Front pillar assembly for vehicle, protection system, method for operating front pillar assembly, use and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a front pillar assembly (32) for a vehicle. The front pillar assembly includes a front pillar base (34) having a first end (38) connectable to a roof section of the vehicle body and a second end (40) connectable to a front section of the vehicle body. The front pillar assembly includes a protective element (36) configured to mitigate an impact of a road user on the front pillar assembly (32). The protective element is rotatably supported on the front pillar base at a hinge point (46) such that the protective element can assume a first angular position (44), in which the protective element extends substantially along an outer contour (42) of the front pillar base, and a second angular position (58), in which the protective element extends away from the front pillar base. A hinge point is disposed closer to the second end of the front pillar base than to the first end of the front pillar base. A protection system (18) is described. Methods, uses, and vehicles for operating a protective element of a front pillar assembly are provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a front pillar assembly for a vehicle.

[0002] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a protection system for mitigating an impact of a road user on a vehicle.

[0003] Additionally, the present disclosure relates to a method for operating a front pillar assembly.

[0004] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to the use of a portion of a front cover.

[0005] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising a protection system. Background Art

[0006] Today's vehicles typically include several systems designed to reduce the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, particularly in the event of a collision or accident. Examples of these systems include seatbelts and airbags. However, the safety of other road users who might collide with the vehicle in the event of an accident is also important. This applies particularly to so-called vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, one object of the present disclosure is to further improve the protection of other road users during a collision with a vehicle. In other words, the impact of such road users caused by the collision should be mitigated.

[0008] This problem is at least partially solved or alleviated by the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a front pillar assembly for a vehicle is provided. The front pillar assembly includes a front pillar base having a first end connectable to a roof section of the vehicle body and a second end connectable to a front section of the vehicle body. The front pillar assembly also includes a protection element configured to mitigate impacts on the front pillar assembly by road users. The protection element is rotatably supported on the front pillar base at a hinge point, such that the protection element can assume a first angular position relative to the front pillar base and a second angular position relative to the front pillar base. In the first angular position, the protection element extends substantially along the outer contour of the front pillar base; in the second angular position, the protection element extends away from the front pillar base. The hinge point is located closer to the second end of the front pillar base than to the first end of the front pillar base. The front pillar assembly can be understood as a portion of the vehicle body that performs a structural function. The front pillar assembly can be arranged on both sides of a windshield. Furthermore, the front pillar assembly can extend from the roof section of the vehicle body to the front section of the vehicle body. To this end, a first mechanical connection interface configured to connect the front pillar assembly to the roof section can be provided near the first end of the front pillar assembly. A second mechanical connection interface configured to connect the front pillar assembly to a front section of the vehicle may be provided near the second end of the front pillar assembly. The front section of the vehicle may include a motor compartment or a front storage compartment. In other words, the front pillar assembly may form an A-pillar. In this context, the front pillar base may form a structural portion of the front pillar assembly. The protective element may be understood as a panel element covering the front pillar base. In other words, the protective element may be a covering element incorporated into the cabin panel. The road user may be a pedestrian, a cyclist, or any other road user that collides with the vehicle. The first angular position corresponds to a position in which the protective element forms a panel element covering the front pillar base. In other words, the first angular position may be a retracted position. In contrast, the second angular position corresponds to a position in which the protective element does not extend along the outer contour of the front pillar base. In other words, the second angular position may be an activated or extended position in which the protective element extends away from the front pillar base. The hinge point being arranged closer to the second end of the front pillar base than to the first end of the front pillar base has the effect of allowing the protective element to rotate such that one end of the protective element is further away from the front pillar base than the other end of the protective element. This has the effect of allowing the space between the front pillar base and one end of the protective element to be larger than the space between the front pillar base and the other end of the protective element. This space between the front pillar base and one end of the protective element substantially reduces the impact of the road user on the vehicle, as it serves to reduce the relative speed between the road user and the vehicle. This means that this reduction in impact improves the protection of the road user during an impact with the vehicle's front pillar. Furthermore, the front pillar assembly according to the present disclosure is structurally simple and robust.

