Comparison study of two 3-year old child dummies: The Part 572 and the P3

In a previous study the frontal crash response of the Part 572 3-year old child dummy in a child restraint system with harness was compared with a child cadaver. In the ECE Regulation 44 a new dummy representing a 3-year old child is prescribed: the P3. This dummy has been compared with the Part 572 dummy in two types of child restraint systems: a system with harness belts and a system with a dynamic impact shield. In addition the dummy performance was confrontated with that of the cadaver. The MADYMO mathematical Crash Victim Simulation program was used in an extensive sensitivity study for detailed analysis of the differences between both dummies. Simulations were performed with varied dummy characteristics like mass distribution and joint range of motions. Differences in the performance of both dummies and the cadaver are shown and explained by means of the results of the sensitivity study. The kinematical effect of the vertebral column of the cadaver is found to be simulated in a more realistic way by the P3 than by the Part 572 dummy. Some recommendations on how to improve future child dummy design are given.