Side impact protection device packaged between inner and outer panels

摘要

A side impact protection device for a vehicle packaged between inner and outer panels such as door panels in the door includes a load-bearing member rigidly attached with respect to an inner surface of a side outer panel and extending inward towards a side inner panel. The load-bearing member is configured to deflect a side impact load away from a portion of the side inner panel located between the load-bearing member and a rearward edge of the side outer panel. In some embodiments, the load-bearing member permits compliant flexing of the door inner panel by partially forming a cavity into which the door inner panel may flex when the side impact load is deflected by the load-bearing member.