Title: Development of a unified model for sensor and crash analyses

Authors: Clifford C. Chou, Ping Chen, Jerry Jialiang Le

Addresses: Bioengineering Centre, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. ' Passive Safety R&AE, Product Development, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, Dearborn, MI 48121, USA. ' Passive Safety R&AE, Product Development, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, Dearborn, MI 48121, USA

Abstract: This paper describes the development of a unified model particularly for sensor and crash analyses. Technical remarks are made for comparison of differences between a sensor and a crash model. Many useful modelling tips are given to safety analysts for use as reference in creating improved models. It is recommended that a good sensor model should be developed and calibrated using at least three crash tests at low to high velocities in rigid barrier impact and pole or Thatcham impact. All sensor signals generated by the model must be evaluated using the Sensor Waveform Assessor (SWA) to assess their quality and accuracy. Sensor pulses, once they have attained the required ranking, can then be provided to suppliers for sensing system calibration.

Keywords: FEA; finite element analysis; crash analysis; sensor analysis; CAE models; sensor models; crash models; modelling; vehicle safety; crash tests; rigid barrier impact; pole impact; Thatcham impact; sensing system calibration; sensor pulses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2007.015542

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2007 Vol.2 No.3, pp.241 - 260

Published online: 26 Oct 2007 *

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