Instrument panel allowing airbag deployment

摘要

An instrument panel assembly (100) for a vehicle including a lower housing (120) having a first portion, and an upper panel (122) separate from and attached to the lower housing (120). The upper panel (122) defines a front edge and a rear edge. The rear edge is adjacent to the first portion of the lower housing (120) and faces a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The upper panel (120) is attached relative to the lower housing (120) at first and second attachment locations. The rear edge and a portion (125) of the upper panel (122) are adapted to deform and move in a direction outwardly from the first portion of the lower housing to define a gap (126) between the rear edge and the first portion of the lower housing to permit passage of a deployed air bag (112) through the gap (126) such that the upper panel (122) remains attached to the lower housing (120) at the first and second attachment locations.