There is evidence to suggest that males and females respond differently in motor
vehicle collisions, making it important to study how both sexes respond to
vehicle safety systems. The THOR 5th-percentile female (THOR-05F)
anthropomorphic test device (ATD) was developed to represent a small female
occupant better than the Hybrid III 5th-percentile female (HIII-05F)
ATD. However, there are few studies in which they have been directly compared.
Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the responses of the two
ATDs in matched frontal sled tests simulating a realistic driver seat
environment. A 7th-generation Toyota Camry driver seat test buck was used with
Camry parts (i.e., 3-point belt, modified seat, steering wheel, airbag, and
column). The belt was equipped with a 4-kN load limiter and pretensioner. Rigid
foam (65 psi) was used to represent the knee bolster. Thirteen tests were
conducted using speeds of 30 and 56 kph. Chest bands were used to measure
external chest deflection. Greater neck compression loads, flexion moments, and
extension moments were measured in the HIII-05F tests due to different airbag
interactions compared to the THOR-05F. Upper neck compression in the HIII-05F
was greater for the 30 kph tests than the 56 kph, reinforcing a need to research
crashworthiness at lower speeds. Chest deflections were greater in the THOR-05F
tests, which was likely due to the more compliant rib cage. External chest
deflections indicated that belt routing and breast tissue influenced the
location and magnitude of maximum chest deflections. External deflections also
indicated that the HIII-05F rib cage might be more coupled bilaterally than the
THOR-05F. Femur loads were slightly greater in the THOR-05F, although knee
bolster loads were greater for the 56 kph HIII-05F tests. Future work will
include conducting matched small female PMHS sled tests.
