Method for preparing a motor vehicle for a crash test

• US 20060174689A1
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 7,448,251 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/12.10
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0078 Shock-testing of vehicles

Abstract

A method for preparing a motor vehicle for a crash test is disclosed. The method subjects the motor vehicle to a sequence of different tests and provides a system of staged modifications that can be made to help the motor vehicle pass the current test without invalidating test results obtained earlier in the sequence. In some cases, this method can be used to confirm that a particular motor vehicle qualifies for a certain crash test routine.

Claims

1. A method for qualifying a motor vehicle for a crash test routine comprising the steps of:

determining whether the motor vehicle passes a first test related to a hypothetical child passenger; and

altering the motor vehicle using a first stage of modifications if the motor vehicle fails the first test.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether the motor vehicle passes a second test related to a passenger;

and

altering the motor vehicle using a second stage of modifications if the motor vehicle fails the second test; and

wherein the second stage of modifications is different than the first stage of modifications.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of determining whether the motor vehicle passes a third test related to an out of position passenger;

and

altering the motor vehicle using a third stage of modifications if the motor vehicle fails the third test; and

wherein the third stage of modifications is different than the first stage of modifications and the second stage of modifications.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of determining whether the motor vehicle passes a fourth test related to a crash test conducted at a first speed;

and

altering the motor vehicle using a fourth stage of modifications if the motor vehicle fails the fourth test; and

wherein the fourth stage of modifications is different than the first stage of modifications, the second stage of modifications and the third stage of modifications.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of determining whether the motor vehicle passes a fifth test related to a crash test conducted at a second speed;

and

altering the motor vehicle using a fifth stage of modifications if the motor vehicle fails the fifth test;

wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed; and

wherein the fifth stage of modifications is different than the first stage of modifications, the second stage of modifications, the third stage of modifications and the fourth stage of modifications.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of determining whether the motor vehicle passes a sixth test related to a female crash test conducted at the second speed.

7. A method for preparing a motor vehicle for a crash test routine comprising a first test and a second test, the first test producing first test results;

wherein first stage modifications are available to help pass the first test;

wherein second stage modifications are available to help pass the second test; and

wherein the second stage modifications are different than the first stage modifications.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein changes made using the second stage modifications maintain the validity of the first test results.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein first stage modifications include modifying a shape of an instrument panel associated with the motor vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein first stage modifications include modifying a first thigh contact point.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein first stage modifications include modifying a height of a seat associated with the motor vehicle.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein first stage modifications can be made by optionally changing any one of the group consisting essentially of:

modifying a shape of an instrument panel associated with the motor vehicle, modifying a first thigh contact point, and modifying a height of a seat associated with the motor vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein second stage modifications include moving a position of a knee bolster associated with the motor vehicle.

14. The method according to claim 7, wherein second stage modifications include moving a position of a windshield associated with the motor vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 7, wherein second stage modifications include adjusting a stiffness of a knee bolster associated with the motor vehicle.

16. The method according to claim 7, wherein second stage modifications can be made by optionally changing any one of the group consisting essentially of:

moving a position of a knee bolster associated with the motor vehicle, moving a position of a windshield associated with the motor vehicle, and adjusting a stiffness of a knee bolster associated with the motor vehicle.

17. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first test includes determining whether a hypothetical child enters a No Good Zone.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the No Good Zone is associated with a passenger side inflatable device.

19. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second test includes determining whether a hypothetical male passenger clears a windshield associated with the motor vehicle.

20. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second test includes determining a pelvic stroke of a hypothetical male passenger.