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Occupant Protection for All-Terrain Vehicles
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English
Abstract
The last few years have witnessed a steadily increasing growth in the sales and use of three and four wheel all-terrain recreational vehicles (ATVs). These vehicles are promoted for off-road use and are operated in widely varied environments ranging from dry desert surfaces to wet hilly wooded areas of the country. The design of the ATV and its intended purpose make it an attractive vehicle for a large cross-section of the general public. The general appearance of the vehicle suggests a relatively simple and safe means of transportation, even in environments which have heretofore had limited accessibility.
However, it appears that the design and operational characteristics of these vehicles require more of a driver than he may initially assume as evidenced by the number of injuries and deaths that have occurred. How can the number of deaths be reduced and the severity of injuries be lessened? The intent of this paper la to address these questions by focusing on occupant protection for the driver by means of a rollover protective structure (ROPS) and a seat restraint system.
These questions are addressed by: analyzing accidents which have occurred to understand how ATV injuries and deaths occur, applying existing technology and knowledge of HOPS and restraint systems on other vehicles, using creative engineering in the application of this knowledge, and determining the safety tradeoffs, if any.
A ROPS and a seat restraint system (patent pending) were developed for a four-wheeled ATV without any apparent degradation of the ATV stability and maneuverability. The addition of the seat restraint system by itself appears to greatly enhance the ability to ride the vehicle by providing body support for various operating positions. However, from a safety standpoint a ROPS must accompany the incorporation of the seat restraint system.
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Citation
Dahle, J., "Occupant Protection for All-Terrain Vehicles," SAE Technical Paper 871920, 1987, https://doi.org/10.4271/871920.Also In
References
- Weir, David H. Zellner, John W. “An Introduction to the Operational Characteristics of All-Terrain Vehicles” SAE paper 860225 1986
- Newman, Rae “Update of ATV Deaths and Injuries” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Memorandum December 29 1986
- Franklin Research Center “Final Report -Medical Analysis of ATV Injuries” FRC Report No. 7505-1, Contract No. CPSC-C-86-1199 September 19 1986
- “Performance Criteria for Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) for Construction, Earthmoving, Forestry, and Mining Machines-SAE J1040 Feb86” 1987 SAE Handbook 1987
- Dahle, John L. “Application of Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis and Rollover Simulation Computer Programs for the Analysis ROPS and FOPS” presented at the 1984 SAE Earthmoving Industry Conference Peoria April 1984
- “Performance Prediction of Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) Through Analytical Methods-SAE J1215” 1987 SAB Handbook 1987
- Dahle, John L. Gavan, Gary R. “Development of Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) Performance Criteria for Large Mobile Mining Equipment” Final Research Report U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines Contract No. HO29202O April 1985
- Sawyer, Stephen G. “CANOPY-A Computer Program for the Structural Analysis of Space-Frame Protective Canopies” Information Circular 8546 U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines 1972
- Gavan, Gary R. Winters, Kenneth D. “PLASTIC CANOPY-A Computer Program for the Structural Analysis of Protective Canopies” Information Circular 8795 U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines 1979