Donald T. Willke  Rollover Ejection Mitigation Using the Dynamic Rollover Fixture (DRF) Device  

SLIDE 1:
STATUS OF NHTSA'S EJECTION MITIGATION RESEARCH PROGRAM


SLIDE 2:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Problem Definition

- 52,900 ejections per year 
  * 1% of all crash-involved occupants

- 10,300 ejected fatalities per year 
  * 32% of all fatalities
  * 6,000 throught side windows

- 10,600 rollover fatalities per year 
  * 3,800 ejected through side windows


SLIDE 3:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Research Program Goals

- Demonstrate countermeasure feasibility
  * evaluate ejection mitigation capability
  * evaluate inury-causing potential

- Develop occupant retention test
  * full-scale rollover tests not repeatable

- Develop rollover sensor test


SLIDE 4:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Dyamic Rollover Fixture (DRF)
- research tool to evaluate countermeasures

- produces repeatable full-dummy ejections (allows dummy response measurements)

- produces realistic roll rates (up to 360 deg/sec)

- variable occupant-to-window speeds (15-30 kph)

- variable occupant trajectories and impact locations
  
- does not simulate lateral vehicle accelerations


SLIDE 5:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Countermeasure Candidates

- Inflatable Systems
  * advanced head protection system (AHPS) [Simula automative safety devices]
  * Prototype window curtain [TRW Automotive]
  
- Advanced side glazings
  * bi-laminate
  * tri-laminate
  * modified door frame

- Inflatable/Glazing combination
  * less door frame modifications


SLIDE 6:
SLIDE 6:
EJECTION MITIGATION
DRF Testing

- window treatments
  * open window
  * inflatables, glazings, combination

- dummy sizes
  * 50th male
  * 5tth female
  * 6 year-old

- Seated Positions
  * behind steering wheel
  * inboard


SLIDE 7:
table: (data illegible)
"note: the data in this table are revised from those presented in paper #342 of the 18th ESV conference"


SLIDE 8:
EJECTION MITIGATION
DRF Testing Results - Dummy Containment

- Open window
  * complete ejection in every case

- inflatable systems
  * prevented complete ejections
  * shoulders & arms escaped below bag

- Advanced Glazing (tri-laminate only)
  * prevented complete and partial ejections

- combination systems
  * prevented complete and partial ejections


SLIDE 9:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Dummy Containment

series of photos showing deployment of side window airbag deployment with dummy


SLIDE 10:
EJECTION MITIGATION
DRF Testing Results - Dummy Responses
- low head injury potential
  * maximum HIC(36) = 121

- Low neck tension
  * maximum - 33% IARV (per FMVSS 208)

- Generally low neck compression
  * maximum - 82% IARV (per FMVSS 208)
  * all the rest below 60%
  * higher values from contact with side roof rail while engaged with countermeasure


SLIDE 11:
EJECTION MITIGATION
DRF Testing Results - Dummy Responses

LATERAL NECK LOADING
- maximum shear loads
  * 50th male - 1020 N
  * 5th female - 754 N

- maximum bending moments
  * 50th male - 61 N-m
  * 5th female - 42 N-m


SLIDE 12:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Guided Impactor 
- 18kg mass
- featureless headform
  * average of front & side of head
- measures deflection
- positioned inside vehicle
- impact a variety of locations


SLIDE 13:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Guided Impactor Testing (blank form)
listing type of mitigation (if any) used, impact location  and speed


SLIDE 14:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Side window impact locations
(diagram of contact points to front door window panels)


SLIDE 15:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Production System
(still camera shot from test T8727-02)


SLIDE 16:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Guided Impactor Test Results
- considerable previous testing of advanced glazing systems
  * containment up to 24 kmph
  * excursions of 100 to 250 mm

- very limited testing of inflatable systems
  * at some locations, containment up to 24kmph
	- little or no excursion
  * at other locations, no containment capability

SLIDE 17:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Guided Impactor
- May be suitable for evaluating occupant retention

- potentially more stringent than DRF
  * more concentrated loading area
  * stringency can be varied by:
	- selection of impact locations
	- impact speed
	- excursion criterion

SLIDE 18:
EJECTION MITIGATION
Ongoing Research

- DRF testing of more systems
  * full-dummy retention
  * injury causing potential

- Guided impactor testing
  * most of the work still to be done
  * evaluate systems
  * establish test parameters, criterion

- Rollover sensor performance test
  * evaluate existing and/or develop new methods

SLIDE 19:
THE END