Fifth percentile female dummy upper extremity interaction with a deploying side air bag

Abstract

This paper presents the results from experiments designed to characterize the upper extremity response of the small female during side air bag loading. A seat-mounted thoracic side air bag was deployed statically using three different inflators. The aggressivity of the inflators varied in peak pressure and pressure onset rate. The fifth percentile female HIII dummy was utilized in three positions, which were chosen to maximize loading of the humerus and elbow joint. Two had the dummy positioned outboard with the forearm on the armrest, and the third had the dummy inboard such that the humerus was positioned horizontally in front of the air bag module with the forearm supported above the armrest. Instrumentation for the fifth percentile female dummy included the fully instrumented SAE upper extremity with six axis load cells in the humerus and forearm as well as accelerometers and angular rate sensors attached to each segment. All inflators produced resultant humerus moments below published injury tolerance values for the small female, with the more aggressive air bags producing higher responses. The upper extremity proved useful in evaluating injury risk relative to side air bag design.