[0010] In one example, the protection element has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are arranged opposite to each other. In this context, the hinge point is arranged closer to the second end of the protection element than to the first end of the protection element.

[0011] According to one example, the protective element further includes an actuation interface positioned closer to the second end of the front pillar base than to the first end of the front pillar base, wherein the actuation interface is configured to receive a mechanical force for rotating the protective element. Furthermore, the actuation interface is positioned closer to the second end of the protective element than to the first end of the protective element. The actuation interface may be made of the same or a different material than the rest of the protective element. In either case, the actuation interface forms a well-defined interface for receiving the mechanical force for actuating the protective element. Furthermore, the actuation interface is configured to reliably move the protective element from a first angular position to a second angular position. The fact that the actuation interface is positioned closer to the front pillar base and / or the second end of the protective element than to the front pillar base and / or the first end of the protective element has the effect that a relatively small movement or displacement of the actuation interface can result in a relatively large movement or displacement of the first end, thereby creating a relatively large space between the protective element and the front pillar base. Consequently, impacts to road users can be mitigated in a reliable and effective manner.

[0012] According to one example, a protective element includes a protective portion and an actuating portion, wherein the protective portion and the actuating portion are arranged on opposite sides of a hinge point, and the protective portion is arranged closer to the first end of the front pillar base than the actuating portion. The protective portion can be configured to absorb mechanical forces from a road user colliding with the vehicle. In other words, the protective portion can be used to mitigate impacts on the vehicle. Arranging the protective portion and the actuating portion on different sides of the hinge point allows the protective portion and the actuating portion to be configured differently from each other. In other words, the properties of the protective portion and the actuating portion can differ. This allows the protective portion and the actuating portion to be specifically tailored to their respective functions. The protective portion and the actuating portion can be made of the same or different materials. Furthermore, arranging the protective portion closer to the first end of the front pillar base than the actuating portion allows the protective portion to be larger in size than the actuating portion. Consequently, the protective portion can extend along the entire length of the front pillar base, thereby further enhancing the impact mitigation effect on the vehicle.

[0013] According to one example, the protective portion is elongated. Additionally or alternatively, the actuating portion is elongated. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the protective portion is at least three times the length of the actuating portion. The fact that the protective portion is elongated and / or longer than the actuating portion has the effect that the impact on the road user can be mitigated over a relatively large space, for example, over the entire extension of the front pillar assembly or A-pillar. The elongated form of the protective portion has the additional effect that the protective portion can be stored in a space-saving manner in the first angular position. If the actuating portion is elongated, it requires relatively little space, meaning that the actuating portion can also be space-saving. If the actuating portion is shorter than the protective portion, the front pillar assembly can be designed to be space-efficient, as the portion actually configured to mitigate the impact on the road user can use more space than the actuating portion. Consequently, the front pillar assembly can be constructed in a compact and dimensionally efficient manner.

[0014] According to one example, the actuation interface is arranged in the actuation portion. This makes the front pillar assembly compact.

[0015] According to one example, the angular difference between the first angular position and the second angular position is 60° or less. In other words, the second angular position of the protective element is limited by an angular difference of less than or equal to 60°. According to another example, the angular difference between the first angular position and the second angular position is 40° or less. This effectively and efficiently mitigates impacts on the vehicle caused by road users. Furthermore, limiting the angular difference has the effect of preventing lateral impacts on the protective element, thereby reducing the likelihood of road user injury.

[0016] According to a second aspect, a protection system for mitigating impacts on a road user in a vehicle is provided. The protection system comprises a front pillar assembly according to the present disclosure and an actuator. The actuator is drivingly coupled to the protection element so that the protection element can be selectively caused to assume a second angular position using the actuator. The actuator can be understood as a component or unit configured to generate a mechanical force acting on the front pillar assembly (more specifically, on its protection element). In other words, the actuator is capable of rotating the protection element from a first angular position to a second angular position. This has the effect of reliably and quickly mitigating impacts on a road user in the vehicle.

