The Development and Performance of a Self-Contained Solid State Digital Crash Recorder for Anthropomorphic Dummies

A solid state, low power, self-contained digital crash recorder was developed and installed in the Part 572 crash test dummy for capturing and storing the crash severity-time event. The crash recorder is capable of recording upon internal triggering command the dummy's response in 10 separate data channels. The recorder's performance was evaluated in laboratory and vehicle tests consisting of simulated and real rigid barrier collisions in the forward impact mode and moving barrier collisions in side impacts. The recorder was found to be suitable for capturing and storing high quality crash data compatible with currently used hardwire data acquisition techniques.