University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Accid Anal Prev. 2023 Nov;192:107238. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2023.107238. Epub 2023 Aug 2.
The advent of automated vehicles (AVs) provides an opportunity to design integrated wheelchair seating stations that provide an equivalent level of safety for occupants using wheelchairs as those using vehicle seating. This study designed a frontal occupant protection system for an integrated second-row wheelchair seating station that includes optimized airbags and seatbelt systems.
MADYMO models were used to optimize belt geometry for a midsized male ATD seated in a surrogate wheelchair fixture, with and without inclusion of a Self Conforming Rearseat Air Bag (SCaRAB). Sled tests were performed to confirm the benefits of airbag use and optimized belt geometry. Additional modeling was performed with commercial manual and power wheelchairs, to identify the effects of wheelchair design and forward clear space on occupant kinematics and injury measures. Additional sled tests were performed with manual and power wheelchairs to demonstrate effectiveness of the restraint system with commercial products.
Simulations and tests both showed improved kinematics using an optimized seatbelt system geometry compared to a commonly used suboptimal D-ring location that places the shoulder belt at a more outboard location. Use of the SCaRAB helped compensate for suboptimal geometry. Results include specific recommendations for belt geometry relative to the wheelchair seating station and airbag parameters suitable for protecting occupants seated in wheelchairs. Restraint systems initially optimized using the surrogate wheelchair also performed well with the two commercial wheelchairs. The clear space required for maneuvering a wheelchair will likely prevent injurious head contact in frontal crashes.
This study is the first to design a frontal optimal occupant protection system for an integrated second-row wheelchair seating station, demonstrating that it should be feasible once integrated wheelchair seating stations are included in AVs.
自动驾驶汽车（AVs）的出现为设计集成式轮椅座椅提供了机会，这种座椅可为使用轮椅的乘客提供与使用车辆座椅相当的安全水平。本研究设计了一种集成式第二排轮椅座椅的正面乘客保护系统，其中包括优化的安全气囊和安全带系统。
使用 MADYMO 模型优化了中体型男性替代假人在代用轮椅固定装置中的安全带几何形状，包括使用和不使用自顺应后排座椅安全气囊（SCaRAB）的情况。进行了台车试验以确认安全气囊使用和优化的安全带几何形状的益处。使用商业手动和动力轮椅进行了额外的建模，以确定轮椅设计和前方净空对乘客运动学和伤害措施的影响。使用手动和动力轮椅进行了额外的台车试验，以证明商用产品约束系统的有效性。
模拟和测试均表明，与通常使用的将肩带置于更外侧位置的次优 D 形环位置相比，优化的安全带系统几何形状可改善运动学。SCaRAB 的使用有助于弥补次优几何形状的不足。结果包括相对于轮椅座椅和适合保护轮椅座椅上乘客的安全气囊参数的安全带几何形状的具体建议。最初使用替代轮椅优化的约束系统也与两种商业轮椅配合良好。为操纵轮椅所需的净空空间可能会防止正面碰撞中头部受伤。
本研究首次为集成式第二排轮椅座椅设计了正面最佳乘客保护系统，表明一旦将集成式轮椅座椅纳入 AV 中，这将是可行的。
