Analysis of Vehicle Seat and Research on Structure Optimization in Front and Rear Impact

Haining Chen, Hao Chen, Liangjie Wang

College of Automotive Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China.

DOI: 10.4236/wjet.2014.22010                

Abstract

This paper used the Hyper Mesh and LS-DYNA software to establish a dummy-seat finite element simulation model. The head, chest and neck injury of the dummy were analyzed respectively in the frontal impact and rear impact. It was indicated that modification of seat was needed to meet the requirements. The simulation results showed that the original model cannot provide effective protection for the occupants and need for structural improvements. According to the simulation results of deformation and stress conditions of the seat parts, the original seat structure was improved and optimized for four improvement schemes, including the structure optimization of the seat side panel, the center hinge, framework under the cushion and the backrest lock. The results indicated that the optimized seat improved the occupant protection performance by reducing occupant damage parameters compared with original seat, which illustrated that the optimization basically met the target.

Keywords

Front and Rear Impact, Seat, Occupant Injuries, Optimization

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	China Communications and Transportation Association (2012) China Transportation Yearbook. People’s Communications Press, Beijing, 83-115.
[2]	Chen, H. (2010) Structural Design and Finite Element Simulation of Automobile Driver Seat. Northeastern university, Shengyang.
[3]	Li, Q.H., Li, J.P. and Li, S.H. (2007) Finite Element Analysis and Test Study about Sled Impact Test of Automobile Seat. Automotive Technology, 5, 30-34.
[4]	Jin, J.X. (2011) Research on Headrest and Wield Stripes Performance and Improvement of a Car Seat. Jilin University, Changchun.
[5]	Yang H.Y. (2012) Prevent and Stripes for the Optimization Design of the Safety Seat Research. Hunan University, Changsha.
[6]	Bourdet, N. and Willinger, R. (2005) Human Body-Car Seat Coupling under Rear Impact. The 19th Enhanced Safety of Vehicles, Paper Number 05-0261.
[7]	Sawada, M. and Hasegawa, J. (2005) Development of New Whiplash Prevention Seat. The 19th Enhanced Safety of Vehicles, Paper Number 05-0288.
[8]	Wang D.F. (2011) A Study on the Impact Safety of Commercial Vehicle Cab and Its Improvement. Automotive Engineering, 1, 34-36.
[9]	Long, H.Q., Chen, J.H. and Wu, Y.X. (2011) Application of CAE in Development of Automotive Seat Frame. Computer Aided Engineering, 20, 112-115.
[10]	Shin, M.K., Park, K.J. and Park, G.J. (2003) Occupant Analysis and Seat Design to Reduce Neck Injury from Rear End Impact. International Journal of Crash Worthiness, 8, 573-581. http://dx.doi.org/10.1533/ijcr.2003.0260
[11]	Chen, D.J., Fu, D.C. and Wang, H.H. (2011) Lightweight Design of Car Seats. Mechanical Science and Technology, 30, 26-32.
[12]	Yang, H.Y. (2012) A Preliminary Study on Anti-Whiplash Seat. Hunan University, Changsha.