97-31611. Side Impact Anthropomorphic Test Dummy  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 64546-64554]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-31611]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    
    49 CFR Part 572
    
    [Docket No. NHTSA-97-3144]
    RIN 2127-AG74
    
    
    Side Impact Anthropomorphic Test Dummy
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: This notice proposes specifications and qualification 
    requirements for a newly-developed anthropomorphic test dummy. The 
    dummy would be used in compliance testing under an earlier companion 
    proposal to amend the standard on head impact protection. The earlier 
    proposal would facilitate the introduction of dynamic side impact 
    protection devices by permitting vehicle manufacturers to comply with 
    alternative performance requirements. To demonstrate compliance with 
    those requirements, that proposal specifies a dynamic crash test which 
    uses the new dummy.
    
    DATES: Comment closing date: Comments on this notice must be received 
    by NHTSA no later than January 22 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Any comments should refer to the docket and notice number of 
    this notice and be submitted (preferably in 10 copies) to: U.S. 
    Department of Transportation, Docket Management Room PL-401, 400 
    Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    The following persons at the National Highway Traffic Safety 
    Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590:
        For non-legal issues: Stan Backaitis, Office of Crashworthiness 
    Standards, NPS-11, telephone (202) 366-4912, facsimile (202) 366-4329, 
    electronic mail sbackaitis@nhtsa.dot.gov''.
        For legal issues: Otto Matheke, Office of the Chief Counsel, NCC-
    20, telephone (202) 366-5253, facsimile (202) 366-3820, electronic mail 
    omatheke@nhtsa.dot.gov''.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        This proposal supplements an earlier proposal previously published 
    in the Federal Register that would amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
    Standard (FMVSS) No. 201, Head Impact Protection. [62 FR 45202] The 
    earlier companion proposal would facilitate the introduction of dynamic 
    side impact protection devices by permitting vehicle manufacturers to 
    comply with alternative performance requirements. To demonstrate 
    compliance with those requirements, that proposal specifies a dynamic 
    crash test. In the test, a vehicle would be propelled sideways at a 
    speed of 29 km/h (18 mph) into a 254 mm (10 inch) rigid pole. An 
    anthropomorphic test dummy would be in the outboard front seat on the 
    struck side of the vehicle. This notice proposes the specifications and 
    calibration requirements for that test dummy.
        The dummy proposed in this notice is based on two existing dummies, 
    the part 572, subpart F anthropomorphic test device (Side Impact Dummy 
    or SID) that is used in testing under FMVSS 214, Side Impact 
    Protection, and the part 572, subpart E anthropomorphic test device 
    (Hybrid III or HIII) that is used in testing under FMVSS 208, Occupant 
    Crash Protection. The proposed dummy would combine the head and neck of 
    the Hybrid III (HIII) with the torso and extremities of the Side Impact 
    Dummy (SID) through the use of a redesigned neck bracket. The agency 
    tentatively concludes that the resulting SID/HIII dummy would be 
    operational and adequate for use in the proposed rule.
    
    II. Agency Proposal
    
        The specifications for the proposed side impact dummy would consist 
    of (1) a drawing package containing all of the technical details of the 
    neck bracket used for mating the SID torso with the HIII head and neck 
    assembly, (2) a parts list, and (3) a SID/HIII user manual containing 
    instructions for inspection, assembly, disassembly, use, and 
    adjustments of dummy components. These drawings and specifications 
    would ensure that the dummies would be the same in their construction. 
    The performance calibration tests proposed in this NPRM would serve to 
    assure that the SID/HIII responses are within the established 
    biomechanical corridors and further assure the uniformity of dummy 
    assembly, structural integrity, and adequacy of instrumentation. As a 
    result, the repeatability of the dummy's performance in dynamic testing 
    would be ensured.
        The dummy would be instrumented with an accelerometer array for 
    measurement of accelerations in the head during impacts. The rule would 
    specify the manner and location of installation of sensors to reduce 
    variability in their measurements that might otherwise result from 
    differences in location and mounting.
    
    [[Page 64547]]
    
        Drawings and specifications for the SID/HIII are available for 
    examination in the NHTSA Docket Section. Copies of those materials and 
    the user manual may also be obtained from Reprographic Technologies, 
    9000 Virginia Manor Road, Beltsville, Md. 20705, tel. (301) 210-5600. 
    In addition, an engineering drawing for the neck bracket and the neck 
    brackets themselves are available on a short term loan basis from the 
    NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center, East Liberty, Ohio 43319, tel. 
    (937) 666-4511.
    
