Energy dissipative cushioning elements

• US 9,321,424 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Deep Sciences LLC
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US14/297,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20150001019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 188371-377, 206/522
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cushioning element includes the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members 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 and further comprising a heat capacity material associated with at least one of the tension-bearing members.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising 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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more heat absorbing materials contained within the one or more capsules configured to change phase from solid to gas through heat absorption of heat generated from deformation of the one or more tension bearing members upon release from the one or more capsules.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more heat absorbing materials contained within the one or more capsules configured to change phase from liquid to gas through heat absorption of heat generated from deformation of the one or more tension bearing members upon release from the one or more capsules.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more heat absorbing materials contained within the one or more capsules configured to change phase through heat absorption of heat generated from elastic deformation of the one or more tension bearing members upon release from the one or more capsules.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more heat absorbing materials contained within the one or more capsules configured to change phase through heat absorption of heat generated from inelastic deformation of the one or more tension bearing members upon release from the one or more capsules.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more heat absorbing materials contained within the one or more capsules configured to change phase from solid to liquid through heat absorption of heat generated from deformation of the one or more tension bearing members upon release from the one or more capsules.

15. 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members.

16. The method of claim 15 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members 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.

17. The method of claim 15 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members and a heat capacity material associated with at least a portion of at least one of the tension-bearing members to absorb at least some of the thermal energy associated with the collision.

18. The method of claim 15 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing member and a heat capacity material associated 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.

19. The method of claim 15 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, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

constructing a cushioning element wherein the one or more heat absorbing materials contained within the one or more capsules includes one or more phase change materials to allow upon release of the one or more phase change materials from the one or more capsules for one or more phase changes to occur with the one or more phase change materials through heat absorption from the one or more tension-bearing members.