ADJUSTABLE FACE TOOL FOR POSITIONING A FREE MOTION HEADFORM

• US 20100229663A1
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Neal, Mark O., Wang, Jenne-Tai, Gareau, Peter J., Millerman, Alexander, Williamson, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,056,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/866.400
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence

Abstract

An adjustable head tool (AHT) is configured for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point. The AHT has a built-in or a variable backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, and includes a cranial portion and an adjustable facial template. The cranial portion encloses a linkage assembly, and the facial template has one or more facial features. A rotary dial translates the facial template with respect to the cranial portion to maintain the regulated FMH backoff requirement. The cranial portion includes a forehead impact zone having a first set of demarcations, and the rotary dial has a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations. The dial is set so the second set of demarcations matches the first set during positioning of the AHT.

Claims

1. An adjustable head tool (AHT) for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a vehicle surface having a target point, the AHT having a backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, the AHT comprising:

a cranial portion at least partially enclosing a linkage assembly;

an adjustable facial template that is connected to the linkage assembly; and

a dial configured for selectively translating the adjustable facial template with respect to a selected primary impact point on the cranial portion to thereby achieve the regulated FMH backoff requirement while maintaining the backoff angle relative to the target point.

2. The AHT of claim 1, wherein the backoff angle is one of a built-in backoff angle and a variable backoff angle.

3. The AHT of claim 2, wherein the backoff angle is the variable backoff angle, and wherein the variable backoff angle has a value greater than approximately 5 degrees.

4. The AHT of claim 1, wherein the cranial portion substantially encapsulates the linkage assembly, and wherein the facial template is configured as a facial model having at least one human facial feature.

5. The AHT of claim 1, wherein the cranial portion includes a designated forehead impact zone (FIZ) including an identical external contour as a FIZ of the FMH, and further including a first set of demarcations, and wherein the dial has a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations on the FIZ.

6. The AHT of claim 1, wherein the linkage assembly includes a pair of cams that are interconnected by a cam shaft, and wherein a rotation of the dial rotates each of the cams and the camshaft.

7. An adjustable head tool (AHT) for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point, the AHT having a backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, the AHT comprising:

a cranial portion encapsulating a linkage assembly and having a designated forehead impact zone (FIZ) with a first set of demarcations;

a facial template positioned adjacent to the cranial portion and adapted to move with respect to the cranial portion, the facial template being connected to the linkage assembly; and

a dial having a second set of demarcations each corresponding to a demarcation of the second set of demarcations, wherein a rotation of the dial selectively translates the facial template with respect to a selected primary impact point on the FIZ to thereby achieve the regulated FMH backoff requirement while maintaining the backoff angle relative to the target point.

8. The AHT of claim 7, wherein the cranial portion defines a plurality of guide slots, and wherein the adjustable linkage assembly includes a plurality of guide pins that are each variably positionable within a respective one of the plurality of guide slots.

9. The AHT of claim 7, wherein the linkage assembly includes a cam assembly having a pair of cams interconnected by a cam shaft, and wherein a rotation of the rotatable dial rotates the cam shaft and the pair of cams.

10. The AHT of claim 7, wherein the FIZ is constructed of a transparent material that is configured to allow the target point to be visible through the FIZ from a rear of the AHT.

11. The AHT of claim 8, wherein the backoff angle is a built-in backoff angle having a value of one of:

approximately 5 degrees and approximately 10 degrees.

12. An adjustable head tool (AHT) for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point, the AHT having a backoff angle relative to the position of the target point and comprising:

a cranial portion at least partially enclosing a linkage assembly, the cranial portion defining a plurality of guide slots and having a forehead impact zone (FIZ) with a first set of demarcations;

an adjustable facial template connected to the linkage assembly, the linkage assembly having a plurality of guide pins that are moveable within the guide slots to allow translation of the adjustable facial template relative to the cranial portion; and

a dial having a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations, wherein a rotation of the dial moves the guide pins within the guide slots and translates the facial template with respect to a select primary impact point on the cranial portion to thereby achieve the regulated FMH backoff requirement while maintaining the backoff angle relative to the target point.

13. The AHT of claim 12, wherein the facial template defines each of a nose portion, a lip portion, and a chin portion

14. The AHT of claim 12, wherein the backoff angle is built-in.

15. The AHT of claim 12, wherein the backoff angle is variable.