Seat Belt Test Rig With Movable Impact Unit for Compact Load Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test rigs for seat belt systems face a conflict between achieving a compact design and the ability to simulate multiple arrangement variants and load scenarios, with most compact designs limiting the number of scenarios and variants they can accommodate.
Innovation Solution
A test rig with a horizontally movable impact unit supported by a linear guide, a controlled linear drive unit, and a holding unit that can be fixed or connected to the drive unit via a drive interface, allowing for various load scenarios and arrangement variants, using a modular test mass and wrapping elements to simulate real-world interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a test rig is designed to simulate multiple arrangement variants and load scenarios, then the universality and testing capability are improved, but the space required and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test rig employs a movable impact unit that can be dynamically repositioned along a linear guide to simulate different arrangement variants. The impact unit's position and orientation can be changed without permanently reconfiguring the entire test rig, enabling multiple testing scenarios within a compact footprint. The linear drive unit provides programmable motion control to achieve various load scenarios through dynamic movement rather than static reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The test rig is designed with a universal holding unit that can accommodate different seat belt system configurations. The impact unit can be driven to different positions and orientations to apply loads in various directions, allowing the same physical apparatus to test multiple arrangement variants (e.g., B pillar installation, backrest installation) and different load scenarios without requiring separate dedicated test stations for each configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a test rig is designed to simulate multiple arrangement variants and load scenarios, then the universality and testing capability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test rig is divided into distinct functional modules: a base unit, a linear guide, a movable impact unit, and a holding unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall versatility. The impact unit's ability to move along the linear guide and be positioned at different locations creates testing variability without requiring the entire system to be complex or reconfigurable.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear guide acts as an intermediary mechanism between the stationary base and the movable impact unit. It provides a controlled path for movement, enabling the impact unit to achieve various positions and orientations while maintaining structural simplicity. The linear drive unit serves as another intermediary, providing programmable motion control to translate digital commands into physical movements for simulating different load scenarios.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact test rig design is used, then the floor space is reduced, but the number of arrangement variants and load scenarios that can be realized is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compact test rig achieves high versatility through dynamic movement of the impact unit along the linear guide. By programming the linear drive unit to move the impact unit to different positions, orientations, and velocities, a wide range of load scenarios can be simulated within a small physical footprint. The same compact apparatus can test multiple arrangement variants by dynamically repositioning the impact unit rather than requiring multiple static test stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The test rig utilizes the linear dimension provided by the linear guide to create testing variability. Instead of expanding horizontally with multiple fixed test stations, the system moves the impact unit along a linear path, effectively using one dimension of motion to achieve what would otherwise require multiple spatial locations. This allows compact design while maintaining the ability to simulate various arrangement variants and load scenarios.
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 test rig achieves realistic simulation of seat belt system interactions while maintaining a compact design, enabling a wide range of load scenarios and arrangement variants, including complex scenarios like those involving pre-safe devices and belt tensioners.
Implementation Method 1
the impact unit is supported, in the operating state of the test rig, to be substantially horizontally movable on the test rig base via a linear guide
Implementation Method 2
a controlled linear drive unit comprising a drive interface... the impact unit is drivingly connectable rigidly to the linear drive unit via the drive interface
Implementation Method 3
an impact unit configured to apply dynamic load to a seat belt system to be tested
Implementation Method 4
take the reaction of the seat belt system, particularly in interaction with elasticity and inertia, into account via the impact unit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a test rig (10) for testing a seat belt system and/or for testing components of a seat belt system. Said test rig (10) comprises a test rig base (12), a holding unit (18) for mounting a seat belt system to be tested and/or components to be tested of a seat belt system, an impact unit (16) configured to apply load to a seat belt system to be tested, and a linear drive unit (20). The invention further presents a test setup comprising such test rig (10). In addition, the invention provides a method for operating such test rig (10).