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Submarining sensitivity across varied anthropometry in an autonomous driving system environment
Katarzyna Rawska1, Bronislaw Gepner1, Shubham Kulkarni1
1Center for Applied Biomechanics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Traffic Injury Prevention
|September 21, 2019
Summary
Occupant submarining risk in frontal crashes increases with greater seat recline and distance from the knee bolster. These factors, along with occupant size, significantly impact safety system effectiveness, especially with autonomous driving advancements.
Area of Science:
- Automotive Safety Engineering
- Biomechanics
- Human Factors in Transportation
Background:
- Autonomous driving necessitates novel interior designs and occupant seating positions.
- Existing vehicle safety systems may be challenged by diverse occupant postures.
- Submarining is a critical injury risk in frontal crashes, particularly for reclined occupants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of occupant size, seat recline, and knee bolster position on submarining risk.
- To evaluate injury prediction metrics for reclined occupants in frontal crashes.
- To understand how anthropometry and seating configurations affect occupant protection in future vehicles.
Main Methods:
- Finite element (FE) simulations using Global Human Body Model Consortium (GHBMC) occupant models (small female, midsize male, large male).
- Varied seatback recline angles (0.9° to 30.9°) and knee bolster positions (baseline, close, far, none).
- Simulated U.S. New Car Assessment Program 56 km/h frontal crash pulse and analyzed occupant kinematics.
Main Results:
- Increased occupant-to-knee bolster distance significantly elevated submarining risk.
- Seat recline angle critically affected submarining thresholds, varying by occupant size.
- Lap belt position and pelvis orientation were strong predictors of submarining; detailed models showed higher risk.
Conclusions:
- Submarining presents a substantial challenge for reclined occupants, a scenario likely to increase with autonomous vehicles.
- Seat recline, occupant anthropometry, and knee bolster placement are key factors influencing submarining risk.
- This study provides novel computational insights into occupant protection for varied seating configurations in future automotive interiors.
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