Headrest and seat back design proposals

Martinez, John L.

A nonlinear mathematical model is used to predict head motions during an automotive rear-end collision. The physical characteristics of the seat back are extremely important factors in the mechanics of the torso and head of the car occupant.

This paper studies the velocity and displacement as well as acceleration patterns of the subject's head and torso on absolute and relative bases. Once these patterns are established, mathematical experiments are performed to study the variation in patterns produced.

Specifically, the concept of the yielding seat back (damped and undamped) is studied as a design concept for attenuating the impact experienced by the subject in the rear-end collision.

Year

Entry

1968

Severy DM, Brink HM, Baird JD. Backrest and head restraint design for rear-end collision protection. In: Proceedings of the SAE Automotive Engineering Congress and Exposition. January 8-12, 1968; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 680079.

1966

Ommaya AK, Hirsch AE, Martinez JL. The role of whiplash in cerebral concussion. In: Proceedings of the 10th Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 8-9, 1966; Hollomon Air Force Base, NM. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:314-324. SAE 660804.

Year

Entry

1972

Metz LD, Ruhl RL. On the influence of crash helmets on whiplash injury to racing car drivers. In: 16th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 19-21, 1972; Chapel Hill, NC.149-161.

1998

Bigi D, Heilig A, Steffan H, Eichberger A. A comparison study of active head restraints for neck protection in rear-end collisions. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 31–June 4, 1998; Windsor, Ontario, Canada.1103-1110.

1996

Boström O, Svensson MY, Aldman B, Hansson HA, Håland Y, Lövsund P, Seeman T, Suneson A, Säljö A, Örtengren T. A new neck injury criterion candidate based on injury findings in the cervical spinal ganglia after experimental neck extension trauma. In: Proceedings of the 1996 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 11-13, 1996; Dublin, Ireland.123-136.

1997

Boström O, Krafft M, Aldman B, Eichberger A, Fredriksson R, Håland Y, Lövsund P, Steffan H, Svensson M, Tingvall C. Prediction of neck injuries in rear impacts based on accident data and simulations. In: Proceedings of the 1997 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 24-26, 1997; Hannover, Germany.251-264.

1970

Clarke TD, Sprouffske JF, Trout EM, Klopfenstein HS, Muzzy WH, Gragg CD, Bendixen CD. Baboon tolerance to linear deceleration (-gx): lap belt restraint. In: Proceedings of the 14th Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 17-18, 1970; Ann Arbor, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:279-298. SAE 700906.