Omni-directional Shoulder Assembly for Crash Test Dummies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crash test dummies lack an omni-directional shoulder assembly that allows for human-like range of motion in all three axes, with stiff metal upper arm bones that restrict deformation and movement, failing to mimic human responses in vehicle crashes effectively.
Innovation Solution
An omni-directional shoulder assembly featuring non-rigidly mounted scapula and clavicle made of plastic materials, with a humerus bone attached via a ball joint, allowing for three-dimensional movement and simulating human skeletal weight and strength, enabling the shoulder assembly to mimic human responses in vehicle safety restraint systems during crashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a stiff metal upper arm bone is used, then the rib cage is protected from deformation, but the shoulder assembly cannot move in three-dimensional space and generates high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic for the humerus bone, and changes the structural parameter from rigid to flexible mounting for the scapula and clavicle. This allows the bone to maintain sufficient strength while enabling three-dimensional movement and reducing forces on the shoulder assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mounting mechanisms that allow the scapula and clavicle to move relative to the rib cage assembly. This dynamic configuration enables the shoulder assembly to adapt its position and orientation in three-dimensional space while maintaining rib cage protection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid shoulder assembly is used, then structural stability is maintained, but human-like range of motion in all three axes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shoulder assembly into separate movable components (scapula, clavicle, humerus) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall range of motion while maintaining structural stability through their interconnected design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables movement in all three spatial axes by allowing the scapula to move relative to the rib cage, the clavicle to move relative to the scapula, and the humerus to rotate in the ball joint. This multi-dimensional movement capability achieves human-like range of motion while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If metal bones are used, then skeletal strength is provided, but human skeletal weight and strength cannot be accurately mimicked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic for the humerus bone, which reduces the weight to more closely match human skeletal weight while maintaining sufficient strength through appropriate plastic material selection and structural design.
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
The omni-directional shoulder assembly provides a human-like range of motion in all three axes, enhancing the biofidelity of crash test dummies by allowing movement in three-dimensional space, thus better simulating human responses in vehicle crashes and improving the accuracy of vehicle safety testing.
Implementation Method 1
a humerus bone attached with a ball joint
Data Source
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AI summary
A shoulder assembly for a crash test dummy includes a movable clavicle adapted for attachment to a spine of the crash test dummy for freedom of movement in three-dimensional space, a scapula non-rigidly adapted mounted for attachment to the spine for freedom of movement in three-dimensional space, a shoulder cup member adapted for attachment to the spine in a plurality of axes for a shoulder joint, and an upper arm assembly having an arm bone made of a plastic material for operative attachment to the shoulder cup member to allow an impact on the shoulder of the dummy to move the shoulder assembly towards the spine.