U.S. patent number RE42,418 [Application Number 12/221,384] was granted by the patent office on 2011-06-07 for flexible printed circuit cabling system for crash test dummy.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Safety Technology Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert Gerald Lipmyer.
United States Patent |
RE42,418 |
Lipmyer |
June 7, 2011 |
Flexible printed circuit cabling system for crash test dummy
Abstract
A flexible printed circuit cabling system for a crash test dummy
includes at least one centralized data-receiving unit. The flexible
printed circuit cabling system also includes a plurality of sensors
arranged remotely from the at least one centralized data receiving
unit to generate electrical signals of data pertaining to a
vehicular collision. The flexible printed circuit cabling system
further includes a plurality of flexible printed circuit cables
electrically interconnecting the sensors and the at least one
centralized data receiving unit to transmit the electrical signals
from the sensors to the at least one centralized data receiving
unit.
Inventors: |
Lipmyer; Robert Gerald (Ann
Arbor, MI) |
Assignee: |
Safety Technology Systems, Inc.
(Plymouth, MI)
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Family
ID: |
34633837 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/221,384 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
10729052 |
Dec 5, 2003 |
7086273 |
Aug 8, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/12.09;
73/12.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M
17/0078 (20130101); G01B 7/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01M
7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;73/12.01-12.09 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2043117 |
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May 1990 |
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CA |
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10 2004 058 022 |
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Jun 2007 |
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DE |
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A 3-12190 |
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Jan 1991 |
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JP |
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A 4-251283 |
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Sep 1992 |
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JP |
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A 8-122009 |
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May 1996 |
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JP |
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A 9-297087 |
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Nov 1997 |
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JP |
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A 2004-251717 |
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Sep 2004 |
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JP |
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Other References
German journal ATZ Nov. 2002, year 101, pp. 990-994. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Noori; Max
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bliss McGlynn, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flexible printed circuit cabling system for a crash test dummy
comprising: at least one centralized data-receiving unit; a
plurality of sensors arranged remotely from said at least one
centralized data receiving unit to generate electrical signals of
data pertaining to a vehicular collision; and a plurality of
flexible printed circuit cables electrically interconnecting said
sensors and said at least one centralized data receiving unit to
transmit the electrical signals from said sensors to said at least
one centralized data receiving unit.
2. A flexible printed circuit cabling system as set forth in claim
1 wherein said sensors and said flexible printed circuit cables are
disposed within an internal cavity of the crash test dummy.
3. A flexible printed circuit cabling system as set forth in claim
2 wherein said at least one centralized data receiving unit is
disposed within the internal cavity of the crash test dummy.
4. A flexible printed circuit cabling system as set forth in claim
2 wherein said at least one centralized data receiving unit
comprises a connection block and at least one of said flexible
printed circuit cables being electrically connected to said
connection block.
5. A flexible printed circuit cabling system comprising: at least
one centralized data-receiving unit; a plurality of sensors
arranged remotely from said at least one centralized data receiving
unit to generate electrical signals of data pertaining to a
vehicular collision; a plurality of flexible printed circuit cables
electrically interconnecting said sensors and said at least one
centralized data receiving unit to transmit the electrical signals
from said sensors to said at least one centralized data receiving
unit; and wherein said at least one centralized data receiving unit
further comprises an interposer electrically connected to said
connection block.
6. A flexible printed circuit cabling system as set forth in claim
5 wherein said at least one centralized data receiving unit further
comprises a data acquisition system electrically connected to said
interposer and storing the data pertaining to the vehicular
collision.
7. A flexible printed circuit cabling system as set forth in claim
6 including a central flexible printed circuit cable electrically
interconnecting said connection block and said interposer.
8. A crash test dummy comprising: a body; a plurality of remote
sensors operatively attached to said body and capable of generating
electrical signals of data relating to a vehicular collision; at
least one centralized data receiving unit positioned away from said
remote sensors and capable of receiving the electrical signals of
data relating to a vehicular collision; and a plurality of flexible
printed circuit cables electrically interconnecting said remote
sensors and said at least one centralized data receiving unit to
transmit the electrical signals from said sensors to said at least
one to centralized data receiving unit.
9. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 8 wherein said body has
an internal cavity therein and said remote sensors and said
flexible printed circuit cables are disposed within said internal
cavity.
10. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at
least one centralized data receiving unit is disposed within said
internal cavity.
11. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at
least one centralized data receiving unit comprises a connection
block and at least one of said flexible printed circuit cables
being electrically connected to said connection block.
12. A crash test dummy comprising: a body; a plurality of remote
sensors operatively attached to said body and capable of generating
electrical signals of data relating to a vehicular collision; at
least one centralized data receiving unit positioned away from said
remote sensors and capable of receiving the electrical signals of
data relating to a vehicular collision; a plurality of flexible
printed circuit cables electrically interconnecting said remote
sensors and said at least one centralized data receiving unit to
transmit the electrical signals from said sensors to said at least
one centralized data receiving unit; and wherein said at least one
centralized data receiving unit further comprises an interposer
electrically connected to said connection block.
13. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 12 wherein said at
least one centralized data receiving unit further comprises a data
acquisition system electrically connected to said interposer and
storing the data pertaining to the vehicular collision.
14. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 13 including a central
flexible printed circuit cable electrically interconnecting said
connection block and said interposer.
15. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 13 wherein one of said
interposer and said data acquisition system includes a plurality of
pin receptors and the other of said interposer and said data
acquisition system includes a plurality of pins that slide into
said pin receptors to thereby establish an electrical connection
between said interposer and said data acquisition system.
16. A flexible printed circuit cabling system as set forth in claim
6 wherein one of said interposer and said data acquisition system
includes a plurality of pin receptors and the other of said
interposer and said data acquisition system includes a plurality of
pins that slide into said pin receptors to thereby establish an
electrical connection between said interposer and said data
acquisition system.
.Iadd.17. A system for collecting and storing data pertaining to a
vehicle collision comprising: at least one data acquisition system
(DAS) for receiving data pertaining to a vehicular collision; at
least one sensor arranged remotely from said at least one DAS to
generate an electrical signal of the data pertaining to a vehicular
collision; and an interposer electrically interconnecting said at
least one DAS and said at least one sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. A flexible printed circuit cabling system comprising: at
least one data acquisition system (DAS); at least one sensor
arranged remotely from said at least one DAS to generate an
electrical signal of data pertaining to a vehicular collision; and
at least one flexible printed circuit cable electrically
interconnecting said at least one sensor and said at least one DAS
to transmit the electrical signals from said at least one sensor to
said at least one DAS..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. A flexible printed circuit cabling system comprising: at
least one centralized data-receiving unit; at least one sensor
arranged remotely from said at least one centralized data receiving
unit to generate an electrical signal of data pertaining to a
vehicular collision; at least one flexible printed circuit cable
electrically interconnecting said at least one sensor and said at
least one centralized data receiving unit to transmit the
electrical signals from said at least one sensor to said at least
one centralized data receiving unit; and wherein said at least one
centralized data receiving unit further comprises an interposer
electrically connected to said at least one flexible printed
circuit cable..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. A flexible printed circuit cabling system comprising: at
least one data acquisition system (DAS); at least one sensor
arranged remotely from said at least one DAS to generate an
electrical signal of data pertaining to a vehicular collision; at
least one flexible printed circuit cable electrically connected to
said at least one sensor to transmit the electrical signals from
said at least one sensor; and an interposer electrically
interconnecting said at least one DAS and said at least one
flexible printed circuit cable..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. A crash test dummy comprising: at least one portion of a
non-inflatable body; at least one remote sensor operatively
attached to said at least one portion of said non-inflatable body
and capable of generating an electrical signal of data relating to
a vehicular collision; at least one centralized data receiving unit
positioned away from said at least one remote sensor and capable of
receiving the electrical signal of data relating to a vehicular
collision; and at least one flexible printed circuit electrically
interconnecting said at least one remote sensor and said at least
one centralized data receiving unit to transmit the electrical
signal from said at least one sensor to said at least one
centralized data receiving unit..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. A crash test dummy comprising: a least one portion of a
non-inflatable body; at least one remote sensor operatively
attached to said at least one portion of said non-inflatable body
and capable of generating an electrical signal of data relating to
a vehicular collision; at least one data acquisition system (DAS)
positioned away from said at least one remote sensor and capable of
receiving the electrical signal of data relating to a vehicular
collision; and at least one flexible printed circuit electrically
interconnecting said at least one remote sensor and said at least
one DAS to transmit the electrical signal from said at least one
sensor to said at least one DAS..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A crash test dummy comprising: at least one portion of a
body; at least one remote sensor operatively attached to said at
least one portion of said body and capable of generating an
electrical signal of data relating to a vehicular collision; at
least one centralized data receiving unit positioned away from said
at least one remote sensor and capable of receiving the electrical
signal of data relating to a vehicular collision; at least one
flexible printed circuit cable electrically interconnecting said at
least one remote sensor and said at least one centralized data
receiving unit to transmit the electrical signals from said at
least one remote sensor to said at least one centralized data
receiving unit; and wherein said at least one centralized data
receiving unit further comprises an interposer electrically
connected to said at least one remote sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. A crash test dummy comprising: at least one portion of a
body; at least one remote sensor operatively attached to said at
least one portion of said body and capable of generating an
electrical signal of data relating to a vehicular collision; at
least one data acquisition system (DAS) positioned away from said
at least one remote sensor and capable of receiving the electrical
signal of data relating to a vehicular collision; at least one
flexible printed circuit cable electrically interconnecting said at
least one remote sensor and said at least one DAS to transmit the
electrical signals from said at least one remote sensor to said at
least one DAS; and an interposer electrically interconnecting said
at least one DAS and said at least one remote sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. A crash test dummy comprising: at least one portion of a
non-inflatable body; at least one remote sensor operatively
attached to said at least one portion of said non-inflatable body
and capable of generating an electrical signal of data relating to
a vehicular collision; at least one centralized data receiving unit
positioned away from said at least one remote sensor and capable of
receiving the electrical signal of data relating to a vehicular
collision; and wherein said at least one centralized data receiving
unit further comprises an interposer electrically connected to said
at least one remote sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. A crash test dummy comprising: at least one portion of a
body; at least one remote sensor operatively attached to said at
least one portion of said body and capable of generating an
electrical signal of data relating to a vehicular collision; at
least one data acquisition system (DAS) positioned away from said
at least one remote sensor and capable of receiving the electrical
signal of data relating to a vehicular collision; and an interposer
electrically interconnecting said at least one DAS and said at
least one remote sensor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. A system for collecting and storing data pertaining to a
vehicle collision comprising: at least one centralized data
receiving unit; at least one sensor arranged remotely from said at
least one centralized data receiving unit to generate an electrical
signal of data pertaining to a vehicular collision; and wherein
said at least one centralized data receiving unit further comprises
an interposer electrically connected to said at least one remote
sensor..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to crash test dummies and,
more particularly, to a flexible printed circuit cabling system for
a crash test dummy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automotive, aviation, and other vehicle manufacturers conduct a
wide variety of collision testing to measure the effects of a
collision on a vehicle and its occupants. Through collision
testing, a vehicle manufacturer gains valuable information that can
be used to improve the vehicle.
Collision testing often involves the use of anthropomorphic
mannequins, better known as "crash test dummies." During collision
testing, an operator places a crash test dummy inside a vehicle,
and the vehicle undergoes a simulated collision. The collision
exposes the crash test dummy to high inertial loading, and sensors
inside the crash test dummy, such as accelerometers, pressure
gauges, and the like, generate electrical signals of data
corresponding to the loading. Conventional cables transmit these
electrical signals of data to a data acquisition system (DAS) for
subsequent processing. This data reveals information about the
effects of the collision on the crash test dummy and can be
correlated to the effects a similar collision would have on a human
occupant.
In order to obtain more accurate collision data, test engineers
attempt to maximize what is known as the "biofidelity" of the crash
test dummy. Biofidelity is a measure of how the crash test dummy
reacts in a vehicle collision test. A crash test dummy reacting as
an actual human would during a collision is said to have a high
biofidelity. Accordingly, a crash test dummy having a high
biofidelity will provide more accurate information from a collision
test relative to the effect of the collision on a human being.
Thus, vehicle collision test engineers design crash test dummies
with a total weight, center of gravity, and flexibility similar to
that of a human body so as to increase the biofidelity of the crash
test dummy.
