Anthropomorphic Test Dummy; Side Impact Protection |
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Topics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Anthropomorphic Test Dummy; Side Impact Protection
Christopher A. Hart
Federal Register
October 14, 1994
[Federal Register: October 14, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 572 [Docket No. 94-49, Notice 01] RIN 2127-AE84 Anthropomorphic Test Dummy; Side Impact Protection AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. ACTION: Correcting amendment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document corrects several of the accelerometer specifications (including mounting locations) in NHTSA's regulation for the side impact test dummy (SID) and in the drawings and user's manual for the SID. This action removes a potential source of concern and confusion for SID manufacturers and users. It is intended to ensure that there is no question among SID manufacturers and users as to whether a particular SID meets the specifications of NHTSA's SID regulation, and the drawing and specifications package. DATES: The changes made in this rule are effective October 14, 1994. The incorporation by reference of the publications listed in this document is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 14, 1994. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stan Backaitis, Office of Vehicle Safety Standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-4912. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 30, 1990, NHTSA published a rule that established dynamic side impact protection requirements for passenger cars. (See, final rule amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214, Side Door Strength, 49 CFR 571.214; 55 FR 45722.) The requirements, which became effective September 1, 1993, improve crash protection by limiting the amount of impact force that may be imposed on an occupant's thorax and pelvis in a crash. The amount of force is determined from measurements of accelerometer sensors mounted in a side impact dummy, or ``SID.'' The SID is specially designed for measuring forces that would be imposed on the thorax and pelvis regions of an adult male 50th percentile size occupant. At the time of the amendment to Standard 214, specifications for the SID were added to NHTSA's test dummy regulation (see, 49 CFR part 572, subpart F). The specifications provide that the SID is instrumented with four accelerometers to assess imposed impact forces. Three accelerometer sensors are mounted in the dummy's thorax, and provide acceleration values used in determining the ``Thoracic Trauma Index (TTI(d)).'' TTI(d) is an injury criterion that measures the risk of thoracic injury of a passenger car occupant in a side impact. The fourth accelerometer, mounted in the pelvic cavity, measures the potential risk for pelvic injury. To meet Standard 214's side impact protection requirements, the TTI(d) and pelvis measurements must be below specified maximum values. Need for Correction This document makes several corrections to the accelerometer specifications in part 572 and in the drawings and the user's manual for the SID. NHTSA was very specific in describing in part 572, subpart F, the location of the four accelerometers in the SID. However, location descriptions for two sets of accelerometers do not allow sufficient space for their mounting. This has engendered confusion among SID manufacturers. The regulation specifies that one of the thoracic accelerometers (T12 spine) is positioned on an accelerometer mounting platform that is attached to the dummy (Sec. 572.44(b)(1)). The platform is attached such that the accelerometer's ``seismic mass center'' (which was approximately at the center of the device) is up to 0.4 inches from a specified reference point on a part of the dummy called the ``thorax to lumbar adaptor.'' Two dummy manufacturers, FTSS and Vector Research, informed NHTSA that the accelerometer's seismic mass center cannot be located precisely at the specified position. Instead, the accelerometer has to be placed about 0.2 inches from that position. The regulation also specifies a precise location for the pelvic accelerometer (Sec. 572.44(c)). The current regulation specifies that the seismic mass center of this accelerometer is mounted at a location 0.9 inches upward and 0.5 inches to the left of a reference point (the centerline of a mounting bolt) and 0.4 to 0.5 inches rearward of the rear wall of the instrument cavity. Vector Research and First Technology Safety Systems said that, due to lack of available space, the seismic mass center cannot be located as specified using the mount depicted in dummy drawing SID-087, because the mass center is 0.87 inches (instead of 0.9 inches) upward and 0.67 inches (instead of 0.5 inches) to the left of