UN R137 Supplement 3 (02 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 137 (ECE R137) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to restraint systems, fuel system integrity and protection against electrical shock in the event of a frontal collision.

UN R137 — Supplement 3 to the 02 series of amendments

Supplement 2 → 3

Adopted at the WP.29 187th sessionEntry into force 2023-01-04

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What changed: New paragraph 3.1.2. of Annex 5 gives the sequence to level the head of the test dummy in vehicles with adjustable backs.
In vehicles with adjustable backs, the last levelling step adjusts the seat back angle if the head is still not level after neck bracket adjustment.
For the fifth percentile female dummy, Annex 3, paragraph 1.4.3.11.3. now refers to Annex 5, paragraph 3.1.2., instead of paragraph 3.1.
Why: Annex 5 did not clearly define the sequence in case the seat back is adjustable.
It was not clear if changing the seat back angle prevails over adjusting the neck bracket.

Q1What changed4 changes

Levelling the head with adjustable backs (Annex 5, para. 3.1.2.)

New paragraph 3.1.2. gives the sequence to level the head of the test dummy in vehicles with adjustable backs. First adjust the position of the “H 5th” point within the limits of paragraph 3.4.3.1. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, adjust the pelvic angle within the limits of paragraph 3.4.3.2. If it is still not level, adjust the neck bracket to the minimum amount necessary to make the platform horizontal within 2.5°. If it is still not level, adjust the seat back angle at a minimum amount necessary to make the platform horizontal within 2.5°.

To level the head of the test dummy in vehicles with adjustable backs, the following sequences shall be followed. First adjust the position of the "H 5th" point within the limits set forth in paragraph 3.4.3.1. below to level the transverse instrumentation platform of the head of the test dummy. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the pelvic angle of the test dummy within the limits provided in paragraph 3.4.3.2. below. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the neck bracket of the test dummy to the minimum amount necessary to ensure that the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is horizontal within 2.5°. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the seat back to a different angle at a minimum amount necessary to ensure that the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is horizontal within 2.5°.

Head and non-adjustable backs (Annex 5, paras. 3.1. and 3.1.1.)

Under the heading “Head”, paragraph 3.1. says only that the transverse instrumentation platform of the head must be horizontal within 2.5°. New paragraph 3.1.1. gives the sequence to level the head of the test dummy in vehicles with upright seats with non-adjustable backs. The wording of this sequence is the same as before, except that the neck bracket is now adjusted “to” the minimum amount necessary.

The transverse instrumentation platform of the head shall be horizontal within 2.5°. To level the head of the test dummy in vehicles with upright seats with non-adjustable backs, the following sequences shall be followed. First adjust the position of the "H 5th" point within the limits set forth in paragraph 3.4.3.1. below to level the transverse instrumentation platform of the head of the test dummy. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the pelvic angle of the test dummy within the limits provided in paragraph 3.4.3.2. below. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the neck bracket of the test dummy the minimum amount necessary to ensure that the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is horizontal within 2.5°.

To level the head of the test dummy in vehicles with upright seats with non-adjustable backs, the following sequences shall be followed. First adjust the position of the "H 5th" point within the limits set forth in paragraph 3.4.3.1. below to level the transverse instrumentation platform of the head of the test dummy. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the pelvic angle of the test dummy within the limits provided in paragraph 3.4.3.2. below. If the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is still not level, then adjust the neck bracket of the test dummy to the minimum amount necessary to ensure that the transverse instrumentation platform of the head is horizontal within 2.5°.

Seat-back angle of the fifth percentile female dummy (Annex 3, para. 1.4.3.11.3.)

For the fifth percentile female dummy, the seat back may be adjusted to a different angle, if needed to respect Annex 5, paragraph 3.1.2. Before this supplement, the reference was to Annex 5, paragraph 3.1.

If adjustable, the seat-backs shall be adjusted so that the resulting inclination of the torso of the dummy is as close as possible to that recommended by the manufacturer for normal use or, in the absence of any particular recommendation by the manufacturer, to 25° towards the rear from the vertical. For the fifth percentile female dummy, the seat back may be adjusted to a different angle, if this is needed to respect the requirements of Annex 5, paragraph 3.13.1.2.

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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by: Expert from the Netherlands
Working party: GRSP, 70th session (December 2021)

Reasons

The proposal aims to clarify the requirements for the adjustment of the passenger seat back when the Hybrid III 5th percentile female dummy is installed.
Source
“aiming to clarify the requirements for the adjustment of the passenger seat back when installing the Hybrid III 5th percentile female dummy”
ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/23introduction
In case the seat back is adjustable, Annex 5 did not clearly define the sequence. This led to different interpretations. It was not clear if changing the seat back angle prevails over adjusting the neck bracket. The order to follow in case of an adjustable seat back was also not clear.
Sources (2)
“In case the seat back is adjustable, the sequence is not clearly defined in Annex 5.”
ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/23II. Justification, para. 2
“This leads to different interpretations, where it is not clear if changing the seat back angle prevails over adjusting the neck bracket and what order needs to be followed in case of an adjustable seat back.”
ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/23II. Justification, para. 2
The proposal makes clear that the neck bracket is slightly adjusted within the stated tolerances before the seat back angle is adjusted.
Source
“This proposal makes it clear that the dummy position–the neck bracket of the dummy–needs to be slightly adjusted within the said tolerances, before the seat back angle is adjusted.”
ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/23II. Justification, para. 2

Document trail

—ProposalGRSP-69-11Proposal by the expert from the Netherlands at the 69th GRSP session
2021-09ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/23Proposal by the expert from the Netherlands
—Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/70Session report, para. 26: adoption not amended
2022-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/67Text that GRSP sent to WP.29 and AC.1
2022-06WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1166Adopted at the 187th session (session report, para. 182)
2023-01-04In forceC.N.498.2022.TREATIES-XI.B.16.137UN depositary notification

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

No direct action for this role.

Component supplier

No direct action for this role.

Technical service / Approval authority

No direct action for this role.

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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.

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