Search Results

A basis for verification of child dummy injury criteria performance limits, ICPLs, is needed. Presently, the ICPLs used for child dummies are derived from the Hybrid III adult dummies using scale factors for size and strength considerations. This study presents the preliminary results of an ongoing effort to verify the ICPLs through reconstructions of real world incidents which have resulted in child injuries. Incident cases which have the potential for reconstruction were identified utilizing various sources. Tests were then conducted utilizing available case information in order to best approximate the pre-injury positioning of the injured child. A comparison of injury measurements collected from a child crash test dummy could then be made to real-life injuries as a method of ascertaining validity of current child dummy injury criteria. Test results are presented for three case studies. This paper summarizes the results.

A study of the National Accident Sampling System (NASS) found an increase in upper extremity injuries when drivers were restrained by a seat belt and air bag as opposed to a seat belt alone. These injuries were attributed to forces from the air bag deploying or the air bag projecting the arm into vehicle components or the upper body of the driver. Two evaluation methods were used to assess the extent of injury and aggressiveness of different driver side air bags. The RAID, developed by Conrad Technology, and the Hybrid III instrumented arm, tested at the Vehicle Research and Test Center, were used in static testing to evaluate the effect of air bags on the arm. The positions of the RAID and the Hybrid III arm simulated the arm in four different turning positions with the forearm across the center of the wheel. Both devices recorded arm moments and accelerations. Film analysis determined the cause of the peak resultant moment for each bag in the four configurations.