the mounting bolt. Thus, the accelerometer will be slightly lower and slightly left of the currently specified position. This document corrects the specifications for locating the T12 spinal and pelvic accelerometers. The corrections amount to a few fractions of an inch. The dimensional adjustments are needed to account for imprecision in the way the agency initially measured the exact location of accelerometers for the part 572 subpart F regulation. SID manufacturers are concerned that, unless the part 572 subpart F specifications are corrected, customers might complain that the problem with accelerometer placement is with their particular SID, instead of the specifications. NHTSA is adjusting the appropriate specifications in part 572 subpart F to avoid this potential source of complaint and confusion. NHTSA is also providing tolerances for placement of the seismic mass centers of the accelerometers, to avoid the implication that insignificant variation from the specified locations renders a particular SID unsuitable for the applicable crash test. This corrections does not impose any additional responsibilities on any manufacturer and has virtually no effect on the performance of the accelerometers. Computer generated simulations to determine the effect of changing the location of the accelerometers showed that, in a 17.3 and a 25 mile per hour impact, a change of 0.5 inches from the current location results in only about a 0.6 percent difference in the T12 spine peak g, and only about a 0.2 percent difference in the pelvic peak g accelerations. A report of the mathematical simulations has been placed in the docket. This document also makes other minor corrections to the specifications for the T12 spine and pelvic accelerometer. As mentioned above, Sec. 572.44(b)(1) of part 572 subpart F specifies the position of the T12 spine accelerometer relative to the Thorax to Lumbar Adaptor on the SID. However, that section also specifies that the accelerometer is to be attached to a particular type of accelerometer mount. This specification implies that the mount is a required part of the SID. This is a erroneous and contrary to NHTSA's aims to free the dummy specifications from unnecessary design restrictions. Accordingly, NHTSA is making a correcting amendment to Sec. 572.44(b)(1) to remove reference to a specific accelerometer mount in determining the location of the T12 spine accelerometer. Instead, that section is changed to specify that the accelerometer is positioned relative to a reference point on the dummy (the centerline of a mounting hole in the SID thorax lumbar adaptor assembly). The new method of locating the accelerometer to a reference point places the accelerometer in the same position as originally specified, but without reference to the Endevco product. This document also adds a specification to Sec. 572.44(c) that allows the locating and mounting of the pelvic accelerometer for right side impacts. Part 572 subpart F specified a location that was appropriate for left side impacts, but none for the right side. The new location specification for right side impact assures that the accelerometer is located the same distance to the right of the midsagittal plane as is the left side accelerometer to the left of the midsagittal plane for left side impacts. The symmetrical location of the right and left accelerometers relative to the midsagittal plane will assure that the dummy will respond the same regardless of whether the impact is produced from the left or the right sides. Housekeeping Amendments This document also makes minor corrections to the specifications for the SID in the SID drawings and specifications package (including the SID user's manual). The agency is adding the word ``reference,'' or the abbreviation ``ref.,'' at various places in the SID drawing and specifications package to indicate that a specified item is depicted or listed for illustration purposes only, and is not a mandatory part of the dummy. For example, the package refers occasionally to a specific type and design of accelerometer (i.e., the Endevco 7265) and accelerometer mount. E.g., drawing SID M001A depicts a mount designed specifically for the Endevco 7264 accelerometer. Those items were originally specified simply to illustrate the use of a widely available accelerometer and its associated mount for the measurement of impact responses with the SID. The Endevco products were selected primarily because they were the only ones with which the agency had experience in the development of the SID dummy and in the evaluation of the side impact protection standard (FMVSS No. 214; 49 CFR 571.214). However, NHTSA is concerned that references in the drawings to the Endevco accelerometer and its mount might be misunderstood as if implying that this particular type and