APPLICATION AND TESTING AN INTERNATIONAL AIR CUSHION BUMPER ON A STRUCTURALLY MODIFIED AUTOMOBILE

A modified version of the pneumatic air cushion bumper has been incorporated into the basic design of a prototype automobile designed to provide improved structural performance during front, side, rear, and rollover collisions. A simple air bladder, recessed within a high-strength bumper bar, was supported by the front cross member of a modified frame which also served as a supplementary volume to reduce peak pressures and loads. Check valves were located between the bladder and the frame chamber to limit energy of r e bound. Test results showed that the design is suitable for incorporation into vehicles intended to withstand barrier crashes of 5-10 mph. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Presented at the Automotive Engineering Congress and Exposition, Detroit, Michigan 24-28 February 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  Calspan Corporation

  4455 Genesee Street
  Buffalo, NY  United States  14225
• Authors:
  • Merz, E J
  • Greene, J E
• Publication Date: 1975-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 12 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles; Bumpers; Crashworthiness; Prototypes; Structural engineering; Vehicle design
• Old TRIS Terms: Air cushion
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00141944
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE #750012
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-053-2-487
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 1977 12:00AM