    A. Description
    
        On August 26, 1997, NHTSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
    [62 FR 45202] containing amendments to Standard No. 201. The proposed 
    amendments, offered in an effort to provide maximum flexibility to 
    manufacturers in developing dynamic head protection systems, include an 
    optional test procedure incorporating a full scale side impact test 
    with a 29 km/h (18 mph) side impact into a 254 mm (10 inch) rigid pole. 
    In this test, the subject vehicle would be propelled into the pole so 
    that the pole would impact at the center of gravity of the head of a 
    seated dummy positioned on the designated front outboard seating 
    position of the struck side.
        Since the free motion headform (FMH) used in Standard 201 testing 
    cannot be used for evaluating HIC in such an impact and the Hybrid III 
    head and neck assembly appears to be the most biofidelic test device 
    currently available for evaluating head injury in side impacts, the 
    agency is proposing that the Hybrid III head and neck be used with the 
    existing SID dummy for this test. The Hybrid III head and neck 
    currently provides the best means for evaluating head injury in this 
    test while the use of the SID torso affords an opportunity to collect 
    meaningful data relating to thoracic injuries.
        The SID (part 572; subpart F) body and lower extremities would be 
    combined with the Hybrid III (part 572; subpart E) head and neck 
    assembly to form a new dummy test device called SID/HIII (part 572; 
    subpart M). The SID/HIII at 170 lbs is approximately 1.2 lbs heavier 
    than the SID, due to the incremental weight increase of the Hybrid III 
    neck component and the new neck bracket. However, the SID/HIII is 
    approximately 2.0 lbs lighter than the Hybrid III 50th percentile dummy 
    (172 lbs +/-2.4 lbs). Therefore, the weight of the SID/HIII dummy would 
    be within the limits of the existing SID and Hybrid III dummies. The 
    new neck bracket is designed so that the seating height of the SID and 
    the SID/HIII would be nearly identical. To accommodate the new neck 
    bracket, the design of the existing upper and middle shoulder foam pads 
    were revised from one piece to two piece right and left mirror image 
    designs without altering either the padding's peripheral shape and its 
    thickness or its attachment to the torso. Relative to the SID, the head 
    center of gravity (head CG) of the SID/HIII is, however, 0.75 inch 
    higher and 0.25 inch more forward when the Hybrid III head/neck 
    assembly is mounted to the SID torso using the new neck bracket. This 
    change also more correctly reflects the head and neck orientation of a 
    seated occupant. As discussed in the Preliminary Regulatory Evaluation 
    (PRE) for the earlier companion proposal to amend Standard 201, agency 
    test data established that this minor discrepancy of the head CG 
    location would not have any significant effect on the HIC, TTI and 
    Pelvis-G responses. Detailed descriptions of the SID/HIII dummy test 
    device are given in the proposed part 572, subpart M, S572.110 through 
    S572.116.
    
    B. Biofidelity of the SID/HIII Dummy in Lateral Impact
    
        The agency has tentatively concluded that the Hybrid III head and 
    neck is the most biofidelic configuration now available for assessing 
    injuries to the head and neck in side impacts. That conclusion was 
    based on testing of the three side impact dummies; BioSid, 
    \1\ EuroSid and SID. The testing was performed in 1990 by 
    two GM researchers (Mertz and Irwin) using the latest biofidelity test 
    conditions and requirements agreed to by Working Group 5 of ISO/T22/
    SC12 at that time. A total of 4 sets of tests were performed. Because 
    BioSid uses the Hybrid III head and neck assembly, the test data 
    generated to verify the lateral impact response characteristics of the 
    BioSid head/neck system are believed by NHTSA to be useful in 
    predicting the performance of the SID/HIII dummy.
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        \1\ The BioSid dummy was developed in response to concerns 
    regarding the SID and EuroSid dummies. It was developed by a Side 
    Impact Dummy Task Force created under the sponsorship of the Society 
    of Automotive Engineers Human Biomechanics and Simulation Standards 
    Commitee (SAE-HBSSC).
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        The agency's review of these tests, which is discussed in greater 
    detail in the PRE prepared for the August 26, 1997 NPRM proposing 
    changes to Standard 201, indicates that the Hybrid III head-neck 
    assembly has sufficient biofidelity for assessing side impact 
    protection. Using the ISO/SC12/WG5 methodology and biofidelity rating 
    system for the assessment of the various body segments, NHTSA rates the 
    SID/HIII dummy ``Fair'' for side impact application purposes. In 
    comparison, the BioSid received a ``Fair'' rating while the SID and the 
    EuroSid were both deemed to be ``Marginal.'' None of the dummies 
    evaluated received a rating greater than ``Fair''--which exceeds the 
    ISO/SC12/WG5 recommended acceptable level for a dummy test device. 
    Although a better side impact dummy may be developed in the future, 
    based on the above analysis, NHTSA tentatively concludes that, for the 
    immediate future, the SID/HIII is a sufficient and an acceptable test 
    device to evaluate the risk of injury to the head in case of a side 
    impact.
    
