Structural component for motor vehicle has actuator that changes shape when activated, induces tension in structural component body to counteract force applied by impacting/penetrating body in crash

摘要

The structural component (1) has at least one activatable actuator (5,6) of shape memory alloy mounted directly on or in the structural component and an element (7) for activating the actuator, which changes its shape when activated and thereby induces a tension in the structural component body so as to counteract a force applied by an impacting or penetrating body in the event of a crash. AN Independent claim is also included for the following: (a) a method of influencing the strength of a structural component.