Prediction of Occupant Injury in an Out-of-Position Impact Using the Fluid Structure Interaction Capabilities in LS-DYNA

Occupant restraint systems such as seatbelts and airbags are designed to cushion the motion of the occupant when a collision occurs. For an occupant sitting in a normal driving or passenger position, the airbag significantly reduces the risk of sustaining injury in the event of a crash. However, for occupants who are close to the airbag (out of position) when it deploys, injuries from the deploying bag are frequent (Dalmotas et al. 1996). This paper is about the prediction of occupant injury in an out-of-position impact.