GB2244843A - Accident simulating apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A motorcycle accident simulating test dummy for assessing the effects of an accident on a human includes an anthropomorphic manikin 1 comprising a number of sensors distributed over the dummy for sensing forces, accelerations, velocities, displacements, joint fractures or fractures experienced by elements of the manikin and data collection and storage means including a recirculating memory for storing a selected quantity of data generated by the sensors. Elements of the manikin include frangible limb elements, rupturable joints and electronic fracture detection devices. <IMAGE>

Description

4 A- ACCIDENT SIMULATING-APPARATUS AND METHOD This invention pertains to

motorcycle accident testing and simulation. In particular, it relates to the utilization of an accident simulating test dummy to simulate, in an effective and realistic mode, injuries which might be sustained during motorcycle accidents.

The field of the invention pertains to anthropomorphic devices and anthropodynamic techniques utilized to simulate motorcycle accident situations and results.

In an "over-view" sense, the development of accident simulating test dummies is evidenced at least in substantial part by disclosures in the United.States patent literature as shown by the following issued United States Patents:

Patentee Patent #. Assicnee Issue Payne, et al 3,557,471 Wyle Lab 1971 Melzian 3,648,389 Sierra Engineering Co. 1972 X Searle, et al 3,664,038 Alderson 3,707,782 Gregoire 3,722,103 Berton, et al 3,740,871 Daniel, et al 3,753,301 Daniel 3,753,302 Culver 3,754,338 Smrcka Daniel Culver Culver 3,755,920 3,757,431 3,762,069 3,762,070 Daniel 3,841,163 Itoh 3,877,156 Haurat, et al 3,890,723 Motor Industry Research Association 1972 Alderson Research 1973 Laboratories, Inc.

The United States 1 of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company General Motors Corporation Alderson Research Laboratories, Inc.

Ford Motor Company General Motors Corporation General Motors Corporation Ford Motor Company 1974 Unassigned 1975 Automobiles Peugeot, 1975 et al 973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 Gonzalez 3,962,801 Societe Anonyme 1976 Automobiles Citroen Haffner, et al 4,000,564 Specker, et al 4,161,874 The United States of 1977 America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation The United States of 1979 America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of the Air Force Kortge 4,235,025- General Motors 1980 Corporation Alderson 4,261,113 Humanetics, Inc. 1981 Woley, et al 4,276,032 Unassigned 1981 Daniel 4,349,339 Ford Motor Company 1982 Becker 4,395,235 The United States of 1983 America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Daniel, et al 4,409,835 Denton, et al 4,488,433 Ford Motor Company 1983 Robert A. Denton, 1984 Inc.

Mellander, 4,691,556 AB Volvo 1987 et al Groesch, et al 4,701,132 Daimler-Benz 1987 Aktiengesellschaft Gain, et al 4,708,836 Commissariat a 1987 1'Energie Atomique, et al Of the patents included in this compilation, Payne, et al and Gregoire, Specker, et al, Becker, Mellander, et al and Gain, et al specifically relate to anthropomorphic devices utilizing head evaluation units, with the Gain, et al patent being directed to motorcycle accident simulation.

Payne, et al, Smrcka, Haffner, et al, Kortge, Alderson, Woley, et al, Daniel, and Denton, et al are of particular interest in so far as they relate to joint and/or simulated knee mechanisms included in anthropomorphic devices.

Payne, et al, Gregoire, Smrcka, Alderson, Daniel, and Denton, et al are of particular interest in relation to anthropomorphoic units comprising limb means.

Payne, et al, Melzian, Searle, et al, Gregoire, Daniel, et al and Groesch, et al are relevant with respect to thorax and/or torso structures in anthropomorphic devices.

It is also to be recognized that developments in this art are also evidenced in the literature and in issued foreign patents as evidenced, for example by the citations appearing on the face of the various United States patents noted above.

