This paper gives a general description of a dynamic test method for the development of a car's interior towards improved side impact performance. It also describes an application and some advantages of the test method. The background and needs for this methods are to: (1) enable the development of the car's interior before the body is available in a new car concept; (2) reduce the number of full-scale tests; (3) reduce development time; and (4) reduce the needs of expensive test equipment. The method is based on a small moving barrier which carries the trim panels mounted on a door and side structure bullet-substitute. Any available side impact dummy can be used in the method. In order to run the test, the moving barrier is is accelerated up to a chosen "dummy impact velocity" before it impacts on the dummy and seat. The findings show that the test method has a good conformity with a full-scale test in terms of both the dummy response and the behaviour of the interior components. The method can be used to determine the effects of different bullets and structural performance.
Abstract