This paper describes the development of a system for analyzing the external forces acting on a dummy. During frontal crash testing, various external forces act on a dummy. The dummy injury will be reduced by minimizing the external forces. In order to measure them: (1) several force transducers to mount on head, chest and pelvis were developed and added to a dummy; and (2) a computer software was developed, which was capable of obtaining the external forces acting on the dummy segments solving the motion equation of segments respectively. The system was developed for the Hybrid III anthropomorphic test dummy. Using the Toyota-developed system, it was possible to obtain: (a) external forces acting on head, chest and pelvis, and (b) influences of these forces on the dummy injury. As a result, the developed system has become one of the most useful tools for developing the safer restraint system at Toyota.
Abstract