design of accelerometer product must be used. To the contrary, NHTSA did not intend to preclude SID users from employing other suitable accelerometers and mounts comparable and/or equivalent to the Endevco models. Accordingly, the agency is adding the word ``reference'' to several items in the drawings (e.g., SID M001A and the parts lists) to avoid this possible source of confusion and to indicate that those items are not mandatory parts of the dummy. The word ``equivalent'' is being used in some drawings to indicate that other makes than those shown may be used provided that they meet space, mass, mounting and performance requirements in the impact environment as the referenced part. There are several other items that are depicted or listed in the SID drawing and specifications package as though they were mandatory parts of the dummy. For each of these, NHTSA is adding ``reference'' to indicate that they are not integral parts of the dummy, but may be used if the testing facility chooses to make those specific impact response measurements. For example, drawing SID-M001 shows the SID as having an accelerometer in the head, yet at no time is the head acceleration on the SID used for compliance purposes. The illustration was based on the SID that was used for research purposes, and which had an accelerometer installed in the dummy's head. To correct the possible impression that the SID must be instrumented with a head accelerometer, NHTSA is adding ``reference'' on the drawings that depict the accelerometer, to indicate that the device is not a mandatory part of the dummy. This notice also corrects several inconsistencies primarily in drawing SID-M001A. For example, the drawing does not show an installed thoracic accelerometer that is required for the SID under part 572 subpart F, Sec. 572.41(a). This and several other minor adjustments in the drawings and in the users manual are summarized below. Drawing Revisions Dummy assembly drawing SA-SID-M0001A is revised as follows (these revisions are reflected in drawing ``SA-SID-M001A revision A,'' which replaces drawing SID-M001A): 1. Accelerometers shown in item 21 are identified as ``Endevco 7264 (Reference) or Equivalent;'' 2. Appropriate picture notation is added to indicate the attachment of accelerometers (ref. item 21) on the ribs and on the thorax-lumbar spine adaptor; 3. The word ``reference'' is added to call-out boxes of accelerometer mounts SID-036, SID-037, SID-038, SID-039 and 78051-54; 4. A note on the weight table is added to read: ``The weights of body segments shown reflect also the masses of accelerometers and accelerometer mounts, where appropriate:'' Drawing SID-087: Drawing SID-087 sheet 1 is revised to remove all references to the ``Endevco 7264 or equivalent'' accelerometer and its mounting. (Drawing ``SID-087 sheet 1 revision H, dated May 18, 1994'' replaces drawing SID-087 sheet 1.) Drawing SID-090: Drawing SID-090 is removed from the drawing package. Drawing SID-005: Geometric tolerances are added. (Drawing ``SID-005 revision F,'' replaces drawing SID-005.) Parts Lists: SA-SID-M001, SA-SID-M030, SA-SID-M050 and SA-SID-M060 are revised to reflect the changes described above. (SA-SID-M001 is replaced by ``SA-SID-M001 revision B.'' The latter three drawings are replaced with revised drawings which are dated May 18, 1994 and denoted ``revision A.'') Users Manual Revisions The revised users manual is dated May 1994. 1. The paragraphs that reference accelerometer use are moved from sections 1.3.06, 1.3.08, 1.3.10 to Accelerometer section 1.4.9. All accelerometers in 1.4.9 will be specified as ``Endevco 7264 or equivalent'' without the word ``reference.'' 2. The positioning and locations of all accelerometers are referred to the revised language used in Sec. 572.44, including Figures 30 and 31. 3. The word ``reference'' is added to all accelerometer mounts. 4. The parts list is revised as noted in the ``Drawing Revisions'' section. 5. Appropriate Figures are replaced, in line with the changes described herein. This document does not impose any additional responsibilities on any vehicle or SID manufacturer. Instead, this document corrects several minor omissions and inconsistencies in the October 1990 rule. This document simply removes a potential source of concern and confusion for SID manufacturers. It also ensures that there is no question among SID manufacturers and purchasers as to whether a particular SID meets the specifications of part 572 subpart F and associated the drawing and specifications package. Accordingly, NHTSA finds for good cause that notice and an opportunity for comment on this document are unnecessary, and that this rule should be effective upon publication. List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 572 Motor vehicle safety, Incorporation by