Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash

Abstract Autonomous driving technology has led to an increasing preference for rearward seating postures. However, current restraint systems exhibit significant shortcomings in protecting reclined occupants. In this paper, based on the existing restraint system components, various restraint strategi...

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Main Authors: Daowen Zhang, Jixiang Yang, Yi Lei, Junlian Yan, Lei Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86681-w
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author Daowen Zhang
Jixiang Yang
Yi Lei
Junlian Yan
Lei Xu
author_facet Daowen Zhang
Jixiang Yang
Yi Lei
Junlian Yan
Lei Xu
author_sort Daowen Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Autonomous driving technology has led to an increasing preference for rearward seating postures. However, current restraint systems exhibit significant shortcomings in protecting reclined occupants. In this paper, based on the existing restraint system components, various restraint strategies were configured to enhance the protection for reclined occupants. Firstly, this research developed a model of the driver-side restraint system and validated its accuracy; secondly, it analyzed the kinematic response and damage of the occupants with the protection of the conventional restraint system; and then, based on the characteristics of the occupant’s kinematic response, it put forward three kinds of restraint strategies. The results indicated that incorporating larger airbags and additional knee bolsters could significantly enhance the protective effectiveness of the restraint system. This strategy achieved reduction of 18.9% in HIC15ms, 2.6% in maximum stress on the cervical spine, 17% in maximum chest compression, 4% in maximum rib strain, and 21% in axial force on the legs. The research findings offer valuable insights for the future design of protection systems for reclined occupants.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
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spelling doaj-art-7b52429efef74036baf94bfab5824ed02025-01-26T12:28:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-86681-wResearch on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crashDaowen Zhang0Jixiang Yang1Yi Lei2Junlian Yan3Lei Xu4School of Automobile and Transportation, Xihua UniversitySchool of Automobile and Transportation, Xihua UniversitySchool of Automobile and Transportation, Xihua UniversitySchool of Automobile and Transportation, Xihua UniversitySchool of Automobile and Transportation, Xihua UniversityAbstract Autonomous driving technology has led to an increasing preference for rearward seating postures. However, current restraint systems exhibit significant shortcomings in protecting reclined occupants. In this paper, based on the existing restraint system components, various restraint strategies were configured to enhance the protection for reclined occupants. Firstly, this research developed a model of the driver-side restraint system and validated its accuracy; secondly, it analyzed the kinematic response and damage of the occupants with the protection of the conventional restraint system; and then, based on the characteristics of the occupant’s kinematic response, it put forward three kinds of restraint strategies. The results indicated that incorporating larger airbags and additional knee bolsters could significantly enhance the protective effectiveness of the restraint system. This strategy achieved reduction of 18.9% in HIC15ms, 2.6% in maximum stress on the cervical spine, 17% in maximum chest compression, 4% in maximum rib strain, and 21% in axial force on the legs. The research findings offer valuable insights for the future design of protection systems for reclined occupants.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86681-wReclined occupantsRestraint strategiesFE models
spellingShingle Daowen Zhang
Jixiang Yang
Yi Lei
Junlian Yan
Lei Xu
Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash
Scientific Reports
Reclined occupants
Restraint strategies
FE models
title Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash
title_full Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash
title_fullStr Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash
title_full_unstemmed Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash
title_short Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash
title_sort research on restraint strategies for rearward reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash
topic Reclined occupants
Restraint strategies
FE models
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86681-w
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