Anthropomorphic manikin head skull cap load measurement device

• US 7,204,165 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2005
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Thompson, Gregory A., Thomas, Glenn Leroy, Plaga, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): BELLAMY, TAMIKO D
• Application Number:
  US11/158,350
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 738/654, 738/651, 738/653, 738/664, 73/120.1
• US Class Current: 73/866.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0078 Shock-testing of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0067 Fracture or rupture
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0676 Force, weight, load, energy, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/30 by applying a single impulsive force, e.g. by falling weight

Abstract

An anthropomorphic dummy head system is provided for measuring forces and moments applied to the back of the head and neck. The system includes a dummy head representing at least a portion of a human head and a force measuring device connected with the dummy head. The system also includes a skull cap attached to the force measuring device. The skull cap, representing a rear portion of a human head, may be free from direct attachment to the dummy head. The skull cap may further include a lower extension or nape extension configured to represent the back of a human neck.

Claims

1. An anthropomorphic dummy head system comprising:

a dummy head configured and dimensioned to represent at least a portion of a human head;

a force measuring device connected with the dummy head; and

a skull cap attached to the force measuring device, the skull cap dimensioned and configured to represent a rear portion of a human head.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the skull cap is free from direct attachment to the dummy head.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the skull cap includes a lower extension configured to represent the back of a human neck.

4. The system of claim 3, further including ballast connected with the dummy head, the ballast providing weight to the system to thereby generally match the weight of a human head.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the skull cap includes composite material.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the force measuring device is a load cell.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the load cell is a 6-axis load cell.

8. An anthropomorphic dummy head system comprising:

a base structure;

a headform material attached to the base structure and configured to represent at least a portion of a human head;

an interface plate connected with a rear section of the base structure;

a force acquisition device connected with the interface plate; and

a skull cap attached to the force acquisition device, the skull cap dimensioned and configured to represent a rear portion of a human head.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the skull cap is free from direct attachment with the interface plate and base structure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the skull cap include a nape portion.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the force acquisition device measures a force applied to the skull cap.

12. The system of claim 11, further including a microprocessor connected with the force acquisition device.

13. An anthropomorphic dummy head system comprising:

a dummy head configured and dimensioned to represent at least a portion of a human head;

a load cell connected with the dummy head;

a skull cap attached to the load cell, the skull cap dimensioned and configured to represent a rear portion of a human head; and

a helmet positioned over the dummy head and skull cap.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein an interior surface of the helmet contacts the skull cap.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the load cell measures a force applied to the helmet.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the force is applied to the back of the helmet.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the skull cap includes a nape portion.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein a strap of the helmet contacts the nape portion of the skull cap.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the load cell measures a force applied to the strap of the helmet.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the helmet is a flight helmet.