Abstract: A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

Abstract: A container formed with a plurality of faces. An energy absorbing material is within the container. A plate is located within the container. An elongated member having a proximate end and a distal end is located with the proximate end of the elongated member proximate to the plate. A first bumper is integral with the distal end of the elongated member. A first engagement mechanism is proximate to the plate, wherein the engagement mechanism has a first position that fixes the plate to the elongated member and a second position that uncouples the plate from the elongated member. A first sensor is located to quantify a collision force on said first bumper. The sensor communicates with the first engagement mechanism whereby the position of the engagement mechanism is dependent on a quantity of the collision force sensed.

Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes a first storage compartment for use by an occupant of the vehicle and a second storage compartment for storing a first folded airbag prior to deployment. A single integrated cover overlies the storage compartments. The cover is configured to be integrated and installed into an instrument panel of the vehicle when the airbag module is installed in the vehicle. The cover includes a manually operable first door covering a first opening to the first storage compartment, and wherein, in an open position, the first door permits access to the first storage compartment. The cover includes a second door configured to open when the first airbag thereby creating a second opening in the cover to permit the first airbag to deploy into the vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting the knees of an occupant located in an occupant compartment of a vehicle, the airbag module configured to be mounted behind an instrument panel of the vehicle and including a housing; and an airbag configured to be filled with an inflation gas. The housing may surround the airbag. The housing may include two connected portions. The housing may also be configured so that when the airbag is inflated and deploys the two portions of the housing disconnect and the first housing portion bends downward into a position where the first portion forms a ramp to guide the airbag from a stored position into the occupant compartment. The airbag module may also include a mounting mechanism configured to mount the housing to the instrument panel.

Abstract: The invention is a device for increasing occupant protection in a motor vehicle during a lateral impact, in which the energy input acts laterally on a partial area of the motor vehicle door wherein a motor vehicle seat is situated on the side of the motor vehicle door facing away from the energy input. The motor vehicle door is provided with an interior lining facing the motor vehicle seat and at least one partial area of the interior door lining is conveyable from an initial state into an extended state projecting by a drive unit into the motor vehicle interior. The drive unit is connected to the motor vehicle door and to the partial area of the interior door lining.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for the interior of a motor vehicle of the specification is described. The device includes two elements which are arranged movably relative to one another, having at least one actuator which is arranged between these elements and at least one receiving apparatus on the elements for fastening the actuator. The energy absorbing device is simple to manufacture and takes up a small amount of installation space, it uses a receiving apparatus shaped as a recess which is made in the elements and encloses the actuator at least partially.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device comprising a headrest configured to be movable forward with respect to a vehicle, and an actuator configured to implement the forward movement is disclosed. The device is configured to protect a vehicle occupant by operating the actuator to move the headrest forward in a pre-crash stage in the course of an object crashing into the vehicle from backside of the vehicle. The headrest is provided with an electrical capacitance sensor. The device is configured to control an amount of the forward movement of the headrest according to a variation manner of electrical capacitance, which electrical capacitance is detected by the electrical capacitance sensor when the headrest moves forward.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing system includes two formed and sealed components bonded together to form crush boxes that entrap air for controlled distribution during an impact, and an activator system adapted to extend the crush boxes in the event of a vehicle crash. Channels interconnect the crush boxes for optimal control of lateral flow of air for lateral energy distribution. The components can be thermoformed, injection molded, or otherwise formed. By this arrangement, the crush boxes provide a first level of static energy absorption when impacted in an undeployed state such that energy is absorbed at a first rate and stroke. Also, the crush boxes can be extended to provide a second level of static energy absorption when impacted in a vehicle crash (i.e., the activator system is energized and the crush boxes extended or “deployed”) such that energy is absorbed at a one or more different rates and strokes.

Abstract: A head restraint device (10) provides sideways restraint for a vehicle occupant's head (41) with restraint members (28) The restraint members (28) are movable between and operative position in which they extend on either side of the head (41) and a retracted position in which they are no longer positioned to the side of the head, so not impinging sideways motion of the head and/or access into or out of the vehicle. The restraint members (28) pivot between the two positions.

Abstract: A safety arrangement is provided in a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a floor pan (1) terminating at its forward end with an inclined splash-wall (3, 4, 5). There is a moveable floor element (10) which has regions (12, 13, 14) which initially conform to and lie adjacent the splash-wall. There is a drive arrangement (15) associated with an accident sensor (16) to drive the moveable floor element rearwardly to a predetermined position. There is a fixed platform (17) located above a horizontal part of the floor pan to be located beneath the foot of a vehicle occupant and to provide a secure point for operation of a pedal. The movement of the moveable floor element (10) is restricted so that no part of the movable floor element impedes movement of a foot pedal (6) to the fully depressed condition.

