System and method for clearing crush space in a vehicle through the use of active components

An automotive vehicle having a crush space for energy absorption in a collision, the vehicle comprising:

• a passenger compartment;
• an impact displaced component spaced apart from the passenger compartment by the crush space;
• an inflatable component disposed between the passenger compartment and the impact shifted component;
• and
• an intervening component disposed between the passenger compartment and the impact displaced component and proximate to the inflatable component, the inflatable component operatively engaging the intervening component to move the intervening component when the inflatable component is inflated, wherein crush space between the impact displaced component and the passenger compartment is at least partially cleared of obstruction.

A method of clearing crush space in an automotive vehicle having a passenger compartment, an impact displaced component, an intervening component, a sensor that detects a collision event, an active component and a controller, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting the collision event with the sensor and generating a collision event signal;
• receiving the collision event signal at the controller;
• activating the active component in response to the controller receiving the collision event signal;
• and
• moving the intervening component with the active component from a design position wherein the active component is located between the passenger compartment and the impact displaced component to a cleared crush space position wherein the intervening component is at least partially displaced from a position between the passenger compartment and the impact displaced component.