Biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus

Education and demonstration – Anatomy – physiology – therapeutic treatment – or surgery... – Anatomical representation

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C434S267000, C446S373000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206703

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus and, in particular, for biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus which simulate human loading on vehicle seats.
BACKGROUND ART
It is desirable to simulate the load distributions and histories experienced by automotive seats in field use. In carrying out this need, it is important to improve the predictive power of automotive seat durability testing by making it more representative of actual field use or more life-like.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,270 discloses a plastic material formed over inner components.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,777 discloses a urethane foam disposed over a simulated skeleton.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,127 discloses polyethylene sheet material surrounding a endoskeleton.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,381 discloses a lower leg cast of thermoplastic material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,707 discloses a simulated pregnant crash tested dummy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,303 discloses a simulated torso for testing seats, with the torso being mounted on a boom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,605 discloses a carpet wear testing machine that rolls a simulated heel over the carpet.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,592,041 discloses chair/seat testing by hydraulically controlled back and seat simulators.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,646 discloses a test dummy with “back-specific” pressure units for testing vehicle seat backs.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus capable of simulating human loading by duplicating the geometry and load distribution of a human at an interface with the vehicle seat to be tested.
In carrying out the above object and other objects of the present invention, a biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus adapted to sit on and be supported by a vehicle seat to simulate human loading of the vehicle seat is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially geometrically-correct, relatively hard and relatively stiff skeletal frame structure having a substantially correct density. The structure, in turn, includes: a thoracic cage, a pair of scapulae connected at opposite sides of the thoracic cage, a set of lumbar vertebrae connected to the thoracic cage, a pelvic girdle connected to the lumbar vertebrae, a coccyx connected to the pelvic girdle, a pair of femurs, and a pair of ball-and-socket joints for connecting their respective femurs to the pelvic girdle. The apparatus also includes elastomeric plastic formed over the skeletal frame structure. The elastomeric plastic has a substantially anatomically-correct, surface geometry and a substantially correct density. At least the elastomeric plastic formed over the pelvic girdle, the coccyx and the pair of femurs has mechanical properties of bulk muscular tissue in a state of moderate contraction.
The thoracic cage includes a set of thoracic vertebrae, a sternum and a set of ribs interconnecting the thoracic vertebrae and the sternum.
The pelvic girdle includes a set of sacrum vertebrae and a pair of coxae connected to the set of sacrum vertebrae wherein the pair of ball-and-socket joints connect their respective femurs to their respective coxae.
The plastic formed over the pelvic girdle, the coccyx and the pair of femurs has an effective stiffness in a range of 6 to 140 kPa.
The elastomeric plastic may be a castable urethane elastomer molded over the skeletal frame structure.
Preferably, the mechanical properties include stiffness, inertia, and damping.
Also, preferably, the elastomeric plastic is completely formed over the skeletal frame structure and at least a part of the skeletal frame structure is made from plastic.
Preferably, the skeletal frame structure includes a skull and a set of cervical vertebrae for connecting the skull to the thoracic cage.
Also, preferably, the skeletal frame structure includes a pair of humeri connected at opposite sides of the thoracic cage by a pectoral girdle. A second pair of ball-and-socket joints connect their respective humeri to the thoracic cage. The pectoral girdle includes the pair of scapulae and a pair of clavicles connected to their respective scapulas.
Preferably, the skeletal frame structure includes a pair of forearms connected to their respective humeri and each of the forearms includes a radius and an ulna hingedly connected to its respective humerus.
Also, preferably, the skeletal frame structure includes a pair of legs connected to their respective femurs and each of the legs includes a fibula and a tibia hingedly connected to its respective femur.
Still further in carrying out the above object and other objects of the present invention, a biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus adapted to sit on and be supported by a vehicle seat to simulate human loading of the vehicle seat is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially geometrically-correct, relatively hard and relatively stiff skeletal frame structure having a substantially correct density. The structure, in turn, includes a skull, a set of cervical vertebrae connected to the skull, a thoracic cage connected to the set of cervical vertebrae, a pair of scapulae connected at opposite sides of the thoracic cage, a pair of humeri connected at opposite sides of the thoracic cage, a pair of forearms connected to the respective humeri, a set of lumbar vertebrae connected to the thoracic cage, a pelvic girdle connected to the lumbar vertebrae, a coccyx connected to the pelvic girdle, a pair of femurs, a first pair of ball-and-socket joints for connecting their respective femurs to the pelvic girdle, and a pair of legs connected to their respective femurs. The apparatus further includes elastomeric plastic formed over the skeletal frame structure. The elastomeric plastic has a substantially anatomically-correct, surface geometry and a substantially correct density. At least the elastomeric plastic formed over the pelvic girdle, the coccyx and the pair of femurs has mechanical properties of bulk muscular tissue in a state of moderate contraction.
The apparatus of the invention allows physical simulation of a human's load distribution on a vehicle seat. The apparatus re-creates all “hard” points and resultant pressure distributions according to previously validated statistics. The apparatus specifically mimics human bone and flesh interacting with deformable surfaces, which has not been accomplished previously. The apparatus of the invention may be made by placing a geometrically-correct skeleton into a seamless, geometrically-correct mold. The mold is filled with a plastic whose material and mechanical properties match those of average human soft tissue. The apparatus has applications in durability, vibration, safety, and comfort testing of vehicle seats.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.


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