The objective of this research was to develop a pregnancy insert for the Hybrid III female dummy which would allow evaluation of various restraint conditions on energy transmission to the foetus. The pregnancy insert includes a urethane "abdomen-uterus" surounding an ellipsoidal "amniotic fluid" gel and simulated 28-32 week "foetus", and fits into a 5th percentile Hybrid III female dummy. The "foetus" is instrumented with accelerometers in the head and thorax. A load-measuring reaction plate records force on the abdomen. Thirty-nine crash tests were run in the driver and right front passenger position on a Hyge sled under eleven different belt restraint and airbag conditions at 10-25 mph (4.5-11.2 m/s). In the first series, foetal and maternal responses for recommended lap-shoulder belt placement were compared to improper placement of the lap or shoulder belt. In the second series, several driver airbag restraint conditions were studied. (A)
Samenvatting