THE PROACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES: DESIGNING AND ITS PROTECTION EFFICIENCY AGAINST WHIPLASH INJURY
Abstract
This study aimed to study the proactive safety system, a new car safety system to prevent whiplash injuries in low-speed rear-end collisions. It utilizes a smart algorithm to actively reduce the distance between the headrest and the occupant's head prior to an imminent rear collision. Physical experiments and human body finite element (FE) simulations were conducted to test the system's feasibility, working algorithms, and effectiveness. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the new active safety system concept and explored its potential advantages. Limitations were identified, such as the use of a rigid seat model, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, and its hardware design. Future research should explore the system's impact on other injuries and address existing limitations. For instance, optimizing the rear-end collision detection algorithm of the safety system is crucial to minimize the occurrence of false activations. In brief, this study offers valuable insights for developing a proactive safety system, enhancing traffic safety, and reducing whiplash injuries.