SUMMARY OF'THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to provide improvements with respect to the art as heretofore developed. Specifically, it is contemplated that the invention will be characterized by a unique degree of biofidelity by involving 1) accuracy with respect to stress/strain measuring and realistic motion freedom, 2) direct indications of potential injuries, especially to limbs and joints; and 3) selfcontainment of data acquisition and storage means wholly within a test dummy so as to avoid the error inducing restraints imposed by external data transmitting means such an umbilical cords, etc.

Specifically, in one aspect, the invention resides in a basic apparatus combination characterized by a motorcycle accident simulating test dummy including body means, limb mean s including at least one of arm means, and leg means; hand means; -and joint means providing articulated connecting means between at least a portion of the limb means and at least one of another portion of the limb means or body means.

Further independently significant aspects of the invention reside in 1) unique, multi-directional simulated limb means reinforcing, 2) articulated knee joint structures providing progressively intensified resistance to deflection in both upright torsional and lateral tilting modes of a knee joint and permitting ultimate failure or collapse, and 3) in ligament simulating aspects of a dislocatable hip joint.

Further independent significance is attached to a unique, upright array of data modules disposed on opposite sides of the terminus portion of data signal transmitting means, thereby uniquely shielding and protecting the signal transmitting terminus and providing a uniquely compact structure, wholly contained within a thorax portion of the test dummy.

Further independently significant aspects of the invention reside in method counterparts of each of the apparatus aspects of the invention noted above.

The invention also provides methods and apparatus for externally controlling and monitoring the data collection and storage elements, and methods and apparatus for correlating kinetic data with injury and injury with projected cost.

In describing the inventiono reference will be made to certain presently preferred embodiments as illustrated in drawings appended hereto.

In making reference to such drawings and preferred embodiments, such will be done by way of example and not by way of limitation with respect to the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 provides a schematic elevational view of a test dummy of the present invention intended to be utilized in motorcycle accident simulation, this dummy being devoid of the external, skin simulating coating which is ordinarily employed therewith; Figure 2 provides a schematic, side elevational view illustrating the test dummy of Figure I mounted on a test motorcycle, with the dummy being provided with a skin simulating coating, outer clothing, etc.; Figure 3 provides a schematic., elevational, "exploded" view of a data receiving and housing module of the present invention which is entirely incorporated within the thorax section of the Figure 1 test dummy showing a signal terminus separated therefrom; -B- Figure 4 providet a schematic, fragmentary view of a lower limb portion of the Figure 1 test dummy, illustrating the left leg with skin simulating covering applied thereto and illustrating the right leg with such covering removed for servicing, evaluation purposes; Figure 5 provides a side elevational view of a simulated, frangible tibia section fabricated in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 provides a schematic, perspective view illustrating a simulated dislocatable hip joint of the present invention; Figure 7 provides a transverse sectional view of the Figure 6 simulated hip joint assembly; Figure 8 provides a front elevational view of a unique simulated knee joint which may be incorporated in the Figure 1 test dummy; Figure 9 provides a sectional view through the Figure 8 assembly, as viewed along section line A-A; Figure 10 provides a side elevational view of the Figure 8 assembly; Figure 11 provides a cross-sectional view of the Figure 10 assembly as viewed along section line B-B of Figure 10; Figure 12 depicts a configuration of data collection and storage units within the anthropomorphic manikin in accord with the invention; Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram providing detail of one data collection and storage unit; Figure 14 depicts a system of data acquisition, retrieval, and processing elements in accord with the invention; Figure 15 depicts injury correlation and cost correlation modules in an external processor; and Figure 16 depicts method steps executed by the external processor of Figure 15.

FIGS. 1-11 depict-the general arrangement of a motorcycle accident simulating test dummy 1. This test dummy is to be fabricated in accordance with the present invention and is intended, for example, to be used with a now recognized and conventional motorcycle simulating test array 2 of the type shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the motorcycle accident simulating test dummy 1 is releasably mounted on a test motorcycle 3 included in the test array 2. The dummy hands releasably grip the cycle handlebars but-the remainder of the dummy sit freely on the cycle seat, as would a normal driver.

In array 2, the motorcycle is releasably mounted for forward impacting movement on a frame 4. Frame 4 is supported on a support surface or track means 5 and is operable to be impelled forward (to the left as shown in Figure 2) by movement producing means (not shown). Such movement producing means may comprise a cable, propulsion means, etc.

In performing conventional test operations, with the arrangement shown in Figure 2, the frame 4 would be propelled to the left and caused to engage a stop or abutment in its path. At this point, the frame 4 would cease its movement and the motorcycle 3 with the mounted test dummy 1 would be carried forward, simulating normal free motorcycle and driver movement. Depending upon the nature of the test, the then free motorcycle and test dummy would be impelled into a desired accident simulating situation, i.e. into another vehicle or obstacle. The damage imposed upon the test dummy and the stress and/or strain conditions and/or acceleration conditions monitored during the test would provide observers with an indication of what would have been likely to occur in a real-life situation i.e. provide an indication of injuries which would have been expected to have been sustained by a driver during such a situation.

Turning now to Figure 1, the basic internal structure of the test dummy I will be described, it being recognized that Figure 1 schematically illustrates the internal portions of the test dummy, with a removable epidermus or flexible skin simulating covering 6 removed.

A portion of such a flexible, human skin simulating cover 6 is depicted, for example in Figure 4, generally covering the lower torso and left leg with the right leg of the test dummy 1 being exposed, generally as depicted in Figure 1.

Overall Test Dummy Structure The motorcycle accident simulating test dummy 1, as shown in Figure 1, includes head mean 7, neck means 8, and body means 9 including thorax or chest/rib defining means 10. Limb means 11 include a pair of arm means 12 and 13, a pair of leg means 14 and 15, and a pair of hand means 16 and 17. Joint means provide articulated connecting means 18 between some portions of the limb means and either other portions of the limb means or the body means. Such connecting means 18 include a pair each of elbow joints 19, dislocatable hip joints 20, yieldable and ultimately frangible knee joints 21, and shoulder joints 22.

As shown in Figure 1, the simulated left arm 12 may include an upper arm portion 12a pivotally connected by an elbow joint 13 to a lower or forearm portion 12b. Similarly, the same basic structure would be incorporated in the right arm.

Each of the leg structures may comprise an articulated assembly. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the left leg assembly 14 may comprise an upper femur 14a connected to a lower tibia section 14b by a frangible knee joint 15.

It is contemplated that some or all of the limb sections, such as the leg sections 14a and 14b will be fabricated from fracturable, i.e. frangible, material operable to fracture and visually reflect through breaking the sort of fractures which would be likely to occur with human drivers in motorcycle accident situations.

The dislocatable hip joints, the frangible knee joints, and the frangible limb segments are designed to yieldably resist applied force and ultimately fail. This will realistically simulate accident results, provide, through breaking, visual indications of fractures, dislocation etc., and permit the type of freedom of movement which occurs in accidents after fractures, dislocations, etc. have occurred.

Since the basic configuration of test dummies, including relatively moveably interconnected components, is a concept now well recognized in the art, as evidenced in part by the compilation of United States patents set forth above, it is not deemed necessary to repeat structural details of conventional mechanisms which may be utilized in the practice of the invention if so desired.

Suffice it to say, those skilled in this art and familiar with the history of the art as evidenced by prior disclosures such as those set forth above and in the crash testing literature will readily avail themselves of suitable joint and line structure elements to be used in association with the elements of the invention.

It will also be recognized that, in assessing injury, it will be appropriate to utilize load cells, accelerometers, and stress or strain gauges, by conventionally affixing such conventional mechanisms to appropriate areas in the test dummy. Conventional measuring means, commonly available "off-the-shelf" items, and generally described in the compilation of prior art set forth above and in the crash test literature may be turned to as a resource in selecting sensing and recording means appropriate to the circumstances of the test involved.

