Development of an appropriate pedestrian legform impact test method which can be used for all types of vehicles including high bumper vehicles:​ development of a simplified upper body part (SUBP) FE model

Isshiki, Takahiro<sup>1</sup>; Konosu, Atsuhiro<sup>1</sup>; Takahashi, Yukou<sup>2</sup>

The current test methods using a legform impactor cannot appropriately evaluate the probability of pedestrian lower limb injuries when applied to vehicles with high bumpers (high‐bumper vehicles) because of a lack of pedestrian upper body part/function in the impactors. Therefore, since 2010 we have been developing a legform impact test method that can evaluate the probability of pedestrian lower limb injuries when applied to any type of vehicle, including high‐bumper vehicles.

In this research, as the second step of our study, we developed a finite element (FE) model of a Simplified Upper Body Part (SUBP) that can appropriately consider the influences of the upper body part of pedestrians.

First of all, because it can be considered that the influences of the upper body part of pedestrians are passed on to the lower limb via the hip joint located at the top of the lower limb, we analyzed the influence of differences in load conditions applied to the hip joint on the probability of lower limb injuries. As a result, we identified factors that significantly influence the probability of lower limb injuries.

Next, we developed a SUBP FE model considering the above‐mentioned influential factors using the optimization method. As a result, we succeeded in developing a SUBP FE model that can appropriately consider the influences of the upper body part of pedestrians.

Keywords: pedestrian protection test method, legform impactor, influences of the upper body part, computer simulation, optimization method

Year

Entry

2006

Kikuchi Y, Takahashi Y, Mori F. Development of a finite element model for a pedestrian pelvis and lower limb. In: Proceedings of the SAE World Congress & Exhibition. April 3-6, 2006; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 2006-01-0683.

2005

Mizuno Y. Summary of IHRA pedestrian safety WG activities (2005): proposed test methods to evaluate pedestrian protection afforded by passenger cars. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.

2003

Takahashi Y, Kikuchi Y, Mori F, Konosu A. Advanced FE lower limb model for pedestrians. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 19-22, 2003; Nagoya, Japan.

2010

Takahashi Y, Suzuki S, Ikeda M, Gunji Y. Investigation on pedestrian pelvis loading mechanisms using finite element simulations. In: Proceedings of the 2010 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 15-17, 2010; Hannover, Germany.169-180.

Year