Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crash pad for an automotive interior, including a passenger air-bag door, which may have a main resin layer including a door region having a hinge portion and a tear line for a deployment of an air-bag and a crash pad region at least partially surrounding the door region, in which the hinge portion has a groove formed on a lower surface of the main resin layer along a longitudinal direction of the passenger air-bag door, and a lower resin layer disposed on a lower surface of the main resin layer to cover the hinge portion and having flexibility or a percentage of elongation superior to the main resin layer.

Abstract: A control panel configuration for a motor vehicle has a cross member that extends transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is retained on fixed lateral construction structures. A control panel provides coverage toward the vehicle interior, and a knee retainer has a section for fastening the knee retainer to the cross member. A force absorption section extends essentially in the direction of the knee of an occupant. To reduce an intrusion of the control panel bottom parts, the knee retainer can be a rod-shaped support element that is loaded essentially longitudinally to its axis.

Abstract: A knee airbag device includes an airbag module and an airbag door. The airbag module includes a gas generation device that is operated when the knee airbag device is operated, and a knee airbag that is stored in a folded state inside a column cover that covers the rear end portion of a steering column. When the knee airbag receives gas from the gas generation device, the knee airbag is inflated and deployed toward the knee of an occupant. The airbag door, provided in the lower portion of the column cover, is made of a flexible material. When the knee airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag door is opened toward the knee of the occupant due to an airbag inflation pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraining apparatus is provided that basically includes a knee angle restraining structure, a shin restraining structure and a groin angle restraining structure. The knee angle restraining structure is configured to restrain a passenger during a frontal collision to attain a posture with a prescribed knee angle as measured between a passenger's thigh and a passenger's shin. The shin restraining structure is configured to restrain the passenger during a frontal collision. The groin angle restraining structure is configured to restrain the passenger during a frontal collision to attain the posture with a prescribed groin angle as measured between the passenger's thigh with respect to a longitudinal axis passing through a rotational center of a passenger's groin joint.

Abstract: A safety device a for a vehicle including a load distributing member for arrangement in front of a vehicle seat so as to be exposed to an impact load from a vehicle occupant as the occupant moves forwardly in an impact situation, and a load deformable member arranged to retard the forward movement of the occupant, wherein the load deformable member is intended to be attached to the load distributing member and to a supporting member, which supporting member is intended to hold at least a part of the load deformable member in place in relation to the vehicle, and wherein the load distributing member is sufficiently rigid to allow the impact load to be distributed to the load deformable member. The safety device is characterized in that the load deformable member is intended to be arranged with regard to the load distributing member and the supporting member so as to be deformed by tensile and/or shear forces in the event of an impact situation.

Abstract: A mounting system for motor vehicle audio components is described. The mounting system comprises a chassis and at least one vibration damping element. The vibration damping element is mounted within the chassis in a position to support and secure an audio component. The vibration damping element has a slot receiving a fastener that is connected to the audio component. The fastener secures the audio component in a first position and translates along the fastener slot under a predefined load.

Abstract: A support structure for an automotive instrument panel includes a single unitary molded article fabricated from a lost core molding process. The support structure includes integrally formed support segments for knee bolsters. A plurality of air passages are formed from hollow cores within different segments of the support structure.

Abstract: In an airbag device of the invention, by making use of a retainer which is made up of a retaining part which is provided on an outside of an inflator and bolt parts, an airbag and the inflator are fixed to a fixing wall portion of a case by fastening nuts onto the bolt parts which are caused to protrude from the fixing wall portion of the case in such a state the retaining part is housed within the airbag. A support projection is formed on the fixing wall portion in such a manner as to protrude therefrom toward the inflator side. When the nuts are fastened, the retainer moves the retaining part toward the fixing wall portion side, so that the inflator is held between and retained by abutment portions formed on the retaining part and the support projection.

Abstract: An occupant's leg restraint system includes an airbag to be inflated forward of legs of an occupant in a vehicle, a gas generator that generates gas to inflate the airbag, and at least one tether sewn to the airbag and located inside the airbag. A tether protection member is disposed between the gas generator and the tether in the airbag to protect the tether from the gas ejected from the gas generator.

Abstract: When a knee airbag is deployed, a lid, which is provided in a column cover that covers a steering column, is opened by the deployment pressure of the knee airbag. Thus, an opening, through which the knee airbag expands, is formed to extend in the lower wall portion and the right and left side wall portions of the column cover. At this time, an opening amount regulation portion regulates the opening amount of the lid so that the knee airbag is deployed toward areas on right and left sides of the column cover.

