Inflatable Mannequin Retainer for Collision Avoidance Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mannequins made of hard materials are damaged during collision avoidance performance tests, requiring extensive repair or replacement, making the testing process time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable model formed by bonding sheets into a hermetic bag with an upright posture retainer and engagement mechanism, allowing for adjustable posture and minimizing damage during collisions, while being radar-transparent to reduce sensor errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a hard material mannequin is used for collision avoidance performance tests, then the structural stability and posture maintenance are improved, but the damage to vehicle and mannequin during collision events increases, requiring frequent repairs or replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning the mannequin material from hard to soft/inflatable state. The inflatable mannequin maintains structural stability through air pressure while offering damage resistance due to its compliant nature, resolving the contradiction between posture stability and repair frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable mannequin serves as a disposable or easily replaceable test object. After collision damage, the entire mannequin can be replaced rather than repaired, significantly reducing repair time and labor costs while maintaining test validity
2Stability of the object's composition
If a hard material mannequin is used for collision avoidance performance tests, then the upright posture can be maintained, but the time required for repair or replacement increases, reducing testing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from solid hard material to inflatable soft material. This allows the mannequin to maintain upright posture through internal air pressure while enabling rapid replacement after collision, thereby improving testing efficiency without sacrificing posture stability
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable mannequin introduces dynamic characteristics by allowing posture adjustment through air pressure control. The mannequin can be inflated to various pressure levels to achieve different stiffness and posture configurations, optimizing both posture maintenance and replacement efficiency
3Ease of repair
If an inflatable mannequin is used instead of hard material, then damage during collision events is reduced, but the ability to maintain upright posture without additional support structures is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an upright posture retainer as an intermediary support structure. This retainer provides external support to the inflatable mannequin to maintain upright posture during testing, compensating for the inherent flexibility of the inflatable material while preserving its damage-resistant properties
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines inflatable material with rigid posture retainer structures to create a composite test object. The inflatable portion provides damage resistance while the rigid retainer portions provide posture stability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates collision avoidance performance tests by preventing damage to the vehicle and mannequin, reducing the need for frequent repairs and allowing for efficient testing with adjustable postures and reduced radar interference.
Implementation Method 1
allows a gas to be injected into the bag and expanded, thereby taking a shape resembling a human body
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable model includes an inflatable mannequin 10 placed on a carrier 20 and an upright posture retainer 30 for keeping the inflatable mannequin 10 upright on the carrier 20. The upright posture retainer 30 includes a carrier-side annular lock 32 provided to the carrier 20, an obstacle-side annular lock 33 provided to the inflatable mannequin 10, and a cord 34 connecting between the carrier-side annular lock 32 and the obstacle-side annular lock 33.