Citation

Zini G. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 2005; 2005: 15p.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of this work is to indicate some feasible innovations that may lead to a better side impact protection, pointing out some aspects that can be developed thoroughly within the corresponding settings and using the appropriate resources. The mentioned innovations will be analyzed from a general and synergistic point of view, using basic engineering and physics principles, and considering the following: a) simulations will be performed using a simplified model consisting on a single-mass/inelastic-spring system; b) some physiological premises will be considered (such as “direct impacts should be avoided at any place of the organism”; “high accelerations can be sustained during short periods of time”; etc.); c) the bases of safety in road crashes will be established, namely “control the perfect operation and use of the safety devices”; “maintain the structural integrity of the occupants' vital volume”; “absorb the whole kinetic energy both of the vehicle and of the occupants”; etc. Subsequently, these bases will lead to determining the main functions that the compartment, external/internal structure and restraint devices should perform to enhance the safety they offer; d) the protection offered by current safety devices will be analyzed, segmented into three groups (pre-impact, impact and post-impact). All of this will allow the discussion of some feasible innovations leading to better side impact protection. Finally, considering the inherent reluctance to introduce valuable safety innovations into current automobiles (e.g.: four-point seatbelts), a strategy to perform this in a successful manner will be discussed.