Last modified: 2018-07-15
Abstract
Within the present study we put forward a novel method to monitor and assess the occurrence of the submarine effect in frontal collisions at different impact speeds. In this respect, we designed by means of the LS-Dyna software platform a complex model consisting of the dummy, the seat, the steering wheel, the dashboard and safety systems, an airbag and a seat belt.
The cases considered focused on impact speeds of 30 km/h, 40 km/h, 50 km/h and 60 km/h. The Hybrid III female dummy was placed on the driver's seat, first in a normal position, and then, in ten out of position instances, for which the impact speed was defined.
To monitor the occurrence of the submarine effect, the relative displacement between the pelvis center and the seat assembly was analyzed and registered.
Accordingly, we analyzed all 44 cases considered, and at different speeds and critical positions we tracked the effects upon the dummy, due to its sliding under the seatbelt.
We set out to test and validate a novel method, applied to assess the occurrence and the consequences of the submarine phenomenon, based on the virtual prototyping of the seat – dummy- safety systems assembly and the analysis of the finite element.