System and method for estimating displacement of a seat-belted occupant
First Claim
1. A method of simulating movement of a seat-belted occupant and estimating an amount of forwardly-directed displacement undergone by said seat-belted occupant with respect to an occupant'"'"'s seat, comprising the steps of:
- securing a test dummy at a first point that is both fixed with respect to said test dummy and fixed with respect to a fixed frame of reference, said first point selectively acting as a pivot point for said test dummy;
applying a linear force to a second point that is fixed with respect to said test dummy and offset from said first point, said linear force causing a measurable amount of forward-directed displacement of said second point with respect to said fixed frame of reference while causing said test dummy to pivot about said first point;
establishing a third point that is fixed with respect to said test dummy and offset from said first point and said second point, said third point undergoing an amount of forward-directed displacement with respect to said fixed frame of reference due to said pivoting of said test dummy; and
estimating an amount of said forward-directed displacement occurring at said third point by multiplying said measurable amount of forward-directed displacement occurring at said second point by a ratio AD/AB, where AD represents a distance between said first point and said third point and where AB represents a distance between said first point and said second point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for estimating the amount of forward displacement undergone by a seat-belted occupant of a vehicle. A test dummy, representing the seat-belted occupant, is pivotably restrained at a first point with respect to a fixed frame of reference. A second point associated with the test dummy is subsequently subjected to a measurable amount of forward displacement with respect to the same frame of reference, causing the test dummy to lean or tilt forward. An amount of forward displacement that occurs at a third point on or adjacent to the test dummy is then estimated through the use of ratios.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of simulating movement of a seat-belted occupant and estimating an amount of forwardly-directed displacement undergone by said seat-belted occupant with respect to an occupant'"'"'s seat, comprising the steps of:
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securing a test dummy at a first point that is both fixed with respect to said test dummy and fixed with respect to a fixed frame of reference, said first point selectively acting as a pivot point for said test dummy;
applying a linear force to a second point that is fixed with respect to said test dummy and offset from said first point, said linear force causing a measurable amount of forward-directed displacement of said second point with respect to said fixed frame of reference while causing said test dummy to pivot about said first point;
establishing a third point that is fixed with respect to said test dummy and offset from said first point and said second point, said third point undergoing an amount of forward-directed displacement with respect to said fixed frame of reference due to said pivoting of said test dummy; and
estimating an amount of said forward-directed displacement occurring at said third point by multiplying said measurable amount of forward-directed displacement occurring at said second point by a ratio AD/AB, where AD represents a distance between said first point and said third point and where AB represents a distance between said first point and said second point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for simulating a seat-belted occupant of a vehicle and estimating an amount of forwardly-directed displacement of said occupant, comprising:
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a test dummy representing the seat-belted occupant;
a first point fixed with respect to said test dummy and with respect to a fixed frame of reference, said first point selectively acting as a pivot point for said test dummy;
a second point fixed with respect to said test dummy and offset with respect to said first point; and
a third point fixed with respect to said test dummy and offset with respect to said first point and said second point, wherein application of a linear component of a force at said second point causes a measurable amount of forward-directed linear displacement of said second point with respect to said fixed frame of reference while pivoting said test dummy about said first point in both a forward and downward direction, said pivoting of said test dummy resulting in forward displacement of said third point with respect to said fixed frame of reference, said forward displacement of said third point being estimated by multiplying said measurable amount of forward displacement of said second point by a ratio AD/AB, where AD represents a distance between said first point and said third point and where AB represents a distance between said first point and said second point. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification