An Analysis of 3 Pt. Belted Occupant Impact Dynamics in Frontal Collision and its Application

3-point belted occupant impact dynamics in frontal collision has been analyzed using finite element method (FEM) computer simulation models. The results from this simulation were compared with experimental results obtained from dummies on sleds or in small size car frontal crash tests. The correlation between the simulation and the experiments in terms of the head injury criterion (HIC), head acceleration, chest acceleration, and dummy motion and kinematics was relatively good. It was confirmed that dummy impact dynamics was influenced by the structure and the geometrical lay-out of the belt system, the seat belt webbing elongation rate, and the seat cushion hardness. The simulation method and dummy impact dynamics were also used, to a lesser extent, to analyze the performance of 2-point seat belt and air bag systems.