Influence of Head Restraint Position on Long-Term AIS 1 Neck Injury Risk

Based on statistics about neck injuries, current head restraints are not giving sufficient protection. This article reports on a study undertaken to assess the influence of the head restraints on the long-term AIS 1 neck injury risk for real-life crash conditions. Madymo simulations of rear-end crashes were performed. The BioRID II seated in three car models was exposed to 20 recorded crash pulses with the potential to cause neck injuries. For each crash pulse, 132 head restraint positions were analyzed in terms of NICmax value and long-term AIS 1 neck injury risk. For most crashes with the three car models analyzed, the neck injury risk reduction is greater for a decrease of the backset (the horizontal distance between the back of the person's head and the front of the head-restraint) than for a decrease of the head-to-head-restraint height. The results showed that the optimal head restraint position for almost all crashes was that with zero backset and the top of the head restraint at the same level as the top of the head. In general, the neck injury risk was reduced by 0.1 for every 2.5 cm decrease of the backset.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13588265
• Authors:
  • ERIKSSON, L
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 545-555
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Crashworthiness
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1358-8265
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tcrs20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash injuries; Crash victim simulation; Headrests; Neck; Risk analysis; Seat backs; Simulation
• Uncontrolled Terms: MADYMO; Risk reduction
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I84: Personal Injuries; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01020808
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 28 2006 2:54PM