DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

The Volkswagen Automatic Restraint (VWAR) system comprises a torso belt with a dual sensitive automatic locking retractor, a deformable knee bolster, seat, and seat belt anchorage. Dummy injury criteria values (Head Injury Criterion, chest acceleration, femur force) and kinematics are compared for the VWAR and the three-point belt system in accident simulation tests: 0 and 30 degree frontal barrier, and lateral impact using Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 and Economic Commission for Europe barriers. The VWAR passive belt system meets FMVSS 208 requirements without the use of an active seat belt. Ninety U.S. accidents involving VWAR-equipped Rabbits are summarized. The distribution of accident types with respect to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), occupant contact areas with the vehicle interior, and AIS as a function of velocity change (frontal impacts) are shown. An improved passive restraint system under development by VW is briefly described; it features an adjustable upper anchorage point.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14775360
• Corporate Authors:

  Inderscience Enterprises Limited

  La Motte Chambers
  St Helier, Jersey,   England 
• Authors:
  • Rosenau, W
• Publication Date: 1980-9

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 328-338
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Vehicle Design
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Inderscience Enterprises Limited
  • ISSN: 1477-5360
  • Serial URL: http://www.inderscience.com/jhome.php?jcode=IJVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic seat belts; Crash tests; Crash types; Dummies; Head; Impact studies; Injuries; Kinematics; Manual safety belts; Restraint systems
• Identifier Terms: Abbreviated Injury Scale; Volkswagen automobile
• Uncontrolled Terms: Head injuries
• Old TRIS Terms: Automatic restraints; Passenger restraints
• Subject Areas: Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00382082
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 496
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM