Japan research on compatibility improvement and test procedures

Mizuno, Koji; Yamazaki, Kunio; Arai, Yuji; Notsu, Masao

Affiliations

³Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), Japan

Abstract

This paper summarizes the compatibility research project conducted by JMLIT. Test procedures to assess vehicle compatibility were investigated based on a series of crash tests. In the IHRA (International Harmonized Research Activities) Compatibility Working Group, the full-width tests have been agreed upon for structural interaction evaluation of the Phase 1 approach. Thus, the JMLIT compatibility research project mainly focused on this test procedure.

Full-width rigid and deformable barrier tests were compared with respect to force distributions, vehicle deformation and dummy responses. In full-width deformable barrier tests, shear deformations are excited, and forces from structures can be clearly shown in barrier force distributions. The average height of force (AHOF) determined in full-width rigid and deformable barrier tests was similar. Basically, the full-width deformable barrier tests can be used as high acceleration tests. The dummy injury criteria were also similar between full-width rigid and deformable barrier tests, although for small cars the injury criteria can be inferior for full-width deformable barrier test due to sensor delay.

In order to investigate SEAS detection in the barrier force distributions, full-width tests were conducted for SUVs (sport utility vehicles) with and without SEAS. The reaction force of the SEAS could be detected in the full-width deformable barrier test. The VNT (vertical component of negative deviation from target row load) will be a useful criterion to evaluate the SEAS reaction force.

Car-to-car crash tests were conducted, and the compartment deformations of a small car in a crash into a medium car, MPV and SUV were compared. The structural interaction was poor in the SUV collision, and the passenger compartment of small car collapsed. Even structural interaction was good, a relatively large intrusion of the small car occurred in an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) crash. Force matching and compartment strength will be significant for the next phase of compatibility improvement.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv19/05-0185-O.pdf

Cited Works (3)

Year	Entry
2005	O’Reilly P. Status report of IHRA compatibility and frontal impact working group. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.
2003	Mizuno K, Tateishi K, Arai Y, Nishimoto T. Research on vehicle compatibility in Japan. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 19-22, 2003; Nagoya, Japan.
2003	Edwards M, Davies H, Hobbs A. Development of test procedures and performance criteria to improve compatibility in car frontal collisions. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 19-22, 2003; Nagoya, Japan.

Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
2009	Tatsu K, Yamaguchi A, Hitotsumatsu A, Okabe T. An evaluation of PDB test results for partner protection and self protection. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 15-18, 2009; Stuttgart, Germany.
2011	Brewer J, Patel S, Summers S, Prasad A, Mohan P. Accuracy of AHOF400 with moment measuring load cell barrier. In: Proceedings of the 22nd International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 13-16, 2011; Washington, DC.