Effectiveness and evaluation of SEAS of SUV in frontal impact

Abstract

A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is inclined to have high-ground clearance of its longitudinal structural members from which a vertical mismatch can occur when colliding with cars. Some SUVs have a secondary energy absorbing structure (SEAS) to compensate for the mismatch by improving its structural interaction with cars during a crash. To examine the effectiveness of the SEAS of an SUV, vehicle-to-vehicle frontal offset crash tests of an SUV (with and without SEAS) were conducted against small cars. These tests demonstrated that the SEAS was effective, as the test of the SUV with the SEAS had improved engagement with the structures (and associated lower longitudinal deformations) of the small car, even though there was a lateral mismatch between the SUV's SEAS and the car's longitudinal structural member. A method to evaluate the SEAS of an SUV also was examined on the basis of the barrier force distribution in full-width rigid and deformable barrier tests. In the rigid barrier test, the SEAS could not be detected in the barrier force. In the full-width deformable barrier test a force was observed in the row of the load cells where the SEAS made contact. On the basis of these tests, it was demonstrated that the SEAS of the SUV can be detected and evaluated in full-width deformable barrier tests.

Keywords:

• crashworthiness
• occupant protection
• compatibility
• structural interaction
• sport utility vehicle