    C. Test Results of the SID/HIII Dummy
    
        (1) Repeatability and Reproducibility Tests
        In 1990, NHTSA issued a final rule amending FMVSS No. 214 to 
    require full scale side crash tests to evaluate side impact protection 
    of passenger vehicles. The rule specified the use of the SID dummy as a 
    human surrogate to assess the risk of injury in side crashes. Two 
    alternative dummy development efforts, the EuroSid-1 and the BioSid, 
    were in progress at that time. The BioSid uses the Hybrid III head/neck 
    system. NHTSA evaluated the BioSid in 1988 and compared its performance 
    to the SID. A series of lateral impact calibration tests were performed 
    in 1990 using two BioSid dummies. It was concluded that the calibration 
    responses of the BioSid are both repeatable and reproducible to within 
    the response boundaries generally accepted for anthropomorphic test 
    dummies. The results of the lateral head drop tests and lateral neck 
    pendulum tests of those two BioSid dummies are listed in Table IV-8 of 
    the PRE prepared for the August 26, 1997 NPRM proposing amendments to 
    Standard 201. The agency also conducted two additional lateral head 
    drop tests and five neck pendulum tests using the head/neck components 
    of a third dummy. The test results also are listed in Table IV-8 of the 
    PRE.
        Based on those test data, the repeatability of the dummy head/neck 
    certification response was found to be exceptionally good. The 
    coefficient of variation for each dummy component is extremely small, 
    ranging from 0.97 percent to 2.6 percent. The reproducibility of the 
    head/neck system response of the two BioSid dummies that were 
    manufactured by one manufacturer at the same period of time is also 
    excellent because the coefficient of variation is within the 5 percent 
    norm. When the test data of the third dummy is added for the 
    reproducibility
    
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    evaluation, the coefficient of variation of the neck rotation angle in 
    lateral bending motion increases to approximately 5.5 percent which is 
    just slightly outside the range of the ``excellent'' reproducibility 
    rating. It is within the ``good'' reproducibility rating that is 
    generally defined by a coefficient of variation ranging between 5 
    percent and 10 percent. Although as a result of the additional dummy 
    test the deviations of the head acceleration and the neck moment 
    responses also increase, they are still within the ``excellent'' 
    reproducibility rating range.
    (2) Durability Tests
        BMW recently conducted a series of side-to-pole impact tests to 
    assess the effectiveness of its inflatable tubular structure (ITS) 
    system in side impact protection. On April 19, 1996, BMW submitted its 
    confidential test data to NHTSA as part of the BMW comments on the 
    ANPRM announcing the proposed amendments to Standard 201. [61 FR 9136] 
    The dummy test device used in the BMW ITS evaluation tests is a SID 
    dummy with the Hybrid III head/neck system whose seated height is 
    approximately 0.75 inches higher than that of the SID. However, it was 
    also noted that the head CG of the BMW dummy was about 1.5 inches 
    higher than that of the SID dummy.
        It is possible that a taller seated dummy, particularly whose head 
    CG is substantially higher, may exhibit modified head/neck kinematics 
    and/or dynamic responses in a lateral impact, which could lead to the 
    design of different head protection systems. The agency tentatively 
    concludes that it is reasonable to modify the existing neck bracket in 
    order to maintain the dummy's seated height within the range of heights 
    of 50th percentile male dummies. For this reason, the NHTSA modified 
    neck bracket provides a means to approximate the original SID seated 
    height and the head/neck posture while minimizing the increase in the 
    height of the head CG of the SID/HIII dummy by approximately 0.75 inch. 
    Inasmuch as the above changes minimize the dimensional and mass 
    distribution deviations from the currently specified SID, the new neck 
    bracket is included in the construction of the SID/HIII dummy.
        A total of nine sled lateral impact tests were conducted by NHTSA 
    to assess the durability of the new neck bracket and its potential 
    effects on dummy responses. The sled buck consisted of a bench seat 
    with low friction surfaces and two rigid loading plates on the impacted 
    side at the lateral end of the seat. The lower plate was up to the 
    dummy's shoulder height and was covered with 4 inch thick cushion 
    (Ethafoam LC 220). The non-padded upper plate was at the head height 
    level.
        In each test, the SID/HIII was seated on the bench with the torso 
    in an upright position. The sled buck was oriented at a right angle to 
    the direction of sled travel and accelerated to a speed of 18 mph. The 
    direction of motion of the dummy was horizontal, parallel to the 
    seating surface and perpendicular to and toward the loading plates. The 
    test matrix consisted of three tests each for the Part 572 Subpart F 
    SID dummy, the SID with the Hybrid III head/neck using the Subpart F 
    neck bracket, and the SID/HIII dummy with the new neck bracket.
        The test results, contained in Table IV-10 of the PRE prepared for 
    the August 26, 1997 NPRM proposing amendments to Standard 201, indicate 
    that the proposed new neck bracket is structurally sufficient and 
    durable for the intended purpose. There was no sign of bracket damage 
    in head impacts producing a HIC value as high as approximately 5,000. 
    This impact severity is beyond the norm of the head-to-upper interior 
    impact test responses. Most important, the new neck bracket would bring 
    the head height down to the normal range of the 50th percentile male 
    seated dummy and does not have significant effects on the HIC, TTI and 
    pelvis-g responses.
    
