Apparatus for sensing deflection in a crash test dummy thorax
First Claim
1. A sensor for measuring the deflection of a thorax of an anthropomorphic dummy comprising:
- a base means for mounting on a thoracic spine assembly of an anthropomorphic dummy, said base means comprising a base;
a tape drum having a body rotatably mounted on said base;
at least a pair of spring tapes each having one end connected to said base and an opposite end attached to said body of said tape drum, said spring tapes biasing said tape drum for rotation in a predetermined direction; and
a displacement tape having one end attached to and being wound about said body of said tape drum in a direction opposite said predetermined direction and having an opposite end for attachment to a rib set of an anthropomorphic dummy whereby when said base is attached to a thoracic spine assembly and said opposite end of said displacement tape is attached to a rib set, deflection of the rib set toward the thoracic spine assembly will cause said spring tapes to rotate said tape drum in said predetermined direction to wind up said displacement tape to indicate the deflection of the rib set.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor for measuring the deflection of a thorax of an anthropomorphic dummy includes a base for mounting on a thoracic spine assembly, a tape drum rotatably mounted on the base, at least a pair of spring tapes each having one end connected to the base and an opposite end attached to the tape drum, the spring tapes biasing the tape drum for rotation in a predetermined direction, and a displacement tape having one end attached to and being wound about the tape drum in a direction opposite the predetermined direction and having an opposite end for attachment to a rib set of the dummy. The sensors are mounted in four pairs on the spine assembly and the opposite end of the displacement tapes of each pair are attached together to a different point on the rib set. The sensors in each pair are spaced apart a first predetermined distance along a Y axis and a ninth sensor is spaced a second predetermined distance from one of the other sensors along a Z axis. Deflection of the rib set toward the thoracic spine assembly will cause the tape drums to rotate in the predetermined direction to wind up the displacement tapes to indicate the deflection of the rib set through triangulation.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor for measuring the deflection of a thorax of an anthropomorphic dummy comprising:
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a base means for mounting on a thoracic spine assembly of an anthropomorphic dummy, said base means comprising a base; a tape drum having a body rotatably mounted on said base; at least a pair of spring tapes each having one end connected to said base and an opposite end attached to said body of said tape drum, said spring tapes biasing said tape drum for rotation in a predetermined direction; and a displacement tape having one end attached to and being wound about said body of said tape drum in a direction opposite said predetermined direction and having an opposite end for attachment to a rib set of an anthropomorphic dummy whereby when said base is attached to a thoracic spine assembly and said opposite end of said displacement tape is attached to a rib set, deflection of the rib set toward the thoracic spine assembly will cause said spring tapes to rotate said tape drum in said predetermined direction to wind up said displacement tape to indicate the deflection of the rib set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sensor system for measuring the deflection of a thorax of an anthropomorphic dummy comprising:
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a base means for mounting on a thoracic spine assembly of an anthropomorphic dummy, said base means comprising a base; a pair tape drums rotatably mounted to said base; means for biasing each of said tape drums for rotation in a predetermined direction; a pair of displacement tapes each having one end attached to and wound about an associated one of said tape drums and having an opposite end for attachment to a rib set of an anthropomorphic dummy; and means for generating output signals representing a position of said opposite ends of said displacement tapes, said means for generating being connected to said tape drums. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A sensor system for measuring the deflection of a thorax of an anthropomorphic dummy comprising:
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a plurality of displacement sensors, each of said sensors having a base means for attachment to a thoracic spine assembly of an anthropomorphic dummy, said base means comprising a base, a tape drum rotatably mounted on said base, and a displacement tape having one end attached to and wound about said tape drum and having an opposite end for attachment to a rib set of the anthropomorphic dummy; means for generating output signals coupled to said tape drums; and means for biasing said tape drums for rotation in a predetermined direction. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification