Energy dissipative cushioning elements
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
11 Claims
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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.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification