An Overview of Frontal Air Bag Performance with Changes in Frontal Crash-Test Requirements: Findings of the Blue Ribbon Panel for the Evaluation of Advanced Technology Air Bags

2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan A. Ferguson ◽  
Lawrence W. Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Crash Test ◽  
Blue Ribbon ◽  
Frontal Crash ◽  
Air Bags ◽  
Air Bag ◽  
Blue Ribbon Panel ◽  
Test Requirements

New algorithm and accelerometer locations for frontal crash discrimination

2001 ◽  
Vol 215 (11) ◽  
pp. 1171-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
H-Y Jeong ◽  
Y-H Kim
Keyword(s):  
Crash Severity ◽  
Velocity Change ◽  
Absolute Value ◽  
Frontal Crash ◽  
Air Bags ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Air Bag ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Frontal Crashes ◽  
Utility Vehicle

Several crash discrimination algorithms have been developed in order to have timely air bag deployment during frontal crashes. However, it is still challenging to have timely air bag deployment, especially during pole, underride, oblique and offset crashes. Therefore, in this paper, a new algorithm for frontal crash discrimination is proposed, with the summation of the absolute value of the deceleration change being used as a metric and with the metric and its threshold being processed as a function of the velocity change. The new algorithm was applied to frontal crashes of a minivan and a sports utility vehicle, and it resulted in timely air bag deployment for frontal crashes, including pole, underride, oblique and offset crashes. Moreover, it is proposed that an accelerometer be installed on each side of the rockers or pillars to assess the crash severity of each side and to deploy driver and passenger air bags at different times, especially during an asymmetric crash such as an oblique and an offset crash. As an example, the deceleration signals measured at the left and right B-pillar/rocker locations were processed through the algorithm, and earlier time-to-fires (TTFs) were obtained for the air bag on the struck side than for the air bag on the non-struck side.

Experimental Investigation of Friction Between Vehicle Air Bag Material and Head Skin for Humans and Crash Test Dummies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Dong ◽  
Yun-Seok Kang ◽  
John Bolte ◽  
Jason Stammen ◽  
Kevin Moorhouse
Keyword(s):  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
Human Skin ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Crash Test ◽  
Skin Sample ◽  
Air Bags ◽  
Air Bag ◽  
Skin Samples

Abstract Motor vehicle crashes can produce serious head or brain injuries due to contact with interior vehicle structures. It has been found through both field data analysis and experimental testing that many of these brain injuries occur in oblique crashes, even with the deployment of air bags. Research has determined that rotational head velocity is strongly correlated to the risk of brain injury through metrics such as Brain Rotational Injury Criteria (BrIC). The severity of rotational head motion could be related to the friction force developed during contact between the head and air bags. Although crash test dummy head skins are designed with appropriate mass properties and anthropometry as well as material type and thickness to emulate the proper impact response of the human head, it is not known whether they accurately represent the frictional properties of human skin during air bag interaction. This study experimentally characterized the friction coefficient between human skin and air bag fabrics using a pin-on-disc tribometer. Skin samples were harvested from different locations (forehead, cheeks, chin) from specimens of post-mortem human subjects (PMHS). Fabric samples were cut from six different air bags spanning various vehicle manufacturers and interior mounting locations. For comparison, four types of dummy head skin samples were also tested against the air bag samples. Friction was measured between different skinair bag material combinations at various linear velocities and normal forces. It was determined that the difference between human and dummy skin friction with the air bag samples varied significantly among different air bags; however, the effect of linear speed, normal force, and human skin sample harvesting location on friction coefficient is negligible. Except for one air bag fabric, the friction coefficients of the dummy skin are higher than those quantified for human skin.

Crash Test Ratings and Real-World Frontal Crash Outcomes: A CIREN Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1099-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel E. Ryb ◽  
Cynthia Burch ◽  
Timothy Kerns ◽  
Patricia C. Dischinger ◽  
Shiu Ho
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Crash Test ◽  
Frontal Crash

Finite Element Simulation of a Strong-Post W-Beam Guardrail System

SIMULATION ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 587-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali O. Atahan
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element ◽  
Crash Test ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Crash Testing ◽  
Element Simulation ◽  
Test Requirements

Computer simulation of vehicle collisions has improved significantly over the past decade. With advances in computer technology, nonlinear finite element codes, and material models, full-scale simulation of such complex dynamic interactions is becoming ever more possible. In this study, an explicit three-dimensional nonlinear finite element code, LS-DYNA, is used to demonstrate the capabilities of computer simulations to supplement full-scale crash testing. After a failed crash test on a strong-post guardrail system, LS-DYNA is used to simulate the system, determine the potential problems with the design, and develop an improved system that has the potential to satisfy current crash test requirements. After accurately simulating the response behavior of the full-scale crash test, a second simulation study is performed on the system with improved details. Simulation results indicate that the system performs much better compared to the original design.

