Response of the human cadaver abdomen to high-speed seatbelt pretensioner loading.

摘要

This study characterizes the response of the human cadaver abdomen to high-speed seatbelt pretensioner loading. A test apparatus was developed to deliver symmetric loading to the abdomen using a seatbelt equipped with two low mass load cells. Eight human cadaveric subjects were tested, as well as 5 Hybrid III 50th tests, and 7 tests with the Thor Alpha ATD. The tests were configured in a worst-case, out-of-position (OOP) scenario. A seatbelt was placed at the level of mid-umbillicus, and drawn back along the sides of the test subjects, which were seated in an upright fixed-back configuration. Penetration of the seatbelt was measured by a laser, which tracked the anterior aspect of the abdomen, and by high-speed video. Additionally, aortic pressure was monitored in the cadaveric subjects. Four different pretensioner system designs were used, referred to as system A, system B, system C, and system D. The B, C, and D systems employed single pretensioners. The A system consisted of two B system pretensioners. The vascular system of the cadaver subjects were perfused. For the cadaveric subjects: Peak anterior abdominal loads ranged from 2.8 kN to 10.1 kN. Peak abdominal penetration ranged from 49 mm to 138 mm. Peak penetration speed ranged from 4.0 m/s to 13.3 m/s. Three cadavers sustained liver injury: one AIS 2, and two AIS 3. Cadaver abdominal response corridors for the A and B system pretensioners are proposed. The results are compared to the data reported by Hardy (2001) and Trosseille (2002). The response of the Hybrid III 50th ATD that was fitted with a silicone abdominal insert, and the Thor Alpha ATD are compared to the B-system corridors. Additionally a Madymo model utilizing the Thor Alpha was developed to simulate the response of the cadavers and the Thor Alpha.