However, the cables that connect the sensors to the DAS often
degrade the biofidelity of the crash test dummies. More
specifically, the configurations used are usually heavy, bulky
umbilical cable systems extending out of the crash test dummy to
the DAS. Since there can be many sensors inside the crash test
dummy, there can be a large number of heavy, bulky cables extending
out of the crash test dummy, thereby adversely affecting the
dummy's center of gravity and weight distribution. Moreover,
maneuvering the crash test dummy with this large number of cables
during test preparation can be challenging.
To ameliorate this problem, test engineers typically tape, hang, or
tie off the umbilical cables. However, this type of preparation is
labor intensive. Moreover, this preparation does not satisfactorily
improve the biofidelity in all cases.
Test engineers have also attempted positioning the cable systems
and DAS inside the crash test dummy so as to improve biofidelity.
However, many test configurations do not fit inside the limited
space inside the crash test dummy. Also, removing structures from
inside the crash test dummy to make room for the cables and DAS may
actually violate governmental crash test regulations. Thus,
internalizing the cabling system and DAS has found limited
application. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a
lightweight, compact cabling system for use in a crash test dummy
so that biofidelity of the crash test dummy is improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a flexible printed circuit
cabling system for a crash test dummy. The flexible printed circuit
cabling system includes at least one centralized data-receiving
unit. The flexible printed circuit cabling system also includes a
plurality of sensors arranged remotely from the at least one
centralized data receiving unit to generate electrical signals of
data pertaining to a vehicular collision. The flexible printed
circuit cabling system further includes a plurality of flexible
printed circuit cables electrically interconnecting the sensors and
the at least one centralized data receiving unit to transmit the
electrical signals from the sensors to the at least one centralized
data receiving unit.
In addition, the present invention is a crash test dummy including
a body and a plurality of remote sensors operatively attached to
the body and capable of generating electrical signals of data
relating to a vehicular collision. The crash test dummy also
includes at least one centralized data-receiving unit positioned
away from the remote sensors and capable of receiving the
electrical signals of data relating to a vehicular collision. The
crash test dummy further includes a plurality of flexible printed
circuit cables electrically interconnecting the remote sensors and
the at least one centralized data receiving unit to transmit the
electrical signals from the sensors to the at least one centralized
data receiving unit.
One advantage of the present invention is that a flexible printed
circuit cabling system is provided for a crash test dummy. Another
advantage of the present invention is that the flexible printed
circuit cabling system has flexible printed circuit cables that are
much lighter than conventional cables, and are less likely to
degrade the biofidelity of the crash test dummy. Yet another
advantage of the present invention is that the flexible printed
circuit cabling system has flexible printed circuit cables that are
more compact such that they can be largely positioned within an
internal cavity of the crash test dummy. Still another advantage of
the present invention is that the flexible printed circuit cabling
system improves biofidelity, allows more sensors to be used in the
crash test dummy, reduces time spent in preparing the test, and
makes maneuvering the crash test dummy more convenient.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be
readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after
reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible printed circuit cabling
system, according to the present invention, illustrated in
operational relationship with a crash test dummy.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the flexible printed circuit cabling
system and crash test dummy of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the flexible printed
circuit cabling system in circle 3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a data acquisition system, a
docking station, a flexible printed circuit cable, and a connection
block of the flexible printed circuit cabling system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection block of the flexible
printed circuit cabling system of FIG. 1
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an interposer of the flexible
printed circuit cabling system of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Referring to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, one
embodiment of a flexible printed circuit cabling system 10,
according to the present invention, is shown in operational
relationship with a crash test dummy, generally indicated at 11.
The crash test dummy 11 is of a Hybrid III fifth percentile female
type and is illustrated in a sitting position. This crash test
dummy 11 is used primarily to test the performance of automotive
interiors and restraint systems for very small adult front and rear
seat occupants. The size and weight of the crash test dummy 11 are
based on anthropometric studies by the Human Biomechanics and
Simulation Standards Committee Task Force of the Society of
Automotive Engineers and represent the lower extreme of the USA
adult population. It should be appreciated that ranges of motions,
centers of gravity, and segment masses simulate those of human
subjects defined by the anthropometric data.
