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Top tether effectiveness during side impacts
Jordan Majstorovic1, Julie Bing1, Eric Dahle2
1a The Ohio State University, Injury Biomechanics Research Center , Columbus , Ohio.
Traffic Injury Prevention
|March 28, 2018
Summary
The top tether
Area of Science:
- Automotive Safety
- Biomechanics
- Child Passenger Safety
Background:
- Limited research exists on top tether effectiveness in side-impact crashes.
- Previous studies collected minimal anthropomorphic test device (ATD) data and observed few scenarios.
- Understanding top tether effects on ATD responses and child restraint system (CRS) kinematics in side impacts is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of top tether use on ATD responses during side-impact collisions.
- To analyze the influence of top tethers on child restraint system (CRS) kinematics under various side impact conditions.
- To compare ATD and CRS performance with and without top tether attachment in simulated side impacts.
Main Methods:
- Conducted high-speed sled tests using the FMVSS213 side impact sled buck and Q3s ATD.
- Simulated near-side and far-side impacts at 10° and 30° angles.
- Evaluated two child restraint systems (CRS A and CRS B) with and without top tether attachment, comparing ATD responses and CRS kinematics.
Main Results:
- Top tether use increased head accelerations and Head Injury Criterion (HIC15) values in far-side impacts (8-38% and 20-140%, respectively).
- The top tether reduced lateral head excursion (5-25%) and prevented forward/lateral CRS rotation in most scenarios.
- Near-side impacts showed minimal increases (<10%) in head acceleration and HIC15, with mixed results for oblique impacts, but all below injury thresholds.
Conclusions:
- Top tether effectiveness varies based on impact type, angle, and child restraint system.
- While increasing some head impact metrics in certain scenarios, the top tether significantly reduces head excursion and controls CRS rotation.
- The overall benefits of top tether use in mitigating severe injury in side impacts warrant further investigation.
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