Adaptive Vehicle Seat Energy Absorber for Impact Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock and vibration protection systems, particularly those using fixed profile energy absorbers, fail to adapt energy absorption to changing environmental conditions such as payload weight and impact severity, leading to inefficient energy use and potential harm to occupants or equipment during impact events.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the severity of an impact event using a priori estimates of impact acceleration pulse characteristics and payload information, combined with real-time dynamic motion data, to calculate and apply the necessary oppositional force through an adaptive energy absorption system, utilizing sensors and a controller to adjust the energy absorber's force levels in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed profile energy absorbers are used, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot adapt to changing payload weight or impact severity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) that dynamically adjusts its energy absorption characteristics in real-time based on measured impact conditions and payload weight. The system transitions from a static fixed profile absorber to a dynamic system where the load-stroke curve can be continuously modified through electronic control of damping elements, allowing adaptation to varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that measure impact velocity, acceleration, and payload weight, feeding this information to a controller that adjusts the energy absorber's profile accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adapt its energy absorption characteristics to match the actual impact severity and payload conditions.
2Ease of operation
If stiff fixed profile energy absorbers are used, then the system provides structural support, but the system does not stroke until load reaches tuned threshold providing little vibration isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The VPEA system dynamically adjusts its stiffness profile in real-time, transitioning from a stiff initial state to a softer, more compliant state as impact progresses. This allows the system to provide structural support during normal operation while enabling vibration isolation during impact events by continuously adapting the load-stroke curve.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of the energy absorber during operation, specifically adjusting the damping coefficient and stiffness characteristics based on measured impact conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize both structural support and vibration isolation performance across different operational phases.
3Reliability
If adaptive energy absorption systems react only to measured impact pulse, then the system responds to actual impact, but the system exhausts considerable stroke capability before making force adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of impact velocity and acceleration before the full impact occurs, allowing the controller to pre-adjust the energy absorber's profile in anticipation of the impact. This preliminary action enables the system to optimize its stroke utilization and begin force adjustments before the impact pulse reaches its peak, preserving stroke capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time feedback from sensors measuring impact velocity and acceleration allows the控制系统 to continuously monitor impact development and adjust the energy absorber profile dynamically throughout the impact event, optimizing stroke utilization and force application timing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If spring-return systems are used, then the system prepares for subsequent impacts, but the spring imparts return force proportional to stroking distance increasing payload load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spring-return mechanism with an active control system that uses electronically adjustable dampers and actuators to manage the recovery phase. This substitution eliminates the proportional return force characteristic of springs, allowing for more controlled and optimized force application during the recovery phase while maintaining system readiness for subsequent impacts.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. An alternate configuration of a dual-goal energy absorption system is also disclosed that enables both shock mitigation and vibration isolation.