1 As shown in Figure 1, it is presently contemplated that the test dummy I will be provided with a variety of test sensing means, generally located as shown in Figure 1 and including:

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) Head Linear Accelerometer Means Head Angular Accelerometer Means Neck Load Cell Means Chest Deflection Potentiometer Means Chest Accelerometer Means Pelvis Accelerometer Means Upper Femur Load Cell Means Femur Strain Gauge Means Knee Strain Gauge Means Upper Tibia Strain Gauge Means Lower Tibia Strain Gauge Means Test dummy 1 comprises motorcycle handle bar gripping means 17a included in the hand means 17. Such may comprise internal, yielded, gripping segments contained within the hand means such as bendable metal rods, wires, spring means etc. Such devices are now known in the art, as evidenced by prior work of JAMA (Japanese Automobile Manufacturers, Association). It is contemplated that the gripping means 17a will be operable to releasably connect the dummy and handle bar means of the motorcycle 3, so as to generally simulate human gripping action and provide the only, connection (albeit releasable) between the dummy and the motorcycle, as in "real life".

The motorcycle handle bar gripping means 17a, by virtue of the yieldable holding action, will be operable to release the dummy 1 from the motorcycle handlebar means after gripping, force, imposed by the motorcycle handlebar gripping means 17a on the handlebar means is overcome by the inertial forces imposed on the dummy during accident simulation. When cycle 3, impacts an obstacle, the inertial force acting on dummy 1 will tend to carry it over the top of the handlebars, causing hands 17 to release.

A first sensor means 23 is operable to sense at least one of stress and/or strain imposed on the limb means. This means may comprise for example, strain gauges arrays 23a and 23b mounted on tibia l4b as shown in Figure 5. Such conventional sensor means identified by locations of j and k in Figure 1, will be operable to generate first, electrical, data signal means in response to the sensing by this first sensor means 23 of strain acting on the tibia limb. Each tibia limb will include such strain gauge arrays. Similar sensor arrays will be provided for the femur segments.

A second sensor means 24 is operable to sense at least one of stress and/or strain imposed on the joint means. For example, such sensor means 24 may include the knee joint strain gauges i.

This said second sensor means 24 wilLbe operable to generate second data signal means in response to knee joint strain sensing by the strain gauge means of second sensor means.

As shown in Figuies 1 and 3, test dummy 1 includes a box-like, data receiving and storage means 25 which is operable to receive the data signal means from the first and second sensor means 23 and 24 and store such data within the thorax section 10. Details of this unit will be reviewed later in this disclosure. Suffice it at this point to observe that the housing and shock protecting means 25 includes a rugged housing 26 which wholly contains the unit 25 within the thorax means 10. Housing 26, in being rugged and tough, and desirable provided with shock mounting or cushioning means, is operable to shield the data receiVing means from forces imposed on the dummy during accident simulation and may be mounted on the spine portion of dummy 1, i.e. a downward continuation of neck means 8.

Signal transmitting means 27 are provided and comprise sensor leads or electrical signal transmitting wires such as leads 28 of Figure 5..These leads 28 are operable to transmit the first and second data signal means from the first and second sensor means to the data receiving and storage means 25. The signal transmitting means connector assembly, 0 a center recess of unit shown slid-out of the base o. 25 in Figure 3, will be referred to in additional detail later in this disclosure.

The signal transmitting means 27 is contained entirely within the dummy 1, and is free of externally extending transmitting means, such as an umbilical cord. Such an external cord would be physically attached to means apart from said dummy and thus render free movement of the dummy during accident simulations.

The limb means 11 include frangible, fracture simulating means such as the femur elements 14a and tibia elements 14b. These frangible elements are operable to fracture in response to inertial stress or external forces imposed on the dummy during accident simulation. This frangible, fracture simulating means includes breakable and visually accessible limb base means which are capable of breaking in response to accident generated forces. This arrangement provides visual indicating means operable to provide a visual simulation of limb fracturing. It also affords means operable to permit relative movement between fractured limb means segments, thereby simulating relative freedom of movement of fractured limbs during simulated accidents. In other words, the simulated fracture will be able to be seen (by removing flexible skin cover 6 via zippers, velcro, etc.) and will permit the dynamics of relative movement of broken limb segments to occur.

