Citation

Weerappuli P, Prasad P, Barbat S. Int. J. Veh. Safety 2005; 1(1,2,3): 129-144.

Affiliation

Safety Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Scientific Research Laboratory, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, Dearborn MI 48124, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Results of a CAE (Madymo) analysis probing effectiveness of the HANS device in reducing injuries to open-wheel racecar drivers in frontal impacts are presented. The model utilised a typical impact pulse used in sled tests. Results show that the HANS device significantly reduces upper-neck shear, tension, and extension moment. These results agree with published test data. Upper-neck loads remain lower than the no-HANS case for a wide range of tether stiffness. The same is true for upper-neck shear and tension for increasing tether slack. Results are more sensitive to changes in slack than stiffness. The predicted head injury criterion is higher for drivers with the HANS device. This is attributable to tether forces at the time of engagement, the magnitude and duration of which depend on contact-interaction between head and helmet-inside. Further tests are needed to better estimate this interaction. Results also show that lowering friction on HANS surfaces reduces head-neck injury potential.