Abstract: An active knee bolster (28) and a knee bolster (42), whose accommodated positions are different, are mounted within an instrument panel (18) along a curved configuration of a wall portion (24) of the instrument panel (18) which, in a vehicle transverse direction, is convex and concave in a vehicle body longitudinal direction. At a time of a vehicle body collision, a main body (30) of the active knee bolster (28) moves from an accommodated position to a leg restraining position, and a leg restraining position of the active knee bolster (28) and a leg restraining position of the fixed-type knee bolster (42) become equal positions in the vehicle body longitudinal direction. In accordance with this invention, legs of an occupant can be reliably protected, and degrees of freedom in designing a vehicle interior wall such as the instrument panel or the like are improved.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraining apparatus is provided that basically includes a knee angle restraining structure, a shin restraining structure and a groin angle restraining structure. The knee angle restraining structure is configured to restrain a passenger during a frontal collision to attain a posture with a prescribed knee angle as measured between a passenger's thigh and a passenger's shin. The shin restraining structure is configured to restrain the passenger during a frontal collision. The groin angle restraining structure is configured to restrain the passenger during a frontal collision to attain the posture with a prescribed groin angle as measured between the passenger's thigh with respect to a longitudinal axis passing through a rotational center of a passenger's groin joint.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system which is activated instantaneously at an vehicle accident to protect an occupant's body against a disaster. An occupant restraint system (A) is provided on the back (1a) of a seat (1) with a shoulder top restraint device (4) for restraining the right shoulder portion of the occupant (2). The occupant restraint system (A) is provided on the side portion of the back (1a) of the seat (1) with a shoulder side restraint device (5A), which includes: a motor (12) adapted to be actuated by a sense signal of a motor vehicle accident; an instantaneous turning mechanism unit (13) driven by the motor (12); bifurcated arms (14A) mounted on the instantaneous turning mechanism unit (13); and a shoulder receiving portion (15A) mounted on the other ends of the bifurcated arms (14A) for protecting the shoulder side (3b) of the body of the occupant (2).

Abstract: An actuatable knee bolster provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle to protect lower legs of an occupant seated in a front seat of the vehicle. The actuatable knee bolster includes: an opposing section opposed to the lower legs of the occupant; a driving section driving the opposing section to move toward and away from the occupant; and a shock absorbing section configured to be plastically deformed when making contact with the lower legs of the occupant. In the actuatable knee bolster, the driving section is disposed inside the shock absorbing section.

Abstract: In the knee protection air bag apparatus, the air bag cover is assembled to a case which stores therein an air bag and an inflator and also includes an opening formed in the vehicle backward direction portion thereof such that the air bag cover is movable with respect to the case in the vehicle back-and-forth direction, in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle right and left direction and, at the same time, the air bag cover is mounted on its adjoining vehicle interior part (a lower panel). A projecting streak provided on the air bag cover regulates the movement of the air bag cover in the vehicle backward direction with respect to the case, whereby the expanding and developing power of the air bag can be properly transmitted to a breaking portion formed in the lid portion of the air bag cover.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraining system comprises a knee bolster, a bolster movement structure, a collision detecting section and a control section. The knee bolster is disposed in a front portion of a seat in a vehicle. The bolster movement structure is coupled to the knee bolster to apply a rearwardly directed pulling force to each transverse end of the knee bolster. The collision detecting section is configured and arranged to detect information relating to a collision of the vehicle and a probability of a collision of the vehicle. The control section is configured to operate the bolster movement structure based on the information from the collision detecting section.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use in a motor vehicle includes a blocking unit (6) and a drive (7, 8, 9, 10) to drive the blocking unit (6) from a position where it is flush with the dashboard (4) to a forward position where it will block movement of the knees of an occupant of a seat (1). A timing arrangement (17) is provided which controls the drive to return the blocking unit to an initial position after a predetermined period of time. An energy-absorbing element, which may be an air-bag (12) absorbs energy as the blocking unit (6) is moved from the operative position by a force applied to the blocking unit by the knees of a seat occupant.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system having a knee airbag and an upper-body airbag. The control unit inflates only the knee airbag if the impact load applied to the vehicle due to a collision or the like is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value that is set larger than the first predetermined value, and inflates both the knee airbag and the upper-body airbag if the impact load is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value.

