CRASH TEST BUILDING

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crash test setup (10) for determining the acceleration forces acting on a dummy (16) with dummy body parts (18) in a simulated vehicle interior (20). A linear slide (12) is provided which can be moved along a linear guide by a drive in order to simulate an impact by acceleration. At least one or more dummy body parts (18) are attached to the linear slide (12) itself.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a crash test setup for determining the acceleration forces acting on a dummy with dummy body parts in a simulated vehicle interior.

[0002] Previous crash test rigs utilize so-called pole test setups to evaluate safety aspects. In this setup, a vehicle or a mock-up is typically mounted on a movable carriage and accelerated toward an obstacle using a drive system, such as a cable pull. The effects of the impact are then evaluated on dummies placed inside the vehicle.

[0003] To test various safety aspects, test sequences must be repeated numerous times. For example, changes to the vehicle interior may require a change in the folding configuration of an airbag to ensure it deploys correctly when needed. However, each run typically results in the destruction or damage of the components involved. This prevents the reuse of the components involved. Furthermore, a new vehicle or mock-up must be correctly positioned for subsequent runs, which is time-consuming. As a result, such pole test setups (also called sled test setups) are time-consuming, costly, and, due to the nature of the underlying test procedure, have only limited environmental impact.

[0004] There is therefore a need to provide a crash test setup that enables more efficient test procedures.

[0005] The objective technical problem to be solved can be seen as eliminating or at least mitigating the disadvantages of the state of the art. In particular, the problem can be seen as providing a crash test setup that allows individual test runs to be completed in shorter time intervals, allows for the reusability of a larger number of components involved, and thus enables cost savings in the implementation of the underlying test procedures.

[0006] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent patent claims and the following description, each of which, individually or in (sub)combination, may represent aspects of the invention.

[0007] According to one aspect, a crash test setup is provided for determining the acceleration forces acting on a dummy with dummy body parts in a simulated vehicle interior. A linear slide is provided, which can be moved along a linear guide by a drive to simulate an impact by acceleration. At least one or more dummy body parts are locked to the linear slide itself.

[0008] This means that the effects of an impact on a dummy can be tested without requiring an entire vehicle or a significant part of it. Rather, only the interior of the vehicle needs to be simulated. Furthermore, at least one dummy body part is firmly locked, i.e. mounted, on the linear slide. This allows the corresponding dummy body part to be deflected as needed to simulate a desired impact sequence. This distinguishes the present crash test setup from a conventional pole test setup. In a pole test setup, the entire slide must be moved or accelerated against an obstacle. This causes a force to act on the vehicle or its parts, which in turn is transmitted to the dummy mounted on it. In other words, in a classic pole test setup, the dummy is only indirectly coupled to the linear slide.However, this requires a new, undamaged vehicle or at least new, undamaged underlying vehicle components for each impact event. This makes the pile test setup cost-intensive and complex. In contrast, in this case, a vehicle can be avoided entirely. Since only a vehicle interior is simulated, the setup is simplified compared to a classic pile test setup, thus enabling cost savings. Furthermore, the quantity of consumed components is reduced. This means that the relative proportion of reusable components is increased compared to a classic pile test setup. Nevertheless, despite the absence of a vehicle, the crash test setup is configured to reproduce the body dummy kinematics of a classic sled test setup.In other words, the dummy in this crash test setup behaves exactly as a dummy body would in a conventional pole test setup. This is ensured by the fact that at least one dummy body part is coupled to the linear slide.

[0009] The dummy body part(s) are directly coupled to the linear slide. This means that the dummy is not mounted on a vehicle or vehicle part that is itself coupled to the linear slide, but rather, at least one dummy body part is directly coupled to the linear slide. An indirect force transmission path to the dummy, as in a classic pile test setup, can thus be avoided. This advantageously creates direct effects on the dummy that can be verified.

[0010] Preferably, the drive is arranged and configured to move, in particular accelerate, the linear carriage along the linear guide abruptly, i.e., suddenly or abruptly. This allows impact events with different speeds and accelerations to be simulated.

[0011] Optionally, at least one dummy body part is secured to the linear slide via a bearing. The bearing allows the dummy body part to move relative to the linear slide. This ensures more realistic movement of the corresponding dummy body part.

[0012] Preferably, the dummy body parts comprise at least one dummy thorax. The dummy thorax is then locked to the linear carriage. Furthermore, one or more of the following dummy body parts are movably attached to the dummy thorax: a dummy head, a dummy arm, and a dummy pelvis. This allows a realistic image of a human body to be reproduced, and the effects of the simulated impact on all major extremities and body parts of the human body can be tested.

[0013] In some embodiments, dummy body parts are coupled together, at least in pairs, by means of springs and / or joint devices. This enables movements of the coupled dummy body parts relative to each other. This allows the dummy's movement pattern to be even more closely aligned with reality.

[0014] The dummy is preferably not a complete dummy that replicates all body parts, but only includes some body parts

[0015] Optionally, the springs are designed in such a way and have such a spring constant that the effects of the simulated impact event on the dummy correspond to the realistic movement pattern of a human body.

[0016] Preferably, the dummy thorax is coupled to the linear slide via a pivot bearing and / or a damper spring. A pivot bearing can, in particular, enable mobility around a rotation axis determined by the pivot bearing. The damper spring can be used to adjust the amplitude of the dummy thorax's movement in response to a force and to ensure a realistic movement pattern of the dummy thorax. The thorax of a human body exhibits a certain deflection depending on the force acting on it. This deflection can be realistically simulated by the damper spring.

[0017] Optionally, the pivot bearing is effective within an angular range of 0° to ±30° relative to a horizontal plane. This means that, viewed from the front, the dummy's thorax can be pivoted within this angular range around an imaginary longitudinal axis of the simulated vehicle interior using the pivot bearing. This is particularly advantageous for simulating side impact events. Preferably, the pivot bearing can also be effective within an angular range of 0° to ±20° relative to a horizontal plane.

[0018] In some embodiments, the dummy thorax is coupled to the linear slide at the dummy's shoulder height. This allows, in particular, the impact of a vehicle pillar, for example, the B-pillar, on the dummy thorax to be simulated.

[0019] Optionally, the swivel bearing is positioned at the dummy's shoulder height. The relative weight of the human head allows for realistic movement patterns to be simulated when a force is applied at shoulder height, for example, by a vehicle pillar, especially the B-pillar.

[0020] Preferably, the damper spring is mounted at a first end on the dummy thorax and at a second end on the linear slide, extending diagonally downward from the thorax-side end to the linear slide. Alternatively, the damper spring can also be locked at the thorax-side end to the pivot bearing, which can be firmly coupled to the dummy thorax. This arrangement of the damper spring ensures rotation of the dummy thorax relative to the linear slide as needed, replicating the natural movement of a human thorax.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pivot bearing is positioned in a middle, lateral third of the dummy's thorax, as seen in frontal view. This allows rotation of the dummy's thorax around a central axis of the dummy, consistent with the natural movement of the human body during a side impact.

[0022] Optionally, the dummy body parts comprise at least a dummy thorax and a dummy pelvis. In this case, the dummy pelvis can be connected to the dummy thorax exclusively via at least one spring. Preferably, several springs can also be provided for coupling the dummy pelvis to the dummy thorax. For example, three springs can be provided for coupling the dummy pelvis to the dummy thorax. The at least one spring can enable a realistic relative movement between the dummy thorax and the dummy pelvis. Due to the springs, the dummy pelvis can have a limited linear and rotational freedom of movement with respect to the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system defined by the simulated vehicle interior.

[0023] Preferably, a vertically extending driver surface is arranged on the linear slide next to a dummy head for driving the dummy head when the linear slide accelerates. In other words, the driver surface can be spaced so small from the dummy head that the driver surface deflects the dummy head when the linear slide accelerates. The driver surface can prevent the dummy head from being deflected while the linear slide is being accelerated to simulate a predefined force acting on the dummy thorax. This allows the point of application of the force simulated by the linear slide to be realistically represented.

[0024] In some embodiments, a vehicle seat is attached to the crash test setup, on which the dummy rests. The linear carriage is moved relative to the stationary vehicle seat. This allows the natural positioning of the human body within a vehicle to be realistically reproduced. In particular, the boundary conditions on the dummy, which are ensured by the vehicle seat, can also be simulated. In addition, the impact event can also be examined with regard to other aspects, for example, the effects of the impact on an airbag arranged relative to the vehicle seat.

[0025] Optionally, the dummy is mounted on the vehicle seat, specifically with a seat belt. This allows the effects of a seat belt to be taken into account when assessing the impact event.

[0026] Because the dummy is coupled to the linear slide, in some embodiments the dummy can be moved from the outside into the simulated vehicle interior and aligned, for example, rotated, according to the crash test setup. This also allows the crash test setup with the linear slide and the dummy coupled to it to be pushed laterally into real vehicle interiors and positioned there. This allows, for example, a test to be conducted to determine whether the simulated vehicle interior and a real vehicle interior exhibit the same effects in corresponding simulated impact events.

[0027] The crash test setup is preferably a side-crash simulation test setup. In this case, the linear slide can be moved at least partially laterally relative to the dummy. "Partially laterally" here means that the linear slide is accelerated or moved at least not exclusively in the longitudinal direction of the simulated vehicle relative to a front view of the dummy. This means that at least one velocity component of the linear slide's linear movement is arranged along the transverse axis of the simulated vehicle. Side-crash simulation tests are approval-relevant test setups, but they are costly and time-consuming. The present crash test setup allows for cost savings by allowing components to be reused and simplifying the test setup compared to a conventional pole test setup.

[0028] In some embodiments, the side crash simulation test setup is configured to simulate a side impact from a vehicle side remote from the dummy. The linear slide can be moved from the vehicle side closest to the dummy toward the vehicle side remote from the dummy. For example, a cable pull arrangement can be used to move the linear slide in such a way that an impact from the vehicle side remote from the dummy can be simulated. This allows predefined test scenarios to be implemented.

[0029] Optionally, the linear slide can be moved along a first travel direction that forms an angle of substantially 90° relative to the front direction of the dummy. Additionally, the linear slide can be moved at least along a second travel direction that forms an angle greater than 60°, preferably greater than 75°, relative to the front direction of the dummy. The front direction of the dummy can coincide with the longitudinal direction of the simulated vehicle, particularly when the dummy is arranged in a forward direction. This means that the linear slide is configured to also perform oblique movements, thereby simulating a correspondingly oblique force acting on the dummy. This allows various test scenarios to be implemented to verify the corresponding effects on the dummy.

[0030] The invention, as well as further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof, are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features shown in the description and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. They show: - Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a crash test setup according to the invention, - Fig. 2 a further schematic representation of a crash test setup according to the invention, and - Fig. 3 a schematic plan view of a crash test setup according to the invention.

[0031] All features disclosed below with respect to the embodiments and / or the accompanying figures may be combined alone or in any sub-combination with features of the aspects of the present disclosure, including features of preferred embodiments, provided that the resulting combination of features is meaningful to a person skilled in the art.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a crash test setup 10 according to the invention.

[0033] The crash test setup 10 comprises a linear slide 12 that is movably mounted in a rail frame 14. By means of a drive, the linear slide 12 can be moved, in particular accelerated, relative to the rail frame 14.

[0034] The crash test setup 10 further comprises a dummy 16 with dummy body parts 18. The dummy 16 is not a complete dummy that replicates all body parts, but rather comprises only some body parts, which makes it significantly more cost-effective.

[0035] The crash test setup 10 also includes a simulated vehicle interior 20 in which the dummy 16 is arranged.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the dummy body parts 18 comprise at least one dummy thorax 22 coupled to the linear carriage 12. In other words, at least one dummy body part 18 is coupled to the linear carriage 12, here the dummy thorax 22.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a further schematic representation of a crash test setup 10 according to the invention.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the dummy 16 comprises several dummy body parts 18, here a dummy thorax 22, a dummy head 24, a singular dummy arm 26 and a dummy pelvis 28.

[0039] The dummy body parts 18 are coupled together in pairs. Joint devices 30 and / or springs 32 are used for this purpose, see Fig. 2. The joint devices 30 and / or the springs 32 are configured in such a way, for example, they have such spring constants that the natural movement pattern of the human body is simulated by the dummy 16.

[0040] For example, the dummy pelvis 28 is coupled to the dummy thorax 22 by means of three parallel springs 32. In contrast, the dummy pelvis 26 is coupled to the dummy thorax 22 via a joint device 30.

[0041] The linear slide 12 comprises a base section 34 and a punch section 36 extending therefrom. In a plan view, the punch section 36 forms the vertical line of a "T" shape, while the base section 34 forms the horizontal line. This means that the punch section 36 extends from a central region of the base section 34.

[0042] The base section 34 has two distal end sections 38 with respective end surfaces. In the region of the end surfaces, the base section 34 has a plurality of sliding devices 40, which are configured to correspond to a rail system of the rail frame 14. Using the sliding devices 40, the linear carriage 12 is linearly displaceable along the travel direction 42, in particular relative to the rail frame 14 on which it is movably mounted. Instead of sliding devices, rolling elements can of course also be provided here.

[0043] The crash test setup 10 further comprises a pivot bearing 44 at the free end of the stamping section 36, via which the dummy 16 is coupled to the linear slide 12 at shoulder height of the dummy 16. The pivot bearing 44 is arranged in a middle third of the dummy thorax 22 with respect to the horizontal extent of the simulated thorax of the dummy thorax 22. In particular, the pivot bearing 44 is mechanically coupled to a front plate 46 of an end of the stamping section 36 opposite the base section 34. The pivot bearing 44 enables rotation of the dummy thorax 22 about the rotation axis 48 relative to the stamping section 36 of the linear slide 12 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the front view in Fig. 2.

[0044] As a result, the dummy 16, in particular the dummy thorax 22, is directly coupled to the linear slide 12 via the pivot bearing 44.

[0045] The dummy thorax 22 comprises a lateral, fictitious upper third of the body and an upper chest region, which is formed by a U-shaped plate, i.e., a pivoting support part 45. The support part 45 surrounds a carriage-fixed part 47, here a tube, which is permanently connected to a flange plate 49, which in turn is detachably mounted on the front plate 46. The support part is connected to the carriage-fixed part via the pivot bearing 44.

[0046] Additionally, the dummy thorax 22 is coupled to the flange plate by means of the damper spring 50. For this purpose, a slide-side end 52 of the damper spring 50 is coupled to the front plate 46 of the linear slide 12. An opposite thorax-side end 54 of the damper spring 50 is coupled to the dummy-side mounting part. Thus, the thorax-side end 54 of the damper spring 50 is also directly coupled to the dummy thorax 22.

[0047] The dummy itself can thus be exchanged as a unit with the sled-fixed part and the flange plate (interface) from the rest of the crash test setup 10 for another dummy including the sled-fixed part and the flange plate.

[0048] The linear slide 12 can now be moved relative to the rail frame 14 along the travel direction 42, in particular accelerated, by a drive. Since the linear slide 12 engages the dummy thorax 22 from the side, moving the linear slide 12 results in a lateral force acting on the dummy 16. This allows side impact events to be simulated on the dummy 16.

[0049] The "lateral" here refers to a front view of the dummy 16. This means that the force exerted by the linear slide 12 has at least a lateral component with respect to the transverse direction of the dummy 16 defined by the front view of the dummy 16. Typically, the dummy 16 is arranged and configured such that the front view of the dummy 16 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the simulated vehicle interior 20. In this respect, the impact event simulates a side impact along a transverse axis of the simulated vehicle interior 20.

[0050] For example, a cable mechanism can be used as a drive for the linear slide 12.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a crash test setup 10 according to the invention.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the crash test setup 10 also includes a plurality of vehicle seats 56. The dummy 16 is arranged on a vehicle seat 56 and secured by a seat belt 58.

[0053] In the embodiment shown here, the simulated vehicle interior 20 is aligned along the longitudinal axis 60 of a simulated vehicle. The vehicle transverse axis 62 is aligned perpendicular to this.

[0054] The top view now shows that the linear slide 12 defines a force direction 64 along which a force is exerted on the dummy 16. The force direction 64 does not necessarily have to coincide with the vehicle's transverse axis 62. An angle 66 between the force direction 64 and the vehicle's transverse axis 62 can encompass an angular range of 0 to ±30° with respect to the vehicle's transverse axis 62. Thus, the crash test setup 10 can also simulate oblique impact events.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the crash test structure 10 also has a linear slide-side driver surface 68, which in the present case is attached to the support part and is part of an upwardly projecting extension and extends next to the dummy head 24, so that the dummy head 24 has contact with the driver surface 68 during the crash test and is influenced by it as in a pole test.

