Patent ID: 7614472
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An automotive safety apparatus for protecting a person located outside an automobile from an impact with a part of external paneling of the automobile comprising: a device configured to deflect the part of the external paneling of the automobile in a first deflecting direction from a first position to a second position, wherein after the device has deflected the part of the external paneling to the second position, the device is configured to oppose and control movement of the part of the external paneling in a second direction counter to the first deflecting direction, the device including an element which, upon an impact of a person against the deflected part in which impact forces act counter to the first deflecting direction, can oppose a movement of the deflected part of the external paneling counter to the first deflecting direction in order to prevent the movement of the deflected part into the second direction, and wherein the device is configured to control movement of the part of the external paneling in the second direction counter to the first deflecting direction based upon the time of impact with the person in such a manner that, as a function of an instant of the impact against the part of the external paneling deflected to the second position, the device permits a movement of the part of the external paneling counter to the first deflecting direction or opposes such a movement in order to prevent the movement of the part counter to the first deflecting direction.