Subsequent to the presentation of papers regarding head and neck restraints at the 2002 and 2004 SAE Motor Sports Engineering Conference & Expositions, additional testing of both then-existing and newer designs has been conducted at multiple test facilities. This paper consolidates the results of those tests with the results of previous tests, published and unpublished.
Previously published testing from those Conferences (Melvin, et al. 2002; Baker 2002; Melvin et al. 2004) evaluated four designs: the Hutchens, D-Cel, HANS® and Isaac® products. All testing employed a 50th percentile male dummy restrained by a six-point harness and a 30 degree offset, 35-mph (56 kph) velocity change producing a nominal 50G deceleration.
Unpublished testing using the same protocol was conducted on the Wright Pro Harness design and the White Device in 2002, and two variations of the Isaac® design in 2005. Additional testing was conducted on the White Device, two Isaac® designs and the HANS® device using a protocol of 30 degree offset, 43.5 mph (70 kph) velocity change and a nominal 68G acceleration.
Although every combination of product and test protocol was not available, the collective results offer insights into the comparative performance of various designs in various impact environments.