Analysis of the influence of geometric difference among rear child occupants on injury outcomes

Abstract

This study aims to determine the influence of differences in geometric characteristics on lower extremity injury in frontal impact. Occupants with different lower extremity geometries were placed in the same impact environment, and the positioning angles of the lower extremities were consistent. After model validation, multiple sets of experiments were conducted. Responses to injury and kinematics of different lower extremities were compared, and the influence of lower extremity geometric properties on lower extremity injury was analyzed. Results showed that lower extremities with different geometric features produced different injuries and motion responses during impact. Long lower limbs with large femur-tibia length ratios had a wide range of motion. Additionally, the large femur-tibia length ratios increased the load transmitted by the foot to the femur and tibia, and the lower extremity was subjected to high-impact loading. The narrow femur and tibia were subjected to great compressive force and synthetic bending moments at both ends and had a large tibial index. The effects of differences in geometric properties on lower extremity biomechanical injuries can provide insight into lower extremity injury.