Biorid ATD positioning for seat system evaluation in virtual simulation in a cae environment

Abstract

A seat test system is disclosed, the seat test system comprising: at least one of an interface and a control module configured to receive an input; a dummy positioning module configured to: i) position an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) in a seat system to be tested in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment, ii) access a target parameter comprising the input, and iii) determine a parameter indicative of the positioning of the ATD in the seat system based on the target parameter; and a simulation evaluation module configured to i) operate the ATD and the seating system by simulation of a collision in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the parameters, and ii) generate a rating of the seating system based on a result of the simulation.

Description

[0001] introduce

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of this disclosure. The work of the currently named inventors, within the scope described in this section, and in aspects of this specification that might not otherwise conform to the prior art at the time of submission, is neither expressly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to this disclosure.

[0003] This disclosure relates to simulation tools, and more specifically, to virtual evaluation tools for vehicle seating systems.

[0004] Automobiles include various seating systems with different types of seats. Seats include first-row, second-row, and third-row bucket seats and bench seats. Seats can be 50 / 50 split bench seats or 40 / 20 / 40 bench seats. Automakers perform various types of tests on seating systems to ensure they meet structural, safety, durability, noise, and vibration requirements, among others. This can include performing HYGE skid tests and on-vehicle tests on the seating systems. Testing involves using human-like testing equipment (called crash test dummies, or simply dummies). For example, a dummy can be placed on the seat to be tested on a HYGE skid, and the HYGE skid is accelerated according to a predetermined pulse pattern for the corresponding crash type and specific vehicle. Sensors in the dummy and / or on the seat collect data during the test. The data is then evaluated to determine the performance of the seating system, and the seating system is rated based on the collected data. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A seat testing system is disclosed, comprising: at least one of an interface and a control module configured to receive input; a dummy positioning module configured to: i) position an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) in a seat system to be tested in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment; ii) access target parameters including the input; and iii) determine parameters indicating the positioning of the ATD in the seat system based on the target parameters; and a simulation evaluation module configured to: i) run the ATD and the seat system by simulating a collision in the virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the parameters; and ii) generate a rating for the seat system based on the results of the simulation.

[0006] Among other features, the input includes at least one of the following: user input, experimental design input, and consumer metrics of physical settings.

[0007] Among other features, ATD is a bio-realistic rear-collision dummy.

[0008] Among other features, the dummy positioning module is configured to automatically position the ATD in the seating system within the virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the target parameters, which include consumer indicator physical test setting parameters.

[0009] Among other features, the dummy localization module is configured to compare one or more of the parameters with the target parameters, and based on the comparison, adjust one or more of the parameters to generate updated parameters, the updated parameters including the adjusted one or more of the parameters and other parameters. The simulation evaluation module is configured to run the ATD and the seating system based on the updated parameters by simulating the collision in the virtual computer-aided engineering environment.

[0010] Among other features, the target parameters include the required H-point coordinates, the required backtracking distance, and the initial pelvic angle. These parameters also include the updated pelvic angle, head rotation angle, and head translation orientation.

[0011] Among other features, the dummy positioning module is configured to: position the torso of the ATD and set the ATD's retraction distance by changing the ATD's pelvic angle until the retraction distance matches a target retraction distance; and calculate the ATD's retraction distance by determining the distance between a retraction distance node at the rear of the ATD's head and the front surface of the skin of the headrest of the seating system. The parameters include the calculated retraction distance.

[0012] Among other features, the dummy positioning module is configured to: determine whether the ATD's head is level based on the orientation of a reference node in the head; in response to determining that the head is not level, change the ATD's current pelvic angle and determine a pelvic angle that can level the head; and after leveling the head, adjust the ATD's backtracking distance by translating the head to achieve a target backtracking distance.

[0013] Among other features, the dummy positioning module is configured to: place the ATD's hand next to the ATD's leg and close to the surface of the seating system; calculate the upper arm assembly angle, wherein the upper arm assembly contacts the seat back of the seating system; and calculate the lower arm assembly angle to lower the ATD's hand close to the surface of the seating system. The parameters include the upper arm assembly angle and the lower arm assembly angle.

[0014] Among other features, the dummy positioning module is configured to, after adjusting the ATD's H-point to standard H-point coordinates,: position the pelvis and head according to backtracking distance requirements; and position the ATD's hands and legs to maintain the ATD's standard orientation on the seating system. The parameters include the ATD's resulting pelvic angle, resulting head rotation angle and orientation, and the positions of its hands and legs.

[0015] Among other features, the dummy localization module is configured to: record the resulting pelvic angle, the resulting head rotation angle and orientation, and the positions of the hands and legs as a first localization script; and iteratively adjust the H-point coordinates, backtracking distance, and pelvic angle of the ATD to keep them within the tolerance range of the standard H-point coordinates, the required backtracking distance, and the standard pelvic angle, and generate a corresponding localization script for each iteration to provide a localization script.

[0016] Among other features, the simulation evaluation module is configured to run simulations for the first positioning script and each of the positioning scripts.

[0017] Among other features, the dummy positioning module is configured to: receive a required retraction distance setting; determine the current pelvic angle of the ATD while it is on the seating system; determine the retraction distance of the ATD's head relative to the headrest of the seating system; determine the rate of change of the retraction distance for every 0.1° change in the current pelvic angle; and determine the required pelvic angle of the ATD based on the current pelvic angle, the current retraction distance, the required retraction distance, and the rate of change of the retraction distance. The parameters include the required pelvic angle.

[0018] Among other features, a method for testing a seating system is disclosed. The method includes: receiving input; positioning an Automatic Traffic Detector (ATD) in the seating system to be tested within a virtual computer-aided engineering environment; accessing target parameters including the input and determining parameters indicative of the ATD's positioning within the seating system based on the target parameters; running the ATD and the seating system in a collision simulation within the virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the parameters; and generating a rating for the seating system based on the results of the simulation.

[0019] Among other features, the input includes at least one of the following: user input, experimental design input, and consumer indicators of physical settings. The ATD is a bio-realistic rear-impact dummy. The dummy localization module is configured to automatically locate the ATD in the seating system in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the target parameters, including consumer indicator physical test setting parameters.

[0020] Among other features, the method further includes: comparing one or more of the parameters with the target parameters; adjusting one or more of the parameters based on the comparison to generate updated parameters, the updated parameters including the adjusted one or more of the parameters and other parameters among the parameters; and running the ATD and the seating system based on the updated parameters by simulating the collision in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment.

