Importance of Seat and Head Restraint Positions in Reducing Head-Neck Injuries

Modeling of seat structures (often with foam cushions) is one of the challenges for current car crash and occupant safety analysis and modeling. The objective of the research was to analyze the effect of these parameters on linear and angular rearward motion of the head relative to the torso. This motion is responsible for the risk of the neck injury during a rear-end impact situation. Various seat models were developed in the LS-DYNA with the help of Solid Modeler “SolidEdge” and finite element pre-processor, “HyperMesh”. Various parameters considered during the modeling were seat back angle, vertical position of head restraint with respect to the occupant’s head, horizontal gap between back of occupant’s head and head restraint, seat back joint stiffness, presence and absence of head restraint, presence and absence of seat belt. By varying the above factors, the seat models were developed. Numerous rear-end impact simulations were carried out with the seat models to analyze the effect on the dummy models.