Energy-absorbing knee bolster frame for a vehicle

A vehicle comprising an instrument panel including an energy-absorbing knee bolster frame, the energy-absorbing knee bolster frame comprising:

• a longitudinal knee contact member;
• a first energy-absorbing transverse bracket member;
• and
• a second energy-absorbing transverse bracket member, wherein:
• said first energy-absorbing transverse bracket member and said second energy-absorbing transverse bracket member extend in a transverse direction (Y) and are arranged spaced apart on said longitudinal knee contact member,
• the longitudinal knee contact member having a knee contact surface for receiving a part of a knee of an occupant (P) upon a collision,
• the first energy-absorbing transverse bracket member having a cross section defining an open profile, and being adapted at one end to engage with a vehicle interior component, and further comprising a plurality of first deformation segments configured for absorbing energy generated by a knee impact, wherein each one of the deformation segments includes an opening and a corresponding pre-bent frame region arranged along a transverse length of said opening for initiating a deformation of a corresponding deformation segment in the transverse direction (Y) when said knee bolster frame is subjected to a force from the knee of an occupant (P) upon a collision,
• the second energy-absorbing transverse bracket member having a cross section defining an open profile, and being adapted at one end to engage with a vehicle interior component, and further comprising a plurality of second deformation segments configured for absorbing energy generated by a knee impact, wherein each one of the deformation segments includes an opening and a corresponding pre-bent frame region arranged along a transverse length of said opening for initiating a deformation of a corresponding deformation segment in the transverse direction (Y) when said knee bolster frame is subjected to a force from the knee of an occupant (P) upon a collision, and
• the open profile of the first energy-absorbing transverse bracket member is defined by a first profile flange and a second profile flange extending from an intermediate member and the open profile of the second energy-absorbing transverse bracket member is defined by a first profile flange and a second profile flange extending from an intermediate member.