    D. Proposed Calibration Tests
    
        The agency proposes that the following calibration test 
    specifications and procedures, which make use of the existing dummy 
    test fixtures and equipment, be adopted for the SID/HIII:
    1. Head Drop Test Specifications
        The head is dropped from 200 mm onto a flat, steel plate such that 
    its midsagittal plane makes a 35 degree angle with respect to the 
    impact surface and its anterior-posterior axis is horizontal. When the 
    dummy head is dropped in accordance with the above test procedure, the 
    following specifications are to be met:
        a. The resultant acceleration of the center of gravity of the head 
    shall be between 120 and 150 G.
        b. The resultant acceleration-time curve shall be unimodal such 
    that no oscillation after the main acceleration peak shall exceed 15 
    percent of the peak resultant head acceleration.
        c. The longitudinal acceleration component shall not exceed 15 G.
    2. Neck Pendulum Test Specifications
        The proposed test procedure is similar to the Hybrid III neck test, 
    except the entire head/neck assembly is rotated 90 degrees when 
    attached to the neck pendulum. The pendulum is identical to that used 
    in the Hybrid III neck calibration tests and the impact velocity is 
    between 6.89 and 7.13 m/s. When the neck is tested in accordance with 
    the proposed test procedure, the following specifications are to be 
    met:
        a. The pendulum deceleration pulse is to be characterized in terms 
    of its change (decrease) in velocity as obtained by integrating the 
    pendulum accelerometer output.
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Time (ms)                     Pendulum Delta-V (m/s)    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    10......................................  1.96 to 2.55.                 
    20......................................  4.12 to 5.10.                 
    30......................................  5.73 to 7.01.                 
    40 to 70................................  6.27 to 7.64.                 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        b. The maximum rotation of the midsagittal plane of the head shall 
    be 64 to 78 degrees with respect to the pendulum. The decaying head 
    rotation vs. time curve shall cross the zero angle between 50 to 70 ms 
    after reaching its peak value.
        c. The moment about the x-axis which lies in the midsagittal plane 
    of the head at the level of the occipital condyles shall have a maximum 
    value between 88 and 108 Nm. The decaying moment vs. time curve shall 
    first cross zero moment between 40 and 60 ms after reaching its peak 
    value.
        The following formula is to be used to calculate the moment about 
    the occipital condyles when using the six-axis neck transducer:
    
    M=Mx+0.01778 Fy
    
        Where Mx and Fy are the moment and force measured by the transducer 
    and expressed in terms of Nm and N, respectively.
        d. The maximum rotation of the head with respect to the pendulum 
    shall occur between 0 and 20 ms after peak moment.
    3. Temperature Sensitivity and Time Between Tests
        The calibration test specifications for the Hybrid III head and 
    neck components apply. The lateral head drop tests would be conducted 
    at 18.9-25.6 degrees C at a relative humidity from 10-70 percent. The 
    lateral neck pendulum tests would be conducted at 20.6-22.2 degrees C 
    at a relative humidity from 10-70 percent.
        The head and neck components would be soaked at these conditions 
    for at least four hours before testing. A waiting period of two hours 
    would be required between two consecutive tests using the same head 
    component. A waiting period of at least thirty (30)
    
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    minutes would be required between successive tests on the same neck.
    
