Abstract
The authors conducted sled tests using the MAMA-2B pregnant dummy to examine the mechanisms of injuries to pregnant drivers and the effects of seatbelts worn by pregnant drivers during collisions. The seating position of the dummy was determined from the means of anthropometric values obtained from pregnant Japanese women. Deceleration waveforms of the frontal and the rear impacts with various delta-Vs were applied to the sled, and tests were run with and without a seatbelt. The pressure on the abdominal bladder of the dummy (hereafter abdominal pressure) was measured as well as other dynamic responses of the dummy. In frontal and rear impact test, without a seatbelt with a small delta-V, abdominal pressure peaked at the point where the dummy contacted the steering wheel. However, in frontal impact tests without a seatbelt and with a higher delta-V, the dummy slipped down the seat, consequently its torso slid below the airbag without a significant peak of abdominal pressure. These findings potentially indicated the benefit of the seatbelt use during pregnancy. Moreover, they also suggested that fetal outcome should be predicted based on more than just internal pressure of pregnant drivers, taking the overall status of the mother’s health into account.
Keywords: Injury, Vehicle Safety, Occupant Protection, Pregnancy, Dummy, Fetus