The objectives of this study are to develop a new dummy for low-speed rear-end collision testing, and to validate it against volunteer data. The dummy has a new articulated thoraco-lurnbar and cervical spine and a torso of silicon rubber. The neck and the thoraco-lurnbar spine consist of 24 vertebrae, the same number of vertebrae as in the human, which are connected by hinge joints. The motion of the head and neck is partly controlled by muscle substitutes. Linear torsion springs and polyurethane bumpers provide the resistance to flexion and extension in the thoracic and lumbar spine. The dummy is equipped with Hybrid III legs, arms, head and a modified Hybrid III pelvis. The complete dummy prototype was validated against volunteer test data and its performance compared to that of the Hybrid III dummy. The kinematics of this dummy prototype showed more human-like kinematics in rear-end impacts at delta V (velocity change) = 7 km/h compared to the Hybrid III.
Samenvatting