Seat Optimisation Considering Reduction of Neck Injuries for Female and Male Occupants – Applications of the EvaRID Model and a Loading Device Representing a 50th Percentile Female

Neck injury due to low severity vehicle crashes is of worldwide concern and the injury risk is greater for females than males. However, whiplash protection systems have shown to be more beneficial for males than females. Hence there is a need for improved tools to address female protection. One objective of the European 7th Framework, project ADSEAT was to develop a finite element model of a rear impact dummy representing females for application in seat optimization studies along with the BioRID II. In support of this injury risks for females were studied revealing target size for the dummy model. Related anthropometric data were derived from literature and dynamic volunteer tests comprising females performed to set biofidelity targets. On this basis a finite element model representing females was developed and relevant injury criteria and thresholds identified. For the latter use was made of a prototype loading device consisting of a modified BioRID dummy that better matches the female anthropometry. This paper article documents the development of the female whiplash dummy model called EvaRID (Eva female, RID – Rear Impact Dummy) and its application to a series of production seats. The loading device BioRID50F and initial test results are also presented herein.

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