Challenges in steering wheel rim to thorax impacts using finite element Hybrid III and human body models for heavy vehicle frontal crash applications

A risk of severe injuries from steering wheel rim to thorax contacts has been identified in heavy vehicle frontal collisions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects in changing the steering wheel rim tilt angle on the thorax of the Hybrid III and a human body model THUMS with respect to chest deflection and steering wheel rim contact interaction. It was found that the Hybrid III chest is more sensitive to changes in steering wheel tilt angle than the THUMS.