Patent attributes
In a knee protection system according to the present invention, a knee protection panel is driven from a standby position surrounded by an interior member to the vehicle rear side to a knee-protecting position in front of the knees of an occupant by a drive mechanism when the vehicle is crashing, whereby the knees moving forward are protected by the knee protection panel thus driven. The drive mechanism includes a holding portion for holding the knee protection panel in such a manner that the knee protection panel is moved rearward. Engagement portions are provided, respectively, at locations where the holding portion and the knee protection panel connect with each other in such a manner as to be brought into engagement with each other. These engagement portions are brought into engagement with each other when the holding portion is moved rearward due to the activation of the drive mechanism in such a manner as to prevent displacement of the knee protection panel relative to the holding portion while moving the knee protection panel rearward, as well as allowing the knee protection panel to be displaced vertically and horizontally relative to the holding portion prior to the activation of the drive mechanism. With the knee protection system according to the invention, the knee protection panel can be disposed at the standby position so as to have a visually attractive break with the surrounding interior member, without deteriorating mounting work efficiency.
