A force-attenuating system that is interposed between an exterior surface and an interior surface, either or both of which may be subjected to percussive forces. The system has a ceiling that is positioned proximate the exterior surface and one or more inverted hat-shaped force-attenuating units with sidewalls extending inwardly convergingly away from the ceiling. Some of the units have a floor that is positioned proximate the interior surface. Optionally the force-attenuating units may be configured as clover-leaf structures with a central region and hemi-pear-shaped lobes extending therefrom. Within the lobes is a floor that is positioned proximate the interior surface. The force-attenuating system may be deployed in an automotive or non-automotive environment.

A strengthening member for an automobile includes a cellular structure having a plurality of cells. A cross section of each cell has eight sidewalls interconnected at eight corners to define a closed polygon. The sidewalls define eight internal angles located at the corners. Two of the internal angles are acute and two of the internal angles are reflex.

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 eb 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.

A roof headliner for a vehicle includes a substrate defining a surface. The substrate is configured for attachment to an interior surface of a roof of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The roof headliner includes an energy absorption panel that is attached to the surface of the substrate. The energy absorption panel includes a silicone based material. The energy absorption panel extends an entire length along an edge of an upper roof zone of the vehicle, and is positioned to extend both inboard and outboard of the edge of the upper roof zone.

Provided is a damping member for a vehicle having excellent efficiency of input energy absorption. A damping pad serving as a damping member for a vehicle includes a base plate portion having a flat plate shape, a vertical wall arranged at a rim of the base plate portion in a flange-like manner, a plurality of ribs arranged in parallel as rising from the base plate portion, each of the ribs connected to a vertical wall as extending in a direction intersecting with the vertical wall, and a fragile section arranged between adjacent two of the ribs. The fragile section includes a groove formed at the vertical wall and a slit formed at the base plate portion.

Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to vehicle headliners. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, with a controller connected to a first impact feature of a headliner of a vehicle, a physical contact with the first impact feature with the first impact feature having a first bending strength prior to the physical contact. The controller subsequently activates the first impact feature to transition the first impact feature from the first bending strength to a second bending strength in response to the detected physical contact.

A roof headliner for a vehicle includes a substrate defining a surface. The substrate is configured for attachment to an interior surface of a roof of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The roof headliner includes an energy absorption panel that is attached to the surface of the substrate. The energy absorption panel includes a silicone based material. The energy absorption panel extends an entire length along an edge of an upper roof zone of the vehicle, and is positioned to extend both inboard and outboard of the edge of the upper roof zone.

The occupant protection device comprising: a base portion fixed to a ceiling portion of the vehicle; an operation portion connected to the base portion via a hinge and configured to move back and forth between a first position serving as an initial position and a second position used to suppress movement of the occupant when inertial force acts on the occupant, the operation portion configured to align with the ceiling portion at the first position; and a control unit. The operation portion is movable repeatedly from the first position to the second position through the movement control by returning to the first position after having moved from the first position to the second position. The occupant protection device further includes a buffering means configured to buffer a collision impact on the occupant against the operation portion when the operation portion moves to the second position.

An energy absorber includes a base sheet and a plurality of energy absorbing units with end walls and associated leaf spring or helicoid accessories extending from the base sheet. The accessories reduce buzzes, squeaks and rattles associated with an environment of use. In one embodiment, the leaf springs are defined by slits in a domed portion of the end walls. In another embodiment, the helicoid is formed by for example a milling step performed on an end wall. The side walls buckle or bend after absorbing energy. Methods related to the above are also described.

A deployable device of a roof impact absorbing apparatus for a vehicle includes a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, and a cavity between the top panel and the bottom panel. The roof impact absorbing apparatus includes a headliner adjacent to the bottom panel, and an inflator in communication with the cavity. The deployable device is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and is flexible relative to the headliner. During a rollover of the vehicle, the deployable device in the deployed position may reduce the amount of impact energy transferred to the occupant.