Anthropomorphic Test Device Neck Bracket for Reclined Postures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anthropomorphic test device (ATD) designs are inadequate for simulating human-like spine curvature in various seating postures beyond the standard driving posture, particularly in reclined positions, due to the complexity of human body structure and muscle function, limiting their applicability in alternative seating arrangements for autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A neck bracket assembly for ATDs, featuring a spine assembly with a pivot mechanism and a wedge-shaped configuration, allowing the neck and head assemblies to pivot relative to the spine assembly, enabling accurate positioning in both normal and super-reclined seating postures by adjusting the head and neck positions to simulate human-like responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a human-like spine is used to form the shape of the human body in various seating packages, then the simulation accuracy of human body structure is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the complexity of human body structure and muscle function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simplified surrogate spine assembly that copies the essential functional characteristics of the human spine without replicating its full anatomical complexity. The pivot joints and wedge-shaped configurations replicate the curvature and movement capabilities of the human spine in different seating postures, achieving accurate simulation while maintaining manageable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable pivot joints and wedge-shaped configurations that can be modified to match different spinal angles and curvatures. By changing the parameters of the pivot joints (rotation angles, positions) and wedge shapes, the system can accurately simulate human spine behavior across multiple seating packages without requiring a completely complex anatomical replica
2Ease of manufacture
If pivot joints are introduced to allow bending the spine in limited range of motion, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different seating postures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surrogate spine assembly with pivot joints and wedge-shaped configurations is designed to perform multiple functions across different seating packages. The same basic structure can be adjusted to simulate standard driving posture, reclined passenger posture, and various autonomous vehicle seating arrangements, making the system universally applicable without requiring separate designs for each posture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the pivot joints, allowing the spine assembly to transition between different ranges of motion and angular configurations. This enables the same manufactured component to adapt to multiple seating postures by adjusting the pivot joint positions and orientations, rather than requiring fixed, posture-specific designs
3Manufacturing precision
If the ATD is designed for standard driving posture with seatback angle at 23 degrees, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to reclined occupant seating postures with seatback angles up to 60 degrees deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spine assembly is segmented into multiple sections with individual pivot joints, allowing each segment to be independently positioned and angled. This segmentation enables precise manufacturing of each individual component while allowing the overall assembly to be configured for different seatback angles and postures by adjusting the relative positions of the segments
Data Source
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AI summary
An anthropomorphic test device includes a spine assembly defining a spinal axis; a neck assembly coupled to a head assembly; and a neck bracket assembly coupling the neck assembly to the spine assembly. The neck bracket assembly has a base secured to the spine assembly with a base plane transverse to the spinal axis and a mount secured to the neck assembly and coupled to the base with the spinal axis passing through said mount. A pivot mechanism is secured to the base and mount with the neck and head assemblies pivoting relative to the base and spine assembly in a plurality of head positions. The mount has upper and lower surfaces angled to each other with one of the upper and lower surfaces being positioned at an angle relative to the base plane in all of the plurality of head positions.