[0021] Among other features, the method further includes: locating the torso of the ATD and setting the retraction distance of the ATD by changing the pelvic angle of the ATD until the retraction distance matches a target retraction distance; and calculating the retraction distance of the ATD by determining the distance between a retraction distance node at the rear of the ATD's head and the anterior surface of the skin of the headrest of the seat system. The parameters include the calculated retraction distance.

[0022] Among other features, the method further includes: determining whether the ATD’s head is level based on the orientation of a reference node in the head; in response to determining that the head is not level, changing the current pelvic angle of the ATD and determining a pelvic angle that can level the head; and after leveling the head, adjusting the ATD’s backtracking distance by translating the head to achieve a target backtracking distance.

[0023] Among other features, the method further includes: placing the ATD's hand next to the ATD's leg and close to the surface of the seat system; calculating the upper arm assembly angle, wherein the upper arm assembly contacts the seat back of the seat system; and calculating the lower arm assembly angle to lower the ATD's hand close to the surface of the seat system. The parameters include the upper arm assembly angle and the lower arm assembly angle.

[0024] Among other features, the method further includes, after adjusting the H-point of the ATD to standard H-point coordinates: positioning the pelvis and head according to the backtracking distance requirement; positioning the ATD's hands and legs to maintain the ATD's standard orientation on the seating system; wherein the parameters include the ATD's resulting pelvic angle, resulting head rotation angle and orientation, and the positions of the hands and legs; recording the resulting pelvic angle, the resulting head rotation angle and orientation, and the positions of the hands and legs as a first positioning script; and iteratively adjusting the ATD's H-point coordinates, backtracking distance, and pelvic angle within tolerances of the standard H-point coordinates, the required backtracking distance, and the standard pelvic angle, and generating a corresponding positioning script for each iteration to provide a positioning script.

[0025] This disclosure provides the following examples:

[0026] Example 1. A seat testing system, comprising:

[0027] At least one of an interface and a control module configured to receive input;

[0028] The dummy localization module is configured to: i) locate a humanoid test device (ATD) in a seating system under test within a virtual computer-aided engineering environment; ii) access target parameters including the input; and iii) determine, based on the target parameters, multiple parameters indicative of the ATD's positioning within the seating system; and

[0029] The simulation evaluation module is configured to: i) run the ATD and the seating system by simulating a collision in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the plurality of parameters, and ii) generate a rating for the seating system based on the results of the simulation.

[0030] Example 2. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the input includes at least one of the following: user input, experimental design input, and consumer indicators of physical settings.

[0031] Example 3. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the ATD is a bio-realistic rear-impact dummy.

[0032] Example 4. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured to automatically position the ATD in the seat system in the virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the target parameters, the target parameters including consumer indicator physical test setting parameters.

[0033] Example 5. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein:

[0034] The dummy localization module is configured to compare one or more of the plurality of parameters with the target parameters, and based on the comparison, adjust one or more of the plurality of parameters to generate a plurality of updated parameters, the updated parameters including one or more of the adjusted plurality of parameters and other parameters among the plurality of parameters; and

[0035] The simulation evaluation module is configured to run the ATD and the seating system by simulating the collision in the virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the multiple updated parameters.

[0036] Example 6. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein:

[0037] The target parameters include the required H-point coordinates, the required retraction distance, and the initial pelvic angle; and

[0038] The parameters include the updated pelvic angle, head rotation angle, and head translation orientation.

[0039] Example 7. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured as follows:

[0040] Position the ATD's torso and set the ATD's retraction distance by changing the ATD's pelvic angle until the retraction distance matches the target retraction distance; and

[0041] The retraction distance of the ATD is calculated by determining the distance between the retraction distance node at the rear of the ATD's head and the front surface of the skin of the headrest of the seat system.

[0042] The parameters mentioned include the calculated backoff distance.

[0043] Example 8. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured as follows:

[0044] The orientation of the ATD head is determined based on the orientation of multiple reference nodes in the head.

[0045] In response to determining that the head is not level, the current pelvic angle of the ATD is changed and a pelvic angle capable of leveling the head is determined; and

[0046] After leveling the head, the ATD's back-off distance is adjusted by translating the head to achieve the target back-off distance.

[0047] Example 9. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured as follows:

[0048] Place ATD's hands next to ATD's legs and close to the surface of the seating system;

[0049] Calculate the upper arm assembly angle, wherein the upper arm assembly contacts the seat back of the seating system; and

[0050] Calculate the lower arm assembly angle to lower the ATD's hand close to the surface of the seating system.

[0051] The parameters mentioned include the upper arm assembly angle and the lower arm assembly angle.

[0052] Example 10. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured to, after adjusting the H-point of the ATD to the standard H-point coordinates:

[0053] Position the pelvis and head according to the required retraction distance; and

[0054] Position the ATD's hands and legs to maintain the ATD's standard orientation on the seating system.

[0055] The parameters mentioned include the ATD results for pelvic angle, head rotation angle and orientation, and the position of hands and legs.

[0056] Example 11. The seat testing system according to Example 10, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured to:

[0057] The resulting pelvic angle, the resulting head rotation angle and orientation, and the positions of the hands and legs are recorded as a first positioning script; and

[0058] The H-point coordinates, backtracking distance, and pelvic angle of the ATD are iteratively adjusted to keep them within the tolerance range of the standard H-point coordinates, the required backtracking distance, and the standard pelvic angle. For each iteration, a corresponding positioning script is generated to provide multiple positioning scripts.

[0059] Example 12. The seat testing system according to Example 11, wherein the simulation evaluation module is configured to run a simulation for each of the first positioning script and the plurality of positioning scripts.

[0060] Example 13. The seat testing system according to Example 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured as follows:

[0061] Receive the required backoff distance setting;

[0062] Determine the current pelvic angle when the ATD is in the seating system;

[0063] Determine the retraction distance of the ATD's head relative to the headrest of the seating system;

[0064] Determine the rate of change of the retraction distance for every 0.1° change in the current pelvic angle; and

[0065] The required pelvic angle for ATD is determined based on the current pelvic angle, the current retraction distance, the required retraction distance, and the rate of change of the retraction distance.

[0066] The parameters mentioned include the required pelvic angle.

