Title: Effectiveness of the head and neck support (HANS1) device in frontal impacts of CART cars: a CAE analysis

Authors: Para Weerappuli, Priya Prasad, Saeed Barbat

Addresses: Safety Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Scientific Research Laboratory, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, Dearborn MI 48124, USA. ' Safety Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Scientific Research Laboratory, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, Dearborn MI 48124, USA. ' Safety Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Scientific Research Laboratory, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, Dearborn MI 48124, USA

Abstract: Results of a CAE (Madymo) analysis probing effectiveness of the HANS device in reducing injuries to open-wheel racecar drivers in frontal impacts are presented. The model utilised a typical impact pulse used in sled tests. Results show that the HANS device significantly reduces upper-neck shear, tension, and extension moment. These results agree with published test data. Upper-neck loads remain lower than the no-HANS case for a wide range of tether stiffness. The same is true for upper-neck shear and tension for increasing tether slack. Results are more sensitive to changes in slack than stiffness. The predicted head injury criterion is higher for drivers with the HANS device. This is attributable to tether forces at the time of engagement, the magnitude and duration of which depend on contact-interaction between head and helmet-inside. Further tests are needed to better estimate this interaction. Results also show that lowering friction on HANS surfaces reduces head-neck injury potential.

Keywords: biomechanics; CAE analysis; CART; frontal impacts; HANS; head-neck injury; race car safety; racing cars; vehicle safety; head and neck support; injury reduction; neck loads; neck shear, neck tension; neck extension; head injuries; neck injuries; race car accidents; injury prediction; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2005.007542

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2005 Vol.1 No.1/2/3, pp.129 - 144

Published online: 03 Aug 2005 *

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