A free-flight headform impact device for evaluating the energy-absorption characteristics of vehicle interiors

Dale, K.J.; Clemo, K.C.

Affiliations

Abstract

This paper reports on the design, development, and use of a test rig that enables the analysis of the aggressivity of vehicle interiors to the heads of occupants. The equipment comprises a pneumatically controlled free-flight headform device. It can be positioned inside the passenger compartment of any passenger car via any normal window or door aperture. The device fires a simulated headform prescribed in SAE J984 at speeds for 10 to 30 mph. The enormous degree of flexibility in positioning enables impacts to be conducted on almost any part of the vehicle interior.

Currently, energy-absorbing characteristics of the interior of passenger cars are assessed using drop rigs or pendulums, which necessitate the dismantling of the vehicle body. This has implications for representativeness in terms of the validity of the stiffness characteristics of the section of the vehicle being tested.

The results of testing standard specimens, using all three test devices, are presented and discussed.

Links

SAE: 856055

Cited Works (3)

Year	Entry
1985	Penoyre S. An impact test programme using six models of lower-medium-sized cars. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). July 1-4, 1985; Oxford, England.357-362. SAE 856054.
1983	Donnelly BR, Morgan RM, Eppinger RH. Durability, repeatability and reproducibility of the NHTSA side impact dummy. In: Proceedings of the 27th Stapp Car Crash Conference. October 17-19, 1983; San Diego, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:299-310. SAE 831624.
1982	Malliaris AC, Hitchcock R, Hedlund J. A search for priorities in crash protection. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. February 22-26, 1982; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 820242.

Cited By (5)

Year	Entry
1988	Planath I, Nilsson S. Testing and evaluation of a Hybrid III load sensing face. In: 32nd Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). September 12-14, 1988; Seattle, WA.187-201.
1992	Mackay M. Discussion of "Head protection offered by automobile sun visors" (Digges, et al) In discussion of: Digges K, Powell M, Nolan J, Lestina D. Head protection offered by automobile sun visors. In: 36th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 5-7, 1992; Portland, OR.131-143. In: 36th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 5-7, 1992; Portland, OR.145-148.
1985	Penoyre S. An impact test programme using six models of lower-medium-sized cars. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). July 1-4, 1985; Oxford, England.357-362. SAE 856054.
1987	Nilsson S, Planath I. Facial injury occurrence in traffic accidents and lts detection by a load sensing face. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). May 12-15, 1987; Washington, DC.613-620.
1991	Clemo KC. Development of the MIRA free-flight headform rig to simulate occupant side-impact and pedestrian impacts. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). November 4-7, 1991; Paris, France.684-690.