[0017] According to one example, the protection system further comprises a front cover, wherein the actuating device comprises a portion of the front cover. The front cover can be understood as a hood that covers the front body portion of the vehicle, for example, including an engine or storage compartment. In other words, the front cover can be the vehicle's hood. The front cover can form part of the front section of the vehicle. The front cover can be rotatably supported on the front structure of the vehicle. The actuating device comprising a portion of the front cover has the effect that the front cover can be used to rotate the protection element. Thus, no additional and complex components are required for rotating the protection element. Furthermore, the movement of the front cover and the actuation of the front pillar assembly are time-coordinated in a simple and reliable manner.

[0018] According to one example, the protection system further includes a hood actuator that is drivingly coupled to the hood and configured to move the hood from a retracted position to a raised position to mitigate impacts on the hood by road users. The hood actuator can be a unit or assembly configured to generate a mechanical force to move the hood from the retracted position to the raised position. In the raised position, the hood is elevated relative to the retracted position. Consequently, impacts on the hood by road users can be mitigated due to the increased space provided between the hood in its raised position and the rest of the vehicle. This increased space can be used to reduce the relative speed between the road user and the rest of the vehicle. This has the effect of further improving road safety for road users.

[0019] According to one example, the actuating device drivingly coupled to the protective element comprises a hood actuator. Thus, the protective element can be actuated via the hood using the hood actuator. In other words, the protective element can assume a second angular position initiated by the hood actuator. This has the effect of temporally coordinating and combining the mitigation of a road user's impact on the hood and the mitigation of a road user's impact on the front pillar assembly. This further enhances road safety for road users. Furthermore, this protective system is structurally simple, as only one actuating unit, the hood actuator, is required to actuate both the hood and the front pillar assembly.

[0020] According to one example, a portion of the protective element is located beneath the front hood. This position of the protective element beneath the front hood is the case when the vehicle is in normal operating conditions. In other words, this may be the case when the vehicle is moving on the road without an accident. This has the effect of visually concealing a portion of the protective element beneath the front hood. This applies in particular to the actuating portion and actuating interface of the protective element. These components can thus be visually concealed beneath the front hood. Consequently, all components of the front pillar assembly and front hood required for kinematically coupling the front pillar assembly and the front hood are located beneath the front hood. In this position, these components are protected from undesirable environmental influences. This enhances the reliability of the kinematic coupling. In other words, only the protective portion is located above the front hood, allowing the protective portion to mitigate impacts on road users. Consequently, road safety for road users can be further improved.

[0021] In one example, the actuating device includes a pyrotechnic unit. The pyrotechnic unit can serve as a front cover actuator. In other words, the pyrotechnic unit can move the front cover so that it causes the protective element to assume the second angular position. Pyrotechnic actuators are particularly well suited to providing a relatively high actuation force within a relatively short time span. Therefore, using such an actuator allows the front cover to be quickly and reliably moved to the raised position and the protective element to the extended position.

[0022] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for operating a front pillar assembly. The method comprises:

[0023] - moving the front cover from the retracted position to the raised position, and

[0024] - moving a protective element of the front pillar assembly from a first angular position relative to the front pillar base, wherein in the first angular position the protective element extends substantially along an outer contour of the front pillar base, to a second angular position relative to the front pillar base; wherein in the second angular position the protective element extends away from the front pillar base using a portion of the front cover.

