Kniefängeranordnung als Sicherheitseinrichtung für ein Kraftfahrzeug

摘要

A knee-piece retainer bracket (10) is fitted between the upper part (9) of the knee support shell (2) and the instrument panel (3), using a first (19) bottom fixer strap (19) to shell top (2,9) and a second upper strap (18) to the underside of the panel (3). The two straps are joined by a centre part (22) of the same length to give a Z-figure assisted by weak material notch points (23,24) to form ideal break points between the straps, and centre parts so as to shell (2) swings round under knee impact, it distorts the Z-figure to give bending moments at points (23,24). The bracket (10) fails above a given bend limit and so divorces panel and shell. The bracket is made from an extruded Al or Mg profile by lengthways dividing and drilling out the fixing points, the straps pref. screwed to the shell and panel, and deformation elements (13,14) are arranged via gap (15) without direct connection to the shell (2) at the rear in their initial setting.