Energy dissipative cushioning elements
AssigneeThe Invention Science Fund I, LLC
InventorsRoderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Lowell L. Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.
Claims30
1-46. (canceled)
A method comprising:
- determining an event;
- actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members;
- dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, and the dissipating including adding at least one of a phase-change material or a heat capacity material to the at least one tension bearing members in response to the determining the event.
A computer program product comprising:
- a signal-bearing medium bearing:
- (a) one or more instructions for determining an event;
- (b) one or more instructions for actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members;
- and
- (c) one or more instructions for providing control sufficient to cause dissipation of at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, and the dissipating including adding at least one of a phase-change material or a heat capacity material to the at least one tension bearing members in response to the determining the event.
A system comprising:
- a computing device;
- and
- one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to:
- (a) determine an event;
- (b) actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members;
- and
- (c) provide control sufficient to dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, and the dissipating including adding at least one of a phase-change material or a heat capacity material to the at least one tension bearing members in response to the determining the event.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.