    III. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
    
    A. Executive Order 12291 (Federal Regulation) and DOT Regulatory 
    Polices and Procedures
    
        This notice was not reviewed pursuant to E.O. 12866, ``Regulatory 
    Planning and Review.'' NHTSA has considered the impacts of this 
    rulemaking action and determined that it is not significant within the 
    meaning of the Department of Transportation's regulatory policies and 
    procedures.
        The proposed amendments would not require any vehicle design 
    changes but would instead only specify the construction of a new neck 
    bracket to join existing components to create the test dummies used to 
    evaluate a vehicle's compliance with Standard No. 201 under one of 
    three test options. The agency believes that the cost of the new neck 
    bracket is approximately $200 to $300. The neck bracket is the only new 
    hardware that would be required for those already employing the SID and 
    HIII dummies for compliance testing to standards other than Standard 
    201. Costs associated with the use of the proposed SID/HIII in the 
    optional side impact test proposed in the August 26, 1997 NPRM are 
    estimated to be $1,750 for calibration tests for the head, neck, lumbar 
    spine, thorax and pelvis. Therefore, the impacts of the proposed 
    amendments would be so minimal that a full regulatory evaluation is not 
    required.
        The agency has prepared a Preliminary Regulatory Evaluation 
    describing the economic and other effects of the rulemaking action 
    proposing amendments to Standard No. 201 requiring the use of this 
    proposed test dummy. Summary discussions of many of those effects are 
    provided above. For persons wishing to examine the full analysis, a 
    copy is being placed in the docket.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-354) requires 
    each agency to evaluate the potential effects of a proposed rule on 
    small businesses. Modifications to dummy designs affect motor vehicle 
    manufacturers, few of which are small entities. The Small Business 
    Administration (SBA) has set size standards for determining if a 
    business within a specific industrial classification is a small 
    business. The Standard Industrial Classification code used by the SBA 
    for Motor Vehicles and Passenger Car Bodies (3711) defines a small 
    manufacturer as one having 1,000 employees or less.
        Very few single stage manufacturers of motor vehicles within the 
    United States have 1,000 or fewer employees. Those that do are not 
    likely to perform testing that would require use of the SID/HIII test 
    device and would be much more likely to contract with a larger 
    manufacturer or a test facility to perform such testing. For this 
    reason, NHTSA believes that this proposal would not have a significant 
    impact on any small business.
    
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Public Law 
    96-511), there are no requirements for information collection 
    associated with this proposed rule.
    
    D. National Environmental Policy Act
    
        NHTSA has also analyzed this proposed rule under the National 
    Environmental Policy Act and determined that it would not have a 
    significant impact on the human environment.
    
    E. Executive Order 12612 (Federalism) and Unfunded Mandates Act
    
        NHTSA has analyzed this proposal in accordance with the principles 
    and criteria contained in E.O. 12612, and has determined that this 
    proposed rule would not have significant federalism implications to 
    warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        In issuing this proposal for specifications to create a new test 
    dummy by joining components of two existing dummies with a new neck 
    bracket, the agency notes, for the purposes of the Unfunded Mandates 
    Act, that it is pursuing the least cost alternative. Also, as noted 
    above, this test device will be used if a manufacturer chooses one of 
    three options to test for compliance with Standard 201. As the 
    selection of that option would not be required by this proposal or by 
    the earlier companion proposal, and as this rulemaking does not require 
    use of this new test dummy, this rulemaking does not impose new costs. 
    While manufacturers choosing to test for compliance under the optional 
    tests requiring use of the proposed test dummy would incur additional 
    costs, these costs would be negligible.
    
    F. Civil Justice Reform
    
        This proposed rule would not have any retroactive effect. Under 49 
    U.S.C. 30103, whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in 
    effect, a State may not adopt or maintain a safety standard applicable 
    to the same aspect of performance which is not identical to the Federal 
    standard, except to the extent that the state requirement imposes a 
    higher level of performance and applies only to vehicles procured for 
    the State's use. 49 U.S.C. 30161 sets forth a procedure for judicial 
    review of final rules establishing, amending or revoking Federal motor 
    vehicle safety standards. That section does not require submission of a 
    petition for reconsideration or other administrative proceedings before 
    parties may file suit in court.
    
    Submission of Comments
    
        Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the proposal. 
    It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted.
        All comments must not exceed 15 pages in length. (49 CFR 553.21). 
    Necessary attachments may be appended to these submissions without 
    regard to the 15-page limit. This limitation is intended to encourage 
    commenters to detail their primary arguments in a concise fashion.
        If a commenter wishes to submit certain information under a claim 
    of confidentiality, three copies of the complete submission, including 
    purportedly confidential business information, should be submitted to 
    the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the street address given above, and seven 
    copies from which the purportedly confidential information has been 
    deleted should be submitted to the Docket Section. A request for 
    confidentiality should be accompanied by a cover letter setting forth 
    the information specified in the agency's confidential business 
    information regulation. 49 CFR part 512.
        All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
    closing date indicated above for the proposal will be considered, and 
    will be available for examination in the docket at the above address 
    both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed 
    after the closing date will also be considered. Comments received too 
    late for consideration in regard to the final rule will be considered 
    as suggestions for further rulemaking action. Comments on the proposal 
    will be available for inspection in the docket. NHTSA will continue to 
    file relevant information as it becomes available in the docket after 
    the closing date, and it is recommended that interested persons 
    continue to examine the docket for new material.
        Those persons desiring to be notified upon receipt of their 
    comments in the rules docket should enclose a self-addressed, stamped 
    postcard in the envelope with their comments. Upon
    
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    receiving the comments, the docket supervisor will return the postcard 
    by mail.
    
    List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 572
    
        Motor vehicle safety, Incorporation by reference.
    
        In consideration of the foregoing, it is proposed that 49 CFR part 
    572 be amended as follows:
    
    PART 572--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 572 of Title 49 would continue 
    to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; 
    delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
    
        2. A new Subpart M, consisting of sections 572.110 through 572.116 
    would be added to read as follows:
    
    Subpart M--Side Impact Hybrid Dummy 50th Percentile Male
    
    Sec.
    572.110  Incorporated materials.
    572.111  General description.
    572.112  Head assembly.
    572.113  Neck assembly.
    572.114  Thorax.
    572.115  Lumbar spine and pelvis.
    572.116  Instrumentation and test conditions.
    
    Subpart M--Side Impact Hybrid Dummy 50th Percentile Male
    
    
    Sec. 572.110  Incorporated materials.
    
        (a) The drawings, specifications, and manual referred to in this 
    subpart that are not set forth in full are hereby incorporated in this 
    part by reference. These materials are thereby made part of this 
    subpart.
        (b) The materials incorporated in this part by reference are 
    available for examination in the general reference section of Docket 
    No. 88-07, Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety 
    Administration, Room 5109, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC.
    
    
    Sec. 572.111  General description.
    
        (a) The dummy consists of component parts and component assemblies 
    defined in drawing SA-SIDH3-M001, dated 4/19/1997, which are described 
    in approximately 200 drawings and specifications that are set forth in 
    Secs. 572.32, 572.33 and 572.41(a)(3), (4), (5) and (6), and in the 
    drawing of the Adaptor Bracket 96-SIDH3-001.
        (1) The head assembly consists of the assembly specified in subpart 
    E (Sec. 572.32) and conforms to each of the drawings subtended under 
    drawing 78051-61X rev. C.
        (2) The neck assembly consists of the assembly specified in subpart 
    E (Sec. 572.33) and conforms to each of the drawings subtended under 
    drawing 78051-90 rev. A.
        (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 rev. A.
        (4) The lumbar spine consists of the assembly specified in subpart 
    B (Sec. 572.9(a)) and conforms to drawing SA 150 M050 and drawings 
    subtended by SA-SID M050 rev. A.
        (5) The abdomen and pelvis consist of the assembly specified in 
    subpart B (Sec. 572.9) and conform to the drawings subtended by SA 150 
    M060, the drawings subtended by SA 150 M060 rev. A and the drawings 
    subtended by SA-SID-087 sheet 1 rev. H, and SA-SID-87 sheet 2 rev. H.
        (6) The lower limbs consist of the assemblies specified in subpart 
    B (Sec. 572.10) shown as SA 150 M080 and SA 150 M081 in Figure 1 and 
    SA-SID-M080 and SA-SID-M081 and conform to the drawings subtended by 
    those numbers.
        (7) The neck mounting adaptor bracket conforms to drawing 96-SIDH3-
    001.
        (8) Upper and middle shoulder foams conform to drawing 96-SIDH3-
    006.
        (b) The structural properties of the dummy are such that the dummy 
    conforms to the specifications of this Subpart in every respect both 
    before and after being used in vehicle tests specified in Standard No. 
    201.
        (c) Disassembly, inspection and assembly procedures, external 
    dimensions, weight and drawing list are set forth in the SIDH3 User's 
    Manual, dated May 1997.
        (d) Sign convention for signal outputs is given in the reference 
    document SAE J1733 of 1994-12, ``Sign Convention for Vehicle Crash 
    Testing'', SAE, Warrendale, Pa.
    
