Crashworthiness design based on a simplified deceleration pulse

Abstract

This paper proposes a procedure to improve the design of an automobile crashworthiness using the deceleration pulse in a simplified form as a design variable. A complete vehicle in a full frontal crash was simulated to find its deceleration pulse by finite element method. Based on this deceleration pulse, sled tests were performed, also in a virtual environment. Comparisons between the real deceleration pulse and a simplified pulse were made based on the HIC15 produced. The simplified pulse is developed by dividing the pulse in three phases, each with a constant level of deceleration. Simulations were made to minimize the HIC15 changing parameters in the restraint system and in the deceleration pulse. An expression was found to relate HIC15 and the first phase of the deceleration pulse. A design case using this expression is presented. The benefits of using the pulse as a design variable along with the restraint system are accounted.