A New Concept in Anthropomorphic Test Dummies for Lateral Impact

Continued progress in protection against frontal crashes has highlighted the need for increased emphasis upon lateral crashes. Existing anthropomorphic test dummies were designed for frontal crashes and yield unreliable data to guide interior vehicle design for improved lateral-crash protection.

A preliminary study is reported here of new design principles which might lead to dummies which would provide more humanlike data for lateral crashes, while, at the same time maintaining a capability for use in frontal crashes. This concept is based upon the substitution of rubber shoulders for the rigid, articulated mechanical linkages which constitute the skeletal structures of present dummies. This concept includes the use of plastic bones and energy-absorbing flesh sections in the upper arms.

Preliminary tests indicate a basis for combining frontal- and lateral-impact capabilities in a dummy.