Finite Element Simulation and Experimental Study of Ramp Up and Holding Time on Seat Belt Anchorage Test according to ECE R14 and FMVSS 207

ECE R14 and FMVSS 207 are safety standards which are applied to automotive seats and seat belt anchorage assemblies. According to these standards, loads are applied and sustained over a period of time. During this test, high forces are applied to the seat belts over loading devices. Seat and belt anchorages have to resist these loads without any damages. In case of FMVSS 207, the high forces should achieve their maximum value as fast as possible. In other words, the ramp up time during the safety test should be as short as possible. This standard also suggest a short holding time for test forces to be applied. In contrast to FMVSS 207, ECE R14 suggests a longer ramp up and holding time. The aim of these paper is to study the effect of these two parameters (i.e. ramp up and holding time) on the seat damages. In other words, using finite element simulation and experimental tests, the effects of holding and ramp up time on seat components’ damages will be studied to clarify which standard has a more severe loading condition.