This paper provides an overview of Free Motion Headform (FMH) impact testing on vehicle upper interior components from the perspective of typical testing results from conventional vehicles, a general methodology to interpret test results, and available design options for improving the crashworthiness characteristics in the event of head impact. Actual test data, as well as a statistical summary of testing results from tests conducted on many vehicles, is presented. Emphasis is placed on converting the test data from a time-based to a displacement-based format. A simple approach which can be used to estimate effective design countermeasure characteristics is described. A general discussion of available design countermeasure alternatives to increase the level of safety provided by interior components is provided. Readers of this paper will view testing results from a different perspective in that less focus will be directed to the specific injury index value, but more on the mechanics which caused the result. This perspective allows the engineer to focus on how to improve FMH test results through commonly accepted force management techniques. (A)
Samenvatting