Affiliations: Infoscitex, 4027 Colonel Glenn Highway, Suite 210,
Dayton, OH 45431, USA | Human Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force Research
Laboratory, Dayton, OH 45433, USA | Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Zhiqing Cheng, Human Effectiveness
Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Dayton, OH 45433, USA. Tel.: +1 937
255 1599; Fax: +1 937 255 3343; E-mail: zhiqing.cheng@wpafb.af.mil
Abstract: Based on a lumped-parameter model of the occupant-vehicle system,
optimal kinematics of the occupant in frontal impact are investigated. It is
found that for the minimization of the peak occupant deceleration, the optimal
kinematics move the occupant at a constant deceleration. Based on this the
optimal vehicle crash pulse is investigated. The optimal crash pulse for
passive restraint systems is found to be: a positive impulse at the onset, an
immediate plunge followed by a gradual rebound, and finally a positive level
period. The relation of the peak occupant deceleration to the impact speed,
crash deformation, and vehicle interior rattlespace is established. The optimal
crash pulse for active and pre-acting restraint systems is discussed.
Keywords: Automobile front impact, optimal occupant kinematics, optimal crash pulse, restraint systems