[0025] Therefore, when executing this method, the hood actuator can be used to move the hood from a retracted position to a raised position. A portion of the hood can serve as an actuating device to move the protective element of the front pillar assembly to an angular position in which the protective element extends away from the base of the front pillar. This method allows for the use of relatively few components or elements to operate the protective element of the front pillar assembly. Furthermore, this method allows for the timing of the application of the hood and the front protective element to mitigate impacts on road users. This increases road user safety in the event of a collision with a vehicle comprising the front pillar assembly and the hood.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, a portion of the front hood is used as an actuating device for a protective element of a front pillar assembly. Using the front hood as an actuating device for the protective element can reduce the number of units or components required to actuate the movement of the protective element. In other words, without using the front hood as an actuating device, additional components would be required to actuate the movement of the protective element. Since most vehicles include a front hood, fewer components are required. This has the effect of eliminating the need for additional and / or more complex actuating devices. Furthermore, using the front hood in this way can allow for the construction of a more compact vehicle with an enhanced road safety system using less complex components. Therefore, this use can be cost-effective.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, a vehicle is provided that includes a protection system according to the present disclosure. This has the effect of eliminating the need to equip the vehicle with additional and / or more complex actuation devices. Furthermore, road safety for road users can be improved. Furthermore, such a vehicle can be constructed in a cost-effective manner.

[0028] It should be noted that the above examples can be combined with each other, regardless of the aspects involved. Thus, the method can be combined with structural features, and likewise, the apparatus and system can be combined with the features described above with respect to the method.

[0029] These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 A vehicle according to the present disclosure is shown, comprising a protection system according to the present disclosure and a front pillar assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the front pillar assembly can be operated using a method according to the present disclosure,

[0032] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a protection system for a vehicle, wherein the protection element is in a first angular position,

[0033] Figure 3 With Figure 2 The corresponding view shows the Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a protection system for a vehicle, wherein the protection element is in a second angular position, and

[0034] Figure 4 Steps of a method for operating a front pillar assembly according to the present disclosure are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The drawings are only schematic representations and serve only to illustrate examples of the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are generally provided with the same reference numerals.

[0036] Figure 1 A vehicle 10 is shown. The vehicle 10 comprises a vehicle body having a roof section 12 and a front section 14. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 comprises a front hood 16 forming part of the front section 14.

[0037] Additionally, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a protection system 18 .

[0038] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 1 , the protection system 18 , the hood 16 , and other components of the vehicle 10 coupled thereto are shown in greater detail.

[0039] The vehicle 10 also includes a hood actuator 20 .

[0040] In this example, the front cover actuator 20 is a pyrotechnic unit 22 configured to move an actuation rod 24 .

[0041] As from Figure 2 As can be best seen, the front cover 16 is rotatably supported at a hinge point 26. The front cover actuator 20 is drivingly coupled to the front cover 16 so that the front cover 16 can be moved from a retracted position 28 to a raised position 30. Figure 2 , the retracted position 28 is shown. In this position, the front cover 16 closes the engine compartment or luggage compartment provided in the front section 14 of the vehicle 10.

[0042] Raised position 30 Figure 3 In the raised position, the front cover 16 is raised relative to the retracted position 28 by rotating the front cover 16 about the hinge point 26 using the front cover actuator 20 .

[0043] The protection system 18 includes a front pillar assembly 32. The front pillar assembly 32 includes a front pillar base 34 and a protection element 36.

[0044] The front pillar base 34 has a first end 38 and a second end 40. The first end 38 is mechanically connected to the roof section 12 of the vehicle 10. The second end 40 is mechanically connected to the front section 14 of the vehicle 10.

[0045] The protective element 36 is configured to mitigate impacts of road users on the front pillar assembly 32 .

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the protective element 36 extends substantially along the outer contour 42 of the front pillar base 34 in the first angular position 44 . In other words, the first angular position 44 is defined relative to the front pillar base 34 .

[0047] The protective element 36 is rotatably supported on the front pillar base 34 at a hinge point 46. The hinge point 46 is located closer to the second end 40 of the front pillar base 34 than to the first end 38 of the front pillar base 34.

[0048] In the example shown in the figures, the hinge point 46 is arranged directly adjacent to the second end 40 .

