The biofidelity of the sagittal plane hip flexion response of the Hybrid III family of dummies was assessed. Human volunteer tests were performed to determine the distribution of maximum upward articulation angles of the femur relative to the pelvis with the knee fixed. The average value for the 52 subjects that were tested was 122 degrees. This value was used to define the angle at which hip joints of adult dummies should begin to stiffen. The average value plus one standard deviation (122 + 13 = 135 degrees) was selected as the hip flexion angle which should not be exceeded when a torque of 340 Nm (250ft-lb) is applied to the hip joint. The left and rightproximal femoral-end castings of the Hybrid III dummy were modified to give symmetric ranges of motion that satisfy the hip flexion resistanse requirements without affecting the lap belt interaction with the pelvis.
Abstract