ENERGY DISSIPATIVE CUSHIONING ELEMENTS

• US 20080143521A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Hyde, Roderick A., Wood, Lowell L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,571 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01088 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01325 Vertical acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/128 characterised by the members, e.g. a flat strap, yielding through stretching, pulling apart
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining an event;

actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members;

dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining a pre-collision event.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that an object has reached a specific location.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision has occurred.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining a change in acceleration that exceeds a threshold.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between two objects is likely to occur.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between two objects is likely to occur based on at least a relative location of the two objects.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between two objects is likely to occur based on a relative location and a relative orientation of the two objects.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on at least a relative location and a relative velocity of the first object with respect to the second object.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on at least a relative location, a relative velocity, and a relative acceleration of the first object with respect to the second object.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on at least a relative location, a relative velocity, a relative orientation, and a relative angular velocity of the first object with respect to the second object.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on at least a relative acceleration and an angular acceleration of the first object with respect to the second object.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on at least one of;

a relative location of the first object with respect to the second object;

a relative velocity of the first object with respect to the second object;

a relative acceleration of the first object with respect to the second object;

a relative orientation of the first object with respect to the second object;

a relative angular velocity of the first object with respect to the second object;

or

a relative angular acceleration of the first object with respect to the second object.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on a relative velocity of the first object with respect to the second object.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on a relative acceleration of the first object with respect to the second object.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on a relative orientation of the first object with respect to the second object.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on a relative angular velocity of the first object with respect to the second object.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining an event comprises:

determining that a collision between a first object and a second object is likely to occur based on a relative angular acceleration of the first object with respect to the second object.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, comprises:

expanding the cushioning element to place the one or more tension-bearing members in an initial state.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, comprises:

inflating an inflatable gas bag to place the one or more tension-bearing members in an initial state.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, comprises:

dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members after the at least one of the tension bearing members reaches an elastic limit to convert at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision to thermal energy.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, comprises:

dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching during a collision at least one of the tension-bearing members that extend in a direction other than a direction of impact of the collision.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, comprises:

dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching during a collision at least one of the tension-bearing members that extend in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of impact of the collision.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members comprises:

dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the at least one of the tension-bearing members including a heat capacity material associated therewith to absorb at least some of the thermal energy associated with the collision.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members comprises:

dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the at least one of the tension-bearing members including a heat capacity material associated therewith to use a phase change to increase a capacity to have work done on the at least one of the tension bearing members.

26. A computer program product comprising:

a signal-bearing medium bearing;

(a) one or more instructions for determining an event;

(b) one or more instructions for actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members; and

(c) one or more instructions for providing control sufficient to cause dissipation of at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members.

27. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the signal-bearing medium includes a computer-readable medium.

28. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the signal-bearing medium includes a recordable medium.

29. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the signal-bearing medium includes a communications medium.

30. A system comprising:

a computing device; and

one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to;

(a) determine an event;

(b) actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members; and

(c) provide control sufficient to dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the computing device comprises:

one or more of a computational device embedded in a vehicle, a functionally-dedicated computational device, a distributed computational device including one or more vehicle-mounted devices configured to communicate with a remote control plant, personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer, a networked computer, a computing system comprised of a cluster of processors, a workstation computer, and/or a desktop computer.

32. An apparatus comprising:

a cushioning element, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members configured to deform in response to a collision or impact, including the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to substantially inelastically deform after reaching an elastic limit during a deformation.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the cushioning element comprises:

a cushioning element, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members configured to deform in response to a collision or impact, including the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to substantially inelastically stretch after reaching an elastic limit.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more polyaramid fibers.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein one or more of the tension-bearing members comprises:

at least one of a graphitic fiber, a carbon fiber, and/or a natural fiber.

36. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

at least one of a poly-benzobisoxazole fiber, and/or a synthetic fiber.

37. The apparatus of claim 32 and further comprising a heat capacity material associated with at least one of the tension-bearing members.

38. The apparatus of claim 32 and further comprising a heat capacity material in contact with at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members to increase a work capacity of the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members.

39. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members lies on a surface of the cushioning element.

40. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members lies within an interior portion of the cushioning element.

41. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein at least some of the tension-bearing members have different tension properties than other tension-bearing members.

42. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

an element controller configured to control the cushioning element; and

an event detector coupled to the element controller configured to detect an event.

43. A method comprising:

constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch during a collision, including being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit, to dissipate at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch during a collision, including being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit, to dissipate at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision comprises:

constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, the cushioning element being configured to be actuated in response to an event, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit during a collision to convert at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision to thermal energy to provide cushioning support for an object.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch during a collision, including being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit, to dissipate at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision comprises:

constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members and a heat capacity material associated with at least a portion of at least one of the tension-bearing members to absorb at least some of the thermal energy associated with the collision.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch during a collision, including being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit, to dissipate at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision comprises:

constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members and a heat capacity material associated with at least a portion of at least one of the tension-bearing members, the heat capacity material being adapted to use a phase change to increase a capacity to have work done on the at least one of the tension bearing members.