Title: A computational study of seat and seatbelt performance for protecting 6-12 year-old children in frontal crashes

Authors: Balaji Ramanathan; Jingwen Hu; Matthew P. Reed

Addresses: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Tesla Motors, Inc., Fremont, CA, USA ' University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA ' University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center for Ergonomics, Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the body size for 6-12 year-old children as well as belt and seat design factors on injury outcomes in frontal crashes using computational simulations. Custom software was created to automatically scale and position a MADYMO child dummy model with an improved pelvis and abdomen geometry from child data. A parametric analysis of the effects from child size, seat belt anchorage locations, seat cushion length and seat stiffness on the injury predictors of child passengers aged between 6 and 12 in the FMVSS213 crash scenario was conducted. Child size was the dominant variable affecting the outcome measures. Seat design variables and the seat belt system variables had opposing effects on outcome measures, particularly between head and knee excursions, highlighting the importance of using optimisation techniques for future seat belt and seat designs to improve rear seat older child protection.

Keywords: computational modelling; older children; seatbelt performance; frontal impact; seat performance; frontal crashes; injury risk; child body size; belt design; seat design; injury outcomes; simulation; vehicle design; seatbelt anchorage locations; seat cushion length; seat stiffness; design optimisation; child protection; occupant safety; rear seats.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2016.073704

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2016 Vol.70 No.1, pp.29 - 44

Accepted: 10 Mar 2015
Published online: 16 Dec 2015 *

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