The Problems and Design of a Neck Dummy

This paper addresses the biomechanical requirements and design of a neck dummy for assessing neck injury risks. The need for an accurate biomechanical representation of the human neck in crash tests is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of replicating the neck's response to impacts. Existing neck dummies are reviewed to assess their similarity to human neck biomechanics, revealing several limitations. To address these gaps, a novel prototype is proposed to mimic the joint between two vertebrae using elastic elements to replicate the behavior of the intervertebral disc. The performance of the neck dummy is evaluated through experimental testing, using IMU and force sensors to monitor its response to perturbations from impacts. The reported results demonstrate that the prototype effectively simulates the intervertebral movement, offering an approach for more accurate injury assessments in crash testing. Concluding remarks suggest the potential of this design to improve the reliability of neck injury assessments in automotive safety research.