Expert: mike lombardi - 10/2/2007

Question
QUESTION: Sir
I am planning to design a "Zero Injury Car" as a part of my Univ. project.So i require some help regarding the same.
Initially i would like to know about the basic areas i should cover while designin the same.It would also be of great assistance if you could provide me with a few links regarding the same topic..Regards

ANSWER: hi Krishna,
 wow that sounds like quite an undertaking, and if you are successeful in your project i think all the major auto manufacturers will be interested in seeing your results.
 i can help you with some info here. i don't know how much you already know about collision damage and how it is absorbed by the vehicle already, so remember you can always respond back to me and continue asking me stuff, or enlightening me on things you have learned.
most of todays cars are a unibody construction designed just for keeping passengers safe in the event of a collision. the unibody is designed to absorb energy by sending that energy throughout the entire structure therefore minimizing the energy the passengers must absorb. another thing they are designed to do is fold up or 'crumple' in key areas of that unibody structure. for example the front frame rails are designed to crumple up when in a collision so they don't get driven into the passenger compartment. they will also channel that energy throughout the vehicle, sending it up the windshield posts and through the roof, and down through the rocker and inner rocker assemblies. so in effect it takes that force and distributes it around the passenger compartment. i'll stop here and let you tell me if i'm on the right track as far as what you are looking for. you can also go to the national hiway traffic safety website and find more info.

i hope this starts to help you and i'll be l@@king out for your response and additional questions.

thanx
mike

ps: what college do you attend?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanx sir..that did loads of help in me gettin started..ive noted all key points u said...it wud do more help if u proceed wid car interiors n d rear body...sumtin 2 do wid d preferable metal..n stuff..btw me studyin in NIT(natinal Ins of Tech India equi 2 da IITs..(Indian Ins of Tech..w

Answer
hi,
i doubt i can have better ideas than the manufacturers have already come up with such as seatbelts, front and side airbags, and all the other things they design in their autos.
they have spent millions or billions over the years in research and development to make the cars safer and safer

thanks
mike