SIDE AIR BAG OUT-OF-POSITION TESTING OF RECENT MODEL YEAR
`VEHICLES
`
`Allison E. Louden
`National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
`United States
`Paper Number: 07-213
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Side air bags are becoming more of a standard feature
`in the emerging vehicle fleet. These systems appear
`to offer superior protection in side crashes. Vehicle
`manufacturers are increasingly adding larger curtains
`that cover the entire window and two or three rows of
`seating. Currently, there are not any Federal Motor
`Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) performance
`requirements related to the side out-of-position
`(OOP) performance with respect to side air bags.
`Therefore, the National Highway Traffic Safety
`Administration (NHTSA) conducted research tests to
`monitor this performance in both the front seat and
`rear seat positions where side air bags deploy.
`
`The NHTSA has been monitoring this performance in
`recent model years, guided by the Technical Working
`Group (TWG) Procedures, a document that describes
`a voluntary set of OOP procedures with the main
`focus on side air bags, primarily in the front seats.
`This study uses the Hybrid III 3-year-old, 6-year-old
`and SID-IIs (5th percentile adult female side impact
`dummy) dummies in different OOP test modes for all
`rows in the vehicle. The dummy responses from tests
`of side air curtains were all below the injury
`assessment reference values (IARVs). The dummy
`responses from tests of door and seat-mounted side
`air bags were also generally below the IARVs, but
`some OOP orientations in some vehicles did result in
`responses that were elevated or exceeded the IARVs.
`
`As more vehicles add side air bags as standard
`features, the NHTSA is monitoring vehicles through
`Vehicle Safety Research (VSR) and the New Car
`Assessment Program (NCAP). The agency will
`continue to monitor how the air bags are affecting the
`OOP occupants in all near-side seating positions as
`air bag technology changes resulting from voluntary
`and federal upgrades. Currently, the NHTSA relies
`on the manufacturers to provide voluntary feedback
`on whether they have passed the TWG procedures, in
`addition to the testing done by VSR and NCAP.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`Side air bags started emerging in the vehicle fleet in
`the mid-to-late 1990s for side occupant protection. In
`1999, the NHTSA asked the Alliance of Automobile
`Manufacturers (Alliance) and the Association of
`International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) to
`develop a guideline for vehicle manufacturers to
`assess the risks associated with side air bags and
`children. The procedures they produced, along with
`the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and
`the Automotive Occupant Restraints Council
`(AORC), were the “Recommended Procedures for
`Evaluating Occupant Injury Risk from Deploying
`Side Air Bags” [1]. This set of guidelines was
`released to the public in August of 2000.
`
`The NHTSA studied these procedures by procuring
`several vehicles and conducting numerous tests in
`both the front and rear seating positions along with
`various child restraints. The original study used a
`Hybrid III 3-year-old, 6-year-old, 12-month-CRABI,
`and a SID-IIs Build Level C dummy. The NHTSA
`used the Technical Working Group (TWG)
`procedures as a guideline and recommended several
`changes to the TWG. These results were documented
`in the 2001 ESV paper of reference 2. In July of
`2003, the TWG document was updated with some of
`the changes and is currently being used as a guideline
`by both the NHTSA and the manufacturers for side
`air bag OOP testing.
`
`In December of 2003, the Auto Alliance announced a
`voluntary commitment to enhance protection for
`occupants in side-struck vehicles by improving head
`protection, which includes making side curtains
`standard features in most vehicles [3]. In May of
`2004, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
`was issued to upgrade the current FMVSS Number
`214 “Side Impact Protection”. The proposed rule
`will upgrade the current test procedure and also add
`an additional side impact test, the oblique pole test.
`IPR2016-01794
`American Vehicular Science, LLC
`Louden, 1
`Exhibit 2013
`
`

`
`Manufacturers may need to add or enhance the
`current side occupant protection designs. This may
`or may not include side air bags, including roof rail
`or curtain air bags.
`
`The NHTSA is monitoring these changes to vehicles,
`especially in the second and third rows of the
`vehicles. The results presented in this paper are from
`a small sample of the vehicle fleet from MY2000,
`MY2004, and MY2005. The OOP tests were
`conducted by using the TWG procedures as a
`baseline for the testing and adding additional tests
`where deemed necessary.
`
`TEST MATRIX
`
` Vehicle Selection – Table 1 shows the vehicles
`chosen for this study and the styles of air bags and
`their location.
`
`Table 1.
`Vehicle Selection
`
`Door
`Mounted
`Thorax
`bags
`2000 BMW
`528i (Front
`and rear)
`
` Seat Mounted
`
`Head/Thorax
`bags
`2005 Subaru
`Forester
`
`2005 Saab 93
`Convertible
`
`Thorax
`bags
`2004
`Honda
`Accord
`2004
`Volvo
`XC90
`2004
`Toyota
`Sienna
`2005
`VW Jetta
`
`Roof
`Mounted
`Head Bags
`
`2000 BMW
`528i (Front
`only)
`2004
`Honda
`Accord
`2004
`Volvo
`XC90*
`2004
`Toyota
`Sienna*
`2005
`VW Jetta
`
`2005
`Honda
`CRV
`2005
`Toyota
`Corolla
`2005
`Ford 500
`
`2005
`Honda
`CRV
`2005
`Toyota
`Corolla
`2005
`Ford 500
`* These vehicles have curtain air bags that cover the
`3rd row.
`
`The MY2004 and 2005 vehicles chosen were based
`on sales, style and safety features. The 2000 BMW
`
`528i used in this study was an original test vehicle
`used in the previous 2000 study.
`
`All of the vehicles had air curtains and thoracic bags,
`except for the 2005 Subaru Forester and 2005 Saab
`93 convertible. These two vehicles were equipped
`with combination (head and thorax) air bags.
`
`The 2004 Volvo XC90 and 2004 Toyota Sienna were
`the only two vehicles in the test matrix that had a
`third row and that had an air curtain that reached its
`third row occupant area.
`
` MY2000
`The 2000 BMW 528i had thoracic door-mounted air
`bags in both the front and rear seats. The roof-
`mounted air bag was a tubular inflatable head
`protection system that only deployed in the front
`occupant area. This vehicle was tested using only the
`SID-IIs dummy because the previous study tested
`with the Hybrid III 3- and 6-year old dummies. [2]
`
` MY2004
`There were three vehicles in the MY2004 test matrix:
`Honda Accord, Toyota Sienna, Volvo XC90. The
`focus of the testing was to compare how the TWG
`positions could be used in other rows. All three
`vehicles had thoracic seat mounted air bags in the
`front seats and roof-mounted air bags that spanned all
`of the rows. The 2004 Toyota Sienna had 2nd and 3rd
`rows with adjustable seat backs. The curtain spanned
`all three rows. The Volvo XC90 had 2nd and 3rd rows
`with non-adjustable seat backs. The curtain spanned
`the front and 2nd rows, and it also had a separate
`curtain that covered the 3rd row only.
`
` MY2005
`The vehicles used in the MY2005 test matrix were a
`Volkswagen Jetta, Honda CRV, Toyota Corolla, Ford
`500, Subaru Forester and Saab 93 convertible. The
`testing conducted with the MY2005 vehicles focused
`on the rear seats and how the roof rail mounted air
`bags affected the occupants. The thoracic air bags in
`the front seats were also tested. Four of the six
`vehicles used in the study had an air curtain. The
`other two vehicles had a combination seat-mounted
`air bag.
`
` Test Setup
`All of the TWG procedures were used, except the
`thoracic seat-mounted position for a Hybrid III 3-
`year-old, TWG 3.3.3.4 - Lying on the seat. This test
`mode was not tested because the thoracic bags would
`only slightly touch the dummy when fully inflated
`and were therefore deemed unnecessary for this
`testing.
`
`Louden, 2
`
`

`
`Table 2.
`Test Matrix
`
`Vehicles
`
`2004
`Honda
`Accord
`
`2004
`Volvo
`XC90
`
`2004
`Toyota
`Sienna
`
`2005
`Subaru
`Forester
`
`2005
`VW
`Jetta
`
`2005
`Honda
`CRV
`
`2005
`Toyota
`Corolla
`
`2005
`Ford
`500
`
`2005
`Saab 93
`Conv.
`
`2000
`BMW
`528i
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`3YO
`
`3YO
`
`3YO
`
`3YO
`
`Right Front Seat Thoracic
`
`Air Bag
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`TWG 3.3.3.1 Fwd
`Facing on Booster
`Block
`TWG 3.3.3.2: Rwd
`Facing (peek-a-
`boo)
`TWG 3.3.3.3:
`Head on Armrest
`TWG 3.3.3.4: Lying
`on Seat
`TWG 3.3.3.5: Fwd
`Facing on Booster
`Block
`
`TWG 3.3.3.6:
`Inboard Facing
`TWG 3.3.5.1:
`Inboard Facing on
`Booster Block
`TWG 3.3.5.2: Fwd
`Facing on Raised
`Seat
`TWG 3.3.5.3:
`Inboard Facing on
`Raised Seat
`
`6YO
`
`SIDIIs
`
`6YO
`
`SIDIIs
`
`SIDIIs
`
`Thoracic Air Bag
`Right Front Seat
`
`Roof Rail Front Seat
`
` Air Bag
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`3YO*
`
`Back Against Door
`
`On Knees Looking
`Out
`
`3YO*
`
`3YO*
`
`6YO
`
`6YO*
`
`Roof Rail 2nd Row Seating
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
` n/a
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`n/a
`
`Louden, 3
`
`Leaning Sideways
`on Booster
`TWG 3.3.5.1:
`Inboard Facing on
`Booster Block
`Leaning Sideways
`on Booster
`TWG 3.3.5.2: Fwd
`Facing
`
`SIDIIS
`
`3YO*
`
`Back Against Door
`
`3YO*
`
`6YO
`
`SIDIIs
`
`On Knees Looking
`Out
`TWG 3.3.5.1:
`Inboard Facing on
`Booster Block
`TWG 3.3.5:2 Fwd
`Facing
`
`*NHTSA Procedures
`
`Roof Rail 3rd Row Seating
`
`

`
`
`Figure 1. 3YO Back Against Door on
` Booster Block.
`
`
`3YO On Knees Looking Out Side
`Window:
`Kneeling, facing out the window, and
`leaning against door or side window with
`the center of gravity of the head aligned with
`the roof rail air bag opening (Figure 2).
`
`
`
`Figure 2. 3YO On Knees Looking Out
`Side Window.
`
`
`3YO Leaning Sideways on Booster Block:
`Sitting on a foam booster block with back
`against the seat back, with the dummy’s
`head leaning sideways, aligning the center
`of gravity of the head with the roof rail air
`bag opening (Figure 3).
`
` The setup for the right front passenger seat followed
`the TWG guidelines as follows: Seat in the lowest
`and rearmost position unless there was interference
`with the B-Pillar, in which case the seat was moved
`forward to avoid this interference. The seat back
`angle was set at the manufacturer’s design or 25
`degrees. The Toyota Sienna had adjustable seat
`backs in the 2nd and 3rd rows, which were adjusted 3
`notches rearward when testing with the SID-IIs
`dummy. Otherwise, they were tested in the full
`upright position.
`
`
`
` Test Positions - The test configurations were
`based on the TWG document, July 2003. When the
`TWG guidelines were written, they focused mainly
`on the front seat occupant and thoracic style of air
`bags. Curtain air bags were relatively new when the
`procedures were first written. They now are common
`features in the existing fleet and deploy into more
`than one row. This study looked at the front
`passenger seat as well as the 2nd and 3rd rows.
`
`The TWG procedures were slightly modified when
`used in the 2nd and 3rd rows of the vehicles. Table 2
`shows the test matrix, and Appendix A has a brief
`summary of the TWG test procedures.
`
`
`
` NHTSA Positions – The TWG document does
`not have any recommended test procedures for the
`roof rail system with a Hybrid III 3-year old and is
`limited to only one test mode for the Hybrid III 6-
`year-old. In order to fully evaluate the roof rail
`systems, the NHTSA tested using a few more seating
`positions. The new seating positions were based on
`the TWG thoracic seating positions.
`
`The new positions were for the roof rail system for
`the 2nd and 3rd rows were as follows:
`
`
`3YO Back Against Door on Booster
`Block:
`Sitting perpendicular to the vehicle door on
`a foam booster block with the back against
`the door and with the center of gravity of the
`head aligned with roof rail air bag opening
`(Figure 1).
`
`
`
`
`Louden, 4
`
`

`
`spine and pelvis; upper and lower 6-axis neck load
`cells; and a chest displacement potentiometer.
`
`The SID-IIs dummy was instrumented with the
`following: accelerometers in the head, shoulders,
`chest, ribs, spine, and pelvis; load cells in the upper
`and lower neck and shoulder; and displacement
`potentiometers in the ribs and chest. The study started
`with the FRG (floating rib guide) dummy (tests
`SIDIIs_001-018) and finished with Build Level D
`dummy (SIDIIs_019-037).
`
`
`
` Injury Criteria (IARVs)
`Table 3 shows the corresponding injury assessment
`reference values (IARVs) used to determine the
`probability for injury for each of the dummies. The
`values represent approximately a 5 percent risk of
`AIS 4 or greater injury for the head and thorax and an
`AIS 3 or greater injury for the neck [1]. For each
`test, the calculated values for 15ms Head Injury
`Criterion (HIC) and Neck Injury Criterion (Nij),
`along with the measured peak values for chest
`deflection, rib deflection, and neck tension and
`compression were evaluated based on their respective
`IARV. See the Tables in Appendix B for the
`normalized dummy responses for each dummy and
`test configuration.
`
`
`TABLE 3.
`Injury Assessment Reference Values (IARV)
`
`
`
`Neck
`Tension
`(N)
`1130
`1490
`2070
`
`Neck
`Comp.
`(N)
`1380
`1820
`2520
`
`
`
`Nij
`1.0
`1.0
`1.0
`
`
`
`Chest/
`
`Rib* Def.
`15ms
`(mm)
`HIC
`36
`570
`3YO
`40
`723
`6YO
`34
`779
`SIDIIs
`*Rib Deflection used for SIDIIs
`
`TEST RESULTS
`
`There were 96 tests conducted on ten vehicles using
`three dummies, and three test configurations
`exceeded one or more IARV. These results were
`with the Hybrid III 3-year-old and/or 6-year old
`dummies, and all of these were from the thoracic air
`bags. There were seven other tests that had elevated
`responses (above 80% of the normalized IARV), but
`did not exceed an IARV. The test data with the
`normalized responses are shown in Appendix B.
`
`
`
` Thoracic Air Bags (seat and door mounted):
`All of the vehicles used in this study had a type of
`thoracic air bag for the front occupant. Seven of the
`ten vehicles had a thoracic only seat mounted air bag
`that was located in the front seats. One vehicle, the
`
`
`
` Figure 3. 3YO Leaning
`Sideways on Booster Block.
`
`6YO Leaning Sideways on Booster Block:
`Sitting on a foam booster block with back
`against the seat back, with the dummy’s
`head leaning sideways, aligning the center
`of gravity of the head with the roof rail air
`bag opening (Figure 4).
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 4. 6YO Leaning
` Sideways on Booster Block.
`
`The objective was to gather more information on how
`small occupants react with the curtain style air bags
`in various positions in the rear seats. See Appendix
`A for the details of the new seating positions.
`
` Dummy Instrumentation
`The Hybrid III 3- and 6-year-old dummies are frontal
`impact dummies, and the SIDIIs is a side impact
`dummy. There are no federalized 3-or 6-year-old
`side impact dummies available. These are the
`dummies suggested for use in the TWG guidelines.
`
`The Hybrid III 3- and 6-year-old dummies used in the
`testing had the following instrumentation:
`accelerometers in the head, shoulder, chest, ribs,
`
`
`
`
`
`Louden, 5
`
`

`
`2000 BMW 528i, had thoracic door mounted air bags
`in the front and rear doors (Figure 5). The other two
`vehicles, a 2005 Subaru Forester and 2005 Saab 93
`convertible had a combination air bag located in the
`front seat (Figure 6). Of the 42 tests conducted with
`thoracic air bags, only three tests exceeded the IARV
`and seven tests had elevated responses in the chest
`and/or rib deflection or with the neck injury. All of
`the 15ms HIC values were negligible.
`
`
`deflections, Nij, or Neck Tension responses that were
`elevated or that exceeded the IARV.
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Figure 6. 2005 Subaru
`Figure 5. 2000 BMW
`528i Door Mounted Forester Combination
`Air Bag.
`
` Air Bag.
`
`TWG 3.3.3.1 (Figure 7) places the Hybrid III 3-year-
`old against the seat edge with its head/neck junction
`at the top edge of the air bag module. This test mode
`produced neck responses that were elevated or
`exceeded the IARV in one of the nine vehicles tested
`in this mode. The Hybrid III 3-year-old exceeded the
`neck tension IARV and had an elevated Nij response
`in the test mode TWG 3.3.3.1 for the 2005 Honda
`CRV. As the air bag deployed it punched through the
`seat cover and caused direct loads onto the neck.
`
`
`
`Figure 8. Hybrid III 3-year-old
` Position TWG 3.3.3.2.
`
`The Hybrid III 3-year old exceeded the chest
`deflection IARV in the 2005 Subaru Forester test
`with a normalized response of 1.03. The 2004 Volvo
`XC90 had elevated response in the front passenger
`seat for the chest deflection, Nij, and neck tension
`with normalized response values of 0.88, 0.87, and
`0.97, respectively. The 2005 Ford 500 had an Nij
`response of 0.84, while the chest deflection for the
`2004 Toyota Sienna was 0.90. As the air bag
`emerges from the seat, the dummy’s chest is directly
`loaded causing higher responses.
`
`TWG 3.3.3.5 places the Hybrid III 6-year-old
`dummy’s neck/torso junction with the top edge of the
`air bag module. The 2005 Subaru Forester exceeded
`the Nij response and the 2004 Honda Accord had an
`elevated response with this test mode. As the air bag
`was deployed, the torso moved forward and the neck
`was put into extension. Figure 9 shows the Hybrid
`III 6-year-old during the Subaru Forester test.
`Similar dummy kinematics were also seen with the
`Hybrid III 3-year-old in the test mode of TWG
`3.3.3.1.
`
`
`
`
`Figure 7. Hybrid III 3-year-old
` Position TWG 3.3.3.1.
`
`TWG 3.3.3.2 (Figure 8) places the chest at the top
`edge of the air bag module. It also produced higher
`responses, with four of the nine vehicles having chest
`
`
`Figure 9. Hybrid III 6YO (Test no. 6YO_015)
`With Deploying Air Bag.
`
`
`
`Louden, 6
`
`

`
`NIJ
`
`Toyota Sienna 6YO
`
`Neck Comp.
`
`0.70
`
`0.60
`
`0.50
`
`0.40
`
`0.30
`
`0.20
`
`0.10
`
`0.00
`
`Normalized Reponses
`
`Ps Front
`Seat
`
`2nd Row
`
`3rd Row
`
`2nd Row
`
`3rd Row
`
`Ps Front
`Seat
`
`SID-IIs
`6YO
`Figure 10. Hybrid III 6YO TWG 3.3.5.1 and SID-
`IIs TWG 3.3.5.2 Responses for the 2004 Toyota
`Sienna.
`
`The 2004 Volvo XC90 produced similar findings
`except that the 3rd row positions produced higher
`results than the 1st and 2nd rows (Figure 11). There is
`an individual curtain for the 3rd row that is deployed
`at the same time as the 1st and 2nd row curtain. See
`Figures 12 and 13.
`
`
`
`
`NIJ
`
`Toyota Sienna 6YO
`
`Neck Comp.
`
`0.80
`
`0.70
`
`0.60
`
`Normalized Reponses
`
`0.50
`
`0.40
`
`0.30
`
`0.20
`
`0.10
`
`0.00
`
`Ps Front Seat
`
`2nd Row
`6YO
`
`3rd Row
`
`Ps Front Seat
`
`2nd Row
`SID-IIs
`
`3rd Row
`
`Figure 11. Hybrid III 6YO TWG 3.3.5.1 and SID-
`IIs TWG 3.3.5.2 Responses for the 2004 Volvo
`XC90.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 12. 2004 Volvo Figure 13. 2004 Volvo
`XC90 2nd row curtain. XC90 3rd row curtain.
`
`
`
`Five vehicles were tested by positioning the SID-IIs
`dummy in the test condition TWG 3.3.5.2 with the
`curtain and the thoracic air bags both deployed. This
`resulted in one vehicle, the 2000 BMW 528i, with an
`elevated response in the rib deflection. This elevated
`
`The 2000 BMW 528i was only tested with the SID-
`IIs dummy, which resulted in elevated responses of
`the rib deflection for both the front and rear door
`mounted air bags, test condition TWG 3.3.4.5.
`
`The two vehicles that exceeded the IARV responses
`were 2005 Subaru Forester and 2005 Honda CRV.
`These vehicles were certified by the manufacturer,
`and reported to the NHTSA, as meeting all of the
`qualified TWG guidelines [6]. Further research and
`comparison testing would be needed to explain the
`different results.
`
` Curtain Air Bags (roof rail mounted):
`There were 54 tests conducted on eight vehicles with
`the roof rail systems resulting in low response values
`(below 70% of all of the IARVs). Thirty-two tests
`were conducted with the Hybrid III 3-year-old and 6-
`year old dummies. Twenty-two of the tests were
`conducted with the SID-IIs dummy. The 15ms HIC
`responses were negligible for all three dummies.
`
`The new NHTSA procedures used with the Hybrid
`III 3-year-old and 6-year-old dummies, positioned the
`heads in various locations. All the normalized
`responses were below 60% of the Nij IARV values.
`The 2004 Toyota Sienna Hybrid III 3-year-old
`NHTSA position “Back against door” in the second
`row had the highest response with a 0.60 Nij
`response value.
`
`The Hybrid III 6-year-old and SID-IIs dummies were
`tested in all three rows of the 2004 Volvo XC90 and
`Toyota Sienna. The test modes were TWG 3.3.5.1
`and TWG 3.3.5.2. The dummies were positioned
`according to the TWG guidelines in all three rows,
`which typically placed the head in the same lateral
`plane in all three rows. The air bag produced similar
`responses when tested with the same dummy and
`same seating positions for the various rows.
`
`The 2004 Toyota Sienna had a curtain that spanned
`all three rows. The Nij responses for the Hybrid III
`6-year-old dummy were similar for all three rows.
`When tested with the SID-IIs dummy, the 2nd row
`produced slightly lower responses for both the Nij
`and Neck Compression. (Figure 10)
`
`
`
`
`
`Louden, 7
`
`

`
`response was from the thoracic bag and not the
`curtain bag.
`
`In some instances, the curtain pushed the dummy
`toward the side window, which placed the dummy in
`between the side window and the curtain (Figure 14).
`This occurred in approximately 30% of the roof rail
`tests conducted. The vehicles in which this result
`occurred were the 2004 Honda Accord, 2005 Toyota
`Corolla, 2005 VW Jetta, and 2005 Honda CRV.
`
`This may be a finding that will require further
`investigation of OOP testing conditions and how the
`dummy is positioned for the curtain test. Currently,
`the center of gravity of the dummy’s head is aligned
`with the deployment path of the roof rail module.
`Therefore, the trajectory of the dummy upon curtain
`deployment may be sensitive to the precise impact
`location relative to the dummy head center of gravity.
`In that case, just slight variations in dummy
`positioning or the direction of curtain deployment
`may affect the outcome.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 14. Curtain deployments in different
`vehicles with the different dummies.
`
`
`OBSERVATIONS
`
`Even though there is not an FMVSS performance
`requirement for side air bags, the out of position
`testing showed these air bags generally should not
`produce serious injury to small occupants in all rows
`of the vehicle. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of the
`
`tests conducted met or passed all of the proposed
`injury values.
`
`Of the 42 tests conducted with thoracic air bags, only
`three tests exceeded an IARV, and seven other tests
`had elevated responses in the chest and/or rib
`deflection or with the neck injury.
`
`Two of the three tests that exceeded an IARV were
`with the Hybrid III 3-year-old in the 2005 Honda
`CRV and the 2005 Subaru Forester. The third was
`with the Hybrid III 6-year-old, also in the Forester.
`
`The curtain or roof rail mounted air bags produced
`relatively low numbers in all rows with all three
`dummies. The 15ms HIC values were negligible in
`this testing for all three dummies. The neck injury
`values were somewhat higher, but still relatively low.
`The highest Nij and neck tension values were 60%
`and 70% of the IARV, respectively.
`
`The curtain air bags in the 2004 Volvo XC90 and
`Toyota Sienna generally produced similar results
`between the rows when tested with the SID-IIs and
`Hybrid III 6-year-old dummies. The exception was
`the 3rd row air curtain in the Volvo, which was a
`separate bag than that for the first two rows. It
`produced neck responses somewhat higher than the
`curtain for the front rows.
`
`The TWG seating procedure guidelines can be used
`in all the rows with little or no modifications.
`Additional test positions for the roof mounted air
`bags, such as the NHTSA procedures with the Hybrid
`III 3- and 6-year-old dummies introduced in this
`paper, would provide a more thorough OOP
`evaluation.
`
`REFERENCES
`
`1. The Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Injury Technical
`Working Group (TWG), Adrian Lund (IIHS)
`Chairman, “Recommended Procedures for Evaluating
`Occupant Injury Risk from Deploying Side Air
`Bags”, August 2000 and July 2003.
`
`2. Prasad, Aloke, Samaha, Randa, Louden, Allison
`“Evaluation of Injury Risk from Side Impact Air
`Bags”, Paper Number 331, ESV Conference 2001.
`
`3. Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers,
`“Automakers Compatibility Commitment: Improving
`Everyone’s Safety Through Voluntary Industry
`Cooperation”, December 2003.
`
`
`
`
`Louden, 8
`
`

`
`4. Department of Transportation Federal Register,
`“Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Side
`Impact Protection; Side Impact Phase-In Reporting
`Requirements”, May 17, 2004.
`
`5. NHTSA FMVSS 214, Side Impact Protection,
`http://nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/standards/FMVSS-
`Regs/pages/TOC.htm
`
`6. NHTSA website, http.//safercar.gov/NCAP/
`
`
`
`
`
`Louden, 9
`
`

`
`APPENDIX A: SEATING GUIDELINES
`
`
`The Technical Working Group Guidelines: “Recommended Procedures for Evaluating Occupant Injury Risk from Deploying Side Air Bagss”, July 2003
`revision document was used in this research study. The following is a brief seating summary for reference purposes.
`
`Tests Conducted following TWG guidelines:
`
`Hybrid III 3YO
`• TWG 3.3.3.1: Sitting on seat edge on a booster, with head neck junction aligned with the top edge of the air bag module
`• TWG 3.3.3.2: Kneeling on seat edge facing rearward, upper rib aligned with the top edge of the air bag module
`• TWG 3.3.3.3: Lying on seat, perpendicular to the door, with the head on the armrest, with the center of gravity of the head aligned with the vertical
`centerline of the air bag module.
`
`
`Hybrid III 6YO
`• TWG 3.3.3.5: Sitting on seat edge on a booster, with the lower neck junction aligned with the top edge of the air bag module
`• TWG 3.3.5.1: Sitting on foam booster perpendicular to door, with the center of gravity of the head aligned with the deployment path of the roof
`mounted air bag
`
`
`SID-IIs
`• TWG 3.3.3.6: Sitting on the outboard seat edge, perpendicular to the door, with the center of the first rib aligned with the top of the air bag module.
`• TWG 3.3.5.2: Sitting on the outboard seat edge facing forward, with the center of gravity of the head aligned with the deployment path of the roof
`mounted air bag; dummy may be leaning slightly outboard.
`• TWG 3.3.5.3: Sitting perpendicular to the door at the outboard edge of seat, with the center of gravity of the head aligned with the deployment path of
`the roof module at the forward most point to minimize the vertical distance.
`
`
`The new NHTSA Test Procedures were created using the TWG seating as a baseline. The following is a brief summary of how the dummies were seated.
`
`Hybrid III 3YO and 6YO:
`3YO Back Against Door on Booster Block: Sitting on a foam booster block, perpendicular to the vehicle door, with the back resting against the door,
`and with the center of gravity of the head aligned with the roof rail air bag opening.
`
`
`
`3YO On Knees Looking Out Side Window: Kneeling, facing outward, and leaning against the door or side window with center of gravity of the head
`aligned with the roof rail air bag opening.
`
`3YO Leaning Sideways on Booster Block: Sitting on a foam booster block, with back against the seat back and leaning sideways, with the center of
`gravity of the head aligned with the roof rail air bag opening.
`
`6YO Leaning Sideways on Booster Block: Sitting on a foam booster block, with back against the seat back and leaning sideways, with the center of
`gravity of the head aligned with the roof rail air bag opening.
`
`Louden, 9
`
`

`
`APPENDIX B: NORMALIZED RESPONSE TABLES
`
`Table A: Hybrid III 3YO Normalized Test Results
`
`Neck
`Neck
`Chest
`Comp.(N)
`Tension(N)
`NIJ
`Def.(mm)
`Seating position 15ms HIC
`Air bag deployed
`0.25
`0.53
`0.32
`0.06
`Ps Front Seat
`0.10
`Thoracic
`0.16
`0.16
`0.32
`0.07
`Ps Front Seat
`0.01
`Thoracic
`0.28
`0.37
`0.57
`0.08
`Ps Front Seat
`0.11
`Thoracic
`0.16
`0.58
`0.52
`0.06
`RT FR Seat
`0.04
`Thoracic+Curtain
`0.17
`1.04
`0.95
`0.13
`RT FR Seat
`0.12
`Thoracic
`0.15
`0.59
`0.53
`0.09
`RT FR Seat
`0.04
`Combination
`0.22
`0.54
`0.73
`0.11
`RT FR Seat
`0.09
`Combination
`0.07
`0.19
`0.28
`0.03
`RT FR Seat
`0.03
`Thoracic+Curtain
`0.04
`0.25
`0.28
`0.04
`RT FR Seat
`0.01
`Thoracic
`0.04
`0.29
`0.32
`0.37
`Ps Front Seat
`0.00
`Thoracic
`0.06
`0.42
`0.36
`0.90
`Ps Front Seat
`0.00
`Thoracic
`0.14
`0.97
`0.87
`0.88
`Ps Front Seat
`0.12
`Thoracic
`0.01
`0.74
`0.84
`0.70
`RT FR Seat
`0.02
`Thoracic
`0.05
`0.17
`0.25
`0.15
`RT FR Seat
`0.00
`Thoracic
`0.03
`0.37
`0.58
`0.48
`RT FR Seat
`0.01
`Combination
`0.06
`0.64
`0.49
`1.03
`RT FR Seat
`0.04
`Combination
`0.02
`0.10
`0.19
`0.08
`RT FR Seat
`0.00
`Thoracic
`0.16
`0.45
`0.67
`0.36