Abstract: A rollover protection device includes a cassette housing which guides an extendable rollover bar. The cassette housing includes guidances for the rollover bar. The rollover bar is a single shell or multi-shell form part made of fibre reinforced plastic and has shell edge regions which at least partially extend parallel to the extension direction. The cassette housing is a hollow profile made from high strength material and is closed around the rollover bar and the guidance. The guidance is a plastic form part engaging at a shell edge region, is secured within the hollow profile and protrudes from the hollow profile at least downwards.

Abstract: In the case of a safety device for protecting occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of a rolling over of the vehicle, the motor vehicle passenger compartment has doors with side windows manufactured from glass in the region of the side walls. To reliably avoid occupants who are not wearing seat belts being flung out of the passenger compartment through the side windows, it is provided that the side windows are produced from a special laminated glass, for example with high-strength ionoplast interlayers, and that, in the event of a rolling over of the vehicle, the side windows are additionally assigned side impact protection devices integrated in the doors and/or seats.

Abstract: A safety device for reducing risk of injury to a vehicle occupant in the event of lateral impact accidents, includes at least one cushion element which is arranged on the vehicle, laterally adjacent to an occupant position, and can be moved by an actuating device from a rest position into a deployed position in the direction of the occupant position. The actuating device is driven by a vehicle-mounted drive.

Abstract: A safety system is provided for an automobile, which includes a plurality of sensors for monitoring a plurality of parameters. The safety system also includes a processor to ascertain an imminent accident. The system further includes one or more parasols that cover one or more day light openings (DLOs) of the automobile when the imminent accident is ascertained.

Abstract: A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

Abstract: An active knee bolster (28) and a knee bolster (42), whose accommodated positions are different, are mounted within an instrument panel (18) along a curved configuration of a wall portion (24) of the instrument panel (18) which, in a vehicle transverse direction, is convex and concave in a vehicle body longitudinal direction. At a time of a vehicle body collision, a main body (30) of the active knee bolster (28) moves from an accommodated position to a leg restraining position, and a leg restraining position of the active knee bolster (28) and a leg restraining position of the fixed-type knee bolster (42) become equal positions in the vehicle body longitudinal direction. In accordance with this invention, legs of an occupant can be reliably protected, and degrees of freedom in designing a vehicle interior wall such as the instrument panel or the like are improved.

Abstract: An airbag assembly including one or more elongate tether elements that extend through vent openings along travel paths from anchoring locations such that the tether elements extend in sliding relation through the vent openings. The gas emission capacity of the vent openings may be adjustable based on internal cushion pressure.

Abstract: A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash including: a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster; a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermediate the outer and inner bolsters cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover surfaces defining the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states; a means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state causing the outer bolster to translate away from the inner bolster; and a tether operably connecting one end of the honeycomb celled material to the means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state.

Abstract: A safety device for use in an automobile that comprises a bolster and a telescoping mechanism. The telescoping mechanism extends when pressurized by the rapid introduction of a fluid. Following extension, the telescoping mechanism vents the fluid to allow the device to be retracted.

Abstract: In a knee protection system according to the present invention, a knee protection panel is driven from a standby position surrounded by an interior member to the vehicle rear side to a knee-protecting position in front of the knees of an occupant by a drive mechanism when the vehicle is crashing, whereby the knees moving forward are protected by the knee protection panel thus driven. The drive mechanism includes a holding portion for holding the knee protection panel in such a manner that the knee protection panel is moved rearward. Engagement portions are provided, respectively, at locations where the holding portion and the knee protection panel connect with each other in such a manner as to be brought into engagement with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active impact protection system (1) for a knee area and/or a lower leg area of a vehicle occupant in a motor vehicle, particularly in a passenger car. The impact protection system (1) comprises an impact element (2) that can be extended toward the vehicle occupant out of a passive position and into an active position by means of a drive device (4). A particularly advantageous design results when the impact element (2) is formed by a lid of a passenger-side glove compartment (3).

Abstract: An occupant knee protection apparatus for a vehicle includes a knee airbag 11 disposed in front of a knee portion B1, B2 of an occupant and configured to expand and deploy toward the knee portion B1, B2 of the occupant upon collision of the vehicle to thereby protect the knee portion B1, B2 of the occupant. The knee airbag 11 is attached to a panel 21 capable of absorbing energy. The panel 21 is connected to a support member of the vehicle; that is, an instrument-panel reinforcement 23, via brackets 22 capable of absorbing energy. The panel 21 is disposed in front of the knee portion B1 of the occupant at a vertical position where the knee portion B1 of the occupant can come into contact with the panel 21 when the occupant has a small build as compared with a standard build.

