Kathleen Weber

Injury biomechanics research: An essential element in the prevention of trauma

The central aspects of injury biomechanics research are defined and research approaches described. These aspects include the identification and definition of impact injury mechanisms, the quantification of biomechanical response to impact, the determination of impact tolerance levels, and the development and use of injury assessment devices and techniques for evaluating injury prevention systems. The current status of knowledge and technology is then reviewed for the head, cervical spine, thorax, abdomen, and lower extremity. Important gaps are identified, and research priorities emphasizing functional impairment are proposed.

Automotive restraint systems for premature infants

Automotive restraint systems suitable for use with low birth weight infants were crash tested using a small infant dummy developed for the study. Conventional semiupright rear-facing child restraints were tested, as well as a new car bed restraint that may be advantageous for infants who are medically fragile and who must remain in a prone or supine position. This car bed can be adapted to accommodate a very small infant effectively.

INVESTIGATION OF DUMMY RESPONSE AND RESTRAINT CONFIGURATION FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UPPER SPINAL CORD INJURY IN A FORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT

Dummy (representing a six month old child) response and restraint configuration factors associated with a known child injury environment were investigated using a spinal cord injury accident case, a full-scale reconstruction, and sled simulations. Results of these tests series indicate that variations in forward-facing child restraint system configurations thought to influence neck loading have a minimal effect for this size dummy. Further investigations with larger child dummies are needed, and the available solution of rear facing restraints for the smaller children is reinforced. For the covering abstract of the compendium see IRRD 880073.

CHILD RESTRAINT AND AIRBAG INTERACTION: PROBLEM AND PROGRESS

The nature of the potentially hazardous interaction between a passenger-side airbag and a rear-facing child restraint is described, as well as the expectations regarding airbag interaction with other types of child restraint systems. Progress made in developing tools to study the problem and test criteria to evaluate possible solutions are summarized, efforts to inform the public are noted, and promising directions for dealing with the problem are addressed. Primary emphasis is placed on the work of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Child Restraint and Airbag Interaction (CRABI) Task Force and that of its members. (A) For the covering abstract of the compendium see IRRD 880073.

Performance evaluation of child restraints relative to vehicle lap-belt anchorage location

Two child restraint models were subjected to a series of 30-mph sled tests, using the fmvss 213 standard procedures and the 3-year-old child dummy, except that the restraints were mounted on production vehicle seats. Lap belts were anchored at various points on a 5-in radius, 105 deg arc. All but one Anchorage location was within the range allowed by fmvss 210. It was concluded that child restraint structural integrity and forward excursions are degraded as belt angles become steeper and the Anchorage location approaches and goes forward of the vehicle seat bight line. Recommendations are made for: (a) a longitudinal limit on belt Anchorage location relative to a measuring fixture developed by the SAE childrens restraint systems task force; and (b) consideration by child restraint manufacturers of the effects of different belt angles on child restraint performance.(Author/TRRL)