JP2011042254A - Instrument panel structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an instrument panel structure capable of excellently supporting load for pushing an instrument panel to the vehicle front by knees of an occupant with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: This instrument panel structure 10 includes the instrument panel 12, an instrument panel reinforcement 18 arranged in the vehicle front of the instrument panel 12, and a duct member 30 fixed to an instrument panel lower 16 to form a part of a side face duct 28 together with the instrument panel lower 16. The duct member 30 is provided so that the load for pushing the instrument panel lower 16 to the vehicle front by the knees K of the occupant may be transmitted to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 by a U-wall 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an instrument panel structure in which a duct for conditioned air is provided inside.

  Knee protector structure for automobiles used as an air conditioning duct by closing the space surrounded by horizontal ribs and vertical ribs for supporting knee loads, which are integrally extended from the back surface of the lower panel constituting the instrument panel, with a cover Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-345553

  However, in the above conventional technique, since the rib is integrally formed on the back surface of the lower panel, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of favorably supporting the knee load with a simple structure.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain an instrument panel structure that has a simple structure and can satisfactorily support a load in which an occupant's knee pushes the instrument panel forward of the vehicle.

  An instrument panel structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an instrument panel, a skeletal member provided on the opposite side of the vehicle compartment side with respect to the instrument panel, and a lower part of the instrument panel in the vehicle vertical direction. By being fixed to the surface of the skeleton member side, a duct for circulating air-conditioned air is formed with the instrument panel, and a occupant's knee transmits a load pushing the instrument panel forward of the vehicle to the skeleton member A duct member provided in a possible manner.

  In the instrument panel structure according to claim 1, a duct through which conditioned air is circulated by the instrument panel and the duct member is formed on the lower front side of the instrument panel (the side opposite to the passenger compartment). . For example, when the passenger's knee presses the lower part of the instrument panel forward of the vehicle due to a frontal collision of the vehicle, the load accompanying this pressing is transmitted to the skeleton member via the duct member. Along with this, the duct member is deformed (collapsed), so that the impact is absorbed while restricting the forward movement of the knee. In the present instrument panel structure, a load that pushes the instrument panel forward as described above can be supported with a simple structure in which the duct member is fixed to the instrument panel.

  Thus, in the instrument panel structure according to the first aspect, it is possible to satisfactorily support the load by which the occupant's knee pushes the instrument panel forward of the vehicle with a simple structure.

  An instrument panel structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is the instrument panel structure according to the first aspect, wherein the duct member includes a vertical duct portion for circulating conditioned air in the vehicle vertical direction with the instrument panel. In addition to forming the duct, the occupant's knee is arranged to transmit a load pushing the instrument panel forward of the vehicle to the skeleton member in a portion including the vertical duct portion, and the vertical duct portion is It has a partition that is divided in the vehicle width direction.

  In the instrument panel structure according to claim 2, the load from the knee is transmitted to the skeleton member via the duct member via the duct wall and the partition wall of the duct. Thereby, the transmission load (withstand load) to the instrument panel by the duct member is improved.

  The instrument panel structure according to a third aspect of the present invention is the instrument panel structure according to the second aspect, wherein the partition wall is formed at a center portion of the opposite wall of the duct member facing the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction. It is formed in a folded shape so that the side opposite to the instrument panel side is opened, and the folded end is in contact with the instrument panel so that a load from the instrument panel to the front of the vehicle is input.

  In the instrument panel structure according to the third aspect, a folded partition wall protrudes from the facing wall of the duct member toward the instrument panel. That is, the partition wall has two walls, and it is easy to set a required load resistance with a simple structure.

  The instrument panel structure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the instrument panel structure according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the duct member is formed between the duct and the skeleton member. And a reinforcing portion reinforced so as to be deformed or destroyed by a compressive load in the vehicle longitudinal direction larger than a compressive load in the vehicle longitudinal direction required to deform or destroy the duct.

