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Computer simulations, dummy experiments with a new enhanced upper extremity, and small female cadaver experiments were used to analyze the small female upper extremity response under side air bag loading. After establishing the initial position, three tests were performed with the 5th percentile female hybrid III dummy, and six experiments with small female cadaver subjects. A new 5th percentile female enhanced upper extremity was developed for the dummy experiments that included a two-axis wrist load cell in addition to the existing six-axis load cells in both the forearm and humerus. Forearm pronation was also included in the new dummy upper extremity to increase the biofidelity of the interaction with the handgrip. Instrumentation for both the cadaver and dummy tests included accelerometers and magnetohydrodynamic angular rate sensors on the forearm, humerus, upper and lower spine.

This paper presents a study characterizing the interaction between a small female upper extremity and a deploying side air bag. The results are based on 12 tests with small female cadavers, and 15 tests with the instrumented SAE 5th percentile female upper extremity attached to the 5th percentile Hybrid III female dummy. The upper extremity was loaded by a deploying seat mounted thoracic side air bag in a static test environment. Three types of inflators were used that varied in peak pressure and pressure onset rate. Three upper extremity positions where chosen that maximized loading to the humerus and elbow joint. Upper extremity instrumentation for both the cadaver and dummy tests included accelerometers and angular rate sensors on the forearm, humerus, and upper spine. Additional instrumentation on the cadavers included strain gage rosettes on the anterior and posterior humerus.