[0067] Example 14. A method for testing a seating system, the method comprising:

[0068] Receive input;

[0069] Position the anthropomorphic test device (ATD) on the seating system to be tested in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment;

[0070] Access the target parameters including the input, and determine multiple parameters indicating the positioning of the ATD in the seating system based on the target parameters;

[0071] Based on the aforementioned parameters, the ATD and the seating system are run through a collision simulation in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment; and

[0072] Based on the simulation results, a rating for the seating system is generated.

[0073] Example 15. According to the method described in Example 14, wherein:

[0074] The inputs include at least one of the following: user inputs, experimental design inputs, and consumer metrics for physical settings;

[0075] ATD is a biologically realistic rear-collision dummy; and

[0076] The dummy positioning module is configured to automatically position the ATD in the seat system in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the target parameters, which include consumer indicator physical test setting parameters.

[0077] Example 16. The method according to Example 14 further includes:

[0078] Compare one or more of the plurality of parameters with the target parameter;

[0079] Based on the comparison, one or more of the plurality of parameters are adjusted to generate a plurality of updated parameters, the updated parameters including one or more of the adjusted parameters and other parameters among the plurality of parameters; and

[0080] Based on the aforementioned updated parameters, the ATD and the seating system are run by simulating the collision in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment.

[0081] Example 17. The method described in Example 14 further includes:

[0082] Position the ATD's torso and set the ATD's retraction distance by changing the ATD's pelvic angle until the retraction distance matches the target retraction distance; and

[0083] The retraction distance of the ATD is calculated by determining the distance between the retraction distance node at the rear of the ATD's head and the front surface of the skin of the headrest of the seat system.

[0084] The parameters mentioned include the calculated backoff distance.

[0085] Example 18. The method according to Example 14 further includes:

[0086] The orientation of the ATD head is determined based on the orientation of multiple reference nodes in the head.

[0087] In response to determining that the head is not level, the current pelvic angle of the ATD is changed and a pelvic angle capable of leveling the head is determined; and

[0088] After leveling the head, the ATD's back-off distance is adjusted by translating the head to achieve the target back-off distance.

[0089] Example 19. The method according to Example 14 further includes:

[0090] Place ATD's hands next to ATD's legs and close to the surface of the seating system;

[0091] Calculate the upper arm assembly angle, wherein the upper arm assembly contacts the seat back of the seating system; and

[0092] Calculate the lower arm assembly angle to lower the ATD's hand close to the surface of the seating system.

[0093] The parameters mentioned include the upper arm assembly angle and the lower arm assembly angle.

[0094] Example 20. Following the method described in Example 14, after adjusting the H-point of the ATD to the standard H-point coordinates, the method further includes:

[0095] Position the pelvis and head according to the required retraction distance;

[0096] Position the ATD's hands and legs to maintain the ATD's standard orientation on the seating system;

[0097] The parameters mentioned include the pelvic angle, head rotation angle and orientation, and hand and leg positions as determined by the ATD.

[0098] The resulting pelvic angle, the resulting head rotation angle and orientation, and the positions of the hands and legs are recorded as a first positioning script; and

[0099] The H-point coordinates, backtracking distance, and pelvic angle of the ATD are iteratively adjusted to keep them within the tolerance range of the standard H-point coordinates, the required backtracking distance, and the standard pelvic angle. For each iteration, a corresponding positioning script is generated to provide multiple positioning scripts.

[0100] Further applications of this disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0101] This disclosure will be more fully understood through detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0102] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of a seat crash test system, which includes a dummy positioning module and a simulation evaluation module, according to the present disclosure.

[0103] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of a seat evaluation device including a seat crash test system, according to the present disclosure;

[0104] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Functional block diagram of the dummy positioning module;

[0105] Figure 4 This is a side perspective view of the dummy's head assembly and headrest, illustrating the backlash distance and backlash distance node;

[0106] Figure 5 This is a side perspective view of the dummy's pelvic assembly, illustrating the angle at point H;

[0107] Figure 6 The illustration shows a method for determining the retraction distance of a dummy in a seating system according to the present disclosure;

[0108] Figure 7 The illustration shows a method for determining the rate of change of backtracking distance for each degree of change in pelvic angle, according to this disclosure.

[0109] Figure 8 It is a side perspective sectional view of the dummy's head, illustrating the head alignment node and the head rotation center node.

[0110] Figure 9 The illustration shows a method for positioning a dummy head according to this disclosure;

[0111] Figure 10 It is a side perspective view of the dummy's left arm and hand, illustrating the upper arm assembly, lower arm assembly, left elbow node, and left hand finger node;

[0112] Figure 11 The illustration shows a method for positioning a dummy hand according to this disclosure;

[0113] Figure 12 This is a side perspective view of the dummy's left leg and foot, illustrating the upper leg assembly, lower leg assembly, foot assembly, and heel node.

[0114] Figure 13 The illustration shows a method for determining the coordinates of point H and the change in backtracking distance according to this disclosure;

[0115] Figure 14 The illustration shows a method for determining the initial retreat distance, the initial left elbow node position, the initial left hand finger node position, and the initial heel node position according to this disclosure;

[0116] Figure 15 The illustration shows a method for determining the set of changing parameters of a dummy's orientation according to this disclosure; and

[0117] Figure 16 This is a front view of the dummy, showing the gap between the dummy's knees.

[0118] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals may be used repeatedly to identify similar and / or identical elements. Detailed Implementation

[0119] The preparation, arrangement, and actual physical testing of the seat (or seating system) can take several weeks. Furthermore, the manual positioning of the dummy in the seating system is time-consuming and may vary among test engineers and / or technicians placing the dummy.

[0120] The examples described in this paper include a seat crash test system that positions a dummy within a seat system under test in a virtual computer-aided engineering (CAE) environment. The system includes a dummy localization module that automatically determines a localization script comprising a set of dummy localization parameters. These parameters are provided to a simulation evaluation module (or solver) that runs crash simulations for each localization script to quickly provide a rating for each script, thereby evaluating seat performance. The generation of localization scripts and the corresponding simulations can be executed rapidly in a virtual environment. This allows seat systems to be evaluated quickly and iteratively in a virtual environment, minimizing design and testing time, the amount of physical testing required, and associated costs.

[0121] Seat crash testing systems can automatically position a bio-realistic rear-end collision dummy (BioRID) within the seat system in a virtual CAE environment, based on consumer metrics such as New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) metrics and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) metrics, which are related to physical testing settings. NCAP metrics include those of China NCAP (CNCAP), Euro NCAP (ENCAP), Korea NCAP (KNCAP), and Latin American NCAP (LNCAP). The BioRID's positioning in the virtual environment mimics its positioning in a physical testing environment.