  In the instrument panel structure according to claim 4, when a load from the knee is input, a portion constituting the duct is first deformed or broken with the instrument panel in the duct member, and then the reinforcing portion is deformed or broken. The For this reason, in this instrument panel structure, compared with the structure which does not provide a reinforcement part, the transmission load (load resistance) to the instrument panel by a duct member is improved.

  An instrument panel structure according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the instrument panel structure according to the fourth aspect, wherein the reinforcing portion protrudes toward the front of the vehicle from an opposing wall of the duct member facing the instrument panel. The plurality of ribs are included.

  In the instrument panel structure according to the fifth aspect, the load resistance is improved with a simple structure in which a plurality of ribs protruding from the opposing wall of the duct member facing the instrument panel are provided.

  An instrument panel structure according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the instrument panel structure according to the fifth aspect, wherein the reinforcing portion includes a filler filled between the ribs.

  In the instrument panel structure according to the sixth aspect, the load resistance is further improved by filling the filler between the ribs.

  As described above, the instrument panel structure according to the present invention has a simple structure, and has an excellent effect that the occupant's knee can favorably support the load pushing the instrument panel forward of the vehicle.

1 is a side sectional view showing an instrument panel structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view which shows the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the duct member which comprises the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the duct member which comprises the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the duct member which comprises the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the duct member which comprises the modification of the instrument panel structure which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the modification of the instrument panel structure which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a comparative example with each embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a sectional side view, (B) is a rear view.

  The instrument panel structure 10 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS. 1-3. In addition, arrow FR, arrow UP, arrow IN, and arrow OUT that are appropriately described in each figure respectively indicate the forward direction (traveling direction), the upward direction, the inner side and the outer side of the vehicle to which the instrument panel structure 10 is applied Show.

  FIG. 2 shows the instrument panel structure 10 in a rear view. As shown in this figure, an instrument panel 12 to which the instrument panel structure 10 is applied has an instrument panel upper 14 that forms the upper part thereof, and an instrument panel lower 16 that forms the lower part thereof. In FIG. 2, a part of the instrument panel lower 16 is removed, and the removed part is indicated by an imaginary line.

  In addition, an instrument panel reinforcement 18 (hereinafter, “instrument reinforcement 18”) as a skeleton member elongated in the vehicle width direction is provided inside the instrument panel 12 (in front of the vehicle with respect to the passenger compartment C shown in FIG. 1). Called). The instrument panel reinforcement 18 is formed in a pipe shape (cylindrical shape). The instrument panel reinforcement 18 supports an air conditioner unit 20 that forms a part of an air conditioner provided inside the instrument panel 12. The air conditioner unit 20 blows out conditioned air.

  The instrument panel 12 is formed with an outlet including a center register 22 and a side register 24 for blowing conditioned air into the passenger compartment C. In this embodiment, a pair of center registers 22 are provided at the center in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel upper 14, and the side registers 24 are provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel upper 14. (In FIG. 1, only the side register 24 on the driver's seat side is shown).

  The left and right center registers 22 communicate with the air conditioner unit 20 independently through a center face duct 26. On the other hand, the driver side register 24 is communicated with the air conditioner unit 20 via a side face duct 28 as a duct in the present invention. Although not shown, the passenger seat side register 24 communicates with the air conditioner unit 20 through the side face duct independently of the driver seat side register 24. Thus, in an automobile to which the instrument panel structure 10 is applied, the conditioned air obtained by the air conditioner unit 20 is blown out from the center register 22 and the side register 24 to the vehicle compartment C in response to a request from the passenger or the air conditioner ECU. It has become so.

