a first functional position and a second functional position. The first cover element is pivotable about a first axis and the second cover element is displaceable about a second axis. The second cover element is mounted so as to pivot about the second axis by a bearing device on the first cover element. The displacement movement of the second cover element relative to the first cover element is positively controlled by a slotted link.

A system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a door having interior and exterior sides, at least one inlet in the interior side, at least one outlet in the exterior side, and a door protector mechanism to move a protector relative to the door. At least one pressure relief valve is in communication with the inlet and outlet, and is mechanically linked for movement with the protector. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, mechanically linking at least one pressure relief valve for movement with the protector such that the pressure relief valve opens in response to the door beginning to open.