Brake Light Filament Deformation Analysis for Vehicular Collisions

The results of an empirical study of the dynamic conditions necessary for non-intrusive, plastic deformation of automotive lamp filaments is presented. Both barrier impact and centrifugal techniques were utilized to inertially load the lamp filaments. Numerous tests were conducted under a variety of filament illumination combinations in order to determine threshold values of acceleration necessary for permanent, plastic filament deformation. The study revealed that acceleration levels necessary for permanent filament deformation are well in excess of the average values of deceleration experienced by an automobile, even in very high speed collisions.