|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LOTOTitle of the Sub-Project: LOTO - Linear accelerations and otolith-induced postural responses Description: The mechanics of the human neck are of great importance for car safety: the results of whiplash-syndroms cause about 1 billion Euro yearly costs in Europe. The proposed project "LOTO" aims at a better understanding of the mechanics and the postural reflexes of this part of the human body. Any realistic model of the head and neck control system needs to incorporate the mechanics of bones and muscles, as well as information about body orientation and movement in space which is provided by balance sensors. A model that covers all those aspects would be very helpful in improving the design of car seats, especially to optimise the design of head-rests, which help to reduce head and neck injuries caused by car accidents. It could also be used to improve seats and dampers in general since driving comfort is strongly influenced by an adequate relation between car damping and neck mechanics. This problem can be found in a wide range of vehicles like trains or airplanes. The LOTO sub-project partners want to develop a realistic model of the human head and neck control system, which reflects not only the passive mechanical properties of the human body, but also active responses that are caused by postural reflexes. We believe that such a model can be obtained by combining two existing simulation programs. The Biomechanics Group at the Institute of Astrophysics at the University of Tübingen has developed a "multi-body-dynamics" model of the human body, which has so far been applied to the mechanics of arms, legs, and pelvis. LOTO aims to extend this program to include the mechanics of the human head and neck. To determine the appropriate model parameters, and to verify the validity of the model, experimental recordings of head movements will be made during natural movements, as well as during sinusoidal oscillations in the laboratory. For a realistic simulation of the sensory input to the neck muscles, a finite-element (FE) program will be employed, that has been developed to simulate the effects of accelerations on the balance system. To combine the two programmes, the FE simulations of the human balance system have to be made significantly faster. A further objective is to find out how the connections of the balance system to the neck mechanics can be parameterised. For the application of this model to realistic conditions in a car driving situation and during accidents, we collaborate with Daimler-Chrysler. Daimler-Chrysler will support this project by a) providing existing experimental data on the movements and forces that occur in a driving situation b) by collaborating in the acquisition of additional experimental data in the context of car driving. LOTO also fulifills the REGINS requirements. One of the primary goals of this project is to maintain and expand the know-how in the fields of multi-body-dynamics ("MKS models"), and mechanics of the balance system. "LOTO" will make know-how in MKS models available also for Linz and Pavia. Moreover, "LOTO" aims to substitute the pretty expensive Abaqus software for FE modelling by "Calculix", which was developed by engineers at MTU and is freely available. This will make the research results of this project easily available for SMEs in the participating regions. The exchange of information between the partners, and especially the involvement of Daimler-Chrysler will will extend the know-how of car design in each partner region. Local SMEs will also profit through information campaigns about the research results, and by attending the final meeting which will be held as an open workshop. Project Partners: - UAR - Upper Austrian Research GmbH (A) - University of Tübingen - Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (D) - University of Pavia - Department of Computer Engineering and System Science (I) Contact: For further questions please contact: PD Dr. Thomas Haslwanter Upper Austrian Research, Dept. for Medical Informatics Hauptstr. 99 4232 Hagenberg AUSTRIA Tel.: +43 7236 3343 676 Fax: +43 650 251 9423 E-mail: thomas.haslwanter@uar.at  Project Sheet LOTO
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|  |
|
|
||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
||||||