The crash test dummy 11 has a head assembly 12, which is shown in
cross-section and includes a one-piece cast aluminum skull and
one-piece skull cap both covered by a vinyl skin. The skull cap is
removable for access to head instrumentation contained inside the
head assembly 12. The head assembly 12 is mounted at the top end of
a neck assembly 13 by a nodding block 14 and a nodding joint 15. A
lower end of the neck assembly 13 extends into a torso area of the
crash test dummy 11 and is connected to an upper end of a thoracic
spine 16 by an upper neck bracket (not shown) connected to a lower
neck bracket (not shown). The torso area of the crash test dummy 11
includes a rib assembly 19 having an upper end connected to the
upper neck bracket and a lower end connected to a sternum assembly
(not shown). A rib set 21 has a plurality of ribs connected between
the sternum assembly and the thoracic spine 16. The lower end of
the spine 16 is connected to a spine mounting weldment (not shown)
by an adapter assembly (not shown).
The crash test dummy 11 also has a pair of arm assemblies including
a right arm assembly 23 and a left arm assembly 24, which are
attached to the crash test dummy 11. The left arm assembly 24
includes a clavicle link (not shown), which connects a clavicle 26
to the top of the thoracic spine 16. The clavicle 26 is connected
to a shoulder yoke 27, which in turn is connected to an upper end
of an upper arm assembly 28. A lower end of the upper arm assembly
28 is connected to an upper end of a lower arm assembly 29. A lower
end of the lower arm assembly 29 is connected to a hand assembly
30. It should be appreciated that the right arm assembly 23 is
constructed in a similar manner.
As illustrated in the FIG. 1, a lower end of the lumbar spine 31 is
connected to a lumbar-thoracic adapter (not shown), which is
connected to a lumbar to pelvic adapter 33. A pelvis assembly 34 is
connected to the adapter 33. A femur assembly 35 for a left leg has
one end connected to the pelvis assembly 34. An opposite end of the
femur assembly 35 is connected to a thigh bone 36 having an
opposite end connected to a sliding knee assembly 37. One end of a
tibia 38 is connected to the knee assembly 37 and an opposite end
is connected to an ankle assembly 39. The ankle assembly 39 is
connected to a foot assembly 40. It should be appreciated that,
although only the left leg is described, the right leg is similar
in construction.
The various components of the crash test dummy 11 are covered in a
vinyl skin such as the chest flesh and skin assembly 41, which
extends from the lower end of the neck assembly 13 to a central
portion of the lumbar spine 31. A lower end of the chest flesh and
skin assembly 41 partially covers an upper portion of an abdominal
insert (not shown) positioned in the lower torso. A lower portion
of the abdominal insert is covered by an upper portion of the
pelvis assembly 34. A thigh flesh and skin 43 covers the thigh bone
36 and a lower leg flesh/skin 44 covers the portion of the leg
between the knee and the foot. A lifting ring (not shown) may be
attached to the head assembly 12 for lifting the crash test dummy
11 into and out of test fixtures and vehicles. As illustrated, the
flexible printed circuit cabling system 10 is operatively attached
to a crash test dummy 12. It should be appreciated that the
flexible printed circuit cabling system can be used with a wide
variety of crash test dummies 12 including those that represent
only a partial human form. It should also be appreciated that,
except for the flexible printed circuit cabling system 10 to be
described, the crash test dummy 12 is similar to that disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,989, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
The flexible printed circuit cabling system 10 includes at least
one, preferably a plurality of sensors 50 operatively attached to
the shoulder, elbow, and wrist of the arm assembly 24, H-point of
the pelvis assembly 34, knee assembly 37, and ankle assembly 39.
The sensors 50 may be of a type such as load cells, pressure
sensors, accelerometers, and other sensors commonly used in vehicle
collision testing. The sensors 50 generate an electrical signal as
a result of the application of some physical force, acceleration,
pressure, or other input. It should be appreciated that the sensors
50 are capable of generating a variety of data relating to a
vehicle collision.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the flexible printed circuit
cabling system 10 also includes at least one, preferably a
plurality of flexible printed circuit cables 52. Each flexible
printed circuit cable 52 is an array of conductors bonded to a thin
dielectric film, and can undergo repeated flexing without failure.
In one embodiment, the individual flexible printed circuit cables
52 measure approximately 0.15 inches wide, between 0.01 and 0.05
inches thick, and are between 1 to 4 feet in length.