`RT FR Seat
`0.01
`Thoracic
`0.10
`0.10
`0.10
`0.01
`Ps Front Seat
`0.02
`Thoracic
`0.03
`0.06
`0.05
`0.00
`Ps Front Seat
`0.00
`Thoracic
`0.07
`0.24
`0.13
`0.01
`Ps Front Seat
`0.01
`Thoracic
`0.48
`0.04
`0.60
`0.01
`2nd Row Seat
`0.01
`Curtain
`0.19
`0.03
`0.22
`0.01
`3rd Row Seat
`0.00
`Curtain
`0.11
`0.01
`0.30
`0.01
`RT RR Seat
`0.01
`Curtain
`0.17
`0.03
`0.14
`0.01
`RT RR Seat
`0.01
`Curtain
`0.18
`0.05
`0.14
`0.01
`RT RR Seat
`0.01
`Curtain
`Curtain
`RT RR Seat
`0.01
`0.00
`0.08
`0.03
`0.07
` Exceeds IARV Elevated Response (80% to 99% of IARV) Under 80% of IARV
`
`
`
`Test Position
`TWG 3.3.3.1
`TWG 3.3.3.1
`TWG 3.3.3.1
`TWG 3.3.3.1*
`TWG 3.3.3.1
`TWG 3.3.3.1
`TWG 3.3.3.1
`TWG 3.3.3.1*
`TWG 3.3.3.1
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.2
`TWG 3.3.3.3
`TWG 3.3.3.3
`TWG 3.3.3.3
`Back against Door
`Back against Door
`Back against Door
`Back against Door
`Back against Door
`Back against Door
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Vehicle
`04 Honda Accord
`04 Toyota Sienna
`04 Volvo XC90
`05 Ford 500*
`05 Honda CRV
`05 Saab 93
`05 Subaru Forester
`05 Toyota Corolla*
`05 VW Jetta
`04 Honda Accord
`04 Toyota Sienna
`04 Volvo XC90
`05 Ford 500
`05 Honda CRV
`05 Saab 93
`05 Subaru Forester
`05 Toyota Corolla
`05 VW Jetta
`04 Honda Accord
`04 Toyota Sienna
`04 Volvo XC90
`04 Toyota Sienna -
`04 Toyota Sienna -
`05 Ford 500
`05 Honda CRV
`05 Toyota Corolla
`05 VW Jetta
`
`
`
`
`Test Number
`3YOSOOP_01
`3YOSOOP_07
`3YOSOOP_04
`3YO_036
`3YO_038
`3YO_028
`3YO_035
`3YO_031
`3YO_033
`3YOSOOP_02
`3YOSOOP_08
`3YOSOOP_05
`3YO_037
`3YO_039
`3YO_030
`3YO_015
`3YO_032
`3YO_034
`3YOSOOP_03
`3YOSOOP_09
`3YOSOOP_06
`3YO_011
`3YO_010
`3YO_025
`3YO_019
`3YO_022
`3YO_016
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Louden, 11
`
`

`
`APPENDIX B: NORMALIZED RESPONSE TABLES
`
`
`Table A: Hybrid III 3YO Normalized Test Results Continued
`
`Neck
`Neck
`Chest
`NIJ
`Seating position 15ms HIC
`Air bag deployed
`Comp.(N)
`Tension(N)
`Def.(mm)
`0.28
`0.00
`0.20
`0.06
`RT RR Seat
`0.00
`Curtain
`0.01
`0.00
`0.07
`0.01
`RT RR Seat
`0.01
`Curtain
`0.08
`0.05
`0.10
`0.00
`RT RR Seat
`0.00
`Curtain
`0.21
`0.02
`0.25
`0.01
`RT RR Seat
`0.00
`Curtain
`0.31
`0.03
`0.28
`0.00
`2nd Row Seat
`0.01
`Curtain
`0.12
`0.04
`0.11
`0.00
`3rd Row Seat
`0.00
`Curtain
`0.14
`0.01
`0.14
`0.00
`RT RR Seat
`0.00
`Curtain
`0.36
`0.16
`0.54
`0.02
`RT RR Seat
`0.02
`Curtain
`0.43
`0.04
`0.32
`0.01
`RT RR Seat
`0.02
`Curtain
`Curtain
`RT RR Seat
`0.00
`0.00
`0.18
`0.08
`0.17
`Exceeds IARV Elevated Response (80% to 99% of IARV) Under 80% of IARV
`
`
`
`Vehicle
`05 Ford 500
`05 Honda CRV
`05 Toyota Corolla
`05 VW Jetta
`04 Toyota Sienna -
`04 Toyota Sienna -
`05 Ford 500
`05 Honda CRV
`05 Toyota Corolla
`05 VW Jetta
`
`Test Number
`3YO_027
`3YO_021
`3YO_024
`3YO_018
`3YO_012
`3YO_013
`3YO_026
`3YO_020
`3YO_023
`3YO_017
`
`Test Position
`Leaning Sideways on Booster
`Leaning Sideways on Booster
`Leaning Sideways on Booster
`Leaning Sideways on Booster
`On knees looking out
`On knees looking out
`On knees looking out
`On knees looking out
`On knees looking out
`On knees looking out
`
`
`
`
`
`Lou