Citation

Mizuno K, Yamazaki K, Arai Y, Notsu M. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 2005; 2005: 11p.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper summarizes the compatibility research project conducted by the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (JMLIT). Test procedures to assess vehicle compatibility were investigated based on a series of crash tests. In the IHRA (International Harmonized Research Activities) Compatibility Working Group, the full-width tests have been agreed upon for structural interaction evaluation of the Phase 1 approach. Thus, the JMLIT compatibility research project mainly focused on this test procedure. Full-width rigid and deformable barrier tests were compared with respect to force distributions, vehicle deformation and dummy responses. In full-width deformable barrier tests, shear deformations are excited, and forces from structures can be clearly shown in barrier force distributions. The average height of force (AHOF) determined in full-width rigid and deformable barrier tests was similar. Basically, the full-width deformable barrier tests can be used as high acceleration tests. The dummy injury criteria were also similar between full-width rigid and deformable barrier tests, although for small cars the injury criteria can be inferior for full-width deformable barrier test due to sensor delay. In order to investigate Secondary Energy Absorbing Structure (SEAS) detection in the barrier force distributions, full-width tests were conducted for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with and without SEAS frame type. The reaction force of the SEAS could be detected in the full-width deformable barrier test. The VNT (vertical component of negative deviation from target row load) will be a useful criterion to evaluate the SEAS reaction force. Car-to-car crash tests were conducted, and the compartment deformations of a small car in a crash into a medium car, multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and SUV were compared. The structural interaction was poor in the SUV collision, and the passenger compartment of the small car collapsed. Even structural interaction was good, a relatively large intrusion of the small car occurred in an MPV crash. Force matching and compartment strength will be significant for the next phase of compatibility improvement.