Impact energy absorbing structure for a vehicle

Abstract

An impact energy absorbing structure for a vehicle includes impact energy absorbing devices attached to a side wall of the passenger compartment of the vehicle to absorb impact energy resulting from a lateral collision and tending to act laterally on an occupant of the vehicle. The impact energy absorbing devices include a chest protecting shock absorbing unit disposed opposite to an occupant's chest and having a shock absorbing pad protruding from the side wall of the passenger compartment toward the interior of the passenger compartment, and a lumbar region protecting shock absorbing unit disposed opposite to an occupant's lumbar region and having a shock absorbing pad protruding from the side wall of the passenger compartment toward the interior of the passenger compartment. Rigidity enhancing elements cover the shock absorbing pads so as to enhance the rigidity of only the side surfaces of the shock absorbing pads facing the interior of the passenger compartment. The rigidity of the lumbar region protecting shock absorbing unit is greater than that of the chest protecting shock absorbing unit. The speed of collision of the chest protecting shock absorbing unit against the occupant's chest is lower than that of the lumbar region protecting shock absorbing unit against the occupant's lumbar region. The impact energy absorbing structure reduces the effect of shocks acting on the occupant upon a lateral collision of the vehicle against an obstacle. The impact energy absorbing devices are not suscepticle to being permanently dented and the like, even if the occupant applies a small impact force thereto, and absorb impact energy effectively in event of a lateral collision.