CRASH KINEMATICS AND BELT RESTRAINTS

THIS APPENDIX PROVIDES MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MOTIONS OF THE VEHICLE AND OCCUPANT IN A FRONTAL CRASH, AND THEIR IMPORTANCE TO THE DESIGN OF AN EFFECTIVE OCCUPANT RESTAINT SYSTEM. EQUATIONS ARE GIVEN FOR THE ACCELERATION DURING THE CRASH, SPEED DURING THE CRASH, AND DISTANCE AND CRUSH DISTANCE AFTER IMPACT. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT BELT SYSTEMS AS CURRENTLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED IN MOTOR VEHICLES DO NOT REPRESENT AN OPTIMIZED SYSTEM FOR OCCUPANT ENERGY MANAGEMENT. SLACK REDUCTION COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY RATCHETING TAKE-UP REELS, WHILE ELASTICITY COULD BE CONTROLLED BY BETTER BELT AND REEL DESIGN. IN ADDITION, THE ELONGATION OF BELTS COULD BE TAILORED TO THE SIZE OF THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT AND TO THE CAR CRUSH CHARACTERISTICS FINALLY, ENERGY ABSORPTION COULD BE PROVIDED BY REEL DAMPERS. OTHER OBVIOUS IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE IN BELT GEOMETRY, OCCUPANT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, AND GREATER CONVENIENCE OF USAGE.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Cum Regul Effects Cost Auto Transp

    ,    
  • Authors:
    • Gates, H P
  • Publication Date: 1972-2-28

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00223790
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 17 1972 12:00AM