Abstract: An actuatable knee bolster provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle to protect lower legs of an occupant seated in a front seat of the vehicle. The actuatable knee bolster includes: an opposing section opposed to the lower legs of the occupant; a driving section driving the opposing section to move toward and away from the occupant; and a shock absorbing section configured to be plastically deformed when making contact with the lower legs of the occupant. In the actuatable knee bolster, the driving section is disposed inside the shock absorbing section.

Abstract: An energy transferring system for transferring energy from an occupant's knees through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee drives the instrument panel assembly into the cross beam as a result of an external load placed on the vehicle. The system having an elongated member projecting from the cross beam towards the instrument panel assembly, and an instrument panel assembly having an energy transferring member and a recess registered to said elongated member. Said elongated member and recess working in concert to prevent said cross beam from slipping past said energy transferring member thereby increasing the energy transferring from an occupant's knees to other vehicle structures.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraining system comprises a knee bolster, a bolster movement structure, a collision detecting section and a control section. The knee bolster is disposed in a front portion of a seat in a vehicle. The bolster movement structure is coupled to the knee bolster to apply a rearwardly directed pulling force to each transverse end of the knee bolster. The collision detecting section is configured and arranged to detect information relating to a collision of the vehicle and a probability of a collision of the vehicle. The control section is configured to operate the bolster movement structure based on the information from the collision detecting section.

Abstract: A glove box assembly exhibiting controlled deformation characteristics and including a three-dimensional and volume holding bin. A door includes an inner panel incorporating a variety of stiffening and supporting ribs projecting in a substantially grid-shaped fashion and along specified areas of the inner panel associated with an occupant knee impact zone. Additional uninterrupted surfaces are separated by the ribs and create softer hand impact zones. An outer panel substantially matches the inner panel in overall configuration and, upon being vibrationally welded to the inner panel along selected ribs, exhibits an exposed face defining the knee and hand impact zones when the glove box assembly is recess mounted within a vehicle dashboard.

Abstract: A structure of a vehicle instrument panel area, which is capable of sufficiently ensuring a frontward displacement of a steering column adapted to be displaced frontwardly in response to an impact load applied thereto frontwardly, even under a condition that a column cover is disposed to overlap with a meter unit when viewed in an axial direction of the steering column. A meter unit 3 is attached to an instrument panel 1 through brittles portions 31g, 31g, 33g, 33g, in such a manner as to allow the attachment therebetween to be released when a column cover 5 is brought into contact with the meter unit 3.

Abstract: Shock-absorbing occupant protection (8) for the passenger compartment of a vehicle (1) comprising a container (9) of flexible design which is gas-filled in an original expanded rest position and is designed to be compressed when absorbing energy under impact by a passenger.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use in a motor vehicle includes a blocking unit (6) and a drive (7, 8, 9, 10) to drive the blocking unit (6) from a position where it is flush with the dashboard (4) to a forward position where it will block movement of the knees of an occupant of a seat (1). A timing arrangement (17) is provided which controls the drive to return the blocking unit to an initial position after a predetermined period of time. An energy-absorbing element, which may be an air-bag (12) absorbs energy as the blocking unit (6) is moved from the operative position by a force applied to the blocking unit by the knees of a seat occupant.

Abstract: A glove box assembly incorporated into a vehicle instrument panel, along which extends a reinforcing bar. The assembly includes a three-dimensional and interiorly open receptacle fixedly mounted within the instrument panel. The receptacle includes one or more integrally formed structural projections extending from a rear side thereof and in a direction towards the reinforcing bar, typically spaced a slight distance from the receptacle structure. A bin secures within the glove box receptacle and includes a door exposed to adjoining surfaces of the instrument panel. Upon experiencing a collision event resulting in a passenger's knees impacting the door, inward deformation of the receptacle transfers forces both to the instrument panel and through deforming the reinforcing bar.

