Citation

Seiffert UW. Proc. IRCOBI 1977; 5: 108-119.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This technical paper describes the passive seat belt/knee bolster restraint system (VWRA), as installed in the Golf. This system, which was developed during the research development with the air bag in conjunction with the VW experimental vehicles, is being sold today on the market and has been, in fact, already installed in approximately 65,000 vehicles. The general concept and function of this system is to absorb the collision energy of the pelvis by way of the knees and femurs as opposed to the conventional method employing the lap belt. The upper torso is still restrained by a single torso belt similar to the one used with the standard 3-point belt system. The paper illustrates the general performance of this system in accident simulation tests and in real-world highway accidents. One accident was taken as an example and was simulated with the use of test surrogates (dummy test devices) and compared with the real injuries which resulted in the actual collision. The VWRA has shown that it is a viable alternative to the conventional 3-point belt in its present form.

Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Impact Trauma. Berlin, Germany. 7,8,9 September 1977

Language: en