Citation

Bose D, Crandall JR, Untaroiu C, Maslen E. Proc. IRCOBI 2008; 36: 135-148.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Optimal performance of future adaptive restraint systems will require an accurate assessment of occupant characteristics including physical properties and pre-collision behavior of the occupant. The sensitivity of frontal collision induced injuries to occupant state parameters: stature, mass, and pre-collision postural orientation was investigated. A numerically modeled restraint system was used to determine the potential benefits in injury mitigation by accounting for the occupant state parameters estimated during the pre-collision phase. The restraint system with properties optimized for varying sets of occupant anthropometries and posture states reported a reduction of 20-35% in the value of overall injuries. Restraint loading characteristics optimized for individual values of occupant parameters reported significant variation in the load-limiting threshold of the restraint system (4 kN to 8 kN). The influence of occupant state parameters on the overall injuries sustained in frontal collisions and the requirements on optimized restraint performance will provide a framework for developing restraint systems using accurate information regarding pre-collision occupant behavior.