Method and system for evaluating structural vehicle component performance

US9976935B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Jamel E. Belwafa · Ann Arbor, US
• Michael Barnhart · Saline, US
• Mohamed Ridha Baccouche · Ann Arbor, US
• Rahul Arora · Royal Oak, US
• Stephen Philip Panoff · Canton, US
• Saied Nusier · Canton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 2016
• Grant date: May 22, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 17, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01M17/0078
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An assembly to simulate side impacts to a vehicle includes a rocker, a translatable sled, and one or more displacement members. The rocker is secured to a wall. A b-pillar extends from the rocker and a roof rail is secured to the b-pillar and the wall. The translatable sled is arranged with the wall to impact the b-pillar. The one or more displacement members are secured to the wall and spaced from the rocker to simulate a stiffness of a full vehicle frame during impact between the sled and the b-pillar. A first rocker end constraint may secure a first end of the rocker to the wall. A second rocker end constraint may secure a second end of the rocker to the wall. The constraints may be arranged with the rocker such that the ends of the rocker may pivot relative to the wall.