Weight Sensing Energy Attenuator for Military Vehicle Seats
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Military vehicle seating systems face challenges in effectively attenuating the severity of under-vehicle blast-induced shock loads, as existing energy attenuators lack efficient mechanisms to sense occupant weight and adjust response characteristics dynamically.
Innovation Solution
A weight sensing energy attenuator system comprising a weight sensing portion and a deformable portion, configured to form a unitary or separate components, which includes a sensor to detect mechanical strain and transmit calibrated weight signals for adjusting the energy attenuator's response characteristics, allowing for dynamic adjustments to mitigate blast-induced shock loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing energy attenuators are used without weight sensing capability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different occupant weights is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The energy attenuator is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support component and a weight-sensing device. The deformable portion serves dual purposes of providing energy attenuation and transmitting mechanical strain to the sensor, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight sensing capability is merged directly into the energy attenuator structure. The sensor is integrated with the deformable portion such that the same structural element that deforms under load also transmits this deformation to the sensor, combining the attenuation and sensing functions into a single unified system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a weight sensing mechanism is added to the energy attenuator, then the adaptability to occupant weight is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the occupant's own weight to generate the sensing signal. The deformable portion naturally transmits the mechanical strain caused by the occupant's weight to the sensor without requiring external power sources or complex activation mechanisms, allowing the system to self-regulate based on the detected weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex electronic weight detection systems are replaced with a straightforward mechanical strain transmission mechanism. The deformable portion directly transmits mechanical strain to the sensor, eliminating the need for complex signal processing, power management, or additional mechanical linkages that would increase device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If the deformable portion is made more flexible to improve energy attenuation, then the energy attenuation performance is improved, but the strength to withstand static loads is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The energy attenuator is designed with dynamic response characteristics that allow it to exhibit different mechanical properties under different loading conditions. Under static loads, the deformable portion maintains sufficient rigidity to support the occupant weight, while under dynamic blast loads, it becomes more compliant to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The material or structural parameters of the deformable portion are optimized to change their effective properties based on the applied load magnitude. The structure is designed to remain relatively rigid under normal static conditions but transitions to a more flexible state under extreme dynamic loading, enabling both strength and energy attenuation performance.
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 system effectively attenuates blast-induced shock loads by dynamically adjusting its response based on occupant weight, ensuring proportional strain within material yield limits and maximizing energy attenuation during extreme loading conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor to detect mechanical strain and transmit calibrated weight signals
Implementation Method 2
effectively attenuates blast-induced shock loads by dynamically adjusting its response based on occupant weight, ensuring proportional strain within material yield limits
Implementation Method 3
ensuring proportional strain within material yield limits
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are provided for a vehicle seat weight detection system utilizing a metal deformation type energy attenuating device disposed in a load path between a seat and a vehicle structure. The energy attenuating device includes a weight sensing portion with a first end connected to one of the seat or vehicle structure, and a second end configured to transfer the seat weight load to a deformable portion of the energy attenuating device connected to the other of the seat and vehicle structure. An aperture in the weight sensing portion between the first and second ends divides a region adjacent the aperture into first and second sides. A slot intersecting the aperture and lying on a plane generally perpendicular to the load path divides the second side into upper and lower halves. A sensor on a surface of the first side of the weight sensing portion is configured to detect strain variations in the surface and produce a calibrated weight signal.