  Here, in the instrument panel structure 10, a part of the side face duct 28 is constituted by the duct member 30 and the instrument panel lower 16. Specifically, the side face duct 28 has a substantially “U” shape that opens upward in the vehicle so as to reach the side register 24 through the vehicle lower portion of the steering column insertion window 31 formed in the instrument panel 12. The U duct portion 32 is configured by the duct member 30 and the instrument panel lower 16. Between the U duct part 32 in the side face duct 28 and the air conditioner unit 20 is configured by a unit side duct 34, and between the U duct part 32 in the side face duct 28 and the side register 24 is a register side duct. 36.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the duct member 30 includes a front wall 40 that faces the instrument panel lower 16 and both edges in the width direction along the longitudinal direction of the front wall 40 (substantially “U” -shaped edges). To the instrument panel lower 16 side (rear side of the vehicle), and a flange 38 projecting along the instrument panel lower 16 from the vehicle rear edge of each U-shaped wall 42 And has a cross-sectional hat shape. The U-shaped wall 42 extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction and corresponds to the duct wall of the present invention that transmits the load from the knee K to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 as will be described later. As long as transmission is possible, it may be inclined or curved with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  The duct member 30 is fixed to the front surface of the instrument panel lower 16 (the rear surface when viewed from the passenger compartment C) at the flange 38. In this embodiment, the duct member 30 is made of a fiber reinforced resin material such as glass fiber reinforced resin (GFRP), and is fixed to the resin instrument panel 12 by welding or the like. Instead of fixing by welding, for example, fixing by adhesion or fastening can be adopted.

  Further, the duct member 30 as a whole has a substantially “U” shape that opens upward corresponding to the U duct portion 32. Accordingly, the duct member 30 includes a pair of left and right vertical duct portions 32A that mainly distribute conditioned air in the vehicle vertical direction in the U duct portion 32, and a horizontal duct portion 32B that communicates between the lower ends of the left and right vertical duct portions 32A. Each is formed between the instrument panel lower 16.

  In the instrument panel structure 10, the size and shape of the duct member 30 (including the side face duct 28) and the left and right vertical duct portions 32 </ b> A are positioned in front of the vehicle of the knee K of the driver occupant (driver). The arrangement is set. FIG. 1 shows a side cross-section of the vertical duct portion 32A. From this figure, the vehicle upper end 30A of the portion constituting the vertical duct portion 32A of the duct member 30 is located close to the rear of the instrument reinforcement 18 in the vehicle. You can see that they are facing each other. That is, the vehicle upper end 30 </ b> A of the duct member 30 overlaps the instrument panel reinforcement 18 in the vehicle vertical direction.

  As a result, in the instrument panel structure 10, when the instrument panel lower 16 (installed portion of the vertical duct portion 32 </ b> A) is pushed forward by the knee K in the instrument panel structure 10, the duct member 30 moves to the front of the vehicle and becomes instrument panel reinforcement 18. It is supposed to interfere. A load in which the knee K pushes the instrument panel lower 16 by this interference is transmitted (supported) to the instrument panel reinforcement 18.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the instrument panel structure 10 having the above-described configuration, the occupant is moved forward of the vehicle relative to the vehicle body in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. For this reason, the occupant's knee K moves forward of the vehicle and abuts against the instrument panel lower 16. In this embodiment, both knees K abut against the installation site of the left and right vertical duct portions 32A in the instrument panel lower 16, and press the corresponding contact portion forward of the vehicle.

  Then, the duct member 30 that has received this pressing load moves forward of the vehicle, interferes with the instrument panel reinforcement 18, and transmits the pressing load from the knee K to the instrument panel reinforcement 18. And the part (the U-shaped wall 42) which comprises the vertical duct part 32A in the duct member 30 is crushed, transmitting the load from the knee K to the instrument panel reinforcement 18, and an impact is absorbed and relieved (knee K). The peak load acting on the is reduced).

  Here, in the instrument panel structure 10, since the load from the knee K is transmitted to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 through the duct member 30 that constitutes the side face duct 28, an occupant can be provided without providing dedicated parts. The knee K can be protected.

  For example, in the comparative example shown in FIGS. 11 (A) and 11 (B), the side register 24 and the side face duct 28 are communicated with each other through the side duct 100 passing above the window portion 31, and the instrument panel lowers. A knee panel 104 supported by the instrument panel reinforcement 18 via an impact absorbing bracket 102 is disposed on the rear surface side of 16. In this comparative example, the load from the knee K received by the knee panel 104 is supported by the instrument panel reinforcement 18 while deforming the shock absorbing bracket 102. That is, in this comparative example, the shock absorbing bracket 102 and the knee panel 104 are provided to support the load from the knee K.

