Reinforcement structure for instrument panel
AssigneeL & W Engineering
InventorBrian J. Mullan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An energy absorbing knee bolster for use in an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The knee bolster is configured to absorb energy from the vehicle's occupants during a crash. The knee bolster is formed of a collapsible cylinder which is welded to an impact plate on its first end and to a vehicle's cross-car beam at its second end. A coupling flange is disposed between the impact plate and a medial portion of the collapsible cylinder. The collapsible cylinder is configured to axially collapse at a predetermined force when impacted by a moving occupant.
Claims15
An energy absorbing member for use in a vehicle to support an interior trim component and absorb vehicle crash induced energy from a moving vehicle occupant comprising:
- a collapsible cylinder having a first end and a medial portion;
- an impact surface coupled to said first end;
- a coupling flange coupled to the impact surface and to the medial portion of the collapsible cylinder, wherein said collapsible cylinder is configured to axially collapse at a predetermined force when impacted by the moving occupant.
A cross-car beam comprising:
- a first member disposed between two points within a vehicle compartment;
- a collapsible cylinder having first and second ends and an intermediate location disposed therebetween, the second end being coupled to the first member;
- an impact plate coupled to the first end;
- a coupling flange coupled to the impact plate and to the intermediate location of the collapsible cylinder, wherein said collapsible cylinder is configured to axially collapse at a predetermined force when impacted by a vehicle occupant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.