Citation

McHenry RR. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1963; 7: 207-249.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1963, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A seven-degree-of-freedom nonlinear mathematical model of a human body and a restraint system (lap belt or combination of lap belt and shoulder restraint) has been formulated, and a digital computer calculation has been programmed, for purposes of investigating the dynamic behavior of automobile restraint systems. The system response is calculated in the form of time histories of the forces, accelerations, velocities, and displacements at various points in the dynamic system for either: 1) an experimental or idealized time history of vehicle deceleration, entered as a forcing function, or 2) deceleration by a specified form of vehicle-stopping mechanism.

A lack of detailed parameter and test data has prevented complete validation of the model; however, comparisons between calculated (estimated parameters) and experimental (from the literature) responses indicate a good agreement.

Major system parameters (e.g., belt properties, stopping distance, deceleration pulse shape, etc.) have been varied to explore their effects on restraint system performance, and preliminary conclusions are presented.