Citation

Svensson LG. Proc. Stapp Car Crash Conf. 1978; 22: 451-479.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Society of Automotive Engineers SAE)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Current design of seat belt systems may provide insufficient protection for the car occupant. Thus occupants may sustain head injuries due to large head excursion. Chest injuries may occur due to unfavorable restraining geometry or excessive belt slack. Finally, spinal injuries may appear due to high vertical loads on the body. Using basic criteria of favorable biomechanical restraining, design improvements of a conventional three-point seat belt system are proposed. It is shown that the design of the seat is of great importance to the biomechanical protective effect of the seat belt. A simple redesign of a conventional seat is proposed. Comparative sled tests with a new seat design and with a conventional seat are performed. The effects of a webbing-locking B-pillar loop and of an automatic belt tightener are also studied.

Language: en