Search Results

The FMVSS 201 regulation requires that interior components in upper compartment of a passenger vehicle pass a head impact test using a Free Moving Head (FMH) model with a HIC(d) limit. In this type of test, most interior components themselves do not generate high HIC(d) numbers but the steel structures underneath these components do. In addition to normal functions, interior components need to absorb the kinetic energy of the FMH model such that the acceleration response of the FMH model does not generate a high HIC(d) number in the test. This paper first reviews the existing work on the principles for the head impact protection and identifies limitations of the existing theory for the design of the interior components that are mounted on flexible structures. This paper discusses and proposes a design methodology for automotive interior components to ensure that they comply with FMVSS 201 head impact requirements.