Reinforcement structure for instrument panel
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.
1. 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.
2. The energy absorbing member according to claim 1 wherein the collapsible cylinder has first and second coaxially aligned cylindrical portions.
3. The energy absorbing member according to claim 2 wherein said first cylindrical portion has a first perimeter with a smaller extent than an extent of the second perimeter of the second cylindrical portion.
4. The energy absorbing bracket according to claim 3 further comprising a transitionary portion disposed between said first and second cylindrical portions.
5. The energy absorbing member according to claim 4 wherein said transitionary portion comprises an exterior convex surface and an exterior concave surface.
6. The energy absorbing member according to claim 4 wherein said transititionary portion is configures to plastically deform at a predetermined load.
7. The energy absorbing member according to claim 2 wherein said first cylindrical portion has an exterior diameter smaller than the interior diameter of the second cylindrical portion.
8. The energy absorbing member according to claim 7 wherein the first cylindrical portion telescopically collapses into the second cylindrical member upon being impacted by an occupant.
9. The energy absorbing member according to claim 2 further comprising a third cylindrical portion, said third cylindrical portion being coaxially aligned to said second cylindrical portion, and a second transitionary portion disposed between said third cylindrical portion and said second cylindrical portion.
10. The energy absorbing member according to claim 9 further comprising a second coupling flange, said second coupling flange being coupled to said impact plate and to said third cylindrical portion.
11. The energy absorbing member according to claim 1 further comprising a cross-car beam.
12. The energy absorbing member according to claim 11 wherein said cross-car beam comprises a steering column and wherein said collapsible cylinder is positioned adjacent to said steering column.
13. 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.
14. The cross-car beam according to claim 13 wherein the collapsible cylinder has first and second coaxially aligned cylinder portions.
15. The cross-car beam according to claim 14 wherein the first cylindrical portion has an exterior diameter smaller than an interior diameter of the second cylindrical member, and wherein the cross-car beam further comprises a plastically deformable transitionary portion disposed between the first and second cylindrical members.