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Title: Real-time estimation of aquaplaning with an optical tyre sensor

Author(s): A J Tuononen, M J Matilainen

Source: Proceedings of the I Mech E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 223 part 10, pages 1263-1272, October 2009

DOI:10.1243/09544070JAUTO1220

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract:
Future active safety systems will require more accurate information about the state of a vehicle and the operating conditions of an individual tyre. Aquaplaning is a dangerous situation in which the contact between the tyre and the road is partially or completely lost. In this paper, the movements of the inner liner of the tyre during aquaplaning are measured optically and exploited to estimate aquaplaning. The results from proving-ground tests are shown and compared with those of the conventional approach of estimating aquaplaning from wheel speeds. The proposed method performs reliably in real time and can detect several different levels of aquaplaning. The results support the future development of production-capable tyre sensors. An optical tyre sensor also provides a research tool for attaining an in-depth understanding of the aquaplaning phenomenon.


Title: Study of damage in windshield glazing subject to impact by a pedestrian's head

Author(s): J Xu, Y-B Li

Source: Proceedings of the I Mech E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 223 part 1, pages 77-84, January 2009

DOI:10.1243/09544070JAUTO974

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract:
The windshield is one of the major components in a vehicle that determines the injury to a pedestrian's head. Therefore, it is critical to study the damage to windshield glazing so as to promote the protection structure for pedestrians. In this paper, classical plate theory in combination with the Green strain and the von Karman assumption is used to develop constitutive relations to describe the large-deformation behaviour of composite poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) windshield glazing. Previous test data are used to verify the constitutive relations model. A three-dimensional finite element model describing the impact between the head of a pedestrian and the windshield is constructed to investigate the mechanism underlying the damage to the windshield. Three main crack patterns of composite PVB glazing are proved to exist: a circumferential crack, a spider-web crack, and a plastic crack. Therefore, this paper studies the effect of different impact conditions and windshield structures on the damage to the windshield glazing and on the head injury. The results show that a high speed will cause not only a high initial impact speed but also the equivalent impact weight, which can increase both the probability and extent of head injury. Furthermore, the study proves that the PVB film greatly improves the protection for a pedestrian in a traffic accident and it is advised that more layers of PVB film are introduced into the windshield to protect pedestrians better.

Title: Development and evaluation of an advanced intelligent speed adaptation system

Author(s): S Arhin, A Eskandarian, J Blum, P Delaigue

Source: Proceedings of the I Mech E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 222 part 9, pages 1603-1614, September 2008

DOI: 10.1243/09544070JAUTO797

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract:
Intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) systems are in-vehicle systems that have the capability of either warning drivers of adverse speeding behaviours or limiting them from exceeding a prevailing speed limit or advisory. The former, called the warning–informational ISA system, has been noted to be ineffective in reducing speeding while being acceptable to drivers. However, the limiting ISA system, called the mandatory ISA system, has been effective in reducing speeds, yet highly unacceptable from research conducted largely in Europe. These tests of ISA systems have shown that there is a significant consumer acceptance hurdle on the one hand, and an efficacy hurdle on the other. This paper presents the results of a driving simulator experiment that tested the acceptance and effectiveness of a new type of ISA system, called the advanced vehicular speed adaptation system (AVSAS). AVSAS was designed as a speed-management system, rather than a speed-limiting system, based on individual driver speeding behaviours under different roadway scenarios. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the effectiveness of AVSAS while a survey was used to gauge the acceptance of the system. The results showed that AVSAS contributed to the reductions in the drivers' speeds for two roadway scenarios. The survey results revealed a higher acceptance rating of AVSAS


Title: Design of the occupant protection system for frontal impact using the axiomatic approach

Author(s): S-K Jeon, M-K Shin, G-J Park

Source: Proceedings of the I Mech E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 222 part 3, pages 313-324, Mar 2008

DOI: 10.1243/09544070JAUTO658

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract:
The functional requirements (FRs) and design equation of a flexible system change in a continuous manner with respect to a variable such as time. An event-driven flexible system is defined as a subcategory of the flexible system in that it changes in a discrete space. A design scenario is developed for the event-driven systems. The design equation for each event should be defined by using the axiomatic approach and the design equations are assembled to form a full design equation. The design equation for each event can be established by sensitivity analysis. In conceptual design, the design order is determined on the basis of the full design equation. Design parameters (DPs) are found to satisfy FRs in sequence. A DP may consist of multiple design variables. In a detailed design, the design variables are determined. The occupant protection system is an event-driven flexible system because the design matrix and its elements change according to the impact speed. The involved devices are designed on the basis of the developed method. FRs at different impact speeds and corresponding DPs are defined. In a detailed design, the full factorial design of experiments is employed for the design variables of the DPs to reduce the injury levels of the occupant. Computer simulation is utilized for evaluation of the injuries. The results are discussed.


Title: Improvement in numerical reconstruction for vehicle-pedestrian accidents

Author(s): J. Shen, X.-L. Jin

Source: Proceedings of the I Mech E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 222 part 1, pages 25-39, Jan 2008

DOI: 10.1243/09544070JAUTO660

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract:
A full-scale vehicle–pedestrian crash simulation has been applied to pedestrian accident reconstruction worldwide in the past decade. Considering that the optimization method and pedestrian human model play an important role in this simulation, this study makes some improvements in them according to the characteristics of real-world pedestrian accidents. On the one hand, the sequential linear programming method replaces classical manual optimization for pedestrian accident reconstruction which can automatically vary pre-impact parameters to minimize the error between simulation and real data. On the other hand, new anthropometry results and coupled finite element (FE)–multi-body (MB) modelling technology are applied to pedestrian human modelling. A Chinese pedestrian model generator is developed in order to avoid using the Western human population in China, and an FE leg model is combined into the MB pedestrian model to perform a more detailed analysis of long bone fracture.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the capability of and necessity for the above improvements. The evaluation is conducted by the reconstruction of three fatal pedestrian accidents. The first two cases are mathematically reconstructed on the basis of the rest position and pedestrian injury respectively. The influence of the anthropometry parameters is illustrated by the reconstruction of the last case.


Title: A study of the simulation of a front-crash-induced rollover crash

Author(s): C. Jiang, C.E. Neal-Sturgess

Source: Proceedings of the I Mech E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 221 part 12, pages 1487-1497, Dec 2007

DOI: 10.1243/09544070JAUTO628

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: Computer-based simulation of rollover using MADYMO can assist in understanding the occupant and vehicle kinematics of these complex long-duration events, and the resulting occupant injuries. This study focused on the simulation of a front-crash-induced rollover event. A hybrid finite element (FE)-rigid body model of the vehicle was created to simulate the deformation during the impact and its influence on the following rollover event. This was used, together with a multi-body MADYMO model of a Hybrid III dummy, to evaluate the probability of head injury in the crash. Special attention was paid to the modelling of the suspension and tyres. Simulation results from both the FE model and the rigid body model were validated and evaluated. The results indicate that rollover simulations using MADYMO proved to be an efficient computer aided engineering (CAE) methodology. It is necessary to have a deformable FE front end for the vehicle to simulate this type of event accurately. The injury parameters from the simulation correlate well with the injury results from the crash report.


Title: A driver-distraction-based lane-keeping assistance system

Author(s): J Pohl, W Birk, L Westervall of Volvo Car

Source: Proceedings of the I MECH E Part I Journal of Systems & Control Engineering

Volume: 221 part 4, pages 541-554, June 2007

DOI: 10.1243/09596518JSCE218

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: Single-vehicle roadway departure (SVRD) accidents occur in many cases owing to driver distraction or drowsiness constituting a substantial share of today's road vehicle accidents and casualties. This paper describes a distraction-based lane-keeping support system, which intervenes only when the driver is positively detected as being distracted. Distraction here is understood as cognitive and visual distraction, and the focus of this system is on the latter one. In order to estimate the driver's visual distraction level, a video-based driver monitoring system is used. Lane-keeping support is provided by an additional torque applied on the steering shaft in order to regain an appropriate lane position. In this manner the system only intervenes when the vehicle has drifted out of its lane and while the driver is distracted. Test track investigations indicate large opportunities for such a system from a driver perspective, provided that sufficient reliability of the employed vision sensor for lane and face tracking can be obtained.


Title: Effects of ribs on S-frame crashworthiness

Author(s): P Hosseini-Tehrani, M Nikahd

Source: Proceedings of the I MECH E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 220 part 12, pages 1679-1689, December 2006

DOI: 10.1243/09544070JAUTO285

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: Safety and weight reduction continue to be the main drivers of structural developments. Better control of frontal collapse and avoidance of bending are the most important aspects of the design of front longitudinal members. Such members usually involve a curved section to provide clearance from mechanical systems, so it is difficult to prevent the onset of bending collapse, under end load, prior to the desired controlled longitudinal collapse of the box sections. While vertical ribs are formed into the walls of the box members to induce longitudinal buckling, it is found that inclining these at an angle is successful in cancelling the bending moment induced by the front end load. In this paper various configurations of incorporating formed ribs into the walls of the S-frame are considered and their effects on energy absorption and force response of the S-frame are studied. It is shown that, by using a proper arrangement of ribs in the walls of the S-frame, better crashworthiness characteristics may be achieved.


Title: Pedestrian Risk from Cars and Sport Utility Vehicles - A Comparative Analytical Study

Author(s): C K Simms, D P Wood

Source: Proceedings of the I MECH E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 220 part 8, pages 1085-1100, August 2006

DOI: 10.1243/09544070JAUTO319

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: Analysis of real-world crash data from the USA shows that 11.5 per cent of pedestrians struck by large sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are killed, compared with 4.5 per cent of pedestrians struck by passenger cars. The design of the vehicle front-end structure has a substantial influence on injury outcome when pedestrians are struck by vehicles. In the context of the rising population of SUVs, it is important to determine the causes of their increased hazard to pedestrians. In this paper, validated multi-body models are used to show that the shape of SUVs results in higher pedestrian injuries to the mid-body regions compared to passenger cars. Analysis shows that the mass difference between cars and SUVs is not significant for pedestrian injury causation and it is shown that an important effect of the higher front profile of SUVs is that the pedestrian is struck more centrally with respect to the body's centre of gravity, increasing the momentum transfer in the primary impact. A further important effect of the higher bonnet leading edge is that there is a direct impact to the mid-body region, which explains the significant abdomen and other internal injuries reported from real-world SUV/pedestrian impacts. By comparison, head injuries sustained from primary vehicle contact are shown to be similar or slightly lower for SUV/pedestrian impacts compared to car/pedestrian impacts. However, real-world evidence and the current models suggest that the secondary impact with the ground is more severe in SUV/pedestrian impacts compared to car/pedestrian impacts. Overall, these results show that the empirical finding that SUVs are more hazardous for pedestrians than passenger cars is primarily a function of the high bumper and bonnet for such vehicles.


Title: A Materials and Structure Perspective on the Feasibility of Automotive Frontal Protection Systems Meeting the Proposed Pedestrian Safety Test Criteria

Author(s): R Brooks

Source: Proceedings of the I MECH E Part L Journal of Materials: Design and Applications

Volume: 220 Page: 67-78. 2006

DOI: 10.1243/14644207JMDA52

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: This article describes an investigation into the material and structural requirements of an automotive frontal protection system (FPS), i.e. 'bull bar', for an off-road sports utility vehicle, to meet the proposed pedestrian safety test criteria. An analytical impact model has been developed to investigate the feasibility of an FPS meeting the 2006 requirements of upper legform to leading edge and possible child headform to FPS tests. The results show that a 520 mm high and 760 mm wide FPS should be designed to have an effective cantilever flexural rigidity (EIeff) in the range 800-1200 Nm2 or less, depending on the local contact stiffness. These levels of flexural rigidity are only likely to be achievable with a deformable hollow or foam-filled plastic-type construction. Metallic and structural composite structures are too stiff or, if thin-walled, are likely to fail prematurely. The operation of the FPS relies both on cantilever bending and local crush of the structure at the impact point to absorb the required energy. Limiting EIeff values for higher or shorter FPSs are obtained by scaling the above figures in the ratio of the height cubed. Whereas for the child headform test, the FPS can absorb the energy within the currently proposed 80 mm FPS to vehicle gap, and still pass the test requirements, this is not the case for the upper legform test. In the latter, some of the energy will need to be absorbed by the vehicle leading edge on the FPS contact. The article concludes that the analytical model is a useful tool for preliminary design to meet pedestrian safety legislation requirements.


