Energy-absorbing bottomed storage compartment under a vehicle dashboard

摘要

The base(2) of the shelf in the region of its transversely extending edge furthest away from the seat is mounted to pivot upwards so that its edge(4) nearest the seat comes to rest upon the dashboard in the event of a head-on collision. The base forms a component part of a knee protection device for the occupant of the vehicle's seat. The base with crash-conditioned support of the knee is plastically deformable. A cable(5) is fitted to the base and is connected to a tensioner(6) operated by a crash switch(7), acting like a seat belt tightener.