Katsuya Furusu

Backing plate for disc brake with different damping layers for brake squeal

A damping pad for preventing brake squeal includes: a first metal plate with a brake shoe fixed to one surface thereof; a second metal plate; a third metal plate; a first damping layer disposed between the other surface of the first metal plate and one surface of the second metal plate, and composed of viscoelastic material for high temperature use having a maximum loss factor at a temperature of 50° C. to 100° C.; and a second damping layer disposed between the other surface of the second metal plate and one surface of the third metal plate, and composed of viscoelastic material for low temperature use having a maximum loss factor at a temperature of 0° C. to 30° C. Since the first and second damping layers are formed of different damping materials having different temperature ranges for good damping efficiencies, the use of different kinds of damping materials are employed, so that vibrations which may cause the brake squeal are damped through a wide temperature range, thus preventing the brake squeal.

Fundamental study of side impact analysis using the finite element model of the human thorax

In order to analyze the human properties for impacts, the authors are developing the finite element (FE) model of the whole human body. In this paper, the thorax model was developed and validated by comparison with published cadaver test data. Some injury data of side impacts were calculated using this thorax model. The results are as follows: (1) The response of this thorax model agreed well with that of cadavers. (2) Injury data for side impacts can be calculated adequately using this thorax model.

Development of practical and simplified human whole body FEM model

A practical and simplified human whole body FEM model was developed. For simplification, bones were modeled by hollow shell structures and muscles and ligaments were modeled by bar/beam elements. To validate this model, frontal/lateral impact simulations were performed referring to known cadaver tests. As a result, it was found that simulation results of bone fracture and impact force agreed well with cadaver tests. This model can be applied to car designs for crash safety and new restraint systems.

First Order Analysis for Automotive Body Structure Design-Part 2: Joint Analysis Considering Nonlinear Behavior

We have developed new CAE tools in the concept design process based on First Order Analysis (FOA). Joints are often modeled by rotational spring elements. However, it is very difficult to obtain good accuracy. We think that one of the reasons is the influence of the nonlinear behavior due to local elastic buckling. Automotive body structures have the possibility of causing local buckling since they are constructed by thin walled cross sections. In this paper we focus on this behavior. First of all, we present the concept of joint analysis in FOA, using global-local analysis. After that, we research nonlinear behavior in order to construct an accurate joint reduced model. (1) The influence of local buckling is shown using uniform beams. (2) Stiffness decrease of joints due to a local buckling is shown. (3) The way of treating joint modeling considering nonlinear behavior is proposed.

Development of a Finite Element Model of the Human Lower Extremity for Assessing Automotive Crash Injury Potential

A finite element (FE) model of the human lower extremity has been developed and validated against published experimental data quasi-statically and dynamically. The calculated results indicate that the current FE model possesses reasonable biomechanical characteristics and adequate biofidelity in dorsiflexion behavior. In future work, it is hoped that the application of this model for realistic automotive crash analyses can increase not only better understanding of the injury mechanisms but also basic biomechanical data for further occupant protection.