Characteristics of anti-whiplash seat designs with good rear-life performance

In the last 10 years car seats have been specifically designed to mitigate short and long-term neck injuries caused by rear end impacts. During this period of time, anti-whiplash seat ratings also have been introduced. Recent research have shown rating methods to correlate to real-life performance. The objective of this study was to describe possible characteristics of real-life good performing anti-whiplash seat designs. To meet the objective, first a real-life data analysis was performed. In total 1111 Folksam and 2630 police reported injuries between 1998 and 2006 were included. As a result, the redesign of the Saab, Volvo and Toyota seats in the late 90s showed a 50-70% reduction in risk of whiplash symptoms for more than 1 month. Secondly, a rating test series with Saab, Volvo and Toyota seats before and after the anti-whiplash redesign were performed. Also, published rating performances of seats with these designs were analyzed. Well-designed seats showed good performance in dynamic rating tests, especially for the low and medium severity pulses, through designs aimed at reducing head-to-head restraint distance and yielding energy absorption of the seat. For the covering abstract see ITRD E141762.

• Authors:
  • BOSTROM, O
  • KULLGREN, A
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Serial:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF IRCOBI (INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL ON THE BIOMECHANICS OF INJURY) CONFERENCE 2007, HELD MAASTRICHT, THE NETHERLANDS, SEPTEMBER 2007
  • Publisher: IRCOBI (International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Impacts) Secretariat-INRETS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conferences; Design; Injuries; Rear end crashes; Seats; Vertebrae
• ITRD Terms: 2040: Cervical vertebrae; 8525: Conference; 9011: Design (overall design); 2163: Injury; 1620: Rear end collision; 1388: Seat (veh)
• Subject Areas: Design; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01141110
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: TRL
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 30 2009 9:02AM