Comparison of the Knee–Thigh–Hip Response in Small Female ATDs with Female PMHS

Bilateral knee impacts were conducted on Hybrid III and THOR 5th percentile female anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), and the results were compared to previously reported female PMHS data. Each ATD was impacted at velocities of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.9 m/s. Knee–thigh–hip (KTH) loading data, obtained either via direct measurement or through exercising a one-dimensional lumped parameter model (LPM), was analyzed for differences in loading characteristics including the maximum force, time to maximum force, loading rate, and loading duration. In general, the Hybrid III had the highest loading rate and maximum force, and the lowest loading duration and time to peak force for each point along KTH. Conversely, the PMHS generally had the lowest loading rate and maximum force, and the highest loading duration and time to peak force for each point along KTH. The force transfer from the knee to the femur was 79.2 ± 0.3% for the Hybrid III 5th female, 82.7 ± 0.4% for the THOR-05F, and 70.6 ± 1.7% for the PMHS. The force transfer from the knee to the hip was 60.6 ± 0.5% for the Hybrid III 5th female, 41.4 ± 0.4% for the THOR-05F, and 57.0 ± 3.0% for the PMHS. While the Hybrid III aligned more with the PMHS force transfer ratios, the loading characteristics of the THOR-05F were more similar to the PMHS.