Crashworthiness design based on a simplified deceleration pulse

This paper proposes a procedure to improve the design of an automobile crashworthiness using the deceleration pulse in a simplified form as a design variable. A complete vehicle in a full frontal crash was simulated to find its deceleration pulse by finite element method. Based on this deceleration pulse, sled tests were performed, also in a virtual environment. Comparisons between the real deceleration pulse and a simplified pulse were made based on the HIC₁₅ produced. The simplified pulse is developed by dividing the pulse in three phases, each with a constant level of deceleration. Simulations were made to minimize the HIC₁₅ changing parameters in the restraint system and in the deceleration pulse. An expression was found to relate HIC₁₅ and the first phase of the deceleration pulse. A design case using this expression is presented. The benefits of using the pulse as a design variable along with the restraint system are accounted.