Citation

Weissner R, Ensslen A. Proc. IRCOBI 1985; 13: 269-276.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Technical measures taken to increase passenger protection in vehicles refer to head-on-, side-, rear-end-collisions and rollovers. This paper deals with a very small section of this broad spectrum of safety measures, namely the head-rest. The head-rest has become an integral part of the seat. Seats do not only have the function of providing comfort for passengers during their stay in the car, but they can also make a positive contribution to passenger protection in the event of a collision when provided with the correct technical design. The kinematics of passengers during a rear-end impact show that the head-rest--particularly during this type of collision--can prevent unendurable movements of the head relative to the upper body. Fully aware of the fact that the benefit/cost ratio of head-rests is low the intention of the paper is to underline once again the positive effect of head-rests to reduce head-neck injuries especially in the event of rear-end collisions. Basic tests were preformed which show the difference of head-neck movement during rear-end collisions with and without head-rests. Furthermore, an indication is given of the difference of dummy behavior using a Hybrid II and a Hybrid III dummy. (Author/TRRL)