| DESIGN FOR HEADREST INCLUDING GUIDES SLOT TO REDUCE
THE NECK FORCE IN REAR END IMPACT |
| YunSik Yang, YoungShin Kim, EuySik Jeon |
| Kongju National University |
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| ABSTRACT |
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Whiplash injuries are one of the most common injuries reported in automotive rear end collisions. Automobile
seat back and head restraints play a role in reducing neck injuries during low speed rear end collisions. Currently, many studies
are being conducted on ways to reduce neck injuries. These deal with the design parameters that cause neck injuries and do
not address the design of the head restraint connection structure. In this paper, we analyze the various trajectories of the
headrest and propose a new design for a connection structure that can move along the corresponding trajectory. We model the
headrest connection mechanism as a virtual link using kinematic modeling and perform trajectory analysis. Using the
trajectory of motion, we select an oblong shape for the guide slot by fitting it with the equation of an ellipse and propose a
new headrest connection mechanism. To evaluate the design of the proposed mechanism, we model the shape of the
mechanism and test it using dynamic simulation under collision conditions. In addition, we design a prototype for the proposed
guide, conduct a sled test, and confirm that the neck force is reduced by the proposed connection structure. In the proposed
structure, the values of maximum upper neck shear and tension decreased by more than 20 % compared to existing headrest. |
| Key Words:
Headrest, Neck injury, Neck force, Guide slot, Rear end collisions |
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Corresponding Author.
EuySik Jeon , Email. 
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