    
    Sec. 572.112  Head assembly.
    
        The head assembly consists of the head (drawing 78051-61X, rev. C) 
    with the neck transducer structural replacement (drawing 78051-383X, 
    rev. P) and three (3) accelerometers that are mounted in conformance to 
    S572.36(c).
        (a) Test Procedure. (1) Soak the head assembly in a test 
    environment at any temperature between 18.9 to 25.6 degrees C. (66 to 
    78 degrees F.) and at a relative humidity from 10 percent to 70 percent 
    for a period of at least four (4) hours prior to its application in a 
    test.
        (2) Clean the impact surface of the head skin and impact plate 
    surface with 1,1,1 trichloroethane or equivalent prior to the test.
        (3) Suspend the head, as shown in Figure 51, so that the 
    midsagittal plane makes an angle of 35 +/-1 degrees with the impact 
    surface and its anterior-posterior axis is horizontal +/-1 degree.
        (4) Drop the head from a height of 200 +/-0.25 mm (7.87 +/-0.01 
    inches), measured from the lowest point on the head, by a means that 
    ensures a smooth, clean release into a rigidly supported flat 
    horizontal steel plate, which is 50 +/-2 mm thick and 610 +/-10 mm 
    square. The plate shall have a clear, dry surface and has any 
    microfinish of 8 to 80 microinch/inch rms.
        (5) Allow at least two (2) hours between successive tests on the 
    same head.
        (b) Performance Criteria. (1) When the head assembly is dropped in 
    accordance with S572.112(a), the measured peak resultant acceleration 
    shall be between 120 and 150 G's.
        (2) The resultant acceleration-time curve shall be unimodal to the 
    extent that oscillations occurring after the main acceleration pulse 
    shall not exceed 15 percent (zero to peak) of the main pulse. The 
    longitudinal acceleration vector shall not exceed 15 G's.
    
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    Sec. 572.113  Neck assembly.
    
