The chair of the TF-RUCC presented the status report (document GTR9-4-07e) with updated certification corridors (action items A-3-02 and A-3-04): After further FlexPLI design optimizations, three master legs were prepared to redefine the certification corridors with respect to the quasi-static certification tests (tibia, knee and femur) as well as the dynamic certification tests (pendulum test and inverse test). All future FlexPLI’s (orders on master leg level) will now be able to pass both dynamic certification tests. TF-RUCC proposed new certification corridors which were accepted by the IG GTR9-PH2. The updated certification corridors should now be considered as the final ones.

Humanetics presented their certification test results with two FlexPLI master legs (document GTR9-4-09). The results are well in line with the results of other test houses (JARI, BASt and Bertrandt). Nevertheless, Humanetics are concerned that the narrow corridor range for the tibia 4 sensor could create problems related to the durability issue. The chair proposed that the test houses involved in the round robin tests should inform the group if any durability problems etc. will be observed. FlexPLI dynamic test instructions (document GTR9-4-22e) will be provided by BASt with the FlexPLI master legs in addition to the revised manual that will be submitted by Humanetics in October 2012 (see also action item A-2-12).

Action item A-3-03 was not discussed because it was part of TF-RUCC working items. Thus, action items A-3-02, A-3-03 and A-3-04 were closed.

Before the summer break, the secretariat of this group requested to indicate interest in participating in the round robin vehicle test program with the three master FlexPLI’s. In the meantime the vice-chair of this IG distributed a schedule for interested organizations in Europe, USA and Korea (document GTR9-4-17). Action items A-3-06 and A-3-07 are closed.

In addition, the vice-chair provided guidelines how to perform round robin tests smoothly and effectively (document GTR9-4-08). The round robin tests should give answers on repeatability, reproducibility and durability when used in real vehicle impacts. One focus is of course the confirmation of the updated certification corridors. After some discussion the following was agreed:

• ► After a maximum of 9 vehicle tests a re-certification should be done, preferably with both, the pendulum and the inverse test. In case one organization cannot do both tests, the respective master FlexPLI should be re-certified with the pendulum test at least.
• ► A re-certification should be done when the test result exceeds a certain measurement value (10% above the threshold).
• ► A logbook is to be prepared accompanying the master legs during their travel for the round robin test series. This logbook should contain information regarding re-certification results, all observations etc., but no vehicle test results.

Details were agreed and recorded during the meeting and will be added to the FlexPLI master legs (document GTR9-4-22) ASAP. BASt/BGS Boehme & Gehring are responsible to circulate a logbook ASAP (action item A-4-06).

BASt presented first test results of tests with the FlexPLI prototypes and master legs against series cars (document GTR9-4-14). The production cars were the same as those which were used during the TEG activities (FlexPLI prototypes). Thus, the vehicle behavior is assumed to be identical. It appears that the master legs tend to lower output responses than the prototypes. The repeatability is satisfactory for the master legs.

NHTSA mentioned that the lower output of the measurements should be discussed under the issue of threshold / criteria.

Japan insisted that the flexible legform impactor prototype’s conditions were not always on an acceptable level. It was pointed out that the results from tests with brand-new flexible legform impactors (representing the master leg level) shall be used for this discussion.