An airbag module and a rail vehicle with an airbag module are described herein. The airbag module includes a support flap with a front end and a rear end. The rear end of the support flap is thereby pivotably mounted by means of a first pivot bearing, wherein the airbag module is convertible from a closed state into an open state by pivoting the support flap and the front end of the support flap thereby moves toward the track. The airbag module includes an airbag fixed on the airbag module. The airbag is folded in the closed state of the airbag module, and is unfolded in the open state of the airbag module. In its unfolded state, the airbag projects beyond the front end of the support flap, so that the unfolded airbag and the support flap together form an impact protection for a person on the track. Furthermore, a rail vehicle with one or a plurality of airbag modules is described.

A variable back beam and a method of allowing an inflator to vary the variable back beam in case of collision. The variable back beam includes a main beam connected to a front end module carrier, an inner beam inserted into each of both sides of the main beam, and an operation member operable to move the inner beam in a vehicle-width direction at the time of left front or right front collision of the vehicle. Since the back beam is extended in length at the time of collision, the impact area or shock absorption area of the back beam can be increased, the impact on the back beam, a crush box, and a collision object can be reduced, and particularly, it is possible to reduce the crush length of the left or right end of the back beam.

A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes a housing structured to be mounted on the mobile platform, and a ramp member coupled to the housing so as to be movable with respect to the housing. At least one airbag is operably coupled to the housing and is configured to be inflatable to move the ramp member from a retracted position to an extended position in which the ramp member defines a ramp structured to guide a wheel of a subject vehicle onto an exterior surface of the housing.

A shock-absorbing device for vehicles includes a supporting bar, and a gas generator and an airbag arranged on the supporting bar. The airbag includes an inflatable body with a first laminated foil wrapped longitudinally around the inflatable body and a second laminated foil wrapped transversely around the inflatable body. The first and second laminated foils are initially wrapped around the inflatable body in a temporary inflated state of the inflatable body so as to have a length in the respective longitudinal and transverse directions corresponding to the inflatable body in an activated state of the shock-absorbing device.

A towable crash-attenuating vehicle is shown having a frame; at least two axles coupled to the frame, each of the axles having wheels attached thereto; a T-shaped ballast coupled to the frame, and oriented such that the weight of the ballast is biased toward the front end of the frame; deflection shields coupled to the right and left sides of the frame, wherein the deflection shields cover the frame and a majority of the wheels on each side of the vehicle; a tow connection coupled to the front of the frame, pivotable from a deployed state to an undeployed state; an impact attenuator coupled to the rear of the frame; wherein the vehicle is provided with a brake system, and wherein said brake system may be locked and unlocked and wherein the vehicle is provided with an on-board mechanism for locking and unlocking the brake system.

A rail vehicle includes an airbag assembly having a housing, an airbag, a lid, at least one vessel and an aesthetic body panel. The airbag assembly is installed at an end of the rail vehicle. The airbag is placed inside the housing and the lid closes the housing. The lid is attached to the airbag so that it is located at a bottom portion of the airbag when the airbag is fully deployed. The lid and the aesthetic body panel, distant by a gap when the airbag is stored, are provided with compatible connecting interfaces so that the aesthetic body panel attaches to the lid through interconnection of the connecting interfaces upon inflation of the airbag with the pressurized fluid. The aesthetic body panel protect the inflated airbag from wear against the ground on which the rail vehicle travels.

A safety apparatus for a vehicle includes a structure, an inflator, a collision position detector, and a deployment controller. The structure extends along an outer periphery of the vehicle, and includes a plurality of partial structures. The inflator is configured to supply gas into the structure. The collision position detector is configured to detect or predict a collision position the vehicle upon colliding against an object. The deployment controller is configured to control gas supply from the inflator to the structure, based on a collision position detected or predicted by the collision position detector. The deployment controller causes the inflator to supply the gas to a partial structure corresponding to the collision position to deform at least the corresponding partial structure outward in a vehicle width direction.

An apparatus for reducing obstruction compromising operation of at least one sensor having a portion disposed through skin of a vehicle, the portion having a surface offset from the skin comprises a member disposed offset from the surface. The member includes a first side having an inner surface and an outer surface that opposes the surface of the portion, and a second side having a second side inner surface and a second side outer surface. The second side outer surface faces exterior of the vehicle. A space is disposed between the second side inner surface and the inner surface. Ports are pneumatically connected with the space, a source of compressed air and a vent.

An apparatus for reducing obstruction compromising operation of at least one sensor having a portion disposed through skin of a vehicle, the portion having a surface offset from the skin comprises a member disposed offset from the surface. The member includes a first side having an inner surface and an outer surface that opposes the surface of the portion, and a second side having a second side inner surface and a second side outer surface. The second side outer surface faces exterior of the vehicle. A space is disposed between the second side inner surface and the inner surface. Ports are pneumatically connected with the space, a source of compressed air and a vent.

A vehicle bumper assembly includes an adaptive energy absorption module operatively connected to a vehicle bumper body. The adaptive energy absorption module includes a primary deformable impact absorber member defining a primary impact chamber having a shape that is structurally adaptive or otherwise conforms to an impact force received by the bumper body. A secondary deformable impact absorber member is arranged in the primary impact chamber and defines a secondary impact chamber containing a shear thickening fluid that exhibits a decreasing viscosity responsive to the impact force. A plurality of fluidically connected tertiary deformable impact absorber members are arranged in an array the primary impact chamber and defines a plurality of tertiary impact chambers containing a volume of fluid, and has a shape that is structurally adaptive to the impact force.