The flexible printed circuit cables 52 are electrically attached to
individual sensors 50 in a suitable manner, allowing the cables 52
to receive and transmit electrical signals generated by the
respective sensors 50. In one embodiment, the entire length of each
flexible printed circuit cable 52 is positioned within an internal
cavity of the crash test dummy 11. Some of the cables 52 extend
within the internal cavity between the torso and the head assembly
12. Since the sensors 50 vary in the amount of signals they
individually generate, the flexible printed circuit cables 52
similarly vary in the amount of separate signals they can transmit.
For instance, in one embodiment, at least one of the flexible
printed circuit cables 52 is capable of transmitting up to three
signals of electrical data generated by one sensor 50. In one
embodiment, the flexible printed circuit cables 52 have at least
one, preferably a plurality of pins 53 at one end for connection to
a centralized data-receiving unit 54 to be described. In another
embodiment, the flexible printed circuit cables 52 have one end
connected to an electrical connector (not shown) having at least
one, preferably a plurality of pins 53 at one end for connection to
a centralized data-receiving unit 54 to be described. It should be
appreciated that the flexible printed circuit cables 52 are much
lighter and more compact than conventional cabling. It should also
be appreciated that the flexible printed circuit cabling system 10
increases the biofidelity of the crash test dummy 11.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the flexible printed circuit
cabling system 10 further includes a centralized data-receiving
unit, generally indicated at 54, disposed within the torso of the
crash test dummy 11. All of the flexible printed circuit cables 52
are electrically connected to the centralized data-receiving unit
54 in a manner to be described. As such, the sensors 50 are
positioned remotely from the centralized data receiving unit 54,
and the flexible printed circuit cables 52 extend in an umbilical
manner between the sensors 50 and the centralized data receiving
unit 54, allowing electrical signals from the sensors 50 to be
transmitted to the centralized data receiving unit 54. It should be
appreciated that the centralized data-receiving unit 54 collects
and stores data from the sensors 50 for subsequent processing.
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, the centralized data-receiving unit
54 includes at least one docking station 56. The docking station 56
is generally rectangular and hollow with a base 58 and two side
walls 60a, 60b and a back wall 64 that extend perpendicularly
outward from the base 58. The side walls 60a, 60b and the back wall
64 define an opening 66 in the docking station 56. It should be
appreciated that the docking station 56 allows the mounting other
components of the centralized data-receiving unit 54.
The centralized data-receiving unit 54 further includes at least
one connection block 70. The connection block 70 is generally
rectangular in shape. The connection block 70 is connected to the
docking station 60 by suitable means such as fasteners 71. The
connection block 70 also includes at least one, preferably a
plurality of pin receptacles 72. The flexible printed circuit
cables 52 are electrically connect to the connection block 70 via
the pins 53 and pin receptacles 72. The connection block 40
includes a large number of pin receptacles 72, enabling a plurality
of flexible printed circuit cables 52 to connect thereto. For
example, in the embodiment illustrated, there are two hundred
sixteen (216) pin receptacles 72, thereby allowing many flexible
printed circuit cables 52 to electrically attach thereto. It should
be appreciated that, due to this large capacity, the connection
block 70 allows a large number of sensors 50 to be used in the
flexible printed circuit cabling system 10. It should also be
appreciated that, in another embodiment, the pin receptacles 72 of
the connection block 70 are capable of making electrical connection
with both the flexible printed circuit cable 52 and a conventional
cable (not shown).
The centralized data-receiving unit 54 further includes at least
one central flexible printed circuit cable 74. The central flexible
printed circuit cable 74 is similar to the printed flexible printed
circuit cables 52 attached to the sensors 50. The central flexible
printed circuit cable 74 is an array of conductors bonded to a thin
dielectric film and can undergo repeated flexing without failure.
The central flexible printed circuit cable 74 is electrically
connected to the connection block 70 and can further transmit the
electrical signals originally generated by the sensors 50.
