Please note that the RUCC task force documents from its second session, referenced in the report below, have not yet been made available outside the informal group.

Dr. Konosu, who also serves as a chair of the TF-RUCC, explained that the last audio conference of the task force had taken place some days before the meeting of the informal group. Unfortunately, the TF was struggling with WebEX problems (some of TF members were not able to talk with other members via WebEX) so that not all information could be shared in a way as it is wished for. He therefore requested the TF members to shortly present their documents to the informal group.

Mr. Kinsky (OICA), who also is pilot of the pedestrian safety experts’ group of the European manufacturers, presented the document on the comparison of inverse certification tests in two different labs (document TF-RUCC-2-04). He concluded that currently the labs are still struggling to conduct the tests in a way that allows repeatable results so that a discussion on the inverse certification corridors seems to be premature.

Mr. Zander (BASt) presented the BASt document (document TF-RUCC-2-03) that is based on the same data as the document of European manufacturers. However, he concluded that specifically the Humanetics test lab may have difficulties to conduct the inverse tests. Dr. Konosu added that he sees the responsibility at Humanetics to improve the way how they conduct the tests. Moreover, Dr. Konosu stated generally that the lab to lab differences regarding the inverse certification test seem to be high. Tips to obtain comparable test results among different labs therefore shall be worked out by BASt/BGS and ACEA (proposers of inverse certification test) and then shall be shared with Humanetics as well as with IG GTR9-PH2 members.

Mr. Gehring (BGS/BASt) presented a proposal to modify the hanger for the legform (which is used before the legform is hit by the honeycomb structure) in a way that the vertical hanging of the impactor is guaranteed (document TF-RUCC-2-06). He pointed out that the main intention is not to have a modification as proposed in the presentation but to assure that the impactor is hanging vertically. Mr. Zander added that the gtr No 9 describes some tolerances for the movement during the free-flight of the FlexPLI and that this also should be guaranteed during the certification. Mr. Burleigh (Humanetics) was wondering whether this has any influence on the test results and offered to conduct some comparison tests on this. This will be done within the task force’s activities.

The activities of Humanetics for the TF-RUCC were presented by Mr. Burleigh (document TF-RUCC-2-05). First, Humanetics had investigated the influence of the rubber length. (As a reminder: The certification corridors had been agreed based on test data with the three prototype legforms; these prototype legforms had short rubber sheets in front of the tibia.) Mr. Burleigh stated that obviously the length of the rubber has some influence on the test results. Second, the modifications of Humanetics test rig were presented addressing the issues that were mentioned in the presentations of Messrs. Kinsky and Zander (TF-RUCC-2-04 and TF-RUCC-2-03). However, these modifications did not provide the necessary progress in the test results. Finally, Mr. Burleigh explained the Humanetics’ activities preparing the round robin tests planned within the task force.

Mr. Hess (OICA) wondered whether the tests with the different rubber lengths were conducted with the same test equipment as the tests that were shown earlier by BASt and European manufacturers. This was confirmed and Mr. Hess concluded that therefore the test results may be questionable. Mr. Gehring added that he also sees difficulties with the speed measurement: Since the test equipment obviously is not fully stable during the test slight deviations in the speed measurement equipment may lead to large differences in the recorded test speed. Mr. Burleigh promised that Humanetics will pay special attention to this, Mr. Gehring recommended in addition to use an external speed measurement device.

Mr. Matsuoka (OICA) wondered whether the impactor had moved vertically during the test but Mr. Burleigh could not say anything on this. Mr. Zander suggested that Humanetics shares the raw data which may allow a better assessment of the test details and Mr. Burleigh promised to do so.

The TF-RUCC presentations were concluded by Dr. Konosu showing a revised version of the progress report of the TF’s activities (document TF-RUCC-2-07r1). JARI had spent several efforts to assure that the bone cores selected for the round robin tests with three different legforms are of a reliable quality and are certified on component level. In addition, tibia and femur assemblies as well as knee assemblies were certified on sub-system level. It is then planned to conduct inverse and pendulum certification tests at JARI followed by tests at BASt. Mr. Burleigh added that also Bertrandt in Germany and Ford in the US are interested in supporting the test series and that therefore the legform should be given to Bertrandt after BASt finished their testing. Humanetics itself may not be able to test since the problems with their test rig as described above have not yet been finally solved.

Mr. Damm thanked the chair of the task force and all members of the group for their intense work and concluded that the TF-RUCC input for the work of the informal group therefore is expected for the 3rd meeting of the IG GTR9-PH2 in May.

Later during the meeting Dr. Konosu presented further data regarding pendulum test results which were conducted at JARI during the 2nd IG GTR9-PH2 meeting with the prototype legforms SN-01, SN-03 and the so-called “engineering legform” that was produced by Humanetics for development purposes (document GTR9-2-14). The pendulum test results were compared to the data produced in 2009 (FlexPLI’s which did not have brand-new knees were used at that time) and it can be seen that there are tendencies of the test results to move within the corridors. Mr. Burleigh confirmed that this also fits the experiences of Humanetics. It is concluded that the details will be discussed in the Task Force on Review and Update of Certification Corridors (TF-RUCC).

On request of Mr. Pingston (OICA) it was clarified that the legforms mentioned above all were updated with vinylester bone core material. Also, it was mentioned that at least one production legform is available that meets both, the pendulum as well as the inverse certification corridor (see documents TF-RUCC-2-03 and TF-RUCC-2-04).

Dr. Konosu again invited all people interested in the details of the work of the task force to attend the respective meetings or audio conferences respectively. The documents will also be uploaded to the UN website where the documents of the informal group are stored.