Beginning April 1990, frontal collision simulations with middle- and compact-class cars have been performed. For these crash tests a new experimental technique was developed using Electronically Controlled Vehicles. All tests were conducted at a collision velocity of 55 km/h and 50% offset against a rigid barrier. The main task of this test series was to achieve an estimation on the vehicle-specific injury potential (crashworthiness). In the vehicles, dummies of type Hybrid II/50% male were positioned on the driver's and co-driver's seats. The measured vehicle and dummy data (accelerations, forces, deformations) and injury criteria were used to calculate this injury potential. The results of both the high-speed films, and of the vehicles' structure behaviour gave further basic data. Finally, results of Heidelberg long-term investigations gave basic knowledge for the injury mechanisms. Another future aim of this collision series is to discuss the problems of rating individual passive safety levels of different vehicles in accordance with realistic main accident types, and with respect to optimized injury criteria in dummies. (A)
Abstract