This paper describes and discusses the most recent validation of the PASSIM-PLUS passenger side airbag model for analyzing airbags of complex shape. The multi-element model has the capability of simulating passenger interaction with a three dimensional airbag of completely arbitrary, user defined shape. This model actually simulates the instantaneous shape of the airbag as determined by the various contact surfaces encountered by the airbag. Therefore, the shape of the contact surface presented to the passenger is not constant and can accommodate large deflection penetrations by the passenger. The model is capable of simulating forward positioned children and normally seated adults. The model is fully supported by various menu driven pre- and post-processors for creating the input files and evaluating the output. A special, menu driven, interactive pre-processor facilitates rapid creation of the 3-D airbag "mesh". Another pre-processor computes the inflator mass flow and gas temperature from tank test data. All FMVSS-208 injury measures are computed and summarized. Post-processors provide full graphic output in curve overlay and kinematic format. The results show that the model is both easy to use and very accurate in its predictive ability.
Abstract