Search Results

This paper investigates test procedures for vehicle frontal crash compatibility. Both Full Width Deformable Barrier (FWDB) tests and Moving Deformable Barrier (MDB) tests were studied to assess relevant factors of compatibility issues. The FWDB test with load cells was examined to evaluate the stiffness and interaction areas of vehicles (sometimes referred to as the “aggressivity” of vehicles). Compatibility metrics were computed using barrier load cell data and the output from the FWDB test was compared with that from the Full Width Rigid Barrier (FWRB) test. Since the results obtained from these two full width tests were considerably different, a full frontal vehicle-to-vehicle test was carried out to identify structural deformation modes. The results indicated that similar deformation modes were observed between the vehicle-to-vehicle test and the FWDB test.

Preservation of passenger compartment space during a frontal vehicle-to-vehicle collision is extremely significant for the self-protection of small cars. It is well known that crash speed, mass, stiffness and geometric interaction ail have an influence on the intrusion of the passenger compartment in a frontal impact between vehicles. This paper reports on a new enhanced body structure to reduce passenger compartment intrusion in a crash between large and small cars. The test discussed in this report set the crash speed of both cars at 50kph, the mass of the large car at almost twice that of the small car, and the small car over lap at 50%. The proposed innovative body structure for the front end of small cars achieved a previously unavailable level of efficiency of energy absorption and was able to maintain cabin integrity.

The purpose of this study is to examine compatibility test procedures proposed in the IHRA Vehicle Compatibility Working Group. Various crash tests were conducted with different vehicle weights and stiffness in our previous study, and each of the compatibility problems, namely mass; stiffness and geometric incompatibility were identified in these tests. In order to improve the compatibility, it is necessary to evaluate and control relevant vehicle characteristics of compatibility in test procedures. According to the IHRA study, relevant aspects for compatibility in frontal impact are: Good structural interaction; Frontal stiffness matching; Maintaining passenger compartment integrity; Control the deceleration time histories of impacting cars.

This paper studies the factors which affect the occupant injuries in Car-to-Car side impacts using CAE simulation. The parameters of CAE simulation were derived from US-SINCAP(Side Impact New Car Assessment Program) test conditions and the field accident statistical data of NASS(National Automobile Sampling System). The parameters varied in the CAE simulation were as follows: 1) Striking vehicle curb weight 2) Collision speed 3) Ground clearance 4) Front profile 5) Vehicle width And the comparing factors are Thorax injury severity (Thorax Trauma Index, TTI)and Pelvis injury severity (PELVIC G) as occupant protection of driver or passenger in the front seat position. These studies make it possible to analyze directions for compatibility studies on side impacts including SUV (Sports Utility Vehicles), and these results are introduced herein.

In this paper, the results from a matrix of tests performed to evaluate the response of the occupant injuries in collisions between passenger cars at 55 km/h are reviewed. Various crash tests were conducted with different vehicle weights and stiffness to investigate the effect of body intrusion and vehicle deceleration on occupant injuries. Some cases showed high intrusion which resulted in high occupant injury. Conversely some cases exhibited severe body deceleration which resulted in high occupant injury. In the cases with severe body deceleration, the body intrusion was almost the same as a 64 km/h ODB test but the injuries occur because the body deceleration is much greater in the car-to-car collision than the ODB test. To assess vehicle compatibility, an MDB test method is proposed which is one of the representative test methods of real world car-to-car accidents.

This research will discuss the issue of how the currently used frontal crash tests correlate to actual accidents. The following data will be presented in relation to this: 1. Results of offset crash tests now being conducted, and results of vehicle-to-vehicle crash tests, especially results of crash tests in which the vehicles have different weights. 2. Why do such differences occur? 3. Differences between the results of tests with moving deformable barriers (MDB) which are being studied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and results of vehicle-to-vehicle crash tests. 4. Results of modifications to test methods The following aspects of the above mentioned issues will be discussed: 1. Important items and information to be considered in studying crash test methods to be used in the future. 2. Information which needs to be taken into consideration in developing cars in the future.