A static test method to assess swivel seat strength in frontal impact

Mechanical swivel seat adaptations are a key aftermarket disability modification to any small- to medium-sized passenger vehicle. However, the crashworthiness of these devices is currently unregulated and the existing 20g dynamic sled testing approach is prohibitively expensive for prototype assessment purposes. In this paper, an alternative quasi-static test method for swivel seat assessment is presented, and two different approaches (free-body diagram and multibody modelling) validated through published experimental data are developed to determine the appropriate loading conditions to apply in the quasi-static testing. Results show the two theoretical approaches can give similar results for estimating the quasi-static loading conditions, and this depends on the seatbelt configuration. Application of the approach to quasi-static testing of both conventional seats and those with integrated seat belts showed the approach to be successful and easy to apply. It is proposed that this method be used by swivel seat designers to assess new prototypes prior to final validation via the traditional 20g sled test.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1080/13588265.2014.914667
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13588265
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Preston, Ross
  • Amato, Giuseppina
  • Lyons, Mathew
  • Simms, Ciaran
• Publication Date: 2014-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 469-483
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Crashworthiness
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1358-8265
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tcrs20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crashworthiness; Frontal crashes; Occupant protection devices; Persons with disabilities; Private passenger vehicles; Seat belts; Seats; Test procedures
• Identifier Terms: Madymo
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I84: Personal Injuries; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01531041
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 24 2014 3:18PM