Title: A study on effectiveness of driver protection using energy absorbing steering system

Authors: Zhang Junyuan, Hua Wei, Huang Bai, Lin Yi

Addresses: Jilin University, PRC. ' Jilin University, PRC. ' Jilin University, PRC. ' Beijing Institute of Technology, PRC

Abstract: A mathematical occupant restraint model of a PR China-made mini-bus was established by using MADYMO software. The validity of the MADYMO model was evaluated against the head and chest responses from a crash test performed in accordance with the Chinese frontal impact regulation – CMVDR294. In this paper, the collapse load, stroke distance and mount angle of an energy absorbing steering system (EASS) were analysed and optimised in order to reduce the head and chest injury values of the occupant. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the EASS was analysed at different impact velocities. Robustness of the design with different configurations was also investigated using stochastic simulation.

Keywords: minibus; driver protection; energy absorbing steering; frontal impact; MADYMO; multi-body; simulation; robust; occupant restraint modelling; vehicle modelling; vehicle testing; crash test; China; collapse load; stroke distance; mount angle; head injury; chest injury; injury reduction; impact velocity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2006.009606

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.292 - 300

Published online: 02 May 2006 *

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