Design Methodology and Evaluation Techniques for Pelvic Pusher Energy Absorption Pad

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Pelvic pusher energy absorption pad in a vehicle saves the occupant from pelvic injuries in the event of a crash, especially side or pole crash. This pelvic pusher pad plays a crucial role in absorbing the impact energy from the body side and minimizing the impact to the occupant. Positioning of pelvic pusher pad with respect to occupant manikin position and torso angle, stiffening criteria for the energy absorption pad, maximum force and energy absorption target setting methodology and evaluation methods through CAE and part level physical validations are all discussed in detail. Pelvic pusher pad are of various types such as EPP moulded, blow moulded or injection moulded and the criteria differ for each type. For EPP moulded type, based on the EPP grade, S-S Graph gets converted to F-S Graph and validated accordingly. F-S Graph for a test vehicle is generated through sled test where the sled is made to impact the pelvis of ES2 Dummy at a constant velocity and the F-S Graph is generated. Pelvic pusher pad is then correlated to this F-S curve. The pelvis pusher pad is thus supposed to absorb a minimum limit of impact energy in case of a collision without crossing a certain force. In case if the intended energy is not being absorbed by the Pad, it would pass on to the occupant leading to increased injury values. On the other hand, if the Pad is made more stiffer the maximum force applied on the pad to absorb that energy is so high that such force values can never be achieved in case of a collision. This paper explains on the detailed methodology to achieve the balance between max. force and energy absorption targets of a pelvic pusher energy absorption pad.</div></div>