The Ford Motor Company and the Society of Automotive Engineers will go on board this fall on an international study of a more lifelike prototype abdominal insert for pediatric crash dummies.  Pediatric crash dummies with the more lifelike abdomen will help in analyzing the risk of serious injury to children during car accidents.  Independent studies show that children ages 4 to 8 are at higher risk for injuries to the spine and abdomen.

“This effort furthers Ford’s commitment to help protect families by focusing on one of the most common collision-related injuries among children,” said Dr. Steve Rouhana, a senior technical leader with Ford’s Passive Safety Research and Advanced Engineering Department.  “It will help us better understand the effects of crash forces on children’s abdomens.”

Ford developed the more lifelike abdomen in conjunction with Dearborn-based STR Systems, a safety technology and research firm; The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Wayne State University in Detroit; the University of Virginia; and Takata Corporation, a global manufacturer of automotive safety systems.

The prototype pediatric abdomen insert is similar in size and shape to that of a 6-year-old child and is made of multiple layers of liquid silicone that, when solidified, forms a tough silicone shell.  Inside is a set of electrodes immersed in a conductive fluid that comprise the sensors for the abdomen – six electrodes at the front of the abdomen and one reference electrode at the back.

Initial testing of how the pediatric abdomen responds to belt loading was just completed.  For these tests, the abdomen was placed in a pediatric crash dummy retrofitted with a prototype pelvis created by the University of Michigan.  According to Rouhana, this pelvis is more humanlike, reflecting the rounded shape of an average 6-year-old pelvis.

Ultimately, the data gathered using both actual and virtual crash test dummies may help Ford and other members of the consortium to develop and bring to market innovative safety technologies more quickly.

Ford Says, the 6-speed automatic transmission returns 4 to 6 percent better fuel economy than the 4 or 5-speed automatics. At 2009 Ford plans on fitting its 6F35 six-speed transmission in the 2009 model year of the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and the 2009 Mazda Tribute. Currently, all are offered with a four-speed automatic.

“They also deliver improved acceleration and smoother shifting, all at a great value for consumers,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford Vice President.
Press Release:

DEARBORN, May 7, 2008 – Ford Motor Company is fitting the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner with the automaker’s newest, advanced 6-speed automatic transmission, further demonstrating its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy for customers. The new 6F35 front-wheel-drive transmission offers a 4 to 6 percent improvement in fuel economy versus conventional 4- and 5-speed automatics, in addition to improved acceleration.

“With a greater gear span, the 6F35 allows the engine to operate at more optimum combinations of speed and load to meet certain driving conditions,” said Craig Renneker, chief engineer for new automatic transmissions, Ford Powertrain Operations. “The new transmission also enables the engine to run at lower speeds on the highway, which aids fuel economy.”

The 6F35 will be mated to a new 2.5L I-4 engine and a power-improved 3.0L V-6 in the 2009 Escape and Mariner. The engine offers horsepower increases of 17hp for the I-4 and by 40hp for the V-6, while also boosting fuel economy by 1 mpg when mated to the new six-speed transmission. The 2009 Mazda Tribute also will feature the 6F35, as will two other vehicles early next year.