Abstract: An airbag device, provided below a pad of a vehicle seat cushion, comprises an airbag which deploys at a time of a vehicle collision, and an enveloping member which envelops the airbag in a tube shape; the airbag device is characterized in being provided at a position substantially in a center of the seat cushion in the back-and-forth direction of the vehicle, and in that the enveloping member has different peripheral lengths in an intermediate portion thereof and in end portions thereof.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for suppressing a load received by an airbag housed in a motor vehicle seat with an airbag module having a construction in which the airbag is developed and expanded from a down side to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a motor vehicle occupant toward a front side of a motor vehicle, which is in a condition seated in the motor vehicle seat when in occurrence of an accident. In one form, the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention is constructed to house an airbag module in a housing portion provided in a seat pan, and to be provided with an airbag cover that intercepts a housing opening of the housing portion and that covers a housing opening side of the airbag. The airbag cover is joined to a joining surface of the seat pan in a surface contact manner.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for preventing moisture absorption of an airbag housed in a motor vehicle seat with an airbag module having a construction in which the airbag is developed and expanded from a down side to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a motor vehicle occupant toward a front side of a motor vehicle, which is in a condition seated in the motor vehicle seat when in occurrence of an accident. In one form, the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention is constructed to house an airbag module in a housing portion provided in a seat pan, and to be provided with an airbag cover that intercepts a housing opening of the housing portion and that covers a housing opening side of the airbag.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for aiming at improving workability when in the assembling operation in a motor vehicle seat with an airbag module having a construction in which the airbag is developed and expanded from a down side to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a motor vehicle occupant toward a front side of the motor vehicle, which is in a condition seated in the motor vehicle seat when in occurrence of an accident. In one form, the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention is constructed to house an airbag module in a housing portion provided in a seat pan, and to be provided with an airbag cover that intercepts a housing opening of the housing portion and that covers a housing opening side of the airbag. In addition, the motor vehicle seat has a positioning mechanism for positioning the airbag cover and the seat pan to each other in the mounted condition of the airbag cover.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for suppressing a load received by an airbag housed in a motor vehicle seat with an airbag module having a construction in which the airbag is developed and expanded from a down side to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a motor vehicle occupant toward a front side of a motor vehicle, which is in a condition seated in the motor vehicle seat when in occurrence of an accident. In one form, the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention is constructed to house an airbag module in a housing portion provided in a seat pan, and to be provided with an airbag cover that intercepts a housing opening of the housing portion and that covers a housing opening side of the airbag.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus includes a controller for controlling a reversible occupant restraint so as to restrain an occupant when three conditions are met, i.e., a first condition that the steering angle of a steering wheel has exceeded a steering angle threshold, a second condition that the steering angle speed has exceeded a steering angle speed threshold, and a third condition that the steering angle acceleration has exceeded a specific steering angle acceleration threshold.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for aiming at improving workability of an assembling work for assembling an airbag module at a vehicle seat main body side, in a vehicle seat, on which an airbag module is mounted having a construction in which an airbag is developed and expanded from a downside to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a vehicle occupant in a condition of being seated in a vehicle seat toward a front side of a motor vehicle when accident occurs. The vehicle seat with respect to the present invention has a construction in which an airbag module is housed in a housing portion in a seat pan, and in which a through-hole, into which a harness that transmits an activation signal to a gas generator when accident occurs is inserted, is provided in the housing portion.

Abstract: A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a shape memory foam disposed within an interior region, wherein the shape memory foam is adapted to expand to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. The shape memory foam is a material selected from the group consisting of shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory foam can be thermally activated to restore the original configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for aiming at improving an assembling capability of an airbag module in a vehicle seat, on which an airbag module is mounted having a construction in which an airbag is developed and expanded from a downside to an upside of the seat cushion, against a movement of the vehicle occupant in a front of the motor vehicle, in a condition of the occupant being seated in the vehicle seat, at a time when an accident occurs. A vehicle seat with respect to the present invention is constructed such that a hollow portion that is caved downward, which is provided in a seat pan is capable of holding an airbag module.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for securing strength while saving weight of a vehicle seat, on which an airbag module is mounted having a construction in which an airbag is developed and expanded from a downside to an upside of the seat cushion, against a movement of the vehicle occupant in a front of the motor vehicle, in a condition of the occupant being seated in the vehicle seat, at a time when an accident occurs. A vehicle seat with respect to one form of the present invention is constructed such that an airbag module, a seat pan and a bracket are fastened together and pressure caused at a time when an airbag is developed and expanded when an accident occurs is received by the seat pan and the bracket which are integrated by the together-fastening operation.

