Energy dissipative cushioning elements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- determining an event;
actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including at least one or more tension-bearing members; and
dissipating 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 at least substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, and the dissipating including at least adding at least one of a phase-change material or a heat capacity material to the at least one of the tension bearing members in response to the determining the event.
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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
29 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining an event; actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including at least one or more tension-bearing members; and dissipating 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 at least substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, and the dissipating including at least adding at least one of a phase-change material or a heat capacity material to the at least one of the tension bearing members in response to the determining the event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer program product comprising:
a non-transitory signal-bearing medium bearing at least; (a) one or more instructions for determining an event; (b) one or more instructions for actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including at least one or more tension-bearing members; and (c) one or more instructions for providing control sufficient to cause dissipation of 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 at least substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, and the dissipating including at least adding at least one of a phase-change material or a heat capacity material to the at least one tension bearing members in response to the determining the event. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A system comprising:
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a computing device; and one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to at least; (a) determine an event; (b) actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including at least one or more tension-bearing members; and (c) provide control sufficient to 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 at least substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members, and the dissipating including at least adding at least one of a phase-change material or a heat capacity material to the at least one tension bearing members in response to the determining the event. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification