An Introduction to Scale Model Testing to Determine Air Cushion Crash Sensor Location

Design validation of crash sensors in the vehicle barrier impact environment is difficult and costly. The objective of this paper is to outline a method of developing optimum crash sensor mounting utilizing reduced-scale physical models. This technique incorporates design tools that are readily accessible during early vehicle concept stages which will allow mechanical impedance checks of the crash sensor to vehicle structure interface at significantly lower cost than full size prototype testing.

Basic equations and methodology are presented with experimental correlation data.