Additionally, the centralized data-receiving unit 54 includes at
least one interposer, generally indicated at 76. As illustrated in
FIG. 6, the interposer 76 is a generally planar and rectangular
shaped component having a planar base 78 and a connection board 80
mounted to the base 78. The connection board 80 includes at least
one, preferably a plurality of pin receptors 82. In one embodiment,
the connection board 80 includes approximately two hundred sixteen
(216) pin receptors 82. The interposer 76 is connected to the
docking station 56 by suitable means such as a fastener (not
shown). As illustrated, the interposer 76 is attached to the base
58 of the docking station 56 on the side opposite that of the
connection block 70. The central flexible printed circuit cable 74
extends from the connection block 76, around the base 58 of the
docking station 56, and is electrically connected to the interposer
76. It should be appreciated that signals in the central flexible
printed circuit cable 74 are transmitted to the interposer 76 via
the pin receptors 82.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the centralized data-receiving unit
56 includes at least one data acquisition system (DAS) 84. In one
embodiment, the DAS 84 used is a TDAS G5 unit manufactured by
Diversified Tech Systems in California. The DAS 84 is shaped like a
rectangular block that slides lengthwise into the docking station
56 through its opening 66 and toward the interposer 76 to be
surrounded by the back wall 64, side walls 60a, 60b, and base
58.
The DAS 84 also has a plurality of pins 86 extending outwardly from
its side closest to the interposer 76. The pins 86 of the DAS 84
are arranged in a pattern similar to the arrangement of pin
receptors 82 of the interposer 76 such that pins 86 of the DAS 84
slide into the pin receptors 82 of the interposer 76. This creates
an electrical connection so the DAS 84 can receive the electrical
signals of data from the sensors 50. It should be appreciated that,
once received, the DAS 84 stores the data for subsequent data
processing.
The DAS 84 also includes a port (not shown) that allows data stored
in the DAS 84 to be uploaded to a computer (not shown) for
processing. For example, in one embodiment, the port is an Ethernet
port, and the data is uploaded from the DAS 84 through this
Ethernet port to the computer for processing. In another
embodiment, the DAS 84 can wirelessly communicate stored data to
the computer for further processing.
The centralized data-receiving unit 54 of the flexible printed
circuit cabling system 10 may include one or more DAS 84. For
example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the
centralized data acquisition unit 54 includes two DAS 84, and each
DAS 84 has an individual associated interposer 76 and connection
block 70. As such, a portion of the flexible printed circuit cables
52 are connected to one of the connection blocks 70, and the
remaining cables 52 are connected to the other connection block 70.
Increasing the number of DAS 84 in this manner consequently
increases the data capacity of the flexible printed circuit cabling
system 10. It should be appreciated that the flexible printed
circuit cabling system 10 is largely contained within the internal
cavity of the crash test dummy 11. In the embodiment shown, all of
the components of the flexible printed circuit cabling system 10
are contained within the internal cavity of the crash test dummy
11. In other embodiments not shown, some of the components, such as
the DAS 84 are positioned outside the crash test dummy 11. It
should be appreciated that positioning some or all of the
components inside the crash test dummy 11 improves biofidelity and
convenience. Thus, by using flexible printed circuit cables 30 to
connect the centralized data-receiving unit 80 to remote sensors
20, the cabling system 10 presents several advantages over
conventional cabling systems. For instance, the flexible printed
circuit cables 30 are much lighter than cables currently used. As
such, the flexible printed circuit cabling system 10 is less likely
to adversely affect the dummy's total weight, center of gravity,
and the like. Consequently, a crash test dummy 12 configured with
the flexible printed circuit cabling system 10 of the present
invention is likely to have a higher biofidelity than a crash test
dummy 12 with a plurality of heavy conventional cables.
To operate the flexible printed circuit cabling system 10, an
operator (not shown) operatively connects the flexible printed
circuit cabling system 10 to the crash test dummy 11, positions the
crash test dummy 11 within a vehicle, and then simulates a
vehicular collision with the test vehicle. During the collision,
the sensors 50 inside the crash test dummy 12 each generate
electrical signals of data corresponding to the collision's effect
on the crash test dummy 11. This data is transmitted from the
sensors 50, through the individual flexible printed circuit cables
52, and into the connection block 70 of the centralized
data-receiving unit 56. The data is then transmitted through the
central flexible printed circuit cable 74, through the interposer
76, and finally stored in the DAS 84. This stored data is then
uploaded to the computer (not shown) for processing, and the
processed data reveals the effects of the test collision on the
crash test dummy 11. It should be appreciated that these effects
can help predict the effects of a similar collision on an actual
human being.
The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used,
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the present
invention may be practiced other than as specifically
described.
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