PROTECTIVE LEVEL OF SAFETY HARNESSES COMBINED WITH SOME RACING CAR SEATS IN FRONTAL - IMPACTS A LABORATORY STUDY

As a basis for a prospective modification of the present seat-belt regulation in Sweden, the protective level of safety harnesses compared with the 3-point belts has been studied. Biomechanical tests were carried out with different combinations of belts and seats. The results showed that a 3-point belt on conventional seat offered the best protection in frontal impacts. The geometry of the safety harness (inverted Y-harness and 4-point belt) induces the lap belt to slide over the iliac crest and the restraining forces will be on the abdomen (submarining). This may be prevented by the use of a 6-point belt, where two crotch straps keep the lap belt in position. The safety harness induces strong rebounds on the head, owing to the fact that the shoulder straps stop the forward motion of the torso too fast. High accelerations and HIC-values were registered for the head. The shoulder straps of the safesty harness also expose the wearer's shoulders and spine to high stresses in frontal impacts, which may induce injuries to the shoulders and compression injuries to the spine. Various solutions which may result in an increase of the protective level of the system safety harness and racing-car seat in frontal impacts are discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • Ottoson, A-L
  • LOVSUND, P
• Publication Date: 1986-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 483-494
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abdomen; Biophysics; Frontal crashes; Head; Injuries; Laboratory studies; Manual safety belts; Occupant protection devices; Seats; Shoulder harnesses; Spinal column; Sports cars
• Uncontrolled Terms: Occupant protection
• Old TRIS Terms: Shoulder harness
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00496177
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 772
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1990 12:00AM