Rollover Component Test Fixture And Methodology

• US 20060207353A1
• Filed: 03/09/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: McCoy, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,380,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/865.600
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0078 Shock-testing of vehicles

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus for simulating attributes of a vehicle during a certain inertial event. The apparatus comprises a rigid shell, an occupant compartment surrounded by the rigid shell, and a carriage supporting the occupant compartment and the rigid shell. The test apparatus transforms the vehicle into a system of reusable components. The rigid body shell eliminates damage to body components by protecting the occupant compartment. The invention also provides a method of simulating a tripped rollover event of a vehicle with the test apparatus and a cart.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simulating attributes of a vehicle during a certain inertial event, the apparatus comprising:

a rigid shell,

an occupant compartment surrounded by the rigid shell; and

,

a carriage supporting the occupant compartment and the rigid shell, the carriage having adjustable members for representing specific vehicle characteristics.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the certain inertial event is a tripped rollover event.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the simulated attributes of the vehicle further include a plurality of tires and a suspension assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the occupant compartment comprises a row of seat positions.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the occupant compartment further comprises occupant protection systems.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inertial properties of the rigid shell can be adjusted.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid shell further comprises a surface of energy absorbing material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a data collection device for monitoring vehicle attributes during the certain inertial event.

9. A rollover test apparatus for vehicle components, the apparatus comprising:

a rigid shell,

an occupant compartment encapsulated by the rigid shell; and

a carriage supporting the occupant compartment and the rigid shell

wherein the occupant compartment is protected from impact by the rigid shell.

10. The rollover test apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rigid shell further comprises a surface of energy absorbing material.

11. The rollover test apparatus of claim 9, wherein the carriage further comprises adjustable members for representing specific vehicle characteristics.

12. The rollover test apparatus of claim 11, wherein the rigid shell simulates the attributes of a vehicle suspension and vehicle tires.

13. The rollover test apparatus of claim 11, wherein the carriage comprises a boxed air spring.

14. The rollover test apparatus of claim 9, wherein the carriage further comprises an adjustable curb.

15. The rollover test apparatus of claim 9, wherein the carriage further comprises a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion.

16. The rollover test apparatus of claim 15, wherein the carriage leading edge portion further comprises horizontal compliance and vertical compliance.

17. A method of simulating a tripped rollover event of a vehicle with a test apparatus, the test apparatus comprising a carriage, an occupant compartment, and a rigid shell surrounding the occupant compartment, the method comprising the steps of:

propelling the test apparatus at a desired velocity;

decelerating the test apparatus to arrest the motion of the occupant compartment;

initiating rotational rollover motion of the occupant compartment; and

,

directing the rigid shell to impact a landing surface wherein the occupant compartment does not contact the landing surface.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of absorbing the energy from the impact of the rigid shell into the landing surface.

19. A method of simulating phases of a tripped rollover event of a vehicle with a test apparatus, the test apparatus comprising a carriage and an occupant compartment surrounded by a rigid shell, the method comprising the steps of:

propelling the test apparatus at a desired lateral velocity during a lateral-velocity phase;

decelerating the test apparatus to arrest the motion of the occupant compartment during a deceleration phase;

initiating rotational rollover motion of the occupant compartment during a transition-to-rotation phase;

initiating a free flight condition of the rotating occupant compartment during a free-flight phase, and

directing the rigid shell to impact a landing surface wherein the rigid shell protects the occupant compartment from direct contact with the landing surface during an impact phase.

20. The method of claim 19, further including the step of collecting data during each phase.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the test apparatus desired velocity is a lateral velocity.