Method of determining impact severity and adaptive impact attenuation
AssigneeTechno-Sciences, Inc.
InventorsGregory Hiemenz, Wei Hu, Vaibhav Vora
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Abstract
An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. An alternate configuration of a dual-goal energy absorption system is also disclosed that enables both shock mitigation and vibration isolation.
Claims41
An adaptive energy absorption system comprising:
- a variable profile energy absorber connected between a payload and a supporting structure;
- one or more sensors for determining impact velocity of said payload;
- a controller comprising memory storing predetermined acceleration pulse profile characteristics including at least shape of an anticipated shock pulse associated with shock events for a particular application, and for storing software by which said controller electronically adjusts a force level of said VPEA based upon determined impact velocity, a known payload mass, and said predetermined acceleration pulse profile characteristics.
A method of controlling a variable profile energy absorber to minimize acceleration of a payload during a shock event comprising the steps of
- inputting a mass of said payload;
- measuring velocity of said payload prior to a shock event;
- selecting predetermined shock acceleration profile;
- calculating a priori expected shock impulse levels during said shock event based on said inputted mass, monitored velocity, and selected predetermined shock acceleration profile;
- calculating a required oppositional force to be applied said payload to mitigate said expected shock impulse levels during said shock event;
- signaling a VPEA to apply said calculated required oppositional forces to said payload.
A method of controlling a variable profile energy absorber to mitigate acceleration of a payload during a shock event comprising the steps of
- weighing said payload;
- monitoring impact velocity of said payload prior to a shock event;
- selecting a predetermined shock acceleration profile;
- calculating a priori expected shock impulse levels during said shock event based on said inputted mass, monitored velocity, and selected predetermined shock acceleration profile;
- calculating a required oppositional force to be applied said payload to mitigate said expected shock impulse levels during said shock event;
- signaling a VPEA to apply said calculated required oppositional forces to said payload
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.