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Combined with finite element analysis of car seat safety performance improvement

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Abstract

Neck injuries caused by low-speed rear-end collisions are a worldwide problem. The reasonable design of car seat can effectively prevent or reduce the passenger neck injuries. In this paper, the finite element analysis (FEA) and whiplash test are combined to optimize the seat structure parameters to enhance the safety. The whiplash test results of the existing car seats according to C-NCAP (2015) were matched with FEA, and the optimization scheme was developed by computer simulation. For the improvement of seat safety, the optimizations are applied to determine backrest stiffness, backrest rotational stiffness, headrest rotational stiffness and headrest stiffness. The retest results of optimized seat show that its safety performance is greatly improved. Furthermore, it shows that the combination of finite element analysis and whiplash test can optimize seat structure to improve safety performance.

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Acknowledgments

This work is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51775159).

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Correspondence to Dong Yude.

Additional information

Li Hong-ling, born in 1983, is currently a doctor degree candidate at School of Mechanical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China. Her main research interest is mechanical design and theory. E-mail: 306507162@qq.com.

Dong Yu-de, born in 1966, is currently a Professor at Hefei University of Technology, China. He received his Ph.D. degree from Zhejiang University, China, in 2000. His research interests include computer aided design, software engineering and enterprise information. E-mail: yddong@hfut.edu.cn.

Chen Chang-liang, born in 1980, master, is a Director of R&D Department of Wuhu Ruitai Auto Parts Co., Ltd. majoring in computer-aided design (CAD/CAE). E-mail: ccl6363@163.com

Chen Chao, born in 1985, master, is a Director of sled test lab in China Automobile Technology and Research Center. He is majoring in vehicle passive safety and biomechanics of human injury. E-mail: chenchao@catarc.ac.con

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Hongling, L., Yude, D., Changliang, C. et al. Combined with finite element analysis of car seat safety performance improvement. J Mech Sci Technol 35, 79–89 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-1207-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-1207-z

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