Small Overlap Impact Countermeasures for Automobiles

Body optimization approach of sedan structure for improving small overlap impact rating

“…It indicates that the connecting relationship between the A-pillar components of the sedan is in urgent need of optimization. Previous researches [17,20] indicated that optimizing the A-pillar has a significant effect on reducing the passenger compartment intrusion. The design is possible to manufacture unless the thickness of the weldment does not exceed 5 mm according to the welding process, and the number of weldments does not exceed 4 layers in order to reduce the manufacturing cost [44].…”

“…They found that the vehicle could reach good rating when the left front rail absorbs 31.47% collision energy, the left shotgun absorbs 9.79% collision energy, and the subframe absorbs 17.48% collision energy. Munjurulimana et al [20] studied the effect of adding energy-absorbing members in the sidewalls of longitudinal on improving small overlap impact rating. They found that the energy-absorbing structures which are made of metal plastic hybrids, metal and plastic can achieve a maximum 150mm decrease in the forward movement of the base of the A-pillar.…”

System-level Sled Test Methodology to Optimize Restraints for Small Overlap Frontal Crash Tests

“…Currently, there are two major consumer evaluation programs that assign ratings for new US market vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses a star rating from 1 to 5, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) categorizes the overall vehicle performance as good, acceptable, marginal, or poor (3) . On August 14, 2012, IIHS released the first Small Overlap Frontal Crash (SOFC) test results, where 25% of the front end of the vehicle was subjected to a rigid barrier impact at 64kph impact (4) .…”