Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for simulating vehicle side impacts

US5485758A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
12References
64Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 27, 1993
Grant dateJan 23, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 27, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01M17/0078
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus (20) for use in simulating vehicle side impacts includes a target sled (24) and a bullet sled (26). A door structure (46) is disposed on the target sled (24). A seat (44) is disposed on the target sled (24) adjacent to an inner side (58) of the door structure (46) to support a test dummy (22) in a desired relationship with the door structure. A safety apparatus (178) with an air bag (182) is supported adjacent to the door structure (46) and the seat (44). Upon impacting of the bullet sled (26) against an outer side (60) of the door structure (46), the air bag (182) is inflated and the door structure is moved relative to the seat (44). As this occurs, a connector assembly (238) interconnects the door structure (46) and the bullet sled. Continued movement of the bullet sled (26) and door structure (46) relative to the target sled (24) moves the seat (44) along tracks (154 and 156) disposed on the target sled (24). After the bullet sled (26) has moved the door structure (46) to a predetermined position relative to the target sled (24), the bullet sled engages the target sled and moves the target sled and the deceleration of the bullet sled and target sled are controlled.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.