Search Results

Recent cadaver studies have provided data for the development of force and stiffness characteristics of the side of the human head. A Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Dummy (ATD) head was modified to allow direct measurement of impact forces on the parietal and temporal regions by recasting the upper left half of the skull and installing triaxial piezoelectric force transducers. Dynamic impact tests of this modified head were conducted and force/stiffness characteristics for the temporal and parietal areas were compared to existing data on cadaver subjects. It was found that the existing Hybrid III vinyl skin satisfactorily represents the force/stiffness characteristics of the human head in these areas. This modified Hybrid III dummy head was also impacted against typical interior components likely to be contacted during a side impact. The force and acceleration test results are presented.

Research on frontal collisions has been the theme of numerous papers and publications over the years. The relevance of the subject is clearly demonstrated by different accident studies. The analysis shows that apart from the traditional high speed full frontal barrier impact, it is also necessary to simulate tests at lower speeds and partial overlap collisions at high speeds. This paper describes one of the frontal impact situations, the Severe Partial Overlap Collision (SPOC); accident analyses leading to a test method and its application by description of a new car design concept.