Panel assembly for deployment of an air bag

摘要

The present invention provides a panel assembly for deployment of an air bag into a vehicle compartment and to dissipate impact energy during a vehicle impact. The assembly comprises a panel member and an energy-dissipating impact member attached to the panel member. The panel member is attachable to a vehicle support structure. The panel member flexes to allow for deployment of the air bag into the vehicle compartment during impact of the vehicle. The energy-dissipating impact member attaches only to a retainer portion on an inner surface of the panel member to allow the flexing. The impact member is configured to contact the air bag disposed adjacent the door portion.