Development of a Component Level Head Impact Test Device

This paper describes the development of a free-motion headform which was designed to permit the simulation of head impacts common in the automotive crash environment. A Hybrid III headform was modified allowing it to be propelled in free flight at up to 64.4 km/h velocities. The headform was also instrumented with a nine-accelerometer array to permit the calculation of rotational accelerations. Tests were conducted to determine the repeatability and sensitivity of the device, and component test results were compared with results from a full scale crash test in which Hybrid III dummies were used. Comparisons are also made with accident investigation information obtained from the NHTSA Washington Hospital Trauma Center study.