Systems and methods are provided for dampening impact to a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle frame component; a plurality of adjustable exterior vehicle body components coupled to the frame component, wherein the vehicle body components are on different sides of a vehicle and are configurable to dampen an external force exerted on the vehicle; a plurality of actuator components configured to adjust physical configurations of the vehicle body components relative to the frame component; a component configured to collect data representing an external environment of the vehicle; and one or more processors configured to detect, by processing the data, an external driving condition, wherein the external driving condition is an impending collision between the vehicle and one or more objects external to the vehicle, and when the external driving condition is detected, cause the actuator components to correspondingly adjust the physical configurations of the vehicle body components.

A protective system for a high voltage module of an electrified vehicle arranged at least partially in a crush zone of the vehicle comprises a housing defining a front end and a rear end and having the high voltage module disposed therein, wherein the front end is securely connected to a frame of the vehicle and the rear end is disconnected from or loosely connected to the frame, the front end including high voltage wiring for the high voltage module, and a displacement device connected to the frame behind the rear end of the housing, wherein in response to a vehicle impact event that compresses the frame in the crush zone, the displacement is configured to vertically displace the rear end of the housing and the high voltage module therein, thereby protecting the high voltage module and the high voltage wiring from damage during compression of the crush zone.

A component, e.g., a bumper assembly, of a vehicle includes a fascia spaced from a bumper beam, a structure defining gaps between the structure and the bumper beam and between the structure and the fascia, and a computer programmed to supply electrical current to vary a stiffness of the structure in response to a vehicle speed beyond a threshold.

A pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle includes a bumper crossmember and a deformation element which is arranged on the bumper crossmember and which has a first element and a second element which are displaceable relative to each other in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, and a mechanical locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a movable locking element which is pretensionable or is pretensioned with a spring device and which is arranged on the first element or on the second element, and with a depression or step to which the other of the first element and the second element can be latched in a form-fitting manner. In the event of a high displacement speed which is greater than or equal to a predetermined second displacement speed, the locking mechanism prevents displacement of the first element relative to the second element by means of self-locking of the locking element. In the event of an average displacement speed which is lower than the predetermined second displacement speed and greater than a predetermined first displacement speed, the locking mechanism permits displacement of the first element and of the second element relative to each other.

A deformation structure has at least a first layer and a second layer, which are spaced apart from each other and displaceable relative to each other in the deformation direction or load direction. The first layer and the second layer have complementary protrusions and recesses, which are designed in such a way that the protrusions of the first layer can plunge into the recesses of the second layer and the protrusions of the second layer can plunge into the recesses of the first layer. The first layer and the second layer are connected to each other by deformable webs in such a way that, in the event of a high impulse in the deformation direction, the protrusions of the first layer plunge into the recesses of the second layer and the protrusions of the second layer plunge into the recesses of the first layer such that deformation of the deformation structure in the deformation direction occurs at a relatively low force level and, in the event of a low impulse in the deformation direction, the protrusions of the first layer hit the protrusions of the second layer such that further deformation of the deformation structure in the deformation direction occurs at a relatively high force level.

A pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle, for example for a motor vehicle front end or a motor vehicle rear end, has a bumper crossmember with a deformation element arranged on the outer side thereof, i.e. the side directed towards the front. In particular, the deformation element is arranged between a bumper skin and the bumper crossmember. The deformation element has a first element and a second element which are displaceable relative to one another in the event of a collision. Furthermore, the pedestrian protection device has a locking mechanism which, in dependence on a displacement speed, and thus on a collision speed, of the motor vehicle, and while exploiting a mass inertia of a locking element which is arranged or mounted on the first element or the second element, is adjustable between a locked state in which a displacement of the first element relative to the second element is at least partially prevented by, in particular, positive engagement, and an unlocked state in which a displacement of the first element is allowed.

A component, e.g., a bumper assembly, of a vehicle includes a fascia spaced from a bumper beam, a structure defining gaps between the structure and the bumper beam and between the structure and the fascia, and a computer programmed to supply electrical current to vary a stiffness of the structure in response to a vehicle speed beyond a threshold.

A motor vehicle having a rear spoiler that is rigidly attached to a bearing structure of the motor vehicle in a normal position. In order to functionally improve the motor vehicle, the rear spoiler rigidly attached to the bearing structure in its normal position is displaceably attached to the support structure such that the rear spoiler is displaced to a safety position by a translation device in the event of an imminent collision detected by a sensor.

A vehicle adaptation system for impact mitigation may include an adjustable element. Additionally, in some examples, the vehicle adaptation system may include a fixed element comprising a substantially pliable material. The vehicle adaptation system may be configured to modify a rigidity of a vehicle body by modifying a stiffness and/or a position of the adjustable element coupled thereto. The vehicle adaptation system may modify stiffness and/or position of the adjustable element based on one or more parameters associated with an operation of the vehicle, in order to enhance the safety of vehicle occupants and/or pedestrians proximate to the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a rail, a bumper, and an impact absorber. The rail defines a keyed orifice. The impact absorber has a primary tube secured to the rail and bumper. The impact absorber also has a secondary tube that is rotatably secured and concentric to the primary tube. The secondary tube has a radially extending protrusion. The secondary tube is configured to slide into the orifice during an impact when the protrusion and orifice are aligned and to engage the rail during an impact when the protrusion and orifice are not aligned.