reference. In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA amends 49 CFR Part 572 as follows: PART 572--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for Part 572 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117 and 30166; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50. Subpart F--Side Impact Dummy 50th Percentile Male 2. In section 572.41, paragraphs (a) introductory text, (a)(3) through (a)(5), and (c) are revised to read as follows: Sec. 572.41 General description. (a) The dummy consists of component parts and component assemblies (SA-SID-M001 revision B and SA-SID-M001A revision A, dated May 18, 1994) which are described in approximately 250 drawings and specifications that are set forth in Sec. 572.5(a) with the following changes and additions which are described in approximately 85 drawings and specifications (incorporated by reference; see Sec. 572.40): * * * * * (3) The thorax assembly consists of the assembly shown as number SID-053 and conforms to each applicable drawing subtended by number SA- SID-M030 revision A, dated May 18, 1994. (4) The lumbar spine consists of the assembly specified in subpart B of this part (Sec. 572.9(a)) and conforms to drawing SA 150 M050 and drawings subtended by SA-SID-M050 revision A, dated May 18, 1994. (5) The abdomen and pelvis consist of the assembly specified in subpart B of this part (Sec. 572.9) and conform to the drawings subtended by SA 150 M060, the drawings subtended by SA-SID-M060 revision A, dated May 18, 1994, and the drawings subtended by SA-SID- 087 sheet 1 revision H, dated May 18, 1994, and SA-SID-087 sheet 2 revision H. * * * * * (c) Disassembly, inspection, and assembly procedures; external dimensions and weight; and a dummy drawing list are set forth in the Side Impact Dummy (SID) User's Manual, dated May 1994 (incorporated by reference; see Sec. 572.40). 3. In section 572.42, paragraph (a) introductory text is revised to read as follows: Sec. 572.42 Thorax (a) When the thorax of a completely assembled dummy (SA-SID-M001A revision A, dated May 18, 1994, incorporated by reference; see Sec. 572.40), appropriately assembled for right or left side impact, is impacted by a test probe conforming to Sec. 572.44(a) at 14 fps in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, the peak accelerations at the location of the accelerometers mounted on the thorax in accordance with Sec. 572.44(b) shall be: * * * * * 4. In section 572.43, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows: Sec. 572.43 Lumbar spine and pelvis. (a) When the pelvis of a fully assembled dummy (SA-SID-M001A revision A, dated May 18, 1994, incorporated by reference; see Sec. 572.40) is impacted laterally by a test probe conforming to Sec. 572.44(a) at 14 fps in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, the peak acceleration at the location of the accelerometer mounted in the pelvis cavity in accordance with Sec. 572.44(c) shall be not less than 40g and not more than 60g. The acceleration-time curve for the test shall be unimodal and shall lie at or above the +20g level for an interval not less than 3 milliseconds and not more than 7 milliseconds. * * * * * 5. In section 572.44, paragraphs (b)(1) and (c) are revised to read as follows: Sec. 572.44 Instrumentation and test conditions. * * * * * (b) * * * (1) One accelerometer is mounted on the thorax to lumbar adaptor (SID-005 revision F, dated May 18, 1994, incorporated by reference; see Sec. 572.40) with seismic mass center located 0.5 inches toward the impact side, 0.1 inches upward and 1.86 inches rearward from the reference point shown in Figure 30 in appendix A to subpart F of part 572. Maximum permissible variation of the seismic location must not exceed 0.2 inches spherical radius. * * * * * (c) One accelerometer is mounted in the pelvis for measurement of the lateral acceleration with its sensitive axis perpendicular to the pelvic midsagittal plane. The accelerometer is mounted on the rear wall of the instrumentation cavity of the pelvis (SID-087 revision H, dated May 18, 1994, incorporated by reference; see Sec. 572.40). The accelerometer's seismic mass with respect to the mounting bolt center line is 0.9 inches up, 0.7 inches to the left for left side impact and 0.03 inches to the left for right side impact, and 0.5 inches rearward from the rear wall mounting surface as shown in Figure 31 in appendix A to subpart F of part 572. Maximum permissible variation of the seismic location must not exceed 0.2 inches spherical radius. * * * * * 6. An appendix A is added to subpart F to read as follows: Appendix A to Subpart F of Part 572--Figures BILLING CODE 4910-59-P Issued on September 23, 1994. Christopher A. Hart, Deputy Administrator. [FR Doc. 94-24054 Filed 10-13-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-C