This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Comparison of Energy Management Materials for Head Impact Protection
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Energy management materials are widely used in automotive interiors in instrument panel, knee bolster, and door absorber applications to reduce the risk of injury to an occupant during a crash. Automobile manufacturers must meet standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that identify maximum levels of injury to an occupant. The recent NHTSA upgrade to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 201 test procedure(1) for upper interior head impact protection has prompted energy management materials' use in several new areas of affected vehicles. While vehicle evaluations continue, results to date show that energy management foams can be effective in reducing the head injury criterion [HIC(d)] to acceptable government and OEM levels.
Recommended Content
Ground Vehicle Standard | Occupant Restraint and Equipment Mounting Integrity – Frontal Impact Ambulance Patient Compartment |
Ground Vehicle Standard | Occupant Restraint and Equipment Mounting Integrity – Side Impact Ambulance Patient Compartment |
Ground Vehicle Standard | Seat Belt Restraint System Hardware - Glossary of Terms |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Ullrich, J., Emanuel, D., Fong, W., Nusholtz, G. et al., "Comparison of Energy Management Materials for Head Impact Protection," SAE Technical Paper 970159, 1997, https://doi.org/10.4271/970159.Also In
References
- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 201U Upper Interior Head Impact Protection 1995
- Huntsman Corporation
- Huber, M. et al. “Fundamental Studies of Polyurethane Foam for Energy Absorption in Automotive Interiors” SAE International Congress and Exposition, Paper 910404 1991