Comparison of Hybrid III and THOR 5th percentile female dummies in frontal crash tests

Carroll, Jolyon<sup>1</sup>; Kruse, Dion<sup>1</sup>; Mishra, Ekant<sup>1</sup>; Mroz, Krystoffer<sup>1</sup>; Lubbe, Nils<sup>1</sup>

Female occupants have higher injury risks than males in frontal impacts. The Hybrid III 5th percentile female dummy is the predominant tool to assess these injuries, however adoption of the THOR-05F is expected.

Frontal impact sled tests were performed in the SENIORS buck setup with both the Hybrid III 5th and THOR-05F dummies. Two different crash pulses were used, at 35 km/h and 56 km/h. The components of the restraint system were also changed to provide variety in the test conditions.

Whilst there was similar forward excursion measured at the top of the torso in these tests, the lap belt restrained the Hybrid III 5th pelvis better than that of the THOR-05F, reducing the forward excursion at the pelvis level. Differences between the two dummies were also seen in the chest deflection. The left (buckle-side) of the THOR-05F chest recorded much larger deflections than the central Hybrid III measurement.

The interaction of these two dummies with the restraint systems was demonstrably different. The high chest loading and large forward pelvis excursion with the THOR-05F indicate the need for a different optimisation of the balance between pelvis and torso loads for the THOR-05F compared with the Hybrid III 5th percentile.

Keywords: 5th percentile dummies; Hybrid III; Injury risk; Restraints; Sled tests; THOR

Year

Entry

1991

Mertz HJ, Horsch JD, Horn G, Lowne RW. Hybrid III sternal deflection associated with thoracic injury severities of occupants restrained with force-limiting shoulder belts. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. February 25–March 1, 1991; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:105-119. SAE 910812.

2017

Wisch M, Lerner M, Vukovic E, Hynd D, Fiorentino A, Fornells A. Injury patterns of older car occupants, older pedestrians or cyclists in road traffic crashes with passenger cars in Europe: results from SENIORS. In: Proceedings of the 2017 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 13-15, 2017; Antwerp, Belgium.63-78.

2003

Shams T, Huang TJ, Rangarajan N, Haffner M. Design requirements for a fifth percentile female version of the THOR ATD. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 19-22, 2003; Nagoya, Japan.

2017

Wang Z, McInnis J, Benfant L, Feng Z, Lee E. THOR 5th percentile female ATD design. In: Proceedings of the 25th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 5-8, 2017; Detroit, MI.

2003