[0122] Seat crash testing systems can perform variation analysis by automatically positioning dummies. Variation analysis involves testing a standard (or baseline) set of positioning parameters and each of several other sets of parameters that differ from this standard set. Each parameter in the standard set of positioning parameters has a corresponding tolerance range, which can correspond to variations in that parameter if tested in a physical environment. For example, a test engineer can position the dummy's head in a first orientation for a first test of a first seat system. The same test engineer or another test engineer can position the dummy's head in a second orientation of a second seat system for a second test, which may differ slightly from the first orientation. The second seat system is a seat system of the same type and style as the first seat system and has the same manufacturer's part number. Therefore, the other sets of parameters (called variation parameter sets) are parameters that differ from the standard set of positioning parameters but fall within the corresponding tolerance range of the standard set of positioning parameters.

[0123] Figure 1 A portion 100 of the seat crash test system is shown. Figure 2 (As further shown below), it includes a dummy positioning module 102 and a simulation evaluation module 104. The dummy positioning module 102 positions a dummy (e.g., BioRID 106, such as BioRID II) within a seating system (e.g., seating system 110) in a virtual CAE environment 108. The virtual CAE environment 108 can be shown via a display 112. The dummy positioning module 102 is configured to determine the standard (or baseline) positioning of the dummy 106 in the seating system 110, as well as other seating positioning variations and corresponding sets of parameters (referred to as a set of dummy positioning parameters 120).

[0124] The dummy 106 in the seat system 110 has dummy positioning parameters 120 for each orientation, including H-point coordinates, back-off distance, pelvic angle, head orientation coordinates (e.g., coordinates of head alignment node and center node), arm orientation coordinates (e.g., elbow node coordinates), hand orientation coordinates (e.g., finger node coordinates), leg orientation coordinates, and foot orientation coordinates (e.g., heel node coordinates). Nodes refer to certain reference points on the dummy, as further described below.

[0125] The dummy positioning module 102 is configured to determine the dummy positioning parameters 120 based on the request information 130, the dummy-specific information 132, and the first seat-specific information.

[0126] Requirement information 130 may include NCAP requirements, such as requirements for the X and Z coordinates of the H point, the backtracking distance, and the initial pelvic angle. Figure 1 The X, Y, and Z axes are shown. Figure 4The illustration shows an example retraction distance, indicating the minimum distance between the rear of the dummy's head and the front surface of the headrest (or head limiter). Dummy-specific information 132 may include dummy-specific geometry, dummy model, weight, dummy's center of gravity (CG), head CG, torso CG, height, geometry of each dummy component, assembly information, component materials, performance attributes, etc. Seat-specific information 134 may include: a model of the seat system, seat-specific geometry (including dimensions of the seat cushion, seat back, headrest, etc.); seat weight; dimensions and weight of seat components, spring tension and layout, material types on the seat cushion, seat back, and headrest; seat back attachment and pivot point locations; headrest attachment and pivot point locations; etc.

[0127] The simulation evaluation module 104 receives dummy positioning parameters 120 and second seat-specific information 140. The second seat-specific information may be the same as or different from the first seat-specific information 134. Based on the dummy positioning parameters 120 and the second seat-specific information 140, the simulation evaluation module 104 runs multiple virtual simulations, performs finite element analysis on the data collected from the simulations, and generates a seat system rating for each simulation. The seat system rating is designated as 150. The seat system rating 150 is used to evaluate the performance of the seat system 110. The seat system rating 150 may include stress and strain values, seat back rotation angle and / or deflection distance, indication of the possibility of neck injury, confidence level, etc. The seat system rating 150 may include a confidence level indicating whether the seat system is likely to pass certain requirements during physical crash testing. An overall or average seat system rating may be generated based on the seat system rating generated as a result of the simulation.

[0128] Each simulation of the dummy and seat system during a collision event can be displayed on monitor 112, including the motion of the dummy and seat system during acceleration. The simulation can be a rear-end collision simulation, which uses BioRID in the seat system to test the seat system. This can include seat base performance, seat back performance, headrest performance, and overall structural performance. Seatbelts can be applied. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image) and the seat belts are used to restrict the movement of the dummy. The seat belts may include a lap belt and shoulder straps.

[0129] Figure 2A seat evaluation device 200 including a seat crash test system 201 is shown. The seat crash test system 201 includes a control module 202, a memory 204, a transceiver 206, and a user interface device 208. The control module 202 may implement a dummy positioning module (or tool) 102 and a simulation evaluation module 104. Although the simulation evaluation module 104 is shown as being implemented by the control module 202, the simulation evaluation module 104 may be implemented by another control module and / or device that is separate from but communicates with the seat evaluation device 200.

[0130] The memory 204 can store dummy-specific information 210, requirement information 212, seat-specific information 214, seat system rating 216, dummy positioning parameter set 218, seat system model 220, and virtual software environment application 222. The dummy-specific information 210 includes information specific to one or more dummies, such as... Figure 1 132. Dummy-specific information. 212. Requirements information may include requirements and tolerances for each dummy-seat system pairing. Requirements information may include... Figure 1 Requirement information 130. Seat-specific information 214 includes information specific to one or more seating systems, such as Figure 1 Seat-specific information 134, 140. Seat system rating 216 includes ratings generated by simulation evaluation module 104 for each simulation run. Dummy positioning parameter set 218 is generated by dummy positioning module 102 as described herein and can be stored as a corresponding positioning script in a corresponding positioning file in memory 204. Dummy positioning parameter set 218 includes a standard parameter set and a variable parameter set for each dummy-seat system pair. Dummy positioning parameter set 218 can be stored and displayed in tabular form. Seat system model 220 may include seat-specific information 214 and / or other information specific to different seat systems, including a model of each seat system. Virtual software environment application 222 provides a virtual environment for displaying and testing dummies and seat systems. Virtual software environment application 222 may have user interface features.

[0131] Transceiver 206 can receive, for example, request information 212 from a network device detached from seat evaluation device 200. Transceiver 206 can also report simulation results to the network device and / or other network devices remote from seat evaluation device 200 (e.g., backend, cloud-based network devices, etc.). The network device detached from seat evaluation device 200 can provide request information based on simulation results. Dummy positioning module 102 can generate a set of dummy positioning parameters based on the received request information, and then simulation evaluation module 104 can run additional simulations to obtain updated simulation results, which can then be reported back to the network device.

