Real-Time Dynamic Measurement Method for Automotive Crash Test Dummies Based on Inertial Navigation Technology

Crash testing is a crucial method for evaluating vehicle’s passive safety performance. One important indicator for assessing the safety performance is the forward excursion of the occupant. In the “C-IASI 2020 Protocol” and its subsequent versions, the forward excursion of the driver-side dummy serves as a key indicator for evaluating the front seat occupant restraints and dummy kinematics. Measuring this indicator requires a set of “specialized apparatus”. The specialized apparatus is complex and costly, with undetermined precision in measurements. This article presents an algorithm founded upon the principles of inertial navigation technology, enabling precise computation of real-time motion states for a six-degree-of-freedom mobile object, a pioneering advancement that obviates the necessity for that specialized apparatus. By utilizing data collected from existing testing equipment, the algorithm performs a precise calculation of the spatial positioning of the dummy in relation to the vehicle body throughout the crash event. This calculation encompasses factors such as forward excursion and various other motion parameters. The algorithm’s accuracy is validated by test results and CAE analysis, demonstrating its high credibility and significant practical value.