Análisis de la eficiencia del sistema de airbags mediante simulación computacional para la reducción de lesiones del conductor en condiciones de vuelco, de acuerdo con la norma FMVSS 208

Abstract

The objective of this curricular integration project is to know the efficiency of the airbag system through computer simulation that directly affects the driver in rollover conditions. The test protocol that was used was published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), whose procedure standardized FMVSS 208 consists of using a dolly located 9 inches above the ground, with an angle of 23° concerning the horizontal and four in and concerning the front edge carrying a test vehicle at a speed of 30MPH. To evaluate the severity of the rollover and the effects it causes on the driver, the HIC head injury criteria to determine critical impairments based on Regulation No. 94 of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) of the United Nations. The tests consisted of three scenarios based on the conditions described by the FMVSS 208; the first scenery was using seat belts without airbags. The second scenery used a seat belt and a frontal airbag; the third used all the protection elements: the seat belt, front airbag, and side airbag. Having airbags increases considerably the driver's survival in a crash-side rollover type. A vehicle with front and side airbags significantly reduces the g accelerations in the head, unlike a car with only a front airbag.