[0132] User interface device 208 may include display 221 (e.g., Figure 1 The interface device 208 includes a display 112, a keyboard 223, and a mouse 224. Users can input known seat system and / or dummy parameters and / or requirements via the interface device 208. Users can also adjust dummy positioning requirements and / or seat system design parameters, run simulations, and adjust seat system design parameters based on simulation results via the interface device 208.

[0133] In this embodiment, the dummy positioning module (or tool) 102 is launched in a virtual software environment application 222 implemented by the control module 202. The seat system model includes seat-specific information loaded for the seat system under test. The seat system model can be loaded into the virtual software environment application 222 and includes a minimum number of inputs. The dummy positioning module 102 performs seat positioning and occupant (or dummy) positioning in a virtual CAE environment based on consumer metrics for physical test settings. In this embodiment, a seat system model and a corresponding set of dummy positioning parameters are provided, and a collision is simulated in the virtual CAE environment via a high-performance computing (HPC) module (i.e., simulation evaluation module 104). Multiple sets of dummy positioning parameters are generated for changes in dummy seat positioning corresponding to changes that may occur in the physical environment.

[0134] Figure 3 The diagram shows a dummy positioning module 102, which includes a backtracking distance determination module 300, a rate of change module 302, a head positioning module 304, an arm and hand positioning module 306, a leg and foot positioning module 308, and a change module 310. The backtracking distance determination module 300 determines the backtracking distance value. The rate of change module 302 determines the rate of change of the backtracking distance. The head positioning module 304 positions the dummy's head and determines the head angle and head coordinates. The arm and hand positioning module 306 positions the dummy's arms and hands and determines their coordinates. The leg and foot positioning module 308 positions the dummy's legs and feet and determines their coordinates. The change module 310 determines a set of change parameters.

[0135] Figure 4 A dummy head assembly (or head) 400 and a headrest 402 are shown, with a retraction distance 404 illustrated. The retraction distance 404 refers to the minimum distance between the posterior portion (or posterior surface) 406 of the scalp skin portion (or scalp skin) 1 of the head 400 and the anterior surface 408 of the headrest skin portion (or headrest skin) 2 of the headrest 402. The retraction distance node 3 refers to the point on the posterior portion 406 of the head 400 that is closest to the surface 408 of the headrest 402.

[0136] Figure 5A dummy pelvic assembly (or pelvis) 500 is shown, illustrating the H-point (or pelvic) angle 502 associated with the H-point node 503. The H-point angle refers to the angle between the centerline 504 of the dummy's upper leg (or thigh) 506 and the horizontal reference line 508.

[0137] Figure 1-3 The dummy positioning module 102 can determine the required pelvic angle of the dummy using, for example, Equation 1. The current backtracking distance can be determined by implementing... Figure 6 The method is used to determine this.

[0138] The rate of change of the backtrack distance can be implemented Figure 7 The method is used to determine this.

[0139]

[0140] The dummy positioning module 102 can store the required pelvic angle as a parameter in the memory 204 as one of the positioning scripts.

[0141] the following Figure 6 , 7 The methods in sections 9, 11, and 13-15 include operations implemented in a virtual CAE environment, and refer to... Figure 1-5 The numbers 8, 10, 12, and 16 are described.

[0142] Figure 6 A method for determining the current backlash distance of a dummy in a seating system (or seat) under test is shown. The following operations can be performed iteratively. At 600, Figure 3 The back distance determination module 300 receives input from the user, including the coordinates of point H when the dummy (e.g., the BioRID dummy) is sitting in the seat.

[0143] At position 602, the retraction distance determination module 300 translates (or moves) the dummy on the seat so that the dummy's H-point coordinates match the received H-point coordinates.

[0144] At position 604, the retraction distance determination module 300 identifies the scalp skin of the dummy's head. At position 606, the retraction distance determination module 300 identifies the headrest skin of the seat.

[0145] At position 608, the backtrack distance determination module 300 records the head backtrack distance node (e.g., Figure 4 The current X coordinate of node 3). At 610, the backtrack distance determination module 300 defines the contact between the head skin and the headrest skin. This may include defining the head region and the headrest region that will contact each other during a collision event. At 612, the backtrack distance determination module 300 translates (or moves) the dummy head, including the head skin, along the X-axis to the headrest skin.

[0146] At 614, the backtrack distance determination module 300 determines whether reference node penetration is detected. For example, the backtrack distance determination module 300 can determine whether there is contact between the scalp skin and the headrest skin during the movement of the dummy head. If not, operation 612 continues; otherwise, operation 616 can be performed.

[0147] At position 616, the backtracking distance determination module 300 records the final X-coordinate orientation of the backtracking distance node. At position 618, the backtracking distance determination module 300 determines the difference between the recorded coordinate values ​​of the scalp skin and the scalp skin to determine the current backtracking distance.

[0148] At position 620, the backtrack distance determination module 300 stores the current backtrack distance in memory 204. The current backtrack distance can be stored as part of the positioning script in the positioning file.

[0149] Figure 7 A method for determining the rate of change of the retraction distance for each degree of change in the pelvic angle is shown. The following operations can be performed iteratively.

[0150] At 700, Figure 3 The rate of change module 302 receives the initial pelvic angle. This can be provided by the user via a user interface. As an example, the initial pelvic angle could be 24.7°. At 702, the rate of change module 302 records the current X coordinate of the dummy head retraction distance node.

[0151] At 704, the rate of change module 302 rotates the pelvic assembly clockwise by 0.1 degrees. At 706, the rate of change module 302 rotates the dummy head counterclockwise by 0.1 degrees.

[0152] At point 708, the rate of change module 302 records the final X-coordinate of the head retraction distance node. At point 710, the rate of change module 302 determines the difference in the recorded coordinate values. At point 712, the rate of change module 302 determines the change in retraction distance for a 0.1-degree change in the pelvic angle.

[0153] At 714, the rate of change module 302 determines whether the current pelvic angle is equal to the target (or required) pelvic angle. If not, operation 702 is executed; otherwise, operation 716 is executed.

[0154] At position 716, the rate of change module 302 calculates the rate of change of the backlash distance for each degree of change in the pelvic angle. As an example, the rate of change could be 10.5 mm for each degree of change in the pelvic angle.

[0155] At position 718, the rate of change module 302 stores the current rate of change of the backtrack distance. The current rate of change can be stored as part of the positioning script in the positioning file.