Abstract: A control panel configuration for a motor vehicle has a cross member that extends transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is retained on fixed lateral construction structures. A control panel provides coverage toward the vehicle interior, and a knee retainer has a section for fastening the knee retainer to the cross member. A force absorption section extends essentially in the direction of the knee of an occupant. To reduce an intrusion of the control panel bottom parts, the knee retainer can be a rod-shaped support element that is loaded essentially longitudinally to its axis.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: A knee bolster, disposed within the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle, for absorbing energy from impact with the knees of an occupant of the automotive vehicle, the knee bolster assembly comprising a skin defining a show surface of the instrument panel, an inner panel secured to the skin, the inner panel including at least one male portion protruding therefrom in a direction away from the skin, at least one energy absorbing structure extending in a direction away from the inner panel, the energy absorbing structure having portions defining at least one recess therein, the male portions of the inner panel being received within the recess of the energy absorbing structures in a non-contacting alignment.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an inflator for supplying gas, and an air bag supplied with the gas from the inflator, and arranged to expand between an attachment surface and legs of an occupant sitting on a seat. Thickness of the air bag in a direction from the attachment surface to the legs of the occupant is established such that a rear surface of the air bag is substantially parallel to a virtual line extending substantially along a bilateral direction of a vehicle.

Abstract: System for engaging two components with each other wherein one of the components comprises hook-like means (1) which are suitable for being engaged in an opening (L) of the other component and for co-operating with means which form an engagement lock (2) and which can be moved between a retracted assembly/disassembly position for the two components and an active position for engaging the two components under the control of operating means (3).

Abstract: A vehicle knee bolster assembly including a cross member extending laterally across a vehicle and a knee bolster including a frame having a closed cross sectional configuration with a hollow interior. The knee bolster further has a plurality of partition walls dividing the interior of the frame so as to form, together with the frame, a plurality of inner frames each having a closed cross sectional configuration and a hollow interior. The plurality of inner frames define at least two crush zones that collapse sequentially as the knee bolster is forcibly deflected.

Abstract: An impact absorbing knee bolster is provided with an impact absorbing structure and a knee bolster main body plate. The impact absorbing structure includes a pair of upper brackets having a first impact deformation load threshold and a pair of lower brackets having a second impact deformation load threshold that is lower than the first impact deformation load threshold. The knee bolster main body plate includes bracket attachment parts contacting the upper and lower brackets with a prescribed gap formed between rear end parts of the upper and lower brackets. The knee bolster main body plate includes a deformation load reducing structure at a location adjacent at least one of the bracket attachment portion to reduce an impact deformation load threshold of the knee bolster main body plate so that a resulting receiving reaction force of the impact absorbing knee bolster is reduced when the lower brackets are deformed.

Abstract: A trim panel includes a skin layer and an insert having a base, a sidewall that extends generally perpendicularly from the base and a flange that extends generally perpendicularly from the sidewall and generally parallel to the base. The flange includes a first side and a second side. The skin layer extends over at least a portion of said first side and said second side of said flange. A method for manufacturing a trim panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a steering wheel suspension system to reduce the risk of injury to the driver in connection with a vehicle collision, wherein the system includes a steering wheel axle (1), a steering wheel shaft (3) in which the steering wheel axle (1) is rotatably carried, a steering wheel (7) arranged at one end of the steering wheel axle (1) and a knee bar (20).

Abstract: An absorption structure for absorbing energy applied from knees of an occupant includes: an energy absorbing knee protector provided substantially along a back surface of a lid outer member of a lid portion; a clearance concave portion formed on a region of the energy absorbing knee protector corresponding to a location of a side-locking mechanism, which is provided in the lid outer member and has a rod portion and a locking mechanism, substantially in a vehicle width direction and detouring the side-locking mechanism; an auxiliary knee protector provided substantially along the back surface of the lid outer member in a region within the clearance concave portion corresponding to the rod portion; and a small concave portion formed on the auxiliary knee protector substantially in the vehicle width direction and detouring the rod portion.

Abstract: An active knee bolster (28) and a knee bolster (42), whose accommodated positions are different, are mounted within an instrument panel (18) along a curved configuration of a wall portion (24) of the instrument panel (18) which, in a vehicle transverse direction, is convex and concave in a vehicle body longitudinal direction. At a time of a vehicle body collision, a main body (30) of the active knee bolster (28) moves from an accommodated position to a leg restraining position, and a leg restraining position of the active knee bolster (28) and a leg restraining position of the fixed-type knee bolster (42) become equal positions in the vehicle body longitudinal direction. In accordance with this invention, legs of an occupant can be reliably protected, and degrees of freedom in designing a vehicle interior wall such as the instrument panel or the like are improved.

