Computer simulations and experimental tests were used to examine the effect of humerus orientation on upper extremity interaction with a deploying airbag. The Articulated Total Body (ATB) program was used to simulate testing of three upper extremity positions ranging from 0-degree to 90-degree abduction. Results indicated little difference in peak forearm bending moment for the three positions, a finding which was confirmed with experimental tests of airbag deployment into a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 5th% female dummy arm in the 0-degree and 90-degree positions. A comparison of simulation and dummy testing with experiments run using cadavers resulted in the conclusion that forearm position, not humerus orientation, plays a critical role in determining upper extremity injury during airbag deployment. Both 0-degree and 90-degree abduction tests were found to be valid methods for studying arm/airbag interaction while preserving the rest of the cadaver for future testing. (A)
Abstract