Force transducers for crash testing

The use of Thames Side Sensors force transducers has been crucial in the latest phase of the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) crash tests, the results of which were announced on 25th June.   Many of the frontal impact crash tests were conducted at the Transport Research Laboratory in the UK and at l'Union Technique l'Automobile du Motocycle et du Cycle in France.   Both facilities are equipped with crash walls incorporating specially designed Thames Side Sensors load cells.

In 1998 Thames Side engineered an instrumentation solution for an innovative crash test wall at Volvo's state-of-the-art safety facility in Sweden.   Since then the company has become established as a design authority and leading international manufacturer of the load cell technology employed in vehicle crash testing.   The company has worked closely with customers to develop modular systems suitable for a range of tests including Euro NCAP, and has completed projects for both national test houses and for several major vehicle manufacturers in the UK and overseas.

The use of vehicle crash test walls using specialist load cells is now an essential part of the process of bringing a new car to market and contributes towards raising safety standards in vehicles.   During testing it is necessary to measure accurately the forces exerted during an impact on vehicles, their occupants and pedestrians.   Thames Side Sensors' force transducers are designed to produce an accuracy of 0.2% in the axial direction.

They also have to withstand the force of impact of a vehicle travelling at 64 kilometres per hour (40mph).   To meet this stringent requirement the load cells are subjected to 250% overload during the initial calibration procedure.   The special design of the Thames Side Sensors transducer also produces excellent repeatability, vital for comparing results of several crash tests on the same vehicle or when comparing those from different vehicles.

Over 100 different models have now been assessed by Euro NCAP.   This year a second car achieved a maximum five star rating and the majority achieved a four star rating, compared to 1997 when many cars achieved only two stars.   In addition, this year, for the first time, two-seater sports cars and off-roaders were assessed.   Max Moseley, Euro NCAP Chairman and President of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile said, "Whatever type of car you prefer to drive, whatever price you can afford, it's clear that there is now a wider choice of models offering stronger levels of protection than ever before".