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Trajectory Model of Occupants Ejected in Rollover Crashes

2007; Linguagem: Inglês

10.4271/2007-01-0742

2688-3627

James R. Funk, Peter Luepke,

Vehicle Dynamics and Control Systems

A simple two-dimensional particle model was developed to predict the airborne trajectory, landing point, tumbling distance, and rest position of an occupant ejected in a rollover crash. The ejected occupant was modeled as a projectile that was launched tangentially at a given radius from the center of gravity of the vehicle. The landing and tumbling phases of the ejection were modeled assuming a constant coefficient of friction between the occupant and the ground. Model parameters were optimized based on a dolly rollover test of a 1998 Ford Expedition in which five unbelted anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) were completely ejected. A generalized vehicle dynamics model was also created assuming a constant translational deceleration and a prescribed roll rate function. Predictions using the generalized model were validated against the results of the full-scale rollover test to estimate the expected error when using the model in a real world situation. The model was shown to be a useful tool for investigating possible ejection points and occupant trajectories in rollover crashes.