Enhancement of occupant safety during frontal collisions using new vehicle/occupant interaction modelling with VDC systems and smart structures

The aim of this paper is to enhance crashworthiness in the case of vehicle-to-barrier full frontal collision using vehicle dynamics control systems integrated with an extendable bumper. The work carried out in this paper includes developing and analyzing a new vehicle dynamics/crash mathematical model and a multi-body occupant mathematical model to capture the occupant kinematics during full frontal collision. Different cases of vehicle dynamics control systems have been used during the collision to show their effect on the occupant dynamic response. The occupant deceleration and the occupant's chest and head rotational acceleration are used as injury criteria. It is shown from the numerical simulations that the occupant behaviour can be captured and analysed quickly and accurately. Furthermore, it is shown that the vehicle dynamics control systems (VDCS) can affect the crash characteristics positively and the occupant safety is improved.