Abstract
This work presents an easy method for the study of vehicle impact and occupant kinematics during frontal impacts. The method is based on a video analysis of the impact and occupant motion in an impact, respectively.
The film recording the impact is processed by specialised programmes, then the data obtained is analysed and interpreted in order to determine the parameters of the impact between the vehicles and the occupant kinematic parameters during the impact.
This method allows determining specific parameters of the impact between vehicles, namely: full time of impact, impulse point and total dynamic crush. The performance of vehicle structure during the impact can be assessed based on these parameters.
Linear movements of various body parts of the occupant and the angles between these parts, thus determined, allow subsequent calculation of speeds and accelerations.
Occupant kinematics and vehicle kinematics during impact are directions of research in the field of passive safety of vehicles. The study of occupant kinematics is intended to identify mechanisms of injury and to make passenger safety systems (airbag and safety belt) more efficient and the study of vehicle kinematics is intended to increase the efficiency of vehicle external passive safety systems (deformable structure in impact).
Keywords: collision phase, dynamic crush, occupant kinematics.