LAUSR

INTRODUCTION The slide of the lap belt over the iliac crest of the pelvis during vehicle frontal crashes can substantially increase the risk of some occupant injuries. A multitude of factors, related to occupants or the design of belt, are associated with this phenomenon. This study investigates safety belt-to-pelvis interaction and identifies the most influential parameters. It also explores how initial lap belt position influences the interaction between lap belt and pelvis. METHODS A finite element framework was used to investigate lap belt-to-pelvis interaction. A finite element model of the interaction between lap belt with pelvis through a soft tissue part was created. Belt angle, belt force, belt loading rate and belt-to-body friction as belt design parameters, and pelvis angle, constitute parameters of soft tissue, and soft tissue-to-pelvis friction as occupant parameters were inspected. For the soft tissue part, subcutaneous adipose tissue with different thicknesses was created and the effect initial lap belt position may have on lap belt-to-pelvis interaction was investigated. Submarining investigation was carried out in two steps: first, an individual parameter study, then, a full parameter variation study to explore the interplay between different parameters. RESULTS The influential parameters have been identified as: the belt angle and belt force as belt design parameters and the pelvis angle and compressibility of soft tissue as occupant parameters. The risk for the slide of lap belt over the the iliac crest of the pelvis was predicted higher as the initial lap belt positions goes superior to the pelvis. The interaction of these parameters becomes even more important, generally leading to a higher risk of submarining. CONCLUSION Of different submarining parameters, the lap belt angle represents the most influential one. The lap belt-to-pelvis interaction is influenced by the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue between lap belt and pelvis indicating a higher risk for obese occupants. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.