This research deals with experimental and finite element simulation of impacts occurring between a deformable chestform and an aluminium three-spoke steering wheel armature. Experimental testing was conducted to investigate the effect of impact location and armature orientation on the energy-absorbing capabilities of the automotive component. Numerical (finite element) models were developed to simulate the experimental process and to investigate further how the energy absorption abilities of the armature, and specific sections of the armature, vary with different impact situations. An excellent correlation between the experimental testing observations and numerical simulation results was observed for this highly non-linear problem. Most importantly, the finite element simulations have illustrated that the steering wheel armature hub and rim regions are the locations where most energy, because of plastic deformation in the structure, is absorbed. These observations provide an understanding of the characteristics of energy management in crash situations for the steering wheel armature.
Experimental testing which examines the effects of variations in the column angle and wheel angle of the steering wheel and the velocity at which a chestform impacts the steering wheel armature is the focus of this research. The capability of predicting loads and absorbed energy in any impact between the driver of a vehicle and the steering wheel is very significant in steering wheel design and occupant safety. Methods of illustrating the effects of the wheel angle and column angle (for a prescribed impact velocity) on peak impact load, peak displacement, and energy absorption are presented in this paper. It was observed that experimental observations (impact load, displacement, and energy absorption) are very dependent upon the orientation of the steering wheel armature and chestform velocity when impact occurs between the two entities. NOTATION U,,,o,,,, ~e,,,n,o,ron F; vertical loadforce m VI"tp7'I g Ahwork done to plastically deform the steering wheel armature and the chestform Z position in "z" direction mass of the impacting bodyform and attached accessories impact velocity of the bodyform local acceleration due to gravity maximum displacement occurring between the chestform and the mature
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