Performance of energy management features of child restraint system LATCH hardware

Abstract

This small-scale study used sled testing to explore the effects of two commercially available CRS (child restraint system) LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) energy management features on the loads delivered to the vehicle LATCH hardware and the resulting anthropomorphic test device (ATD) accelerations and excursions. Paired sled tests were conducted with/without the Diono SuperLATCH connectors and with/without Britax RipStitch tethers. The sled tests used the weighted Hybrid III 6-year-old ATD and a modified version of the FMVSS 213 bench. In high-severity frontal crash tests, the SuperLATCH reduced the ATD head injury criterion (HIC) but had no effect on lower anchor loads, chest accelerations, and ATD head/knee excursions. The Britax RipStitch tether reduced tether webbing loads but increased lower anchor loads and did not reduce any ATD acceleration or excursion measures. This data suggests these features do not offer the expected safety benefits under the conditions tested.