In an embodiment, an energy-absorbing device can comprise: a polymer reinforcement structure, wherein the polymer reinforcement structure comprises a polymer matrix and chopped fibers; and a shell comprising 2 walls extending from a back and forming a shell channel, wherein the shell comprises continuous fibers and a resin matrix; wherein the polymer reinforcement structure is located in the shell channel.

In an embodiment, an energy-absorbing device can comprise: a polymer reinforcement structure, wherein the polymer reinforcement structure comprises a polymer matrix and chopped fibers; and a shell comprising 2 walls extending from a back and forming a shell channel, wherein the shell comprises continuous fibers and a resin matrix; wherein the polymer reinforcement structure is located in the shell channel.

In some embodiments, an energy absorber element can comprise: a first support wall and a second support wall, a crush wall joining the first and second support walls together to define a deformable zone; a connection mechanism configured to connect the first and/or second support wall to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for using an energy absorber element in a vehicle can comprise: detachably connecting an energy absorber element to a vehicle at a support location for a vehicle component, once the energy absorber element has absorbed energy, detaching the energy absorber element from the vehicle; and separately replacing the energy absorber element from the vehicle component. In some embodiments, the vehicle component is not replaced.

In some embodiments, an energy absorber element can comprise: a first support wall and a second support wall, a crush wall joining the first and second support walls together to define a deformable zone; a connection mechanism configured to connect the first and/or second support wall to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for using an energy absorber element in a vehicle can comprise: detachably connecting an energy absorber element to a vehicle at a support location for a vehicle component, once the energy absorber element has absorbed energy, detaching the energy absorber element from the vehicle; and separately replacing the energy absorber element from the vehicle component. In some embodiments, the vehicle component is not replaced.

An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded front wall deploys in a deployment direction toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded bladder member is joined along an outer perimeter with the front wall by a hot weld seam to form an inflatable bladder. The bladder member includes at least one substantially circumferential pleated baffle. An inflator couples an inflation gas into the inflatable bladder in response to a crash event of the vehicle. The pleated baffle forms a plurality of at least five vent openings including at least one stress relief vent juxtaposed to a peak stress region of the hot weld seam and a plurality of tuning vents which are concentrated at a lowest restraint-force region of the inflatable bladder.

An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded front wall deploys in a deployment direction toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded bladder member is joined along an outer perimeter with the front wall by a hot weld seam to form an inflatable bladder. The bladder member includes at least one substantially circumferential pleated baffle. An inflator couples an inflation gas into the inflatable bladder in response to a crash event of the vehicle. The pleated baffle forms a plurality of at least five vent openings including at least one stress relief vent juxtaposed to a peak stress region of the hot weld seam and a plurality of tuning vents which are concentrated at a lowest restraint-force region of the inflatable bladder.

A vehicle interior part includes a structure in which a soft upholstery material covers a front surface of a base material which is located on an interior side of a vehicle. The soft upholstery material is disposed in a stretched state on the front surface of the base material which is located on the interior side of the vehicle.

An active trim panel is for covering at least a portion of a pillar in a vehicle interior. The panel may include a body for covering the portion of the pillar. The body includes at least one accordion fold for expanding from a first position with the body closer to the pillar to a second position with the body spaced from the pillar as a result of the expansion of the accordion fold.

A personal protection assembly for protection in a side impact collision includes a first pad that is resilient. The first pad is substantially complementary to a seatbelt pulley and a portion of an adjacent column of a vehicle to which the seatbelt pulley is coupled. The first pad is configured to couple to the adjacent column to cover the seatbelt pulley. The first pad is positioned to couple to the adjacent column to cover the seatbelt pulley and is configured to provide impact protection, in the event of a side impact collision, to a head of a user positioned in a seat fitted with a seatbelt coupled to the seatbelt pulley.

A cushion apparatus for attachment to a rigid structure having an edge includes an elongated structure and a securing mechanism. The elongated structure is formed of a soft material and has a channel/slot/groove along its length that is configured to receive a portion of the rigid structure that includes the edge. The securing mechanism is configured to secure the elongated structure to the rigid structure. The securing mechanism may be integrated with the elongated structure and configured to removably secure the elongated structure to the rigid structure.