The paper describes the development of a detailed finite element model of the new advanced frontal crash test dummy, Thor. The Volpe Center is developing the model for LS-DYNA in collaboration with GESAC, the dummy hardware developer, under the direction of the NHTSA. The modeling approach and test procedures used to create and validate each major subassembly are discussed. Specialized static and dynamic tests were performed to aid in defining and validating appropriate material models, joint characteristics, and dynamic response characteristics. The details of each dummy component are presented along with the validation procedure based on material and subassembly tests.
This paper investigates the effects the four most common misuses of a child safety seat (CSS) have on a toddler involved in a motor vehicle crash using a validated MADYMO model. These misuses involved a locking clip, shoulder harness chest clip and straps, and vehicle safety belt. A properly seated toddler in a forward-facing CSS was secured to a standard vehicle seat in a 48-kph frontal collision. The new proposed injury criteria (HIC, chest acceleration, and maximum axial neck load) and other occupant responses were used for model evaluation. For a CSS with as little as 3 centimeters of excessive slack in the vehicle safety belt, the child dummy exceeds each of the injury threshold values. Although some misuses provide a significant increase in injury response, the other misuses either individually or combined did not increase the injury potential of the child dummy in this CSS to unacceptable levels.
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