The Influence of Enhanced Side Impact Protection on Kinematics and Injury Measures of Far- or Center-Seated @entity1 in Forward-Facing XXXX Restraints.

@entity1 @entity91
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of forward-facing @entity1 restraint systems' (FFCRSs) side impact structure, such as side wings, on the head kinematics and response of a restrained, far- or center-seated 3-year-old anthropomorphic test device (ATD) in oblique sled tests. METHODS: Sled tests were conducted utilizing an FFCRS with large side wings and with the side wings removed. The @entity91 were attached via LATCH on 2 different vehicle seat fixtures-a small SUV rear bench seat and minivan rear bucket seat-secured to the sled carriage at 20   from lateral. Four tests were conducted on each vehicle seat fixture, 2 for each FFCRS configuration. A Q3s dummy was positioned in FFCRS according to the @entity91 owner's manual and FMVSS 213 procedures. The tests were conducted using the proposed FMVSS 213 side impact pulse. Three-dimensional motion cameras collected head excursion data. Relevant data collected during testing included the ATD head excursions, head accelerations, LATCH belt loads, and neck loads. RESULTS: Results indicate that side wings have little influence on head excursions and ATD response. The median lateral head excursion was 435  mm with side wings and 443  mm without side wings. The primary differences in head response were observed between the 2 vehicle seat fixtures due to the vehicle seat head restraint design. The bench seat integrated head restraint forced a tether routing path over the head restraint. Due to the lateral crash forces, the tether moved laterally off the head restraint reducing tension and increasing head excursion (477  mm median). In contrast, when the tether was routed through the bucket seat's adjustable head restraint, it maintained a tight attachment and helped control head excursion (393  mm median). CONCLUSION: This testing illustrated relevant side impact crash circumstances where side wings do not provide the desired head containment for a 3-year-old ATD seated far-side or center in FFCRS. The head appears to roll out of the FFCRS even in the presence of side wings, which may expose the occupant to potential head impact injuries. We postulate that in a center or far-side seating configuration, the absence of door structure immediately adjacent to the @entity91 facilitates the rotation and tipping of the FFCRS toward the impact side and the roll-out of the head around the side wing structure. Results suggest that other prevention measures, in the form of alternative side impact structure design, FFCRS vehicle attachment, or shared protection between the FFCRS and the vehicle, may be necessary to protect @entity1 in oblique side impact crashes.
