An exemplary vehicle assembly, includes, among other things, an inflatable device that transitions between a less expanded position and a more expanded position. The inflatable device in the more inflated position is disposed within a door opening of a vehicle. A side door of the vehicle is detached from the vehicle to provide the door opening. An exemplary occupant protection method includes, among other things, after a side door of a vehicle is detached from the vehicle to provide a door opening, transitioning an inflatable device from a less expanded position to a more expanded position. The inflatable device in the more inflated position is disposed within the door opening.

A vehicular shock absorber to be mounted on a vehicular exterior side with respect to a vehicular interior component includes a low rigidity portion, a high rigidity portion having higher rigidity than the low rigidity portion, and a first connection portion. The low rigidity portion includes a first plate portion that has a first vehicular interior side surface, and a first mount portion that extends from the first vehicular interior side surface and is to be fixed to the vehicular interior component. The high rigidity portion includes a second plate portion that has a second vehicular interior side surface, and a second mount portion that extends from the second vehicular interior side surface and is to be fixed to the vehicular interior component. The first connection portion extends between and connects the first plate portion of the low rigidity portion and the second plate portion of the high rigidity portion.

Doors for motor vehicles include door trim panel assemblies having multiple door trim panels held together at attachment points. A door trim panel includes a weakened perimeter formed from a series of apertures in the panel, creating a predetermined breakaway point where the assembly will rupture in the event a load is applied. Methods for tuning the durability of a trim panel assembly include a repeatable cycle in which pins are selected and inserted in a mold at varying positions. During injection molding, the pins form apertures to create a predetermined breakaway point. Changing the size, shape, and location of the pins allows tuning of the durability and properties of the breakaway point. Injection molds have variable pin placement capability to facilitate the method.

A shock absorbing structure of a vehicle door including a vehicle body panel with a service hole includes a door trim and a shock absorber. The door trim covers the vehicle body panel from an interior side of a vehicle. The shock absorber is mounted to the vehicle body panel to cover the service hole. The shock absorber includes a shock absorbing portion that is inserted in the service hole. The shock absorbing portion is disposed such that an end of the shock absorbing portion on an exterior side of the vehicle is disposed more to the exterior side of the vehicle than the service hole and between the vehicle body panel and the door trim.

A vehicle door includes a door inner and a trim panel fixed to the door inner. An energy absorber having a vehicle-rearward end and a vehicle-forward end is disposed between the door inner and the trim panel and elongated in a vehicle-forward direction from the vehicle-rearward end to the vehicle-forward end. The energy absorber includes a first energy-absorbing component defining a cavity facing the trim panel, and a second energy-absorbing component disposed in the cavity. The energy absorber has a stiffness that decreases in the vehicle-forward direction.

A component for a vehicle interior configured to deform under a load is disclosed. An armrest for a vehicle interior configured to deform under a load is disclosed. A method for forming the armrest is disclosed. The armrest may comprise a substrate and base formed on the substrate. The base may comprise a core and a surface (or skin). The core may comprise a material configured to deform under a load (e.g. impact). The method for forming the armrest may comprise the steps of: (a) placing the substrate in a mold and (b) forming the base on the substrate. A coating may be provided in the mold. The substrate may be formed from a plastic material such as a thermoplastic material to provide a structure. The base of the armrest may be formed from a plastic material such as a polyurethane foam material to form the core with integral surface/skin.

A roof-mounted energy absorbing countermeasure system for use in a vehicle is provided. In one example, the system may include an impact detection module configured to detect whether a vehicle has experienced an impact and generate an impact detection signal in response thereto. The system may also include a countermeasure disposed between an outer roof panel of the vehicle and an inner roof panel of the vehicle. The outer roof panel and the inner roof panel may be separated by a first distance in a pre-impact state. The countermeasure may be configured to deploy, in response to generation of the impact detection signal, so as to cause at least a portion of the outer roof panel and at least a portion of the inner roof panel to be separated by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

To make it possible to make impact absorption at the time of a collision even when there is no sufficient space.

[Solution] An impact absorption member according to the present invention includes: a member that is placed adjacent to an exterior material 110 of an automobile and in which a height in a direction orthogonal to the exterior material is larger than a width in a direction along the exterior material in a cross section orthogonal to an extending direction of the member. By this configuration, a first member 122 and a second member 124 are arranged so as to extend in different directions and be adjacent to the exterior material 110 of an automobile, and therefore impact absorption at the time of a collision can be made even when there is no sufficient space.

The present invention provides a side collision energy absorbing structure that gives a good performance while avoiding breakage of a door trim. A side collision energy absorbing structure 2 includes an energy absorber 10 made of molded resin and formed separately from a door trim 1. The energy absorber 10 includes a deformable portion 110 protruded outward in a vehicle width direction and a plurality of mounting flange portions 121, 122, 123 formed in an end portion of the deformable portion 110 on the door trim side. Boss portions 6, 7, 8 of the door trim 1 are respectively inserted and fixed in holes 121a, 122a, 125 of the mounting flange portions 121, 122, 123. The hole 125 of the mounting flange portion 123 is an elongated hole. The elongated hole 125 extends from where the boss portion 8 is inserted toward the deformable portion 110.