In this study, ten experiments were carried out with Post Mortem Test Objects (PMTO's). The aim was to gain an insight into the injury mechanism, when the car occupant is in an out-of-position (OOP). This means that parts of the occupant's body are very close to the expanding airbag. The effect of the inflating full-size airbag was investigated in stationary tests, when the distance to the human head or chest was 0, 50 and 100 mm. The injury risk was determined by monitoring head and thoracic spine acceleration. The injury patterns were investigated by autopsy, and the injury mechanisms were explained on the basis of high speed film analysis. The results showed that the registered level of the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) and the thoracic spine acceleration significantly exceeded the commonly used tolerance levels. The expanding airbag generated fractures to the rib cage and sternum. Even injuries to internal organs such as the liver were detected. In cases where the expanding airbag contacted the head directly, injuries to the facial region were observed, for example superficial skin injuries, and a nasal bone fracture, as well as severe indirect injuries to the neck region.
Abstract