Rollover component test fixture and methodology
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for simulating attributes of a vehicle during a certain inertial event, the apparatus comprising:
- an occupant compartment having at least one exterior surface;
a rigid shell surrounding the occupant compartment; and
,a carriage supporting the occupant compartment and the rigid shell, the carriage having adjustable members for representing specific vehicle characteristics wherein the rigid shell protects all of the exterior surfaces of the occupant compartment from non-elastic deformation during the certain inertial event.
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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.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for simulating attributes of a vehicle during a certain inertial event, the apparatus comprising:
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an occupant compartment having at least one exterior surface; a rigid shell surrounding the occupant compartment; and
,a carriage supporting the occupant compartment and the rigid shell, the carriage having adjustable members for representing specific vehicle characteristics wherein the rigid shell protects all of the exterior surfaces of the occupant compartment from non-elastic deformation during the certain inertial event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A rollover test apparatus for vehicle components, the apparatus comprising:
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an occupant compartment having at least one exterior surface; a rigid shell encapsulating the occupant compartment; and
,a carriage supporting the occupant compartment and the rigid shell wherein each of the at least one exterior surfaces of the occupant compartment is protected by the rigid shell from non-elastic deformation during the rollover event. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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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 having at least one exterior surface, and a rigid shell surrounding the occupant compartment, the rigid shell protecting each of the exterior surfaces of the occupant compartment from non-elastic deformation during the tripped rollover event, the method comprising the steps of:
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propelling the test apparatus at a desired lateral translational velocity; decelerating the test apparatus to arrest the motion of the occupant compartment; initiating rotational rollover motion of the occupant compartment; and
,impacting a landing surface with the rigid shell wherein the exterior surfaces of the occupant compartment are protected by the rigid shell from non-elastic deformation. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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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 having at least one exterior surface surrounded by a rigid shell, the method comprising the steps of:
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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 impacting a landing surface with the rigid shell during an impact phase wherein the rigid shell protects the exterior surface of the occupant compartment from non-elastic deformation during the impact phase. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification