This study reports on the results of frontal collisions with 16 cadavers and two Hybrid III dummies with impact velocities of 48 km/h to 55 km/h and a mean sled deceleration of 17 g. The cadavers were restrained in the driver position with either 3-point belts and/or air bag with knee bolster and one case was unrestrained. The cadavers were autopsied and the injury severity was rated according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 90. Maximum resultant Th1, Th6, and Th12 accelerations or sternum accelerations in x-direction ranged from 35 g to 78 g when using 3-point belts and produced injuries ranging from a few rib fractures to unstable chest wall. The same range of acceleration values were observed when a driver air bag was used, but three of the four subjects remained uninjured. The sternum fracture was the typical injury by using 3-point belt systems. The chest band contours showed the torso belt produced a high local compression with resulting higher injury risks, while the air bag appeared to load a larger area of the chest front with less injury risk. The 3-point belt combined with driver air bag appears to be the best solution for the protection of the head and thorax during frontal collisions.
Abstract