金山 幸雄

In this study, at first a new sled type collision apparatus was developed, which was able to simulate an actual vehicle rear-end collision. Next, in order to obtain "compressing behavior" as affecting force to a neck as well as deformation movements of "over-extension" and "shearing", an experiment of rear-end impact was carried out using the sled apparatus, and a collision simulation was also made with computer program. On the basis of the result and a reference to users' seat positions of general passenger vehicles, a trial seat was manufactured to enable to reduce the whiplash injury. As a result, the occurrence of compressing movement from the cervix to the spinal cord was suggested. Consequently, to reduce the whiplash injury at rear-end collision at low speed, it is necessary to repress the sharp compressing movement in the neck first, and on the other hand, the specific characteristic of the seat is important for passenger to maintain appropriate seating posture.