Letters to the Editor

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-613
Author(s):  
Allan F. Williams
Keyword(s):  
General Motors ◽  
American Population ◽  
Letters To The Editor ◽  
Air Bags ◽  
Crash Protection ◽  
Air Bag ◽  
Conducting Research

Dr Beuf's comment that air bags "can be more hazard than help" to children is incorrect. The concern had been expressed that some unrestrained children in crashes would be in positions in which they would be contacted by an air bag early in its deployment, and possibly injured as a result. Some years ago both Volvo and General Motors raised this issue after conducting research using pigs as child surrogates. Volvo cautioned, however, that "it would be extremely unfortunate if either government or industry allows the emotionality of the standing child/inflatable restraint issue to overshadow the potential that such systems have for preventing fatalities and injuries in a much larger segment of the American population" (letter submitted to Docket 74-14; Notice 1-FMVSS208, Occupant Crash Protection, Oct 18, 1974).

scholarly journals Using the March of Dimes "Becoming a Mom" Prenatal Program to Improve Maternal Attitudes and Knowledge

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-60
Author(s):  
Amy K Chesser ◽  
Nikki Keene Woods ◽  
Trisha Melhado ◽  
Amanda Steventon
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Prenatal Education ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Blue Ribbon ◽  
March Of Dimes ◽  
Blue Ribbon Panel

BACKGROUND: Premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome were identified as issues contributing to infant mortality in Kansas by the state’s Blue Ribbon Panel. The March of Dimes Becoming a Mom (BAM) prenatal program was implemented in four counties identified with high infant mortality rates and significant birth numbers (Geary, Saline, Sedgwick, and Shawnee) by the Kansas Blue Ribbon Panel. The purpose of this study was to identify the changes in prenatal attitudes, knowledge, and health outcomes among BAM program participants. METHODS: A collaborative community-based model incorporating multidisciplinary teams was created to address the health disparity gap in birth outcomes. Patients participated in multiple prenatal education sessions using a curriculum developed by the March of Dimes. A pre-/post-test design was implemented for the prenatal sessions. Changes in attitudes were assessed using descriptive statistics. Paired t-tests were used to assess the difference in knowledge questions from pre- and post-tests. Health outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Participants were 69% White, 87% spoke English, 64% were under age 26, 41% were employed full time, 45% had some high school or had a diploma, 39% had Medicaid, and 49% were enrolled in WIC (N=114). Participants demonstrated a statistically significant increase in knowledge among 14 out of 32 questions including: identifying signs of preterm labor, what to do during preterm labor, postpartum symptoms, and baby sleep position. There were also changes in prenatal attitudes including: need for prenatal care as soon as possible, continuing prenatal care when feeling healthy and not smoking during pregnancy. Relative frequencies were tabulated for week of delivery, infant birth weight, type of delivery, and presence of maternal and infant medical conditions. CONCLUSION: The March of Dimes BAM program participants reported improvements in prenatal knowledge. The BAM program can improve maternal knowledge through a community-based collaborative model of care. The combined prenatal education program with quality prenatal care can result in better maternal and child health outcomes.

Fifth percentile female dummy upper extremity interaction with a deploying side air bag

2003 ◽  
Vol 217 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Duma ◽  
J R Crandall ◽  
W D Pilkey ◽  
K Seki ◽  
T Aoki
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Peak Pressure ◽  
Angular Rate ◽  
Small Female ◽  
Air Bags ◽  
Load Cells ◽  
Injury Tolerance ◽  
Air Bag ◽  
Onset Rate

This paper presents the results from experiments designed to characterize the upper extremity response of the small female during side air bag loading. A seat-mounted thoracic side air bag was deployed statically using three different inflators. The aggressivity of the inflators varied in peak pressure and pressure onset rate. The fifth percentile female HIII dummy was utilized in three positions, which were chosen to maximize loading of the humerus and elbow joint. Two had the dummy positioned outboard with the forearm on the armrest, and the third had the dummy inboard such that the humerus was positioned horizontally in front of the air bag module with the forearm supported above the armrest. Instrumentation for the fifth percentile female dummy included the fully instrumented SAE upper extremity with six axis load cells in the humerus and forearm as well as accelerometers and angular rate sensors attached to each segment. All inflators produced resultant humerus moments below published injury tolerance values for the small female, with the more aggressive air bags producing higher responses. The upper extremity proved useful in evaluating injury risk relative to side air bag design.

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