Abstract: A knee bolster structure includes a vehicle-side member, a knee-receiving member, an impact-absorbing section for absorbing an input energy from knees of a driver or front-seat passenger when the knees hit the knee-receiving section, and a knee-receiving member movement section for moving the knee-receiving member to a knee-receiving position for the driver or front-seat passenger, said knee-receiving member being attached to the vehicle-side member via the impact-absorbing section and the knee-receiving member movement section, the impact-absorbing section being structurally separated from the knee-receiving member movement section.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: An instrument panel construction for a vehicle capable of receiving and stopping the driver's/passenger's knee regions when a great impact acts on a vehicle to control the impact exerted on the driver's/passenger's knee regions while restraining the driver's/passenger's waist from moving forward along a seating portion of a seat. The construction includes an instrument panel (2) made of synthetic resin, a receiving portion (7) provided in a lower portion of the instrument panel (2) to be separable from the instrument panel, and a moving device (13, 14) for separating the receiving portion (7) from the instrument panel (2) to move the receiving portion rapidly toward a seat (1) positioned rearward when a great impact acts on the vehicle. An absorbing member (8) made of plastically deformable metal or reinforced synthetic resin is attached to the back surface of the receiving portion (7).

Abstract: A vehicle knee bolster assembly including a cross member extending laterally across a vehicle and a knee bolster including a frame having a closed cross sectional configuration with a hollow interior. The knee bolster further has a plurality of partition walls dividing the interior of the frame so as to form, together with the frame, a plurality of inner frames each having a closed cross sectional configuration and a hollow interior. The plurality of inner frames define at least two crush zones that collapse sequentially as the knee bolster is forcibly deflected.

Abstract: A vehicle control assembly and a method and system for controlling a vehicle. The assembly includes a controller. A steer-by-wire component, a brake-by-wire component, and an accelerator-by-wire component are each operably attached to the controller. A track is operably attached to the vehicle. The controller is laterally re-positionable with respect to the track. The method includes the steps of providing a controller, and steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller. The method further includes the step of re-positioning the controller between a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side. The system includes controller means, and means for steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller means. The system further includes means for reversibly positioning the controller means from a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side.

Abstract: A knee bolster whose load receiving parts absorb load from the knees of seated occupants of various physical sizes is provided. An upper knee bolster and a lower knee bolster are each provided with a load receiving part that receives load from the knees of a seated occupant who moves forward in the direction of vehicle length in the event of a vehicle head-on collision, and a deforming part that moves the load receiving part, which has been deformed by the load, forward in the direction of vehicle length.

Abstract: An expanded propylene vehicle passenger restraint. The restraint includes a back portion, seat portion and side portions integrally joined together. A removable back insert is mounted to the back portion and a leg separator is mounted to the seat portion. The method of producing the restraint includes the step of scanning the configuration of the restraint into a router for shaping a solid plastic piece in accordance with the configuration.

Abstract: A knee bolster includes a curved bracket mounted to an associated cross beam of the vehicle. A knee panel member is mounted to the curved bracket at a location spaced from the associated cross beam. The panel member includes a laterally extending wall spaced from the curved bracket and support legs extending between the laterally extending wall and the curved bracket.

Abstract: A knee protection device for a motor vehicle, is arranged in the area of a control panel and comprises a knee impact wall having a foam material pad, which knee impact wall extends adjacent to knees of vehicle occupants. The knee impact wall has an inner shell and an outer shell which bound a cavity accommodating the foam material pad and are assembled at connection zones as well as mutually connected by suitable measures.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for absorbing energy in response to a vehicle crash. The apparatus includes a knee bolster disposable in a vehicle for absorbing an impact from at least one knee of a driver. The apparatus also includes a connecting device associated with the knee bolster. The connecting device includes a breakable portion for releasably connecting the knee bolster to the vehicle such that the knee bolster breaks away from the vehicle under predetermined conditions. The method according to the invention includes the step of disposing a knee bolster in a vehicle for absorbing an impact from at least one knee of a driver. The method also includes the step of releasably connecting the knee bolster to the vehicle such that the knee bolster breaks away from the vehicle under predetermined conditions with a connecting device associated with the knee bolster and having a breakable portion.

Abstract: Set of equipment (1) for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable structure (2), a support (4) for the inflatable structure, elements for (6) inflating the structure in a direction of inflation (D) in order to deploy it, a plate (8) for spreading the load when an occupant of the vehicle impacts on the deployed inflatable structure, and elements for guiding the structure as it deploys so that, in the deployed configuration, the structure extends along a median directrix line (L) distinct from its direction of inflation (D). The guide elements include the side wall (12) of the structure which, in the deployed configuration, is substantially taut.

