Interactions between the Pelvis and the Lap Belt for Diverse Occupants in Various Postures

Abstract

Occupants with various body shapes and sizes can sit in various postures, which probably affects impact responses in collisions. In this study, we conducted finite element frontal impact simulations using male models with different body shapes and a female model in 3 sitting postures to examine the lap belt-pelvis interactions. Seating postures affected the risk of submarining due to changes in the pelvis angle and the overlap of the lap belt to the pelvis. The high BMI occupant model had fewer submarining cases due to a more effective overlap of the lap belt to the pelvis than the mid-size male.