Modification of Part 572 Dummy for Lateral Impact According to Biomechanical Data

This study is related to the modifications of Part 572 dummy for lateral impact, to aid in the evaluation of the injury reducing potential of automotive lateral protection systems. This was done by modifying the rib cage, arms and shoulders of Part 572 so that its impact performance more closely simulates that of a human.

According to biomechanical data coming from cadaver testing, the arm was modified by reducing the size of the structural members and increasing the padding of the arm; the mobility of the shoulder was increased in both forward and upward directions. Moreover, the shoulder was modified to become transversely collapsible to a certain extent. The rib cage was redesigned so as to give a more realistic deformation. The measurement of lateral chest deflection was also incorporated into the rib cage design. The frontal impact characteristics of the dummy, both for impact and belts, were left unchanged.

The result of these modifications were compared with freefall and full scale crash tests with cadavers, both in frontal and lateral impacts. The results of these comparisons are given.