        The head/neck assembly (consisting of the parts 78051-61X, rev. C; 
    -84; -90, rev. A; -94; -98; -104, revision F; -303, rev. E; -305; -306; 
    -307, rev. X) which has a six axis neck transducer (drawing C-1709, 
    revision D) installed in conformance with S572.36(d).
        (a) Test Procedure. (1) Soak the head and neck assembly in a test 
    environment at any temperature between 20.6 to 22.2 degrees C. (69 to 
    72 degrees F.) and at a relative humidity from 10 percent to 70 percent 
    for a period of at least four (4) hours prior to its application in a 
    test.
        (2) Torque the jamnut (78051-64) on the neck cable (78051-301, rev. 
    E) to 1.35+/-0.27 Nm (1.0 +/-0.2 ft-lb) before each test.
        (3) Using neck brackets 78051-303 and -307, mount the head/neck 
    assembly to the part 572 pendulum test fixture (see S572.33, Figure 22) 
    so that the midsagittal plane of the head is vertical and perpendicular 
    to the plane of motion of the pendulum's longitudinal centerline (see 
    S572.33, Figure 20, except that the direction of the head/neck assembly 
    is rotated around the superior-inferior axis by an angle of 90 
    degrees). Install suitable transducers or other devices necessary for 
    measuring the ``D'' plane (horizontal surface at the base of the skull) 
    rotation with respect to the pendulum's longitudinal centerline. The 
    rotation can be measured by placing a transducer at the occipital 
    condyles and another at the intersection of the centerline of the neck 
    and the line extending from the base of the neck as shown in Figure 52.
        (4) Allow the neck to flex without the head or neck contacting any 
    object.
        (5) Release the pendulum and allow it to fall freely from a height 
    to achieve an impact velocity of 6.89 to 7.13 m/s (22.6 to 23.4 ft/sec) 
    measured at the center of the pendulum accelerometer.
        (6) Time zero is defined as the time of initial contact between the 
    striker plate and the pendulum deceleration medium.
        (7) Allow a period of at least thirty (30) minutes between 
    successive tests on the same neck assembly.
        (b) Performance Criteria. (1) The pendulum deceleration pulse is to 
    be characterized in terms of decrease in velocity as obtained by 
    integrating the pendulum acceleration output.
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Time (ms)                     Pendulum Delta-V (m/s)    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    10......................................  1.96 to 2.55.                 
    20......................................  4.12 to 5.10.                 
    30......................................  5.73 to 7.01.                 
    40 to 70................................  6.27 to 7.64.                 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (2) The maximum rotation of the midsagittal plane of the head shall 
    be 64 to 78 degrees with respect to the pendulum's longitudinal 
    centerline. The decaying head rotation vs. time curve shall cross the 
    zero angle between 50 to 70 ms after reaching its peak value.
        (3) The moment about the x-axis which coincides with the 
    midsagittal plane of the head at the level of the occipital condyles 
    shall have a maximum value between 88 and 108 Nm. The decaying moment 
    vs. time curve shall first cross zero moment between 40 and 60 ms after 
    reaching its peak value. The following formula is to be used to 
    calculate the moment about the occipital condyles when using the six-
    axis neck transducer:
    
    M=Mx+0.01778 Fy
    
        Where Mx and Fy are the moment and force measured by the transducer 
    and expressed in terms of Nm and N, respectively.
        (4) The maximum rotation of the head with respect to the pendulum's 
    longitudinal centerline shall occur between 0 and 20 ms after peak 
    moment.
    
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    Sec. 572.114  Thorax.
    
        The specifications and test procedure for the thorax are identical 
    to those set forth in Sec. 572.42.
    
    
    Sec. 572.115  Lumbar spine and pelvis.
    
        The specifications and test procedure for the lumbar spine and 
    pelvis are identical to those set forth in Sec. 572.43.
    
    
    Sec. 572.116  Instrumentation and test conditions.
    
        (a) The test probe for lateral thoracic and pelvis impact tests are 
    the same as those specified in S572.44(a).
        (b) Accelerometer mounting in thorax is the same as specified in 
    S572.44(b).
        (c) Accelerometer mounting in pelvis is the same as specified in 
    S572.44(c).
        (d) Head Accelerometer mounting is the same as specified in 
    S572.36(c).
        (e) Neck transducer mounting is the same as specified in 
    S752.36(d).
        (f) Instrumentation and sensors used must conform to the 
    Recommended Practice SAE J-211 (Mar 1995)--Instrumentation for Impact 
    Test.
        (g) The mountings for the spine, rib and pelvis accelerometers 
    shall have no resonance frequency within a range of 3 times the 
    frequency range of the applicable channel class.
        (h) Limb joints of the test dummy are set at the force between 1 to 
    2 g's, which just supports the limb's weight when the limbs are 
    extended horizontally forward. The force required to move a limb 
    segment does not exceed 2 g's throughout the range of the limb motion.
        (i) Performance tests are conducted at any temperature from 20.6 to 
    22.2 degrees C. (69 to 72 degrees F.) and at any relative humidity from 
    10 percent to 70 percent after exposure of the dummy to those 
    conditions for a period of at least four (4) hours.
        (j) For the performance of tests specified in S572.42 and S572.43, 
    the dummy is positioned the same as specified in S572.44(h).
    
        Issued on November 26, 1997.
    L. Robert Shelton,
    Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
    [FR Doc. 97-31611 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/08/1997
Department:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
97-31611
Pages:
64546-64554 (9 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. NHTSA-97-3144
RINs:
2127-AG74: Anthropomorphic Test Dummy for Head Impact Protection
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2127-AG74/anthropomorphic-test-dummy-for-head-impact-protection
PDF File:
97-31611.Pdf
CFR: (8)
49 CFR 22.2
49 CFR 572.110
49 CFR 572.111
49 CFR 572.112
49 CFR 572.113
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