Responses of Hybrid-III 50th and Thor-NT 50th in Sled Tests With Different Seat Belt Pretensioner Configurations
This study quantifies the effectiveness of the various seat belt pretensioner configurations relative to the no pretensioner condition and defines the relative sensitivity of the Hybrid-III 50th and THOR-NT 50th percentile male anthropomorphic test devices to pretensioner effects. The results of this study indicate that pretensioners reduced the chest accelerations and Head Injury Criteria (HIC) of both Hybrid-III and THOR-NT dummies. In addition, the pretensioners reduced the chest forward movement by providing restraint earlier in the event. The dual pretensioners and the retractor pretensioners were more effective than the buckle pretensioner and the no pretensioner conditions. Although the Hybrid-III and THOR-NT were different in construction and sitting depth, the Hybrid-III and THOR-NT's responses to the pretensioner conditions were similar. Test-to-test repeatability was acceptable for both dummies.