Challenges in steering wheel rim to thorax impacts using finite element Hybrid III and human body models for heavy vehicle frontal crash applications

Holmqvist, Kristian; Svensson, Mats Y.; Thorn, Stefan; Brolin, Karin; Davidsson, Johan

Affiliations

¹Chalmers University of Technology, SAFER Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre and the Dept of Applied Mechanics, Vehicle Safety Division, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden

²Volvo Technology Corporation, Department of Humans, Systems & Structures, SE-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract and keywords

A risk of severe injuries from steering wheel rim to thorax contacts has been identified in heavy vehicle frontal collisions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects in changing the steering wheel rim tilt angle on the thorax of the Hybrid III and a human body model THUMS with respect to chest deflection and steering wheel rim contact interaction. It was found that the Hybrid III chest is more sensitive to changes in steering wheel tilt angle than the THUMS.

Keywords: Finite element method; Steering Wheels; Hybrid III; Thorax; Truck

Cited Works (4)

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