Measuring and testing – Testing by impact or shock – Accelerated or decelerated specimen
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-22
2001-01-30
Dombroske, George (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Testing by impact or shock
Accelerated or decelerated specimen
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178805
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to testing of motor vehicles for structural integrity and occupant protection, and more particularly relates a method and apparatus for side impact testing of motor vehicles at a sub-system level.
2. Discussion
Prior to production, motor vehicles are subjected to full-scale crash testing to ensure structural integrity and occupant protection. Due to the amount of domestic and foreign impact standards and other requirements a manufacturer may self-impose, full-scale testing involves significant monetary and time commitments. Typically, prototype vehicles are specifically developed for testing and are scrapped after a single impact test. It is desirable to limit the use of full-scale testing to verification of vehicle design for crashworthiness to the extent possible.
It is known to employ computer modeling to simulate impact testing. Such tools have proven to be extremely valuable in initial design of vehicles and vehicle components. However, due to the dynamic interaction between the numerous components of a vehicle, it is impossible to precisely evaluate the crashworthiness of a vehicle through computer modeling. Therefore, it is desirable to conduct impact testing at a sub-system level in order to more accurately predict the crashworthiness of a vehicle prior to full-scale impact testing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for impact testing a vehicle shell to predict vehicle crashworthiness at a sub-system level.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for significantly reducing development time and cost necessary to satisfy full-scale impact test requirements.
In one form, the present invention provides a fixture for impact testing a vehicle shell to predict vehicle crashworthiness at a sub-system level. The fixture includes a base having an upper surface for securing the vehicle shell thereto. The fixture further includes a side support structure interconnected to the base. The side support structure is operative to reduce deformation to a first lateral side of the vehicle shell when a second lateral side of the vehicle shell is subjected to impact. Additionally, the fixture includes a plurality of casters attached to the base.
In another form, the present invention provides a method of impact testing a vehicle shell to predict vehicle crashworthiness in a side impact at a subsystem level. The method includes the general steps of: (1) providing a fixture; (2) mounting the vehicle shell to the fixture; (3) impacting the vehicle shell with a barrier at a predetermined speed; and (4) analyzing the vehicle shell to predict vehicle crashworthiness.
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Chapp, Jr. James
Kessler Henry J.
Kosaraju Hari K.
Shamir Samuel
Chrysler Corporation
Dombroske George
Fuller III Roland A.
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