Pedestrian safety upper legform bumper impact simulation
Technical Paper
2001-06-0188
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
There is increasing concern with the growing number of
pedestrians struck by motor vehicles. Honda is actively researching
systems to reduce the level of injuries sustained during these
collisions. This paper addresses vehicles with bumpers at a
pedestrian's thigh height, such as vans and sport utility
vehicles. The goal of this research was to predict upper legform
forces due to bumper impacts and analyze bumper system concepts for
minimizing these forces.
This research was performed through MADYMO simulations of an
upper legform impacting a vehicle's bumper system. These
simulations facilitated detailed evaluation of this complex impact
event and rapid analysis of designs prior to the construction of
prototype components. Initial activity examined a traditional
bumper system for which test data was available. This provided a
baseline simulation for correlation of the computer model.
Performance of various pedestrian friendly concepts was examined
until a design that met the performance targets was achieved. This
design utilizes a deformable steel member attached to the main
bumper beam. This deformable steel member absorbs the impact
energy, thereby reducing the peak forces on the upper legform.