Dummy-loadings caused by an airbag in simulated out-of-position situations

Two full-scale tests were carried out as a continuation of a series of crash tests conducted earlier to examine the stresses on passenger dummies (Hybrid III, 50% male) in a simulated out-of-position (OOP) situation (See ITRD E201301). In both tests, the lower speed range close to the airbag trigger threshold was included, and the passenger dummy was unbelted and bent forward out-of-position. The two tests were carried out with an Opel Corsa at impact velocities of 29 km/h and 34 km/h. The vehicle impacted a rigid barrier with 40% frontal overlap. In the 29 km/h test, the airbag trigger threshold was not reached. In the 34 km/h test, the airbags were triggered. Between the two tests, the car was repaired in a body shop with a complete interchange of the damaged parts. In addition, two tests were performed triggering the passenger airbag whilst the vehicle was stationary and varying the position of the corresponding passenger dummy. This dummy was bent forward in each of the cases. In one case, the dummy's head was close to the dashboard. In the other case, the distance between its nose and the dashboard was 175 mm. The test findings are presented and discussed on an interdisciplinary basis. The main attention is focused on: the traumato-mechanical relevance of the loadings recorded on the dummies, knowledge of biomechanical limits of the cervical spine, analyses of the worst case of the stresses with respect to traumato-mechanical aspects, and on the evaluation of the problems against the background of real-world accidents. For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E203597.