Evaluating recent seat models in rear-end impacts according to currently discussed consumer test proposals

Schmitt, Kai-Uwe; Muser, Markus

Affiliations

²Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zürich, Switzerland

Abstract

To ensure a high safety standard of vehicle seats in rear-end collisions, consumer tests will include specific test standards. The prevention of soft tissue neck injuries is meant to be addressed by the introduction of such standards. To date particularly EuroNCAP has developed a detailed proposal how such seat tests should be conducted to assess the risk of whiplash associated disorders.

In this study the relevance of the different parameters included in the consumer test proposal for assessing seat performance under rear-end impact conditions was analysed. A series of sled tests according to the latest proposal were performed with different seats. The performance of the seats was assessed as suggested by the proposal. In a next step a sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of the different parameters on the final score.

Based on our findings it is suggested to modify the test procedure such that criteria which are redundant or have a weak biomechanical foundation are omitted. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the final score and thus the discriminatory power of the evaluation scheme will persist such that the assessment procedure will still be able to rate the performance of the seats.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv21/09-0116.pdf

Cited Works (5)

Year	Entry
2007	Bortenschlager K, Hartlieb M, Barnsteiner K, Ferdinand L, Kramberger D, Siems S, Muser M, Schmitt K-U. Review of existing injury criteria and their tolerance limits for whiplash injuries with respect to testing experience and rating systems. In: Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 18-21, 2007; Lyon, France.
2003	Bortenschlager K, Kramberger D, Barnsteiner K, Hartlieb M, Ferdinand L, Leyer H, Muser M, Schmitt K-U. Comparison tests of BioRID II and RID 2 with regard to repeatability, reproducibility and sensitivity for assessment of car seat protection potential in rear-end impacts. Stapp Car Crash J. 2003;47:473-488. SAE 2003-22-0021.
2005	Adalian C, Sferco R, Fay P. The repeatability and reproducibility of proposed test procedures and injury criteria for assessing neck injuries in rear impact. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.
2007	Kullgren A, Krafft M, Lie A, Tingvall C. The effect of whiplash protection systems in real-life crashes and their correlation to consumer crash test programmes. In: Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 18-21, 2007; Lyon, France.
1997	Yang KH, Begeman PC, Muser M, Niederer P, Walz F. On the role of cervical facet joints in rear end impact neck injury mechanisms. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. February 24-27, 1997; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 970497.

Cited By (1)

Year	Entry
2010	Schmitt K-U, Niederer PF, Muser MH, Walz F. Trauma Biomechanics: Accidental Injury in Traffic and Sports. 2nd ed. Deidelberg, Germany: Springer; 2010.