Blast Attenuation Device For Absorbing Force Between An Occupant And A Vehicle

Abstract

A device for a vehicle supports an occupant of the vehicle and absorbs a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle. The device includes a pan for supporting the occupant. A first energy absorbing device is coupled to the pan and configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when a magnitude of the force reaches a first magnitude. A second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device and is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when the magnitude of the force reaches a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. A third energy absorbing device supports the second energy absorbing device and is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a third magnitude greater than the second magnitude.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The subject patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 077,423 filed on Mar. 31, 2013, which claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 341,470 filed on Mar. 31, 2010, the entire specifications of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. The subject patent application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 797,104 filed on Nov. 29, 2012, the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a device for supporting an occupant of a vehicle and absorbing a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Vehicles are widely used for military purposes, especially in recent military conflicts, to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The first, second, and third energy absorbing devices increase the overall range of forces that can be absorbed by the seat. In other words, the first energy absorbing device absorbs forces that are lower than forces absorbed by the second energy absorbing device and the second energy absorbing device absorbs forces that are higher than forces absorbed by the first energy absorbing device. Similarly, the second energy absorbing device absorbs forces that are lower than forces absorbed by the third energy absorbing device and the third energy absorbing device absorbs forces that are higher than forces absorbed by the second energy absorbing device. Because the second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device, the second energy absorbing device absorbs at least a portion of the force when the first energy absorbing device ceases to absorb the force. And because the third energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device, the third energy absorbing device absorbs at least a portion of the force when the second energy absorbing device ceases to absorb the force. In addition, the first, second, and third energy absorbing devices can be individually tuned or sized to increase the range of forces absorbed by the seat.

Problems solved by technology

Such vehicles can be exposed to blasts resulting from an explosive such as an improvised explosive device, a mine, a grenade, etc.

The vibration and / or reverberation of the blast through the vehicle can injure the occupants.

This vibration and / or reverberation through the vehicle can injure the occupant.

In such a scenario, the occupant can be harmed if this vibration and / or reverberation is transferred directly to the occupant through the floor and / or the device that the occupant sits or stands on, e.g., a seat or platform.

Further, whether the vehicle is armored or not, much of the technology for absorbing energy in a civilian automobile during an automobile accident is not suitable for absorbing energy from an explosive blast.

As such, the airbags used in civilian automobiles cannot react quickly enough due to the 5 millisecond delay associated with the civilian automobile airbags.

In addition to generating initial forces acting on the vehicle, the blast can also cause the vehicle to become airborne.

The occupant can suffer injuries relating to the landing of the vehicle on the ground, i.e., the “slam down.”

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