Citation

Weber T, Schmitt KU, Muser MH, Kerkeling C. Proc. IRCOBI 2011; 39: 149-153.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A vehicle bound restraint system was developed to secure elder children as well as small adults seated on the back seat. The overall aim was to design a restraint system that is not obviously perceived as a ("child") restraint system, but shows at least a similar protective potential as a standard booster seat. To assess the new restraint system's performance a frontal crash test was conducted, comparing a P6 dummy seated on the new restraint system and a P6 seated on a standard booster seat. In addition, computational simulations were performed and the comfort of the new restraint system was rated by volunteers. Results showed that for both systems the biomechanical tolerance criteria as specified in FMVSS 213 [1] and ECE R44 [2] were fulfilled. No submarining and no significant contact with the vehicle interior was observed. Values measured for the new restraint system were similar or better than those for the standard booster seat. Computational simulations indicated an advantage of the new restraint system compared to the standard back seat, such that the system seems also of benefit for small adults. Comfort was rated good, i.e. the child volunteers preferred the new restraint system in comparison to the standard booster seat. Therefore an increased acceptance among elder children might be expected.