Francible Limb Structure As above noted, it is contemplated that one or more limb portions included in the dummy I will be frangible in nature so as to provide both a visual indication of a simulated fracture and permit relative movement between fracture segments, simulating the dynamics of fractured leg segment movement which would be expected to occur in a normal accident situation.

By way of example, reference will be made to a frangible or fracturable tibia segment 14b shown, by way of example, in Figure 5. In this connection however, it will be understood that each leg would have such a frangible tibia and that the femur sections as well would in all likelihood be frangible. Moreover, other segments could also be fabricated so as to be frangible or breakable in nature.

By way of example, reference will now be made to an exemplary frangible nature of the tibia 14b.

The tibia 14b portion of the leg means includes multiple cylindrical laminates affording individually controllable, diversely oriented strength (i.e. breaking) characteristics or patterns.

Thus a first cylindrical fiberglass laminate -means 4c includes first fiber reinforcing means 14d extending longitudinally of tibia portion 14b. This reinforcing is controlled by layering and fiber size, etc. so as to provide a predetermined degree of reinforcement in the longitudinal direction of the tibia 14b.

A second cylindrical, fiberglass laminate means l4e include second reinforcing means 14f extending generally helically of the longitudinal axes of tibia 14b. Wrapping 14e provides I reinforcement in a direction extending generally helically of the longitudinal tibia axis.

The longitudinally extending and generally helically extending first and second reinforcing means l4e and 14f provide separately oriented, reinforcing patterns intended to simulate multi-directional, diyerse strength characteristics. This enables realistic simulation of transverse and spiral fracturing to be provided and evaluated.

The two laminate layers 14c and 14e may be wrapped on a core 14g which may be internally supported by internal, longitudinally spaced rings 14h.

As will be recognized, the laminate layers 14c and l4e comprise a composite cylindrical frangible base tube and preferably is fabricated from fiberglass constituents i.e., fiberglass fabric and resin base. In addition, it is presently believed that a satisfactory assembly technique would involve the 'laying up' of the base tube on a stabilizing core which may include a relatively thin wall 14g, the interior of which is supported by one or more spaced reinforcing rings such as the aluminum rings 14h depicted in Figure 5.

Presently contemplated fabrication materials are as follows:

COMPOSITE FRANGIBLE BASE TUBE: 4 plies of Fiberite MXB7701/120 prepreg (2 oz./sq.yd. plain weave fiberglass fabric impregpated with 2500 cure epoxy resin) spiral wrapped at +300 to the tube's axis plus 2 plies of 3M Scotchply SP-250E prepreg (unidirectional Owens Corning 456 glass impregnated with 2501 cure epoxy resin) wrapped with the fibers along the tube axis; STABILIZING CORE: 0.25 inch thick, 0.125 inch wall, 6061-T6 aluminum rings spaced apart by 0.125 inch thick, 12 pcf, Clark foam discs.

The function of the internal stabilizing rings 14h is to provide internal reinforcing, preventing premature or undesired crushing of the cylindrical tubd structure, thereby maintaining the basic integrity of the frangibility of the limb from a test evaluation stand point.

As will be recognized the end 14k portions of each of the limb segments, where they are interconnected with other components of the dummy i.e., joint structures etc., may be enlarged or reinforced as shown in Figure 5 and provided with appropriate connecting means such as the connecting aperture means 14j shown in Figure 5. Such arrangements permit pin mounting of limb segments with joint stubs, as shown, for example, in Figure 8.

The connecting ends l4k, may be enlarged and reinforced with additional layers of fiberglass material to produce the desired structural strength at the component joining areas.

Simulated Knee Joint Structure The present invention is believed to present a significant improvement in the structure of a frangible knee joint.