[0156] Figure 8 A dummy head 800 is shown, comprising a first head alignment node 4, a second head alignment node 5, and a head rotation center node 6. Nodes 4 and 5 are located diagonally on the first block 802 within the portion of the dummy head representing the skull. The head rotation center node 6 refers to the pivot point of the head relative to the dummy spine 806.

[0157] Figure 9 A method for locating a dummy's head is shown. The following operations can be performed iteratively.

[0158] At 900, Figure 3 The head positioning module 304 receives the target (or requested) backtracking distance. This can be provided by the user via a user interface. At 902, the head positioning module 304 calculates the target pelvic angle.

[0159] At position 904, the head positioning module 304 is based on... Figure 8 The tilt of the dummy's head is calculated based on the orientation of the first head alignment node 4 and the second head alignment node 5.

[0160] At position 906, the head positioning module 304 rotates the head relative to the orientation of the head rotation center node 6. The head is capable of pivoting about the head rotation center node 6 (or a reference line extending through node 6 and parallel to the Y-axis).

[0161] At 908, the head positioning module 304 calculates the current backtracking distance based on the current orientation and head angle of nodes 4 and 5. At 910, the head positioning module 304 determines whether the target (or required) backtracking distance has been achieved (i.e., the current backtracking distance matches the target backtracking distance). If not, operation 912 can be executed; otherwise, operation 916 can be executed.

[0162] At position 912, the head positioning module 304 calculates the head translation distance. At position 914, the head positioning module 304 translates the dummy's head along the X-axis.

[0163] At position 916, the head positioning module 304 stores the head rotation angle and head translation orientation in the memory 204. The head rotation angle and head translation orientation can be stored as part of the positioning script in the positioning file.

[0164] Figure 10 The diagram shows the dummy's left arm 1000 and left hand 1002, illustrating the upper arm assembly 8, lower arm assembly 10, left elbow node 7, and left hand finger node 9. The left elbow node 7 is a point at the end 1004 of the lower arm assembly 10. The end of the lower arm assembly 10 represents the elbow. The left hand finger node 9 refers to a point on one of the dummy's fingers, such as the point on the dummy's little finger (or pinky finger).

[0165] Figure 11 A method for positioning the dummy's hand is shown. The following operations can be performed iteratively.

[0166] At 1100, Figure 3 The arm and hand positioning module 306 determines whether the dummy's current pelvic angle is set for the target backtracking distance. If so, operation 1102 can be performed. At 1102, the arm and hand positioning module 306 determines the X coordinate of the left elbow node 7.

[0167] At 1104, the arm and hand positioning module 306 determines the position of the node (or point) on the test seat closest to the left elbow node 7. During operations 1102 and 1104, the intersection point can be determined based on the positions of the closest node and the left elbow node 7.

[0168] At 1106, the arm and hand positioning module 306 rotates the dummy's left upper arm assembly 8. At 1108, the arm and hand positioning module 306 determines whether the upper arm assembly 8 is in contact with the seat back with the current retraction distance. If not, operation 1110 can be performed; otherwise, operation 1116 can be performed.

[0169] At 1110, the arm and hand positioning module 306 determines whether the upper arm assembly 8 intersects (contacts) with the seat back. If so, operation 1112 can be performed; otherwise, operation 1114 can be performed.

[0170] At 1112, the arm and hand positioning module 306 moves the upper arm assembly 8 clockwise by 0.5°. At 1114, the arm and hand positioning module 306 moves the upper arm assembly 8 counterclockwise by -0.5°. Operation 1106 can be performed after operations 1112 and 1114.

[0171] At position 1116, the arm and hand positioning module 306 rotates the left upper arm assembly 8. At position 1118, the arm and hand positioning module 306 fixes the orientation of the upper arm assembly 8.

[0172] At 1120, the arm and hand positioning module 306 rotates the left lower arm assembly 10 upward above the dummy's leg. At 1122, the arm and hand positioning module 306 rotates the left lower arm assembly 10 downward by 1°.

[0173] At 1124, the arm and hand positioning module 306 determines the orientation of the left hand finger node 9. At 1126, the arm and hand positioning module 306 determines whether the left lower arm assembly 10 is in contact with the seat cushion.

[0174] At position 1128, the arm and hand positioning module 306 stores the orientations of the left elbow node 7 and the left hand finger node 9 in the memory 204. These orientations can be stored as part of the positioning script in the positioning file.

[0175] Figure 12 The left leg 1200 and foot 1202 of the dummy are shown, and the heel node 11, upper leg assembly 12, lower leg assembly 13 and foot assembly 14 are illustrated. The heel node 11 refers to the point at the bottom edge 1204 of the heel of the foot assembly 14.

[0176] Figure 13 The method for determining the coordinates of point H and the change in backtracking distance is shown. The following operations can be performed iteratively.

[0177] At 1300, Figure 3 The dummy localization module 102 receives known Design of Experiment (DOE) data. The DOE data may include the dummy's H-point coordinates, backtracking distance, and the required (or target) initial pelvic angle.

[0178] At 1302, the dummy positioning module 102 alters the dummy in the tested seating system (e.g., Figure 1 The X-coordinate of point H of the dummy (106). The X-coordinate is changed based on the X-coordinate of point H indicated by the DOE data to match the X-coordinate of point H indicated by the DOE data.

[0179] At 1304, the dummy positioning module 102 changes the Z coordinate of the dummy's H point based on the Z coordinate of the H point indicated by the DOE data to match the Z coordinate of the H point indicated by the DOE data. At 1306, the dummy positioning module 102 changes the back-up distance based on the back-up distance indicated by the DOE data to match the back-up distance indicated by the DOE data.

[0180] Figure 14 A method for determining the initial backtracking distance, initial left elbow node orientation, initial left hand finger node orientation, and initial heel node orientation is shown. The following operations can be performed iteratively.

[0181] At 1400, the dummy positioning module 102 receives a standard dummy positioning model, which includes a set of standard positioning parameters, such as standard H-point coordinates, standard backtracking distance, and standard initial pelvic angle.

[0182] At 1402, the dummy positioning module 102 secures the dummy in the tested seating system (e.g., Figure 1 The initial backtracking distance of the dummy 106 is determined. At 1404, the dummy positioning module 102 determines the initial orientation of the left elbow node (e.g., node 7) based on the received standard positioning model.

[0183] At 1406, the dummy positioning module 102 determines the initial orientation of the left-hand finger node (e.g., node 9) based on the received standard positioning model. At 1408, the dummy positioning module 102 determines the initial orientation of the heel (e.g., node 11) based on the received standard positioning model.

