Developing a Passenger Movement Simulation Method to Reduce Whiplash Injuries

In recent years minor injuries from auto collisions continue to be a problem in terms of QOL (Quality Of Life). One of them is a whiplash injury which is caused by rear impacts.

The Daihatsu Motor Company succeeded in developing a new seat structure for reducing whiplash injuries. In this paper, we describe a rear impact simulation model used to develop new seat structures.

We first constructed an actual rear impact simulation model using a normal seat. Seat characteristics were measured by component tests.

We next calculated a computer simulation model using the seat incorporating an anti-whiplash mechanism. We found the computer simulation model had the same effect as the experiment in reducing injury.

Finally, in parameter studies, the OOP (Out Of Position) cases were found to correspond well with the experiment and could be applied to various purposes.