Study of the kinematics of the THOR dummy in nearside oblique impacts

Oblique and small-overlap crashes are the second most common frontal crash type leading to fatal outcome. This study discusses a simplified test rig suitable to analyse the performance of the THOR dummy in oblique impacts. Secondly, this paper compares the kinematics and dynamics of the THOR dummy under the loading of two types of seat belts. The generic test rig was based on the Gold Standard fixture. By means of mathematical simulations with the THOR dummy model different seat designs were evaluated so that the dummy kinematics could approximate those observed in real vehicles. Thereafter two different three-point seat belt systems were evaluated via physical and computer-modelled sled tests: a pretensioned (shoulder retractor and lap) force-limiting seat belt (reference seat belt) and an innovative belt in which the shoulder and the lap bands were split (split buckle). The study shows that THOR pelvic displacement was significantly reduced with the modified seat compared to the originally flat Gold Standard seat in a more realistic manner. The THOR dummy was able to discriminate between the two seat belt systems and the results suggest that the split buckle restraint has the potential to achieve significant injury reducing benefits in the oblique loading condition.