The engine deflection concept as a mechanism that could provide the full frontal collapse distance for energy absorption during collisions with fixed objects was previously investigated. Two vehicles incorporating the general design concept used in the previous study were developed and impacted at speeds near 60 MPH into a rigid pole barrier. Results measured from these tests were compared with those obtained from a similar test on a production (unmodified) vehicle. The structural responses of the modified vehicles generally demonstrate measurable improvement over those of the unmodified vehicle. A simplified analytical model, developed by Kamal, was used to estimate the effects that various vehicle modifications would have on the passenger compartment responses. Similar structural changes were incorporated into a modified vehicle. Although test data were not recorded after 0.043 sec., similar trends were exhibited between the analytical model predictions and the experimental results up to the time of data interruption. (Author)
Basic Research in Automobile Crashworthiness -- Additional Evaluation of the Engine Deflection Concept. Volume VII
1971
149 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch