Side impact protection for motor vehicles

摘要

The inflatable body (5) forms a buffer protruding beyond the outline of the vehicle. It is accommodated between the outer skin (1) of the vehicle and an inner base (4), the latter consisting of beams or reinforcing plates, and unfolds between them. Part of the skin not solidly secured to the chassis can move for a limited distance away from the vehicle, and protects the inflatable body. The latter also distributes the impact over a wide surface of the stiffening members behind. Outward movement of the skin can be allowed by unlocking the joint between it and the chassis, and can be limited by belts between the two.