Occupant Kinematics and Loading in Low Speed Lateral Impacts 2019-01-1027

Instrumented human subject and anthropomorphic test device (ATD) responses to low speed lateral impacts were investigated. A series of 12 lateral collisions at various impact angles were conducted, 6 near-side and 6 far-side, with each test using an ATD and one human subject. Two restrained female subjects were utilized, with one positioned in the driver seat and one in the left rear seat. Each subject was exposed to 3 near-side and 3 far-side impacts. The restrained ATD was utilized in both the driver and left rear seats, undergoing 3 near-side and 3 far-side impacts in each position. The vehicle center of gravity (CG) change in velocity (delta-V) ranged from 5.5 to 9.4 km/h (3.4 to 5.8 mph). Video analysis was used for quantification and comparison of the human and ATD motions and interactions with interior vehicle structures. Human head, thorax, and low back accelerations were analyzed. Peak human subject head resultant accelerations ranged from 0.9 to 36.8 g’s. Peak human subject thorax and low back lateral accelerations ranged from 1.0 to 17.1 g’s and 1.3 to 12.7 g’s, respectively. The ATD was instrumented with various sensors, including a tri-axial head accelerometer and 6-axis load cells in the upper neck, lower neck, and lumbar spine. Peak ATD head resultant accelerations ranged from 3.6 to 33.5 g’s. Peak ATD upper and lower neck compression ranged from -47.4 to -991.5 N and -52.1 to -740.6 N, respectively. Peak ATD lumbar compression ranged from -72.3 to -402.1 N. Cervical and lumbar shear loading and moments are also reported.