Energy dissipative cushioning elements

• US 8,033,571 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Hyde, Roderick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US11/868,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 188371-377, 206/522
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• 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. 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;

wherein the apparatus further comprises 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members is configured to substantially inelastically stretch after reaching an elastic limit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more polyaramid fibers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 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.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 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.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members lies on a surface of the cushioning element.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members lies within an interior portion of the cushioning element.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the tension-bearing members have different tension properties than other tension-bearing members.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 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.

10. 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;

wherein constructing the cushioning element including the one or more tension-bearing members includes associating a heat capacity material 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.

11. The method of claim 10 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.