[0056] In general, the linear slide 12 can be used to simulate impact events on the dummy 16 both with respect to a vehicle side 70 remote from the dummy 16 and with respect to a vehicle side 72 close to the dummy 16.

[0057] For the simulation of an impact event with respect to the vehicle side 70 remote from the dummy 16, the linear slide 12 can be moved, for example, in the direction of the simulated vehicle interior 20.

[0058] To ensure the alignment of the dummy head 24 during the force applied to the dummy thorax 22 during the initial acceleration phase, the driver surface 68 is used in this case. Therefore, the driver surface 68 is arranged on the linear slide side relative to the dummy head 24. The distance between the driver surface 68 and the dummy head 24 is so small that the alignment of the dummy head 24 can be ensured during the acceleration phase of the linear slide 12.

[0059] Alternatively, the crash test setup 10 can also be used to simulate impact events on the dummy 16 with respect to the vehicle side 72 closest to the dummy 16. In this case, the driver surface 68 can be arranged on the side of the dummy head 24 remote from the linear slide. In this case, the linear slide 12 can be moved away from the simulated vehicle interior 20.

[0060] Alternatively, the linear slide 12 can also engage an opposite side of the dummy 16. For example, there can be essentially mirror-inverted arrangements of the dummy 16 relative to the linear slide 12, so that side impact events from opposite sides of the simulated vehicle interior 20 can be represented and investigated as needed.

Claims

[1] Crash test setup (10) for determining the acceleration forces acting on a dummy (16) with dummy body parts (18) in a simulated vehicle interior (20), wherein a linear slide (12) is provided which can be moved along a linear guide by a drive in order to simulate an impact by acceleration, wherein at least one or more dummy body parts (18) are locked on the linear slide (12) itself. [2] Crash test structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one dummy body part (18) is locked to the linear slide (12) via a bearing. [3] Crash test structure (10) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the dummy body parts (18) comprise at least one dummy thorax (22), that the dummy thorax (22) is locked to the linear slide (12), and that one or more of the following dummy body parts (18) are movably attached to the dummy thorax (22): a dummy head (24), a dummy arm (26) and a dummy pelvis (28). [4] Crash test structure (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the dummy thorax (22) is coupled to the linear slide (12) via a pivot bearing (44) and / or a damper spring (50). [5] Crash test structure (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by that the dummy thorax (22) is coupled to the linear slide (12) at a shoulder height of the dummy (16). [6] Crash test structure (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized bythat the damper spring (50) is mounted at a first end (54) on the dummy thorax (22) and at a second end (52) on the linear slide (12) and runs obliquely downwards from the thorax-side end (54) to the linear slide (12). [7] Crash test structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the dummy body parts (18) comprise at least one dummy thorax (22) and one dummy pelvis (28), and that the dummy pelvis (28) is connected to a dummy thorax (22) exclusively via at least one spring (32). [8] Crash test structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a vertically extending driver surface (68) is arranged on the linear slide (12) next to a dummy head (24) for driving the dummy head (24) when the linear slide (12) is accelerated. [9] Crash test structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a vehicle seat (56) is fastened to the crash test structure (10) on which the dummy (16) rests, wherein the linear slide (12) is movable relative to the spatially fixed vehicle seat (56). [10] Crash test structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the crash test setup (10) is a side crash simulation test setup and the linear slide (12) can be moved at least partially laterally to the dummy (16). [11] Crash test structure (10) according to claim 10, characterized by in that the side crash simulation test setup is set up to simulate a side impact from a vehicle side (70) remote from the dummy (16), wherein the linear slide (12) is movable from the vehicle side (72) close to the dummy (16) in the direction of the vehicle side (70) remote from the dummy (16). [12] Crash test structure (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized byin that the linear slide (12) is movable along a first travel direction (42) which encloses an angle of substantially 90° relative to the front direction of the dummy (16), wherein the linear slide (12) is movable at least along a second travel direction (42) which encloses an angle (66) which is greater than 60° relative to the front direction of the dummy (16).

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