The Development of an Air Bag on Collapsible Dashpanel Restraint System for Right Front Seat Occupants 740576

An air bag on collapsible dashpanel (ABCD) passive restraint system concept was researched, developed, and demonstrated at Calspan. Elements of the ABCD system are: a collapsible dashpanel which is positioned within steering wheel distance or greater of the occupant to absorb the primary portion of the kinetic energy of the occupant-vehicle interaction, and two small air bags which deploy at speeds above 20 MPH, to distribute chest contact forces and control head motions. A crushable kneebar is used for lower torso restraint. The Calspan 3-D Crash Victim Simulation was used as a preliminary design tool in developing the concept. Component tests of the collapsible dashpanel were conducted on the Calspan linear accelerator impactor. Sled tests were conducted to refine the restraint system design and to evaluate the performance of the restraint system with respect to accepted injury criteria. Satisfactory restraint system performance was demonstrated for the 50 lb. child at 40 MPH and the 50th percentile male at 50 MPH. Performance for the 95th percentile male at 45 MPH was marginal. The ABCD concept was demonstrated to be a feasible passive restraint system which shows promise for improving occupant protection for the range of occupant sizes from the 50 lb. child through the 95th percentile male.