THE DESIGN OF HYBRID CUSHION CARS

THE NEW AMERICAN CAR SAFETY LEGISLATION, STANDARD 208, IS "PERFORMANCE-BASED" IN SPECIFYING A CAR CRASH SPEED UP TO WHICH THE OCCUPANTS WILL NOT BE INJURED BUT NO INDICATION IS GIVEN HOW TO DO IT. THE TWO LEADING CONTENDERS FOR THE ACTUALIZATION ARE THE INFLATABLE AIRBAG AND THE HYBRID CUSHION CAR. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE HYBRID CUSHION CAR IS TO COMBINE SAFETY HARNESSES WITH DEEP INTERNAL PADDINGS. THE DESIGN IS FULLY OPTIMIZED IN A SPECIFIC MATHEMATICAL FORMULA WHICH INCLUDES THE NEWTONIAN LAWS FOR RETARDATION AND ALSO THE ESTABLISHED SAFE MEDICAL VALUES AS TO NON-INJURIOUS IMPACT LEVELS. MUCH OF THE DESIGN HAS A COMMON PHILOSOPHY WITH THE TECHNIQUES USED BY NASA TO BRING SPACEMEN DOWN SAFELY AT SPLASHDOWN. THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLDS CAR INDUSTRY WILL USE THE HYBRID CUSHION CAR DESIGN AS THE MEANS TO ACTUALIZE STANDARD 208 AND THE EQUIVALENT LEGISLATION BEING PREPARED IN OTHER COUNTRIES. /AUTHOR/

• Corporate Authors:

  GORDON AND BREACH SCIENCE PUB.

  AMSTERDAM:
  ,    
• Authors:
  • Foster, D
• Publication Date: 1972-7

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 217-21
• Serial:
  • Intl J Environmental Studies
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue Number: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Highway safety; Laws; Prevention; Safety; Shock resistance; Shoulder harnesses; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Impact strength
• Old TRIS Terms: Design vehicle
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00223962
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 18 1972 12:00AM