Abstract

Info

Title:: Factors affecting the severity of driver’s upper extremity injury caused by airbag deployment innonstandard driving postures

Author(s):: CUI Shihai1; 2; WANG Xiaolin1; 2; LI Haiyan1; 2; HE Lijuan1; 2; L?Wenle1; 2; 1. College of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; 2. International ResearchAssociation on Emerging Automotive Safety Technology, Tianjin 300457, China

Keywords:: upper extremity; biomechanics; airbag deployment; collision injury; finite element analysis; injury assessment

Abstract:: Abnormal deployment of the airbag during a frontal car collision can cause injuries to the upper extremity ofdrivers with non-standard driving postures. Finite element simulation offers an effective approach for evaluating such injuryrisks. In this study, a biomechanical finite element model of the upper limb of the 95th percentile human body with detailedanatomical structures was developed. The validity of the upper extremity-airbag collision model was confirmed byreconstructing the cadaveric forearm and airbag impact experiments. Based on the validated model, the influence of factorssuch as airbag mass rate parameters, upper limb grip angle, and grip force on upper limb injuries in frontal collisions wasinvestigated. The results indicate that variations in these three parameters have a significant influence on upper extremityinjury , and these factors should be considered in the assessment of upper extremity injuries during car collision.