[0049] The protection element 36 includes a protection portion 48 and an actuation portion 50 .

[0050] The protective portion 48 and the actuating portion 50 are elongated, with the protective portion 48 being approximately four times longer than the actuating portion 50 .

[0051] The protection portion 48 and the actuation portion 50 are arranged on opposite sides of the hinge point 46 .

[0052] Figure 2 The protective portion 48 is shown disposed closer to the first end 38 of the front pillar base 34 than the actuating portion 50 .

[0053] Thus, since the hinge point 46 is arranged directly adjacent to the second end 40 in this example, the protective portion 48 and the actuating portion 50 also extend on opposite sides of the second end 40 .

[0054] The protective element 36 also includes an actuation interface 52. The actuation interface 52 is configured to receive a mechanical force for rotating the protective element 36 about the hinge point 46. The actuation interface 52 is arranged closer to the second end 40 of the front pillar base 34 than to the first end 38 of the front pillar base 34. In the example shown in the figures, the actuation interface 52 and the protective portion 48 are arranged on opposite sides of the second end 40 and the hinge point 46.

[0055] In the present example, the actuation interface 52 is arranged in an actuation portion located below the front cover 16 .

[0056] The protection system 18 further comprises an actuating device 54. In the present example, the actuating device 54 is a portion 56 of the front cover 16 drivingly coupled to the actuating portion 50 of the protection element 36. Furthermore, the actuating device 54 comprises the front cover actuator 20.

[0057] from Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen from the combination of the front cover 16 and the front pillar base 34, when the front cover 16 is in the retracted position 28, the protective element 36 is in the first angular position 44. When the front cover 16 is in the raised position 30, the protective element 36 is in the second angular position 58. Similar to the first angular position 44, the second angular position 58 is also defined relative to the front pillar base 34.

[0058] In this example, the angular difference A between the first angular position 44 and the second angular position 58 is 30°.

[0059] In the following, we will combine Figure 4 The method for operating the front pillar assembly 32 is explained in more detail.

[0060] In a first step S1 of the method, the front cover 16 is moved from the retracted position 28 to the raised position 30 .

[0061] In this example, the front cover actuator 20 moves the front cover 16. Thus, the front cover 16 rotates about the hinge point 26, thereby moving from the retracted position 28 to the raised position 30.

[0062] In a second step S2 , the protective element 36 is moved from the first angular position 44 to the second angular position 58 .

[0063] In more detail, in this example, movement of the front cover 16 causes the protective element 36 to rotate from the first angular position 44 into the second angular position 58 . This is due to the interaction of the portion 56 of the front cover 16 exerting a force on the actuation interface 52 of the protective element 36 .

[0064] In other words, when the front cover 16 is moved to the raised position 30 , the portion 56 of the front cover 16 acts as the actuating device 54 , causing the protective element 36 to selectively occupy the second angular position 58 .

[0065] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" with respect to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more entities in the list of entities, but does not necessarily include at least one of each entity specifically listed in the list of entities, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase "at least one" refers may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified entities. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may, in one example, mean at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another example, mean at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); and in yet another example, mean at least one (optionally including more than one) A and at least one (optionally including more than one) B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and / or C" may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any of the foregoing in combination with at least one other entity.

[0066] Other variations to the disclosed examples may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, through a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may perform the functions of several items or steps recited in a claim. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or solid-state medium provided with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim.