[0184] Figure 15 A method for generating a changing dummy positioning model is illustrated, including determining a set of changing parameters for the dummy's changing orientation. The following operations can be performed iteratively.

[0185] At 1500, the variation module 310 loads the initial data and / or (one or more) models of the dummy and seating system under test. The loaded models (one or more) may include a standard dummy orientation model. The models (one or more) may include standard requirements and tolerances. At 1501, Figure 3 The change module 310 determines the required retraction distance based on the change in retraction distance and the initial retraction distance. At 1502, the change module 310 determines the required retraction distance based on the H-point coordinates of the dummy on the seat (e.g., after performing...). Figure 6 The final coordinates of the H point are determined by the changes in the H point's X and Z coordinates after operation 602 (the dummy's H point coordinates).

[0186] At position 1504, the transformation module 310 translates the dummy to the new H-point coordinates. At position 1506, the transformation module 310 uses the dummy with the new H-point coordinates to calculate the current backtracking distance.

[0187] At 1508, the variation module 310 calculates the required pelvic angle based on the required backtracking distance and the current backtracking distance as described above. At 1510, the variation module 310 calculates the head rotation angle. At 1512, the variation module 310 calculates the head translation along the X-axis. At 1514, the variation module 310 exports and / or stores the head rotation angle and the head translation along the X-axis into the dummy positioning script.

[0188] At position 1516, the variation module 310 positions the left upper arm assembly 8 based on the initial orientation of the left elbow node 7 and the hand positioning. At position 1518, the variation module 310 positions the left lower arm assembly based on the initial orientation of the left hand finger nodes.

[0189] At 1520, the transformation module 310 links the upper leg assembly, lower leg assembly, and foot assembly. At 1522, the transformation module 310 sets the control point to heel node 11. At 1524, the transformation module 310 translates heel node 11 to its initial orientation. At 1526, the transformation module 310 determines the current upper leg assembly angle relative to the horizontal reference line. At 1528, the transformation module 310 exports and / or saves the current upper leg assembly angle to the dummy positioning script.

[0190] At 1530, the variation module 310 copies all component values ​​from the dummy's left leg to the right, including matching the orientation of the right leg component to the orientation of the left leg component. This may also include setting the gap between the knees of the dummy's leg components. Figure 16 The figure shows an example gap K between the knees 1600 of the dummy 1602.

[0191] At 1532, the change module 310 saves one or more previously generated dummy positioning files (including parameters of the dummy in the tested seating system determined for the current changes to the dummy) in memory 204 to a new and / or corresponding directory. At 1534, the change module 310 deletes the changed dummy positioning model (or...) generated for the current session from the local memory of the control module 202. Figure 15 (The method iterates). At 1536, if another model and a set of dummy orientation parameters are to be generated, the variation module 310 loads the initial data and / or one or more models of the dummy and seat system under test and returns to operation 1501 (as shown in the figure); otherwise, the method terminates. The loaded model(s) may include a standard dummy orientation model. The model(s) may include standard requirements and tolerances.

[0192] The above operations are intended as illustrative examples. Depending on the application, operations may be performed sequentially, synchronously, simultaneously, continuously, during overlapping time periods, or in different orders. Furthermore, depending on the implementation method and / or the sequence of events, any operation may be omitted or skipped.

[0193] The examples provided in this article include a dummy positioning module that performs dummy back localization in a virtual CAE environment. This may involve positioning the dummy's torso by changing the pelvic angle. This angle can be adjusted to control the dummy's backlash distance setting. The dummy positioning module (or tool) calculates the backlash distance as the distance between a reference node at the back of the dummy's head and a point on the skin of the headrest of the tested seat. The tool calculates the pelvic angle required relative to the seat to achieve the desired backlash distance.

[0194] When the dummy's head is not level, the tool also performs head leveling. Head leveling involves changing the dummy's pelvic angle and calculating the required pelvic angle to level the dummy's head relative to a horizontal reference line based on reference nodes within the dummy's head. After head leveling, incremental backoff distances are achieved through head translation.

[0195] The tool also performs hand positioning, including placing the dummy's hand next to the dummy's legs and close to the seat surface. The tool calculates the upper arm assembly angle β such that the upper arm assembly is in contact with the seat back, and then calculates the lower arm assembly angle α such that the hand descends close to the seat surface. Angles β and α are as follows: Figure 10 As shown. Angle β can be the angle between the vertical reference line and the center line of the upper arm assembly. Angle α can be the angle between the horizontal reference line and the center line of the lower arm assembly. Standard angles are used to keep the dummy's palm facing sideways.

[0196] This tool can also be used to study dummy orientation changes, recording the initial retraction distance and the intersection (contact point) between the upper leg and seat components using reference nodes. After changing the dummy's H-point, the tool repositions the dummy's pelvis and head according to the DOE retraction distance requirements. The tool can also reposition the dummy's hands and legs to maintain a standard orientation on the seat.

[0197] The examples disclosed herein provide a tool for automatically positioning dummies (e.g., BioRID dummies, such as BioRID II) on a seating system and in a virtual CAE environment, based on and / or according to consumer indicators and physical test setups. These examples include a tool that can determine a set of parameters used to simulate variations in physical testing. The tool is configured to create multiple sets of parameters for multiple different orientations of the dummy based on DOE data. This helps to identify physical variations associated with the physical testing.

[0198] This tool is configured to automatically perform the following operations, unique to the BioRID dummy: back positioning according to the corresponding backlash distance; head leveling; hand positioning; and dummy orientation change generation. This tool helps set up load conditions for different rows of seating systems and corresponding occupants in vehicles, relevant to various federal requirements. It is capable of identifying physical changes during testing within a virtual CAE environment.

[0199] The example disclosed in this paper positions an occupant (or dummy) in a seating system based on consumer metrics physical testing with minimal user input. No specific expertise is required to use this tool. The tool minimizes the time and effort spent positioning the dummy in the seating system according to CAE settings. This tool is useful at every stage of the development process and minimizes manual work. Because the tool facilitates the generation of varied positioning parameter sets and test sets, at least some physical testing can be eliminated, and the amount of hardware used for physical testing can be reduced. Tests can be performed 100% virtually. The tool achieves user-to-user standardization when setting up dummy positioning.

