Patent ID: 7832764
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A knee protector structure for a vehicle, comprising: a lower absorption bracket able to absorb knee input energy of a small-statured vehicle occupant; an upper absorption bracket, able to absorb knee input energy of a vehicle occupant of an average constitution, comprising both-side flange portions and a central connecting portion for connection between the both-side flange portions; a connecting bracket for connection between an input-side end portion of the lower absorption bracket and an input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket; and tensile force absorbing means configured to absorb a tensile force exerted from the connecting bracket; wherein the tensile force absorbing means is provided near, among the input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket, the input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket, constituted by the central connecting portion, and the connecting bracket, so as to be able to absorb a tensile force exerted upon the upper absorption bracket through the connecting bracket when the lower absorption bracket is deformed, wherein a tensile deforming portion is provided at the input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket and comprises a flat plate-like mounting surface portion and a tensile deforming surface portion, wherein the tensile deforming surface portion extends forward of the vehicle from the flat plate-like mounting surface portion and is separated from a remaining portion of the input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket except for the flat-plate like mounting surface portion of said input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket, and wherein the tensile deforming surface portion comprises the flat plate-like mounting surface portion constituted by the central connecting portion and a pair of cut-in portions required for forming the tensile deforming surface portion, the cut-in portions being formed at a predetermined length toward a front side of the vehicle in boundary portions between the central connecting portion and the both-side flange portions near the input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket or in the central connecting portion near the input-side end portion of the upper absorption bracket.