Abstract
Keywords: Pole side impact, Rib fracture, Chest protection, Side airbag, Human model
This paper analyzed how SRS side air bags and SRS curtain air bags help reduce the risk of injuries such as chest rib fractures in a car to pole side impact. Car to pole side impact accidents result in a significant proportion of serious injuries to car occupants, with chest injuries of occupants often observed in these accidents. A car to pole side impact test was introduced into Euro NCAP in 2000 and will be introduced into FMVSS214 in 2009. As SRS side air bags and SRS curtain air bags have been introduced into more vehicles in recent years, the objective of this study was to analyze how these systems can help reduce the risk of rib fractures. The Total HUman Model for Safety (THUMS) FE model was combined with full vehicle FE models and calculations made for cases where two full vehicle FE models were impacted into a pole at 29 km/h. The two calculation models were equipped with and without SRS side and curtain air bags, respectively. By comparing the two analysis results for this test condition, it was found that the incorporation of an SRS side air bag could further help reduce the risk of rib fractures. The reasons why the risk of rib fractures was reduced were as follows. Without a SRS side airbag, the upper arm of the THUMS contacted the upper ribs of the THUMS, fracturing the ribs due to the contact force of the upper arm. However, with an SRS side air bag, the air bag contacts the ribs before the upper arm and reduces the contact force of the upper arm. Likewise, without a SRS side airbag, the armrest of the door trim contacted the lower ribs of the THUMS, fracturing the ribs due to the contact force of the armrest. With a SRS side air bag present, the airbag contacts the lower ribs before the armrest, reducing the contact force of the armrest. A car to pole side impact was reproduced using the human FE model "THUMS" and it demonstrated how SRS side air bags can help reduce the risk of chest rib fractures.