Fully-adaptive seatbelts for frontal colllisions

Paulitz, Timothy J.; Blackketter, Donald M.; Rink, Karl K.

Affiliations

¹National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Idaho, United States

Abstract

The goal of this paper was to demonstrate the potential for a fully adaptive restraint system to significantly reduce injuries. To accomplish this, a three-bodied model of a 50th percentile Anthropometric Test Dummy (ATD) in a 35 mph frontal collision was made using Lagrangian Dynamics. The model was verified against test data obtained from NHTSA. Viscoelastic and constant force seatbelt models were created, and the results were compared for a 1998 Chevy Malibu. The simulation accurately reproduced the shape and magnitude of pelvis, chest, and head accelerations. The constant force seatbelt reduced pelvis, chest, and head accelerations by 56%, 62%, and 63%, respectively. The peak lap belt force was reduced by 60%. Relative head rotation was reduced by 16 degrees. A simple control concept was explored and demonstrated the feasibility of an adaptive constant force restraint system. Such restraint systems can make large reductions to risk of injury by significantly reducing forces and accelerations on the occupant.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv19/05-0127-O.pdf

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Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
2009	Wang C, Zhou Q. Concept study of adaptive seatbelt load limiter using magnetorheological fluid. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 15-18, 2009; Stuttgart, Germany.
2009	Gstrein G, Sinz W, Eberle W, Richert J, Bullinger W. Improvement of airbag performance through pretriggering. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 15-18, 2009; Stuttgart, Germany.
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