Title: A new methodology for investigating airbag-induced skin abrasions

Author(s): W J Hurst; J M Cormier; J D Stitzel; M V Jernigan; D M Moorcroft; I P Herring; S M Duma

Source: Proceedings of the I MECH E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 219 Page: 599 - 605. May 2005

DOI: 10.1243/095440705X11158

Publisher:
Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: Although airbags have been shown to reduce the incidence of life-threatening injuries, they have increased the risk of minor injuries such as those to the skin. Based on the distribution of injuries that can be directly attributed to the airbag itself, it is believed that shear loading exists as a mechanism for these skin injuries. The purpose of this study was to develop a new methodology designed to assess the injury potential from different types of airbag with respect to shear loading. This new methodology utilized a high-speed impactor to accelerate the airbag fabric past a sample of skin. Contact normal forces were monitored by the use of pressure sensors, and fabric velocity was determined from a high-speed video. The abraded skin samples were analysed using light microscopic analysis and ultraviolet light source photography. A new abrasion rating method was developed called the total abrasion score, which allows for quantifiable differentiation between the abrasions caused by different airbag fabric and seam types.



Title:
Vehicle-pedestrian collisions: validated models for pedestrian impact and projection

Author(s): D P Wood; C K Simms; D G Walsh

Source: Proceedings of the I MECH E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 219 Page: 183 - 195. Feb 2005

DOI: 10.1243/095440705X6703

Publisher: Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: The most important factor in pedestrian injuries from vehicle collisions is the impact velocity. In cases where the impact configuration can be ascertained, the most common method now used to determine vehicle speed involves the pedestrian projection distance. The more traditional method of using tyre brake marks is losing applicability as ABS braking systems become more common. The two most common impact configurations are wrap projection and forward projection, these being determined by the vehicle/pedestrian geometry and the initial conditions of the impact. In this paper, two models are presented for pedestrian forward and wrap projection impacts. These models are predicated on separating the total projection distance into the individual projection distances occurring during three principal phases of the collision. The models are novel as they use a rigid single-segment body representation of the pedestrian, include explicit modelling of the impact phase, and also allow for uncertainty in the input parameters. Published data are used to provide distributions for the input variables such as pedestrian and vehicle masses, etc. The model predictions of impact speed from overall projection distance are validated by comparison with real-world accident data.



Title:
Structural and biomechanical crashworthiness using multi-body dynamics

Author(s): J.A.C. Ambrósio; M.P.T. Silva

Source: Proceedings of the I MECH E Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering

Volume: 218 Page: 629 - 645. March 2004

DOI: 10.1243/0954407041166076

Publisher: Professional Engineering Publishing

Abstract: Multi-body dynamics methodologies are the prime tools used for the design and analysis of structural and biomechanical systems that undergo multiple-impact conditions during relatively long simulation times and for which the large rigid body motion of the components is of major importance. A computational methodology based on the use of Cartesian coordinates is presented to represent the general multi-body system. In order to represent the contact between the system components a continuous force model is introduced in the framework of the chosen multi-body formulation. The structural crashworthiness requires that some of the system components are allowed to undergo deformations. A methodology that uses the non-linear finite element method integrated with the classical multi-body dynamics equations is proposed here. The formulations are demonstrated by an application to a complex crash scenario represented by a rollover of an all-terrain vehicle with several occupants inside. Special emphasis is put on the determination of the occupants' initial positions using video cameras and spatial position reconstruction techniques in order to allow for the study of out-of-position occupant dynamics. It is shown that the methodology proposed here allows not only for the description of the major structural deformations of the vehicle but also for the evaluation of the occupants' kinematics.