Adjustable fixture for head impact testing

摘要

An adjustable impact test fixture (10) for testing impact characteristics of interior trim panels (22). The fixture (10) comprises a support (12), a backing plate (14) attached to the support, and a movable floating plate (16) supported in spaced-apart relation to the backing plate. The fixture further includes one or more energy absorbing inserts (18) that are removably disposed between the backing plate (14) and the floating plate (16). Each insert (18) causes the fixture (10) to have a predetermined or known impact characteristic. The fixture (10) further includes a mounting assembly (20) adapted to fixedly secure a trim panel portion (22) to the floating plate (16). A corresponding method includes the steps of: determining an impact characteristic associated with a given energy absorbing insert; inserting the insert between a support and a floating plate; mounting a vehicle trim panel on the floating plate; causing a test object to impact the trim panel portion; determining at least one characteristic of the impact; and comparing the characteristic with a reference characteristic.