Patent ID: 6560520
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: B60N,B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle collision damage reduction system comprising:means for sequentially detecting distance information to an object to be impacted moving relatively; means for determining a collision danger level using the distance information; means for absorbing collision energy in a vehicle structure formed to support part of the vehicle structure and absorbing collision energy applied thereto in a collision; and means for controlling the collision absorbing energy means by outputting an operational command, before the collision, on the basis of either the object detecting means or the collision danger level means, wherein the collision energy absorbing means is an airbag for at least a portion of the vehicle structure, the airbag being inflatable, before a collision, by an operational command from the controlling means and deforming so as to absorb collision energy applied thereto when the vehicle structure deforms at the collision and wherein the expansion rate or the energy absorbing amount of the airbag is adjustable in response to the collision danger level.