Authors: Devon L. Albert, Samuel T. Bianco, Allison J. Guettler, David M. Boyle, Andrew R. Kemper, Warren N. Hardy—Virginia Tech, Center for Injury Biomechanics
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the thoracic responses of the 50th-percenitle male Hybrid III, THOR, and post mortem human surrogate (PMHS) in the rear seat during frontal sled tests using conventional and advanced restraints in multiple vehicle environments. Twenty-one sled tests were conducted using the Hybrid III and THOR in seven bucks, and 12 PMHS sled tests were performed using four bucks. Trends in chest deflections between vehicles and restraint conditions were compared between surrogates. The Hybrid III and THOR thoracic injury risk predictions were compared to the thoracic skeletal damage observed during the PMHS tests. The Hybrid III chest deflections were greater for vehicles equipped with conventional restraints compared to those equipped with advanced restraints. The THOR chest deflections generally supported this trend, but not as strongly. The PMHS sustained lower chest deflections and less damage, on average for the vehicles equipped with advanced restraints. However, this outcome was confounded by PMHS variability, the effect of submarining on thoracic response, and other design differences between vehicles. All PMHS sustained at least nine rib fractures regardless of restraint condition. The THOR better predicted PMHS damage outcomes than the Hybrid III because the Hybrid III tended to underpredict injury risk for vehicles equipped with Advanced restraints. These results support previous studies that suggest the implementation of advanced restraints can reduce injury risk in the rear seat. However, the results also suggest that other vehicle characteristics, apart from restraint type, influence thoracic injury outcomes in the rear seat.
Type: Full Paper