Vehicle internal design improvement guidelines by using the computational pregnant occupant model 'Expecting' Online publication date: Sun, 22-May-2011
by B. Serpil Acar, Senay Mihcin
International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation (IJHFMS), Vol. 1, No. 4, 2010
Abstract: New interior designs for vehicles may improve the safety of pregnant occupants without compromising the safety of non-pregnant occupants. The objective of this study is to investigate the implications of the steering wheel unit orientation by using 'Expecting', the computational pregnant occupant model developed at Loughborough University. Three steering column angles and three steering wheel angles are modelled in a subcompact mini-car interior in MADYMO. A standard three-point seat belt and an airbag are used as restraint systems. The strain values at the placental location of the uterus of 'Expecting' for frontal impacts with 15, 30, 45 kph are predicted for various steering wheel unit configurations and the resulting distance between the steering wheel unit and the abdomen and sternum of 'Expecting'. Recommendations are made to improve safety.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation (IJHFMS):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com