Model improvement during seat project

To help predict the behaviour of a seat assembly when performing a seat belt anchorage pull test (according to regulation ECE R14/05 and directive 76/115/EEC) a FE-model has been built and improved in several steps. To increase the accuracy of the simulation (quasi static), a number of modifications were made to the initial model. The adjustments include higher mesh density, allowing a better representation of the geometry. A tensile strength test has been performed on one critical component which showed a lower yield strength than that provided by the supplier which called for a model update. Physical tests have been carried out and simulation results have been compared to these tests. While doing so, the rails at which the seat is mounted on and the lock sleeves that keep the rails in its position were considered to be too week in the model. By incorporating thick shell elements, this issue was solved. It is believed that these combined modifications significantly improve the performance of simulating a pull test.