Abstract: A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant knee protection apparatus for protecting the knees of an occupant when collision energy acts on a vehicle. The occupant knee protection apparatus comprises a knee protection member, a contact force detector, a controller, and a drive unit. The knee protection member is disposed in an opposable position to knees of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. The contact force detector detects the contact force of the knees on the knee protection member. The controller performs control that reduces the contact force to a force control target value and that maintains the reduced value. The drive unit moves the knee protection member in the front/rear direction of the vehicle on the basis of an output signal from the controller.

Abstract: A roll bar assembly capable of punching through a rear window (12) on deployment comprises a deployable u-shaped roll bar (1) fitted with a pin (4) made of hard material. An item of trim (5) is located over the top of the roll bar (1) by means of a pair of spring clips (7,8). The clips are held under tension so that when the bar is deployed, they snap snugly around the bar, releasing stored energy which assists in the bar's deployment. The trim (5) is further provided with an orifice (6) through which the pin can protrude on the deployment of the bar thereby enabling the pin (4) to contact the rear window (12) and to shatter the glass.

Abstract: An energy absorbing knee bolster for use in an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. An energy absorbing support structure is configured to support an instrument panel within a vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a deployable tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant impact energy and an impact plate coupled to the tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant energy. An energy absorbing locking mechanism is disposed between the impact plate and the support structure. The locking mechanism is configured to encourage the collapse of the tubular means for absorbing energy in a telescopic fashion.

Abstract: An actuator of an active knee bolster is provided with a drive force generation device and a one way lock mechanism that is disposed in a vicinity of an operation end of the drive force generation device. The one way lock mechanism is configured such that, if attempted movement of a piston member in an inward insertion direction occurs, respective engagement portions are moved to a taper portion by urging force of a spring, whereby the engagement portions are abutted against an external periphery surface of the piston member such that the piston member and the engagement portions are fixed. Accordingly, as a result of the one way lock mechanism, a main body of the active knee bolster that has been moved to a restraining position cannot return in a vehicle forward direction, and thus it is possible to generate a substantial lower limb restraining force that restrains a lower limb of an occupant.

Abstract: Reversibly expandable energy absorbing assemblies that utilize an actively controlled and engineering material to reversibly change a shear stress or a flexural modulus property. The actively controlled and engineering materials include magnetorheological fluids, electrorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, and electrorheological elastomers. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A knee bolster for a vehicle has an air bag and an air bag inflator. The air bag has an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The air bag is attached to the knee bolster, which is moveable with the air bag. The knee bolster may move from an unactuated position when the air bag is in the deflated condition to an actuated position when the air bag is inflated. A guide structure, which is attached to the knee bolster directs the bolster along a linear path from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for a motor vehicle occupant. The device includes an airbag arranged on a motor vehicle body in the region of a lateral roof edge of a motor vehicle, the airbag being configured to deploy downwards during inflation so that the inflated airbag extends in front of at least one side window of the motor vehicle; and a guide extending longitudinally and being connected to the lower edge of the airbag. The guide is movably guided on the motor vehicle body in the direction of deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster system is provided for supporting a body portion of a vehicle occupant such as the knees and lower body or pelvis during a collision. The inflatable bolster includes a decorative substantially rigid front panel and an expandable metal rear panel attached to the non-metal decorative front panel. The inflatable bolster has an inflation orifice, and may have at least one vertical expansion fold and at least one horizontal expansion fold on the rear panel.

Abstract: A glove compartment assembly incorporates a compact airbag module with a cushion constructed at least partially of a rigid material. The cushion may be sandwiched between front and rear door covers so that inflation of the cushion moves the front door cover toward the knees of a vehicle user to provide antisubmarining protection. The cushion may incorporate the front door cover as a portion of its inflation gas-containing membrane. The glove compartment assembly may utilize a uniquely designed latching system, such as an electric latching assembly, a latching assembly disposed generally off the door, or a break-away latching assembly disposed generally on the front door cover, to permit motion of the front door cover away from the instrument panel without interfering with the airbag module.