Abstract: Knee support element for motor vehicles for absorbing energy in a knee region in case of a crash of the vehicle, including a first deformation element for absorbing energy upon impact of the knees in a first impact zone and a second deformation element for absorbing energy upon impact of the knees in a second impact zone, where the first deformation element is linked to the second deformation element in order to deform the second deformation element and thereby limit the resistance of the second deformation element against deformation, upon impact on the first impact zone.

Abstract: An actuatable knee bolster provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle to protect lower legs of an occupant seated in a front seat of the vehicle. The actuatable knee bolster includes: an opposing section opposed to the lower legs of the occupant; a driving section driving the opposing section to move toward and away from the occupant; and a shock absorbing section configured to be plastically deformed when making contact with the lower legs of the occupant. In the actuatable knee bolster, the driving section is disposed inside the shock absorbing section.

Abstract: A knee-bag module includes a knee-bag to be inflated in front of a leg portion of a vehicle occupant and an inflator for ejecting gas from a gas outlet thereof to inflate the knee-bag. The inflator is a pyro-type inflator for ejecting only reactant gas.

Abstract: An occupant restriction device includes a shock absorbing body that is installed in a lower portion of a dashboard of a vehicle in front of an occupant's seat and arranged to be generally in front of left and right kneecaps of an occupant when the occupant sits on the occupant seat. The occupant restriction device is configured such that a rigidity of a transverse center portion of the shock absorbing body is higher than a rigidity of left and right side portions of the shock absorbing body. As a result, when the vehicle undergoes an offset collision or other collision in which the occupant's legs form a closed leg sitting posture, the highly rigid transverse center portion is configured to hold the occupant's kneecaps moderately open to prevent the occupant's legs from forming the closed leg sitting posture. Thus, the occupant restriction device can provide a stable shock alleviation effect.

Abstract: An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus has a panel which constitutes part of a passenger compartment side surface of an instrument panel and which is separatable from the instrument panel to move when at least a knee load of an occupant is inputted. There are a plurality of support members which face transverse end portions of the panel, respectively, and which have a rigidity higher than that of the instrument panel.

Abstract: An impact energy absorbing knee bolster system is basically provided with a load input part and a deformation accepting structure. The load input part is arranged to contact a passenger's knee during a collision. The deformation accepting structure is located between a load input part and a vehicle structural member to deform in response to an impact load imparted by the passenger's knee during a collision. The deformation accepting structure includes a plurality of collapsing parts forming wedge-shaped spaces between each of the collapsing parts and the load input part. Each of the collapsing parts has an inflection point with a longitudinal position between a forward end and a rearward end with the longitudinal positions of the inflection points being different for an upper one of the collapsing parts than for a lower one of the collapsing parts.

Abstract: The safety device concerns a safety device for a vehicle, said device comprising a load distributing member for arrangement in front of a vehicle seat so as to be exposed to an impact load from a vehicle occupant as the occupant moves forwardly in an impact situation, and a load deformable member arranged to retard the forward movement of the occupant, wherein the load deformable member is intended to be attached to the load distributing member and to a supporting member, which supporting member is intended to hold at least a part of the load deformable member in place in relation to the vehicle, and wherein the load distributing member is sufficiently rigid to allow the impact load to be distributed to the load deformable member. The safety device is characterized in that the load deformable member is intended to be arranged with regard to the load distributing member and the supporting member so as to be deformed by tensile and/or shear forces in the event of an impact situation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knee protection device for protecting the knees of an occupant when a vehicle collides. The protection device includes a knee protecting member which has a hollow cross-section outer frame composed of a front plate, a load-bearing plate, an upper plate and a lower plate, and a hollow cross-section inner frame integrally formed within the outer frame. The inner frame is integrally formed with the outer frame by connecting adjacent middle portions of the front plate, upper plate, load-bearing plate and lower plate, using plate-shaped ribs.

Abstract: An impact energy absorbing knee bolster system is basically provided with a lateral offset input restriction structure and a vertical offset input absorption structure. The lateral offset input restriction structure restricts a lateral offset input component of an impact load imparted by a passenger's knee against the knee bolster to lateral direction and promotes deformation of the knee bolster during a collision. The vertical offset input absorption structure absorbs a vertical offset input component of the impact load imparted by the passenger's knee against the knee bolster and to promote deformation of the knee bolster during the collision.