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It is important to predict the crashworthiness of a body frame in order to design the structure which absorbs the impact energy effectively at the front or rear structure member of the body. We have been analyzing the crashworthiness with the following methods to establish a fundamental concept on the buckling characteristics of the frame at the initial design stage of vehicle development. 1) The method to introduce the empirical formulas considered with the effective width theory 2) The finite element method (FEM) based on the plastic joint method 3) The buckling analysis considered with the initial strain and the inertia force of engine Nowadays, it is possible to conduct a large deformation analysis of a crashworthiness by using the Super Computer.

This paper pertains to fundamental studies of inspections of drowsiness and quantity of residual alcohol in the human body by electrodermography to develop biosensors when operating motor vehicles. The authors have been studying experiments of electrodermography under conditions of normal, active, fatigue states, and after drinking alcohol at static bench tests and dynamic tests of a driving simulator. By electrodermography, it is possible to measure the skin potential level (SPL). Some young and old people of both sexes were selected as volunteers. From static tests, some results are obtained: Data are scattered regardless of the same conditions. Data does not depend on the age of either sex. Data has specific wave patterns for each pattern, especially for fatigue situations. Data of these cases can especially be identified by evaluating data with dV/dt (mV/sec) in fatigue conditions.

A Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation was conducted to predict energy-absorbing characteristics in an impact of a head form against plastic plates. Static and dynamic material tests were conducted in order to determine material properties of the plastics. The properties were applied in an explicit FEM code. The FEM results were validated through the impact tests by the head form against the same plastic plates. It was proved that the FEM could simulate the test result well, when the precise material properties were introduced in the simulation. The method can be expected to be available to predict energy-absorbing characteristics during the impact by the head form against automobile plastic components such as shell portions of instrument panels.

The objective of this paper is to present one of the application of the finite element method (FEM) in early stages of vehicle development to calculate larger deflections of body sheet panel. The stiffness of sheet metal shells is defined in conjunction with the local elastic buckling instability under concentrated loads. Considerable amount of weight reduction of outer panels could be obtained by optimizing metal gauges, radii, peripheral conditions and reinforcing manner of the panel. Among several outer panels of an automobile, a roof panel is picked up as an example and its stiffness is calculated by FEM analysis. The results shows satisfactory coincidence with the experimental ones. Regarding the calculation procedure, Central Processor Unit (CPU) time of finite elements was found to be reduced by varying and optimizing supporting conditions of the panel. Furthermore, the stiffness analysis program during the initial design stages of vehicle development is described.