Abstract
This paper describes the crashworthiness of passenger car and MPV that have same platform. Frontal crash tests and analysis have been performed to evaluate the performance of vehicles to satisfy desired requirements. Generally, offset crash tests cause more severe vehicle deformation than full frontal one. Furthermore, the increased weight of MPV due to extension of passenger compartment causes higher intrusion compared to the base passenger car in offset crash. Such deformation is likely to do critical harm to passenger owing to its concentrated vehicle deformation. By increasing vehicle stiffness, although we may improve vehicle deformation, it induces other unfavourable side effect. Stiff vehicle structures for low intrusion may cause severe injuries by its high deceleration characteristics. It is very difficult to overcome such incompatibility in developing shared platform between passenger car and MPV.
This study deals with the process to minimize intrusion and keep vehicle deceleration pulse within desired limits by adjusting the stiffness ratio and energy absorption proportion between main structures. Analysis results of passenger car and MPV under full frontal and offset crash are presented and energy absorption characteristics of main structures are discussed.