[0200] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. The broad teachings of this disclosure can be implemented in many forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, its true scope should not be so limited, as other modifications will become apparent upon examination of the drawings, specification, and appended claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, while each embodiment is described above as having specific features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of this disclosure may be implemented in any other embodiment and / or combined with features of any other embodiment, even if such combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the arrangement of one or more embodiments with respect to each other remains within the scope of this disclosure.

[0201] Spatial and functional relationships between components (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including “connection,” “joint,” “coupled,” “proximity,” “adjacent,” “on top of,” “above,” “below,” and “set.” Unless explicitly stated as “direct,” the relationship between the first and second components described in the above disclosure can be a direct relationship, where no other intermediate components exist between the first and second components, but it can also be an indirect relationship, where one or more intermediate components exist (spatially or functionally) between the first and second components. As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” should be interpreted as meaning logically (A or B or C) using the non-exclusive logical “OR,” and should not be interpreted as meaning “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

[0202] In the accompanying drawings, the direction of the arrows, as indicated by the arrows, typically illustrates the flow of information (e.g., data or instructions) of interest to the illustration. For example, when components A and B exchange various types of information, but the information transmitted from component A to component B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow can point from component A to component B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from component B to component A. Furthermore, for information sent from component A to component B, component B can send a request for or confirmation of receipt of that information to component A.

[0203] In this application, including the following definitions, the term "module" or "controller" may be replaced by the term "circuit". The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or include the following: application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); digital, analog, or mixed-signal analog / digital discrete circuit; digital, analog, or mixed-signal analog / digital integrated circuit; combinational logic circuit; field-programmable gate array (FPGA); processor circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes code; memory circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that stores code executed by the processor circuitry; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or combinations of some or all of the foregoing, such as in a system-on-a-chip.

[0204] This module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof. The functionality of any given module of this disclosure can be distributed among multiple modules connected via the interface circuits. For example, multiple modules can allow for load balancing. In a further example, a server (also referred to as a remote or cloud) module may perform some functions on behalf of a client module.

[0205] The term "code" as used above can include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and can refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and / or objects. The term "shared processor circuit" covers a single processor circuit that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group processor circuit" covers a processor circuit that, in conjunction with additional processor circuitry, executes some or all of the code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor circuits cover multiple processor circuits on discrete dies, multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor circuit, or a combination of the above. The term "shared memory circuit" covers a single memory circuit that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group memory circuit" covers a memory circuit that, in conjunction with additional memory, stores some or all of the code from one or more modules.

[0206] The term "memory circuit" is a subset of the term "computer-readable medium." As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" does not cover transient electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); therefore, the term "computer-readable medium" can be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory, tangible computer-readable media are non-volatile memory circuits (such as flash memory circuits, erasable programmable read-only memory circuits, or mask read-only memory circuits), volatile memory circuits (such as static random access memory circuits or dynamic random access memory circuits), magnetic storage media (such as analog or digital magnetic tape or hard disk drives), and optical storage media (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs).

[0207] The apparatus and methods described in this application can be implemented, in part or in whole, by a special-purpose computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to execute one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. The aforementioned function blocks, flowchart components, and other elements serve as a software specification that can be routinely translated into a computer program by a skilled technician or programmer.

[0208] A computer program includes processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. A computer program may also include or depend on stored data. A computer program may encompass a basic input / output system (BIOS) that interacts with the hardware of a special-purpose computer, device drivers that interact with specific devices of the special-purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc.

[0209] Computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation); (ii) assembly code; (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler; (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter; (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time (JIT) compiler; and so on. As an example only, source code can be written using syntax from languages ​​including: C, C++, C#, Objective C, Swift, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, etc. Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th Edition), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Visual Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK and

Claims

1. A seat testing system, comprising: At least one of an interface and a control module configured to receive input; The dummy positioning module is configured to: i) position a humanoid test device (ATD) in a seating system to be tested in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment; ii) access target parameters including the input; and iii) determine, based on the target parameters, multiple parameters indicating the positioning of the ATD in the seating system. as well as The simulation evaluation module is configured to: i) run the ATD and the seating system by simulating a collision in a virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the plurality of parameters, and ii) generate a rating for the seating system based on the results of the simulation.

2. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein the input includes at least one of the following: user input, experimental design input, and consumer indicators of physical settings.

3. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein the ATD is a bio-realistic rear-impact dummy.

4. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured to automatically position the ATD in the seat system in the virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the target parameters, wherein the target parameters include consumer indicator physical test setting parameters.

5. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein: The dummy localization module is configured to compare one or more of the plurality of parameters with the target parameters, and based on the comparison, adjust one or more of the plurality of parameters to generate a plurality of updated parameters, the updated parameters including one or more of the adjusted plurality of parameters and other parameters among the plurality of parameters; and The simulation evaluation module is configured to run the ATD and the seating system by simulating the collision in the virtual computer-aided engineering environment based on the multiple updated parameters.

6. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein: The target parameters include the required H-point coordinates, the required retraction distance, and the initial pelvic angle; and The parameters include the updated pelvic angle, head rotation angle, and head translation orientation.

7. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured as follows: Position the ATD's torso and set the ATD's retraction distance by changing the ATD's pelvic angle until the retraction distance matches the target retraction distance; and The retraction distance of the ATD is calculated by determining the distance between the retraction distance node at the rear of the ATD's head and the front surface of the skin of the headrest of the seat system. The parameters mentioned include the calculated backoff distance.

8. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured as follows: The orientation of the ATD head is determined based on the orientation of multiple reference nodes in the head. In response to determining that the head is not level, the current pelvic angle of the ATD is changed and a pelvic angle that can level the head is determined. as well as After leveling the head, the ATD's back-off distance is adjusted by translating the head to achieve the target back-off distance.

9. The seat testing system according to claim 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured as follows: Place ATD's hands next to ATD's legs and close to the surface of the seating system; Calculate the upper arm assembly angle, wherein the upper arm assembly contacts the seat back of the seating system; and Calculate the lower arm assembly angle to lower the ATD's hand close to the surface of the seating system. The parameters mentioned include the upper arm assembly angle and the lower arm assembly angle.

10. The seat testing system of claim 1, wherein the dummy positioning module is configured to, after adjusting the H-point of the ATD to the standard H-point coordinates: Position the pelvis and head according to the required retraction distance; and Position the ATD's hands and legs to maintain the ATD's standard orientation on the seating system. The parameters mentioned include the ATD results for pelvic angle, head rotation angle and orientation, and the position of hands and legs.

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