Integration of vehicle dynamics control systems with an extendable bumper for collision mitigation

The aim of this paper is to enhance crashworthiness in the case of vehicle-to-barrier full frontal collision using vehicle dynamics control systems integrated with an extendable bumper. The work carried out in this paper includes developing and analysing a new vehicle dynamics/crash mathematical model and a multi-body occupant mathematical model. The first model integrates a vehicle dynamics model with the vehicle’s front-end structure to define the vehicle’s body crash kinematic parameters. In this model, the antilock braking system (ABS) and the active suspension control system (ASC) are cosimulated, and its associated equations of motion are developed. The second model is used to capture the occupant kinematics during full-frontal collision. The numerical simulations show that in the case of using the extendable bumper, the crash energy absorbed is considerable compared to traditional structure. Therefore, the minimum vehicle crumble zone’s deformation is obtained when the ABS alongside under pitch control (UPC) is applied with the extendable bumper. The minimum pitch angle of the vehicle body and acceleration are obtained when the ABS alongside UPC technique is applied without the extendable bumper. The occupant deceleration and the occupant's chest and head rotational acceleration are used as injury criteria. The longitudinal displacement and acceleration of the occupant is extremely decreased when the extendable bumper is used. It is also shown that the VDCS can affect the crash characteristics and the occupant safety positively, whereas the rotations angle and acceleration of the occupant chest and head are significantly reduced