Force element for vehicle impact crash simulator

• US 20050081656A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Albright, F. Joseph, Leuer, Ross H., Saari, Byron J.
• Application Number:
  US10/897,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20050081656A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/865.300
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0078 Shock-testing of vehicles

Abstract

Embodiments of a crash simulator sled assembly are disclosed. The crash simulator sled assembly can include a sled, an element movable relative to the sled, and a force element, such as a damper assembly or actuator assembly, coupled to the element. A second sled can also be connected to the element. The damper assembly can control relative movement of the element relative to the sled, while the actuator can develop force to replace force attributable to mass. This provides advantages for more efficient and effective test crash simulation and research.

Claims

1. A crash simulator sled assembly, comprising:

a rail;

a sled disposed movably on the rail;

a velocity generator for engaging the sled;

an element disposed on the sled and movable relative to the sled; and

a damper assembly to control relative movement of the element relative to the sled.

2. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1, wherein the element has a mass, and the sled has a mass that is greater than the mass of the element.

3. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 2, wherein the relative movement of the element relative to the sled, as controlled by the damper assembly, has a precision that is based on a ratio of the mass of the sled to the mass of the element.

4. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1, further comprising a braking device for decelerating the sled, while the damper assembly is configured to control relative movement of the element relative to the sled, independently of the decelerating of the sled.

5. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 wherein the element comprises a platform for holding a test specimen.

6. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 wherein the damper assembly comprises a fluid plunger and a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow to or from the fluid plunger.

7. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 wherein the damper assembly is electric.

8. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 wherein the damper assembly is magnetic.

9. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 wherein the damper assembly is hydraulic.

10. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 wherein the damper assembly is pneumatic.

11. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a controller for controlling the velocity generator.

12. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a controller for controlling the damper assembly.

13. The crash simulator of claim 1 wherein the element comprises a second sled.

14. A crash simulator sled assembly, comprising:

a first sled;

a second sled;

an element movable relative to the first sled; and

a force element to control relative movement of the element relative to the second sled, wherein the force element comprises at least one of a damper assembly, an actuator assembly, or a braking device and a reaction member.

15. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 wherein the element comprises a platform for holding a test specimen.

16. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 wherein the force element comprises a damper assembly or an actuator comprising a fluid plunger and a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow to or from the fluid plunger.

17. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 wherein the force element is electric.

18. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 wherein the force element is magnetic.

19. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 wherein the force element is hydraulic.

20. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 wherein the force element is pneumatic.

21. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 and further comprising a velocity generator for displacing the sled.

22. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 21 and further comprising a controller for controlling the velocity generator.

23. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 14 and further comprising a controller for controlling the force element.

24. A crash simulator sled assembly, comprising:

a first sled;

a second sled;

an element movable relative to the first sled; and

a force element to control relative movement of the element relative to the first sled, wherein the force element comprises at least one of a damper assembly, an actuator assembly, or a braking device and a reaction member.

25. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 wherein the element comprises a platform for holding a test specimen.

26. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 wherein the force element comprises a damper assembly or an actuator that comprises a fluid plunger and a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow to or from the fluid plunger.

27. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 wherein the force element is electric.

28. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 wherein the force element is magnetic.

29. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 wherein the force element is hydraulic.

30. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 wherein the force element is pneumatic.

31. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 and further comprising a velocity generator for displacing the sled.

32. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 31 and further comprising a controller for controlling the velocity generator.

33. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 24 and further comprising a controller for controlling the force element.

34. A crash simulator sled assembly, comprising:

a first sled;

a second sled;

an element secured to the first sled, and movable relative to the second sled; and

a force element connected between the element and the second sled, to control relative movement of the element relative to the second sled, wherein the force element comprises at least one of a damper assembly, an actuator assembly, or a braking device and a reaction member.

35. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 34 wherein the force element comprises a damper assembly or an actuator assembly that comprises a fluid plunger and a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow to or from the fluid plunger.

36. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 34 and further comprising a velocity generator for displacing at least one of the first sled and the second sled.

37. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 36 and further comprising a controller for controlling the velocity generator.

38. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 34 and further comprising a controller for controlling the force element.

39. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 34 wherein the force element is electric.

40. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 34 wherein the force element is magnetic.

41. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 34 wherein the force element is hydraulic.

42. The crash simulator sled assembly of claim 34 wherein the force element is pneumatic.

43. A method for simulating a vehicle crash comprising:

accelerating a sled having an element coupled to it with a damper assembly; and

controlling the damper assembly to control relative movement of the element relative to the sled.

44. The method of claim 43 and further comprising:

simulating movement of the element and the sled in a computer.

45. The method of claim 44 and further comprising:

collecting data with respect to movement of the element and the sled.