Vehicle crash simulator with dynamic motion simulation

• US 20040230394A1
• Filed: 03/26/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Myron F., Leska, Paul J., Strand, Richard C., Bearden, Richard E., Saari, Byron J., Campbell, Craig L.
• Application Number:
  US10/810,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20040230394A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/113
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0078 Shock-testing of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 7/06 Multidirectional test stands
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 7/08 Shock-testing

Abstract

A vehicle crash simulator employs a plurality of actuators to simulate motions or forces of a crash event. The vehicle crash simulator includes a simulation platform supporting a test specimen or vehicle for analysis. The platform is accelerated along a crash acceleration trajectory and forces are imparted to the platform to simulate a crash pulse or event. Forces are imparted to the simulation platform by a plurality of actuators “on-board” or coupled to the simulation platform for dynamic motion simulation. Multi-axial forces F_x, F_y, F_z are imparted to simulate complex crash motions or forces for realistic crash testing.

Claims

1. A vehicle crash simulator comprising:

a simulation platform;

a motion generator including a plurality of actuators translationally fixed to the simulation platform; and

a motion controller configured to operate the plurality of actuators to impart a simulated crash motion or force to the simulation platform.

2. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 1 and further comprising the velocity generator coupled to the motion controller and configured to operate the velocity generator to impart a crash acceleration to the simulation platform.

3. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 2 wherein the simulation platform is on-board a base sled and the velocity generator is coupled to the base sled to accelerate or move the base sled to impart the crash acceleration to the simulation platform.

4. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 3 wherein the plurality of actuators are on-board the base sled and movable therewith along an acceleration stroke.

5. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 3 wherein the base sled is movable along a track formed of opposed spaced rails.

6. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of actuators are coupled to the simulation platform and configured to impart force and motion F_z along a z-axis of the simulation platform and one of force and motion F_y or force and motion F_x along x or y axes of the platform.

7. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of actuators are coupled to the simulation platform to impart a resultant force F_r or motion having multi-axis force components.

8. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 1 the plurality of actuators are coupled to opposed ends of the simulation platform and operable by the motion controller to impart a simulated crash acceleration.

9. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 1 including a plurality of actuators coupled to opposed sides of the simulation platform to simulate a force F_y along the y-axis and a plurality of actuators coupled to the simulation platform to simulate force F_z along the z-axis.

10. A vehicle crash simulator comprising:

a simulation platform;

a motion generator including a plurality of actuators operably coupled to the simulation platform to impart a plurality of multi-axial forces F_z along a z-axis, F_x along an x-axis or F_y along a y-axis to the simulation platform; and

a motion controller configured to operate the plurality of actuators to impart the plurality of multi-axial forces.

11. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 10 wherein the plurality of actuators are on-board a base sled and movable therewith along a track to simulate crash accelerations.

12. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 11 wherein the plurality of actuators are inclined between the base sled and the platform to impart a resultant Force F_r including a F_z force component and a force F_x or force F_y component.

13. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 10 wherein the plurality of actuators are operable to impart force F_z, force F_y and force F_x relative to x, y and z axes.

14. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 11 wherein the simulator includes a velocity generator to impart a crash acceleration pulse to the base sled.

15. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 11 wherein the simulation platform is coupled to the base sled via the plurality of actuators.

16. The vehicle crash simulator of claim 10 wherein the plurality of actuators impart force F_x along the x-axis to simulate crash accelerations and force F_z and force F_y to simulate crash motions.

17. A vehicle crash simulator comprising:

a simulation platform;

a simulator configured to impart acceleration or force to the simulation platform to simulate crash accelerations or motions; and

a video imaging system including a video camera to capture an image of a simulated crash event to control operation of the simulator.

18. The crash simulator of claim 17 wherein the video imaging system includes an image processor to provide acceleration or motion feedback to the simulator.

19. A method for simulating a vehicle crash comprising the steps of:

simulating a crash acceleration pulse by accelerating a base sled having a platform carried on board the base sled; and

simulating crash forces or motions through a plurality of actuators on board the base sled.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the crash acceleration and the crash forces or motions are simulated based upon feedback from a video imaging system to control the plurality of actuators.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of simulating the crash forces or motions simulates motion relative to six degrees of freedom.

22. A method for simulating a vehicle crash comprising the steps of:

controlling a plurality of actuators connected to a simulation platform to impart force to the simulation platform along multiple x, y or z axes to simulate crash acceleration or motions.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of simulating crash acceleration or motions comprises:

actuating the plurality of actuators to impart multiple forces, force F_z, force F_x or force F_y to the simulation platform.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of simulating crash forces or motions simulates pitch, yaw and roll motion of a vehicle crash.

25. The method of claim 22 and further comprising the step of:

accelerating a base sled carrying the simulation platform to simulate crash acceleration.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of controlling the plurality of actuators provides a force F_x to simulate a crash acceleration.