  On the other hand, in the instrument panel structure 10, the duct member 30 constituting a part of the side face duct 28 transmits the load from the knee K to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 as described above. There is no need to provide such dedicated parts.

  Thus, in the instrument panel structure 10 according to the first embodiment, the load that pushes the instrument panel 12 forward of the instrument panel 12 by the occupant's knee K can be favorably supported with a simple structure. That is, the occupant's knees K can be well protected with a cheaper and lighter configuration than the comparative example.

  Further, in the instrument panel structure 10, since the collision energy is absorbed (buffered) by crushing the duct member 30, which is a separate body from the instrument panel lower 16, an impact is applied to the instrument panel 12. Compared with the structure provided with the deformation or destruction part for absorption, the selectivity of the material is high. In the instrument panel structure 10, the duct member 30 is made of fiber reinforced resin, so that a good load can be transmitted to the instrument panel 18 using a simple duct-shaped duct member 30 (with a required load resistance). Obtainable. In other words, the required buffer performance can be obtained.

  Further, in the instrument panel structure 10, the side face duct 28 is disposed below the vehicle as compared with the comparative example of FIG. 11, and therefore the portion through which the side duct 100 in the comparative example passes (the back side of the instrument panel upper 14). ) Is free space, and the degree of freedom of design on the instrument panel upper 14 side is high. Specifically, for example, the shape of the meters and the degree of freedom of arrangement are increased.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that components / parts that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration, and description thereof is omitted.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows an instrument panel structure 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a rear view corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 shows a duct constituting the instrument panel structure 50. The member 52 is shown in a perspective view corresponding to FIG. As shown in these drawings, the instrument panel structure 50 has an instrument panel structure 10 in which the longitudinal duct portion 32A has a single cross section in that the longitudinal duct portion 32A is divided into two in the vehicle width direction. Is different.

  Specifically, the instrument panel structure 50 includes a duct member 52 instead of the duct member 30. A partition 54 that divides the vertical duct portion 32A into two in the vehicle width direction is formed at a portion of the duct member 52 that constitutes the vertical duct portion 32A. In this embodiment, the partition wall 54 has a folded shape that opens toward the front of the vehicle at the center in the vehicle width direction of the front wall 56 as an opposing wall facing the instrument panel lower 16 in the duct member 52, and the folded portion 54A. Is in contact with the instrument panel lower 16. That is, the partition wall 54 has a substantially “V” cross section with the folded portion 54A as the top. For this reason, the part which comprises 32 A of vertical duct parts in the duct member 52 has comprised substantially "W" -shaped cross-sectional shape. The folded portion 54A of the partition wall 54 may be fixed to the instrument panel lower 16 by welding or the like, similarly to the flange 38.

  In this embodiment, the partition wall 54 is not provided in the portion of the duct member 52 where the horizontal duct portion 32B is formed. Therefore, in the instrument panel structure 50, the U duct portion 32 of the side face duct 28 is configured such that the flow path is divided mainly in the longitudinal duct portion 32A in the vehicle width direction. In the duct member 52, the vehicle upper end 52 </ b> A of the portion constituting the vertical duct portion 32 </ b> A overlaps the instrument panel reinforcement 18 in the vehicle vertical direction in the same manner as the upper end 30 </ b> A in the duct member 30. Other configurations in the instrument panel structure 50 are the same as the corresponding configurations in the instrument panel structure 10 including a portion not shown.

  Therefore, also by the instrument panel structure 50 according to the second embodiment, the same effect can be obtained basically by the same operation as the instrument panel structure 10 according to the first embodiment.

