Abstract: In a structure for absorbing energy in an upper portion of a motor vehicle body, an energy absorbing body is disposed between a roof side rail and a roof lining. The energy absorbing body is a resin-made rib member having three longitudinal ribs and transverse ribs that are more in number than the longitudinal ribs. The three longitudinal ribs are formed so as to compensate for a reduced amount of displacement that is allowed for a longitudinal rib for a purpose of energy absorption in a section of the energy absorbing body taken on an imaginary plane extending along at least one of the transverse ribs, by varying at least one of a pitch between two longitudinal ribs provided adjacent to each other in the section, an angle formed by each longitudinal rib with respect to an imaginary horizontal plane in the section, and a thickness of each longitudinal rib.

Abstract: In an impact energy absorbing structure for an upper part of a body of a motor vehicle having a structural member that extends in a longitudinal direction and an inner trim member that is disposed toward an interior of a cabin and spaced apart from the structural member by a certain distance, an energy absorber is disposed within the distance. The energy absorber has two hollow tubular body portions whose axes extend in the longitudinal direction and a coupling portion for coupling the tubular body portions to each other. The two tubular body portions are formed integrally with the coupling portion, and the energy absorber is fixed to the structural member by the coupling portion.