3D Impact Modeling and Analysis of Rear-seat Structure for a Minibus Frontal Crash

To estimate the strength of rear seat which seated three occupants in frontal crash impacted by the displacement of luggage, a finite element (FE) model of rear seat of a minibus seated seven occupants was established. Firstly, the FE model of rear seat was simulated and validated by quasistatic test, according to the China regulation GB14167-2013. Secondly, based on above model, a computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis of rear seat was conducted under three different loading deceleration pulse of a rigid impact block, according to the requirements of China regulation GB15083-2006 and Appendix F. The simulation results showed that the rear feet structure of rear seat has been higher risk of fracture. Finally, three schemes was selected to comparative analyze under the same load pulse curves. The rear feet thickness was set as 3 mm, 4 mm and 5 mm respectively. The results showed that, if rear feet thickness was a certain value, the higher the peak of deceleration pulse, the greater the effective plastic strain of minibus rear seat. If the peak value of deceleration pulse was a certain value, the greater thickness of rear feet, the smaller the effective plastic strain of minibus rear seat. Hence, the priority scheme meet the cost consideration is 4mm thickness of rear seat.