This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Crash Energy Management in Subcompact Automobiles
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Research programs conducted at Calspan to improve structural crashworthiness of subcompact cars are described. In two separate but related investigations, front structural designs intended to improve crash energy management were developed and adapted to a Datsun 510 and Chevrolet Vega.
The prototype structure developed for the Datsun 510 was nominally consistent with present production manufacturing techniques and did not interfere with normal packaging requirements. This prototype design was evaluated through a series of 50 MPH (80 km/hr) flat barrier tests. Excellent passenger compartment integrity and crash energy management was demonstrated for this prototype automobile.
The structural system developed for the Chevrolet Vega was similar in concept to that of the Datsun; but manufacturing requirements were relaxed in this effort. The design was tested in a series of 60 MPH (96 km/hr) frontal pole barrier impacts and 80 MPH (129 km/hr) closing speed vehicular collisions with a production standard size automobile. The results indicated substantial improvement over performance obtained from identical tests with conventional automobiles.
Finally, the problem of providing crash energy management in small cars is contrasted with that of standard size cars. The trade-off in this range of car size becomes one of smaller dimensional changes resulting in substantial changes in vehicular weight and kinetic energy. Results demonstrate that crash energy is more easily managed in the subcompact class automobile.
Authors
Citation
Miller, P., Ryder, M., and Shoemaker, N., "Crash Energy Management in Subcompact Automobiles," SAE Technical Paper 740572, 1974, https://doi.org/10.4271/740572.Also In
References
- Miller P. M. “Hardware Development and Production Feasibility as Related to Vehicle Structures and Exteriors Research,” NHTSA/Vehicle Safety Research Integration Symposium Washington, D. C. May 30 & 31 1973
- Johnson E. H. “Basic Research in Crashworthiness II--Structural Modifications of Compact Cars for Frontal Impacts,” Calspan Report No. YB-2987-V-2 April 1972
- Johnson E. H. “Basic Research in Crashworthiness II--Development and Evaluation of Structural Modifications for Luxury Cars in Frontal Impacts,” Calspan Report No. YB-2987-V-6 May 1973
- Ryder M. O. “Basic Research in Crashworthiness II--Structural Modifications of Subcompact Cars for Frontal Impacts,” Calspan Report No. YB-2987-V-10
- Miller P. M. “Basic Research in Crashworthiness II--Summary Report,” Calspan Report No. YB-2987-V-21 May 1973
- Miller P. M. Shoemaker N. E. “Development of a Front Structure for the Nissan ESV Program” Calspan Report No. ZL-5051-V-1 October 1972
- Mitsuhashi Kenichi Shimoe Hideo Aya Norimoto Tsutamoto Makoto “On Crashworthiness of Nissan ESV,” SAE Paper # 740208 , Presented at Automotive Engineering Congress Detroit, Michigan February 25 March 1 1974