A DoE Method in Predicting Injuries to Out-of-Position Occupants from Torso-Only Side-Impact Airbags

Yi Yang Tay, Rasoul Moradi, Hamid M. Lankarani

Volume 13 Issue 2

Global Journal of Research in Engineering

Airbag systems such as frontal and side-impact airbags are developed to reduce occupant injuries during vehicle collisions. Yet, such systems have caused serious injuries to out-of-position occupants especially to smaller females and children. The primary objective of this study is to examine the different influential factors such asmass flow rate, fabric permeability ratio, fabric maximum inflated depth that contribute to OOP occupant injuries in airbag-related accidents. A mathematical model of Heidelberg stationary test, vehicle interior and seat mounted side-airbag is developed using the MADYMO code 7.4.2. The mathematical model of the airbag used in this study is a torso-only seat-mounted side-impact airbag (SAB). The airbag model is validated against similar study conducted by Hallman et al. and the results are found to be in good agreement. Once the airbag model is validated, the airbag and the anthropomorphic test dummy are positioned in a vehicle environment to better predict the occupant injuries in a static environment. The ATD test configurations are performed in accordance to the recommendations by The Side Airbag Out-Of-Position Injury Technical Working Group. Lastly, a set of parametric equations to predict the OOP occupants’ injuries are developed using the full factorial design.