Test procedures for evaluating the performances of a vehicle for occupant protection during side impact have been applied in the United States since 1993, and are expected to be applied in Europe beginning in 1996. In Japan, in the report of the Council for Transport Technology presented in 1992 on this subject, side impact occupant protection was adopted as a middle term study item and studies are in progress for finding an appropriate test procedure to be adopted in Japan. This paper summarises the results of a series of full-scale side impact tests using Japanese passenger vehicles according to the US and European side impact test procedures. In addition to tests carried out in accordance with the conditions of FMVSS 214 and ECE/R.95, tests were implemented with the parameters such as crab angle, MDB height, seat position etc. changed. The test vehicles were selected from Japanese-made 1994 models in a variety of body types, weights, etc. Dummy responses were measured in the tests, specifically TTI and Pelvis G in the US procedure, and HPC, RDC, V*C, APF, and PSPF in the European procedure. Intrusions of the vehicle side structure and changes in velocity were recorded. Analysis of the test results included dummy responses, vehicle responses, and intrusions of the vehicle under a variety of tests and test conditions. In addition, analyses were made for repeatability of the full-scale tests, and repeatability in the dummy itself. The advantages and disadvantages of the US and European side impact testing procedures were studied based on the results of these analyses. (A)
Abstract