Hybrid III dummy instrumentation and assessment of arm injuries during air bag deployment

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of measuring accelerations and bending moments on the Hybrid II dummy forearm as a potential injury index for arm fracture. The approach taken was to add accelerometer and bending moment instrumentation to the arm of a standard Hybrid II dummy. Three different air bag and steering wheel systems were selected for testing. Static air bag deployments were conducted with each of the three systems. The feasibility of the dummy was well documented. Static biomechanics data suggest a preliminary injury reference value of 120 to 150 N-m combined radius and ulna bending moments for male subjects, and 70 to 90 N-m for female subjects. Deployment of forces of the three air bag systems ranged from below the preliminary injury reference value for female subjects to above those of male subjects.