Two piece multifunctional composite structural cross vehicular beam

A multifunctional structural cross vehicular beam assembly for supporting an instrument panel, an air bag mechanism, a driver knee bolster, a passenger knee bolster and a steering column of a motorized vehicle operable by a driver, said steering column having a predetermined first bending mode frequency, said vehicle including an engine having an idle excitation frequency and including a body having a first bending mode frequency, a cowl and a compartment for one or more passengers, said beam assembly comprising:

• a beam extending across substantially the entire width of said compartment between said cowl and said instrument panel, said beam integrally comprising
• first means for defining a first cavity enabling deformation of said driver knee bolster and for supporting the position of a plurality of edges of said driver knee bolster with respect to said body so that said driver knee bolster absorbs kinetic energy resulting from impact,
• second means for defining a second cavity enabling deformation of said passenger knee bolster and for supporting the position of a plurality of edges of said passenger knee bolster with respect to said body so that said passenger knee bolster absorbs kinetic energy resulting from impact,
• third means for supporting said air bag mechanism,
• fourth means for supporting said steering column to alter the structural feel of said steering column comprising means for defining integral reinforcing ribs arranged so that a first bending mode frequency of the combination of said steering column and said beam is different from said first bending mode frequency of said steering column alone,
• fifth means for defining air distribution inlets for said passenger compartment,
• sixth means for support said instrument panel, and
• cover means connected to said beam for defining channels of an air distribution system for said passenger compartment.