PURPOSE: To secure the operation of a knee protector even if the equipment for an air conditioner, etc., is arranged in proximity with the knee protector, as for an automobile equipped with the knee protector for protecting a driver's knee in an instrument panel.

CONSTITUTION: A globe box 8 is installed at the position. corresponding to a driver's knee X of an instrument panel 1, and the left and right knee protector members 14 in pair are installed on a steering supporting member 10, and when the knee X collides with the globe box 8, shock is absorbed by deforming the knee protector member 14 by the globe box 8, and a retreat suppressing member 18 is fixed on the left and right knee protector members 14. Then, the retreat of an evaporator 20 for adjusting air can be suppressed by the retreat suppressing member 18.