INSTRUMENT PANEL SUPPORTING STRUCTURE IN AUTOMOBILE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To design an instrument panel supporting structure in an automobile so that an impact force at the collision of the head of an occupant against the upper surface of an instrument panel can be absorbed effectively while a reinforcing member and the instrument panel can be arranged in proximity to each other. SOLUTION: An energy absorbing member 9 made of synthetic resin foam is interposed between a reinforcing member connected to a vehicle body and an instrument panel 12 made of a synthetic resin and supported against the reinforcing member, so that when the head H of an occupant collides against the upper surface of an instrument panel 12, its impact energy is absorbed by breaking of the foam cells of the energy absorbing member 9 accompanied with the deformation or breaking of the instrument panel 12.