Is optimized restraint system for an occupant with obesity different than that for a normal BMI occupant?

Objective: To optimize the components of restraint systems for protecting obese (BMI = 35 kg/m) and normal BMI (BMI = 25) human body models (HBMs) in frontal crash simulations, and to compare the two optimized designs.

Methods: The Life Years Lost metric, which incorporates the risk of injury and long-term disability to different body regions, was used as the optimization objective function. Parametric simulations, sampled from a 15-parameter design space using the Latin Hypercube technique, were performed and metamodels of the HBM responses were developed. A genetic algorithm was applied to the metamodels to identify the optimized designs.

Results: While most of the restraint parameters between the optimized design for obese and normal BMI HBMs were similar, the main difference was that the restraint for the obese HBM included an under-the-seat airbag, which mitigated its lower extremity excursion, improved its torso kinematics, and decreased its lower extremity and lumbar spine injury risks. The optimized designs for both HBMs included an inflatable seat belt, which reduced the risk of thoracic injury.

Conclusions: The design recommendations from this study should be considered to improve safety of occupants with obesity.