Knee Bolster Parametric Study

Two-point restrained and unrestrained 50 percentile male dummy tests were conducted on the Hyge Sled in a typical package configuration at 56 and 48 km/h respectively, with corrugated paper knee bolster simulations located close and far from the dummy's knees. The effect of bolster location on the various dummy measurements were compiled and trends were evaluated. Comparisons also were made between the performance of the Hybrid II and Hybrid III dummies. The Ford “Chest Load Distribution Transducer” also was used to infer changes in loading patterns on the lower rib cage as bolster spacing was varied. Bolster location affected many of the dummy measurements for the restrained tests and indicated the possible desirability for even further dummy measurement capability than used in this test program. Bolster location effects were masked in the unrestrained dummy tests by extreme dummy kinematics.