[0067] Reference Signs List

[0068] 10 vehicles

[0069] 12 Roof section

[0070] 14 front section

[0071] 16 front cover

[0072] 18 Protection System

[0073] 20 Front cover actuator

[0074] 22 Fireworks Unit

[0075] 24 Actuating lever

[0076] 26 hinge points

[0077] 28 Retracted position

[0078] 30 Raised position

[0079] 32 front pillar assembly

[0080] 34 Front column base

[0081] 36 Protection elements

[0082] 38 First End

[0083] 40 Second End

[0084] 42 Outer contour

[0085] 44 First angle position

[0086] 46 hinge points

[0087] 48 protection part

[0088] 50 Actuating part

[0089] 52 Actuation interface

[0090] 54 Actuator

[0091] 56 parts

[0092] 58 Second angle position

[0093] A angle difference

[0094] S1 First step

[0095] S2 Step 2

Claims

1. A front pillar assembly (32) for a vehicle (10), comprising a front pillar base (34) having a first end (38) connectable to the roof section (12) of the vehicle body and a second end (40) connectable to the front section (14) of the vehicle body, and a protective element (36) configured to mitigate an impact of a road user on the front pillar assembly (32), in, The protective element (36) is rotatably supported on the front pillar base (34) at a hinge point (46) such that the protective element (36) can assume a first angular position (44) relative to the front pillar base (34) and a second angular position (58) relative to the front pillar base (34), wherein in the first angular position the protective element (36) extends substantially along the outer contour (42) of the front pillar base (34); and in the second angular position the protective element (36) extends away from the front pillar base (34), and wherein the hinge point (46) is arranged closer to the second end (40) of the front pillar base (34) than to the first end (38) of the front pillar base (34).

2. The front pillar assembly (32) of claim 1, wherein: The protective element (36) further includes an actuation interface (52) disposed closer to the second end (40) of the front pillar base (34) than to the first end (38) of the front pillar base (34), wherein the actuation interface (52) is configured to receive a mechanical force for rotating the protective element (36).

3. The front pillar assembly (32) of claim 1 or 2, wherein: The protective element (36) includes a protective portion (48) and an actuating portion (50), wherein the protective portion (48) and the actuating portion (50) are arranged on opposite sides of the hinge point (46), and wherein the protective portion (48) is arranged closer to the first end (38) of the front pillar base (34) than the actuating portion (50).

4. The front pillar assembly (32) of claim 3, wherein: The protective portion (48) is elongated and / or the actuating portion (50) is elongated and / or the length of the protective portion (48) is at least three times the length of the actuating portion (50).

5. The front pillar assembly (32) of claim 2 and any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein: The actuation interface (52) is arranged in the actuation portion (50).

6. A front pillar assembly (32) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein An angular difference (A) between the first angular position (44) and the second angular position (58) is 60° or less.

7. A protection system (18) for mitigating an impact of a road user on a vehicle (10), comprising A front pillar assembly (32) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and an actuating device (54), in, The actuating device (54) is drivingly coupled to the protective element (36) such that the protective element (36) can be selectively brought into the second angular position (58) using the actuating device (54).

8. The protection system (18) of claim 7, further comprising a front cover (16), wherein the actuating device (54) comprises a portion (56) of the front cover (16).

9. The protection system (18) of claim 8, further comprising a front hood actuator (20) drivingly coupled to the front hood (16) and configured to move the front hood (16) from a retracted position (28) to a raised position (30) for mitigating impacts of a road user on the front hood (16).

10. The protection system (18) of claim 9, wherein: The actuating device (54) drivingly coupled to the protective element (36) includes the front cover actuator (20).

11. The protection system (18) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: A portion of the protection element (36) is located below the front cover (16).

12. A method for operating a front pillar assembly (32), comprising: - moving the front cover (16) from the retracted position (28) to the raised position (30), and - moving the protective element (36) of the front pillar assembly (32) from a first angular position (44) relative to the front pillar base (34) to a second angular position (58) relative to the front pillar base (34), wherein in the first angular position the protective element (36) extends substantially along the outer contour (42) of the front pillar base (34); and in the second angular position the protective element (36) extends away from the front pillar base (34) using a portion (56) of the front cover (16).

13. Use of a portion (56) of a front cover (16) as an actuating device (54) for a protective element (36) of a front pillar assembly (32).

14. A vehicle (10) comprising a protection system (18) according to any one of claims 7 to 11.

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