  Further, since the instrument panel structure 50 includes the partition wall 54 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in plan view, the load from the knee K is transmitted to the instrument reinforcement 18 by the partition wall 54 in addition to the pair of U-shaped walls 42. The For this reason, in the instrument panel structure 50, the load resistance can be improved. In other words, it is possible to obtain a required load upon absorbing the impact without depending on the strength of the material.

  Furthermore, in the instrument panel structure 50, since the vertical duct portion 32A has a two-part structure, turbulence of the conditioned air in the duct is suppressed. That is, the partition wall 54 that divides the vertical duct portion 32A into two extends along the flow direction of the conditioned air, and has an effect of rectifying the flow of the conditioned air. In particular, in the immediately downstream of the portion where the side face duct 28 is greatly bent, the partition wall 54 is not provided (the flow path cross section is large), and eddy current (turbulence) is likely to occur, but in the instrument panel structure 50, Even immediately downstream of the bent portion, the generation of vortex is suppressed by the partition wall 54 extending along the flow direction of the conditioned air. For this reason, in the instrument panel structure 50, compared with the instrument panel structure 10, the favorable rectification | straightening effect of conditioned air can be acquired.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows an instrument panel structure 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a side sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 constitutes the instrument panel structure 60. The duct member 62 is shown in a perspective view corresponding to FIG. As shown in these drawings, the instrument panel structure 60 is an instrument panel that does not have the rib structure 64 in that a rib structure 64 as a reinforcing portion is provided on the duct member 62 on the vehicle front side of the vertical duct portion 32A. This is different from the ment panel structure 10.

  The rib structure 64 includes a plurality of standing ribs 64A projecting forward from the front wall 66 as opposed walls facing the instrument panel lower 16 in the duct member 62, and a plurality of projecting ribs 64A projecting forward from the front wall 66 to the vehicle front. It has a horizontal rib 64B and has a substantially lattice shape when viewed from the front. That is, the plurality of standing ribs 64A extend in the vehicle vertical direction and are arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of lateral ribs 64B extend in the vehicle width direction and are arranged in parallel in the vehicle vertical direction. The front and upper corners of the rib structure 64 have a curved shape in side view, following the outer peripheral surface of the instrument panel reinforcement 18.

  The rib structure 64 is crushed by a compressive load in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that is larger than a compressive load in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in which a portion constituting the longitudinal duct portion 32A of the U duct portion 32 in the duct member 62 is crushed. Yes. The rib structure 64 is formed while ensuring a sufficient flow path cross-sectional area as an air conditioning duct of the vertical duct portion 32A. Other configurations in the instrument panel structure 60 are the same as the corresponding configurations in the instrument panel structure 10 including portions not shown.

  Therefore, also by the instrument panel structure 60 according to the third embodiment, basically the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as that of the instrument panel structure 10 according to the first embodiment.

  It supplements about the point different from the effect of the instrument panel structure 10 in the effect of this instrument panel structure 60 mainly. In the instrument panel structure 60, when the occupant's knees K move forward of the vehicle during a frontal collision of the vehicle and the installation parts of the left and right vertical duct portions 32A in the instrument panel lower 16 are pressed forward of the vehicle, first, The load from the knee K is transmitted to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 via the rib structure 64 while the U-shaped wall 42 of the duct member 62 constituting the vertical duct portion 32A is crushed.

  When the shock absorbing stroke due to the crushing of the U-shaped wall 42 is consumed, the rib structure 64 of the duct member 62 is crushed, and the load from the knee K is transmitted to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 through the rib structure 64. At this time, the load transmitted (supported) to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 is larger than the load when the U-shaped wall 42 is crushed. As described above, in the instrument panel structure 60, the duct member 62 is crushed while transmitting the load from the knee K to the instrument panel reinforcement 18, and the collision energy (load) is absorbed and relaxed (peak acting on the knee K). Load is reduced).

  Here, in the instrument panel structure 60, by providing the rib structure 64, it is possible to increase the transmission load (load resistance) to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 as compared with a configuration without the rib structure 64. For this reason, the duct member 62 can obtain a required transmission load (peak load acting on the knee K) without depending on the strength of the constituent material itself. For example, the duct member 62 can be made of a resin material that does not contain reinforcing fibers, instead of a fiber reinforced resin material such as GFRP.

