Design of an Automotive Occupant Restraint Systems for Reclined Seating

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

U. Singh Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

P. Vink Emerging Materials - IDE (supervisor 1)
E.J.J. van Breemen Emerging Materials - IDE (supervisor 2)
Maximilian Wegner BMW Group (coach)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2023 Utkarsh Singh
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

28-08-2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

As the automotive industry advances towards greater autonomy, the landscape of car travel is evolving. The integration of reclined seating within vehicles, made possible without major alterations to traditional layouts, presents a promising avenue for enhancing passenger experiences. This shift, however, comes with unique safety challenges due to the changed seating dynamics.

Research, including insights from General Motors, Volvo & Volkswagen emphasizes the need for innovative safety solutions for reclined seating. Simulations comparing three-point and four point seat belt configurations, in both upright and reclined positions, reveal advantages for the latter at higher speeds. This configuration produces a more balanced force distribution during
impacts, away from vital areas.

While the potential of a four-point restraint system is evident, implementation hurdles arise. Addressing both safety and comfort, a study assesses the user experience for both systems. Building on these insights, a convertible restraint system is proposed, seamlessly transitioning from a three-point to a four-point
configuration based on passenger position. This adaptable design merges safety and comfort effectively.

The proposed design requires redesign of certain components of the seat back & headrest. These are provided as recommendations