Lower extremity response of the Thor-LX compared to the Hybrid-III lower leg in frontal barrier crash tests 2001-06-0162
The Thor-Lx leg and foot complex is being developed by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Applied
Safety Technologies Corporation, and GESAC, Inc., as a new research
and development (R&D) tool which will be more biofidelic than
the current Hybrid-III lower extremity. This paper reviews the
results from a matrix of tests performed to evaluate the response
of the Thor-Lx in comparison to the Hybrid-III lower extremity in
high-speed frontal crashes. The testing included three 64 km/h
frontal offset deformable barrier tests and two 56 km/h flat rigid
barrier tests. Testing was done using the following Anthropomorphic
Test Device (ATD) combinations: Hybrid-III with the Hybrid-III
Enhanced Instrumented Tibia, Hybrid-III with the Thor-Lx, and Thor
with the Thor-Lx.
The response of the lower extremity was found to vary with each
leg and torso combination. Tibia bending moments were reduced and
the lower tibia axial compressive force was increased in the
Thor-Lx when compared to the Hybrid-III tibia. This phenomenon is
attributed to the Achilles' tendon added to the Thor-Lx. When
the Thor torso was used, loads measured in the lower extremity were
lower than when the Hybrid-III torso was used. This lower level of
loading is a result of changes in the torso kinematics that reduce
the forward stroke of the pelvis.
Author(s):
Douglas C. Longhitano, John E. Turley
Affiliated:
Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Pages: 10
Event:
International Technical Conference on Enhanced Safety of Vehicles
Related Topics:
Anthropometric test devices
Frontal collisions
Torso
Leg
Foot
Research and development
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