Evaluation of the protective performance of a novel restraint system for highly automated vehicles (HAV)

Matsushita, Tetsuya<sup>1</sup>; Saito, Hiro<sup>1</sup>; Sunnevång, Cecilia<sup>2</sup>; Östling, Martin<sup>2</sup>; Vishwanatha, Abhiroop<sup>3</sup>; Tabhane, Avinash<sup>3</sup>

Affiliations

Abstract

As automated driving further penetrates the market, opportunities continue to arise for new vehicle interior designs, and new seating positions might be allowed. Flexible seating with a wider range of positions will require new restraint systems, independent of the steering wheel or instrument panel. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel seat-integrated restraint system created for future potential seating position, compared to the current conventional restraint system in forward-facing seat condition.

The seat-integrated restraint system was evaluated using a virtual simulation model correlated to physical sled tests. The CAE model included a generic seat, the seat integrated belt system with a 2kN load limiter, and the new Dual Shoulder Airbag system (DSA). The DSA was mounted to the seat back on both sides of the seat. The DSA was also connected below the seat pan to raise the occupant’s pelvis-thigh area during a crash, to avoid submarining in the reclined position. For reference, a standard system (3-point 4 kN load limiter belt and driver airbag) was used. Occupant injury assessment reference values (IARV) were evaluated using the AM50_THOR, AF05_Hybrid III, and AM95_Hybrid III models and compared to IARVs from the current and new proposed New Car Assessment program in the U.S (US NCAP). The IARVs compared were HIC15, BrIC, Nij and Chest deflection. The load cases evaluated were full rigid-barrier frontal crash (FRB) and NHTSA Oblique Impact (NOI), with crash pulses representing a mid-size sedan. The occupant protection was evaluated for the standard seating position (23 degrees from vertical) as well as for a reclined position (45 degrees from vertical). The new restraint system resulted in lower IARVs than the reference system in every case except HIC15 and Nij in the NOI condition.

A comparison of the standard and reclined positions revealed that every IARV was increased in the latter. No submarining occurred for any of the restraint systems.

The new proposed airbag system has the potential to offer equivalent or lower IARVs compared to the reference system in frontal crash mode (forward-facing seat condition).

Links

URL: http://indexsmart.mirasmart.com/26esv/PDFfiles/26ESV-000321.pdf

Cited Works (6)

Year	Entry
2017	Jorlöv S, Bohman K, Larsson A. Seating positions and activities in highly automated cars: a qualitative study of future automated driving scenarios. In: Proceedings of the 2017 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 13-15, 2017; Antwerp, Belgium.13-22.
2019	Östling M, Larsson A. Occupant activities and sitting positions in automated vehicles in China and Sweden. In: Proceedings of the 26th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 10-13, 2019; Eindhoven, Netherlands.
2005	Forman J, Kent R, Ali T, Crandall J, Bostrom O, Haland Y. Biomechanical considerations for the optimization of an advanced restraint system: assessing the benefit of a second shoulder belt. In: Proceedings of the 2005 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 21-23, 2005; Prague, Czech Republic.337-353.
2012	Luet C, Trosseille X, Drazétic P, Potier P, Vallancien G. Kinematics and dynamics of the pelvis in the process of submarining using PMHS sled tests. Stapp Car Crash J. October 2012;56:411-442.
2009	Shaw G, Parent D, Purtsezov S, Lessley D, Crandall J, Kent R, Guillemot H, Ridella SA, Takhounts E, Martin P. Impact response of restrained PMHS in frontal sled tests: skeletal deformation patterns under seat belt loading. Stapp Car Crash J. 2009;53:1-48. SAE 2009-22-0001.
2013	Bostrom O, Motozawa Y, Oda S, Ito Y, Mroz K. Mechanism of reducing thoracic deflections and rib strains using supplemental shoulder belts during frontal impacts. In: Proceedings of the 23rd International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 27-30, 2013; Seoul, South Korea.

Cited By (5)

Year	Entry
2019	Östling M, Larsson A. Occupant activities and sitting positions in automated vehicles in China and Sweden. In: Proceedings of the 26th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 10-13, 2019; Eindhoven, Netherlands.
2020	Gepner BD, Toczyski J, Rawska K, Moreau D, Kerrigan JR. Sensitivity of human body model response relative to the lumbar spine and pelvic tissue formulation. In: Proceedings of the 2020 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. 2020; Munich, Germany.156-168.
2020	Luttenberger P, Feist F, Kofler D, Sinz W, D’Addetta GA, Freienstein H, Wolkenstein M. Assessment of future occupant restraint principles in autonomous vehicles. In: Proceedings of the 2020 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. 2020; Munich, Germany.431-455.
2021	Parenteau CS, Andrecovich C, Sherman S, Svensson M. Teenage activities and postures when passengers in a vehicle environment. In: Proceedings of the 2021 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 8-10, 2021; Online.669-694.
2022	Gepner BD, Perez-Rapela D, Forman JL, Ostling M, Pipkorn B, Kerrigan JR. Evaluation of GHBMC, THUMS and SAFER human body models in frontal impacts in reclined postures. In: Proceedings of the 2022 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 14-16, 2022; Porto, Portugal.116-143.