INNOVATIVE BODY STRUCTURE FOR THE SELF-TOOTECTION OF A SMALL CAM IN A FRONTAL VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE CRASH. 2003-06-0074

Preservation of passenger compartment space during a frontal vehicle-to-vehicle collision is extremely significant for the self-protection of small cars.

It is well known that crash speed, mass, stiffness and geometric interaction ail have an influence on the intrusion of the passenger compartment in a frontal impact between vehicles. This paper reports on a new enhanced body structure to reduce passenger compartment intrusion in a crash between large and small cars. The test discussed in this report set the crash speed of both cars at 50kph, the mass of the large car at almost twice that of the small car, and the small car over lap at 50%. The proposed innovative body structure for the front end of small cars achieved a previously unavailable level of efficiency of energy absorption and was able to maintain cabin integrity.