  In the third embodiment, an example in which the rib structure 64 is a hollow structure has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIGS. A configuration in which a filler 68 is filled in at least a part of each space surrounded by the standing rib 64A and the upper and lower horizontal ribs 64B may be adopted. As the filler 68, for example, rigid urethane foam or the like can be employed.

  By filling the filler 68, the load resistance can be further improved without depending on the strength of the material itself constituting the duct member 62. Further, it is possible to set the instrument panel structure 60 having different specifications (withstand load) while using the duct member 62 formed of the same mold depending on whether or not the rib structure 64 is filled with the filler 68. .

  Further, in the third embodiment, an example in which the rib structure 64 as the reinforcing portion is provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a structure (single structure) in which the filler 68 is filled and held as the reinforcing portion. It is also possible to use a filler containing portion that is a single space.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the side face duct 28 guides the conditioned air to the side register 24 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. 16 may be provided with a lower register 70 to guide the conditioned air from the air conditioner unit 20 to the lower register 70 as well. Moreover, although this invention showed the example which the duct members 30, 52, 62 which comprise the side face duct 28 transmit a load to the instrument panel reinforcement 18, this invention is not limited to this, For example, a foot blower outlet A duct member that constitutes a foot duct (both not shown) that guides conditioned air to the instrument panel reinforcement 18 may be configured to transmit a load.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the instrument panel structures 10, 50, 60 are applied to the driver's seat has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, these structures are used in the passenger seat. It may be applied. In this case, the side duct for the passenger seat does not need to avoid the window 31, so that it is possible to have a structure that receives the load from the knee K at the corner of the horizontal duct or the horizontal duct and the vertical duct. It is. Further, the side duct may be configured not to have a vertical duct portion.

10 Instrument panel structure 12 Instrument panel 16 Instrument panel lower (lower part of instrument panel)
18 Instrument panel reinforcement
28 Side duct (duct)
30 Duct member 32A Vertical duct part 42 U-shaped wall (duct wall)
50/60 Instrument panel structure 52/62 Duct member 54 Bulkhead 56/66 Front wall (opposite wall)
64 Rib structure 64B Lateral rib (rib)
64A Standing rib (rib)
68 Filler

Claims (6)

An instrument panel,
A skeletal member provided on the opposite side of the passenger compartment to the instrument panel;
By fixing to the surface of the instrument panel in the lower part of the vehicle panel in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a duct for circulating conditioned air is formed with the instrument panel, and the lap of the passenger occupies the instrument panel. A duct member provided so as to be able to transmit a load pushing the vehicle forward to the skeleton member by a duct wall extending in the vehicle front-rear direction;
Instrument panel structure with   The duct member forms the duct including a vertical duct portion that circulates conditioned air in the vehicle up-down direction with the instrument panel, and a passenger's knee moves the instrument panel at a portion including the vertical duct portion. The instrument panel structure according to claim 1, wherein the instrument panel structure is arranged so as to transmit a load pushing forward to the skeleton member, and further includes a partition that divides the vertical duct portion in a vehicle width direction.   The partition wall is formed in a folded shape so that a side opposite to the instrument panel side is opened at a vehicle width direction center portion of the facing wall facing the instrument panel in the duct member, and a folded end is the instrument The instrument panel structure according to claim 2, wherein the instrument panel is in contact with the instrument panel so that a load forward from the instrument panel is input.   The duct member is formed between the duct and the skeleton member, and is deformed or broken by a compressive load in the vehicle longitudinal direction larger than a compressive load in the vehicle longitudinal direction required to deform or destroy the duct. The instrument panel structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a reinforcing portion reinforced to the top.   5. The instrument panel structure according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing portion includes a plurality of ribs that protrude toward the front of the vehicle from an opposing wall facing the instrument panel in the duct member.   The instrument panel structure according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing portion includes a filler filled between the ribs.

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