In this sense, it is believed to constitute an advancement upon or improvement over the structure featured in the United States Denton et al. patent 1,488,433 set forth in the compilation above. - Thus, as shown in Figure 10, the simulated knee joint 21 includes a slide- type upper knee component 21a, the structure and operation of which are fully described in the aforesaid Denton et al. patent. To the extent appropriate to this disclosure, the disclosure of the Denton et al. patent is herein incorporated by reference with respect to the upper knee and slide structure assembly 21a.

The present invention is directed to a unique multi-directional, lower knee joint assembly which in fact constitutes two assemblies, each of which affords elastically intensified resistance to movement while permitting ultimate fracturing or failure at a point where human limbs would be expected to fail, thereby simulating the normal dynamics of accident situations.

As depicted in Figures 8-11, this-composite assembly includes one assembly 121 intended to.permit lateral swinging movement of the dummy about the knee joint. The other assembly 122, integrated with the first assembly 121, is intended to permit torsional movement between the femur/knee joint and the tibia 14b.

The articulated connecting means 21 is thus operable to simulate human knee joint means and includes a first and second assembly 121 and 122 as shown in Figures 8-11. Assembly 121 permits lateral tilting movement, i.e. varus-valgus rotation and assembly 122 permits torsional rotation, as shown in Figures 8 and 10.

The assemblies each include the same basic structural elements such that assembly 121 will be described in detail, recognizing the equivalent elements in assembly 122 will be identified with the same suffix.

Thus, assembly 121 includes a first movable member 121a and a second movable member 121b. Arcuate 121c slot means on member 121a and frangible pin means 121d pivotally mounted on member 121b, as shown in Figure 11, interconnect the first and second movable members 121a and 121b and provide limited arcuate, lateral movement therebetween as determined by arcuate traversing movement of the pin means 121d through the slot means 121c.

Elastomeric body means 121e, interposed in the slot means 121c between the slot walls of member 121a and the pin means 121d, on each side thereof, is operable to elastically and progressively increase resistance of tilting movement of member 121b about its lower pivot 121x relative to member 121a in response to arcuate movement of the pin means 121d through the slot means 121c. When a level simulating bone fracture loads is experienced a shear pin 121f, connecting pin means 121d and member 121b, will fail. This will simulate knee fracturing and failure.

The pair of assemblies 121 and 122 are oriented with the assembly 121 having a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the motorcycle 3 and operable to permit lateral tilting of the dummy 1 relative thereto.

The other assembly 122 has its pivot axis extending vertically so as to permit upright torsional movement of the dummy I relative to the motorcycle 3.

Simulated Disloca-table Hip Joint With Linament Restraint The test dummy 1 of the present invention may be uniquely provided with an optimized, dislocatable hip joint assembly 20 as generally depicted in Figures 6 and 7.

The articulated connecting means unit which comprises the simulated hip joint 20 thus includes hip socket means 20d included in base 20a, upper femur means 20c, and ball means 20e. This ball means 20e is carried by segment 20c and is releasably engaged with the concave socket means 20d. It moveably interconnects the hip socket means 20d and the femur means 20c and 14a'in a human hip-like manner.

A frangible clamp ring 20f defines selectively rupturable holding means operable to secure the ball means 20e to the hip socket or cavity 20d means and permit release of the femur means 20c from the hip socket means 20d in response to a predetermined separation force imposed on the simulated hip joint 20. When this force is imposed, a shear pin 20g holding the separable ends of clamp 20f fails, allowing the clamp to release the ball 20e from socket 20d:

Ligament anchoring means are carried by each of the ball means 20b and said hip socket means 20d and may comprise mounting plates or strips 20h and 20i, curving partially around these elements is shown in Figure 6.

Elongate, elastic, ligament simulating means comprising resilient wire or filament 20k, operable to provide a contracting force acting between the ligament anchoring means 20a and 20i, are carried by and extend between the ball means and hip socket means. Thus filament tends to releasably retain the ball means in the hip socket means 20d by applying a prestressing or socketing force, urging the ball into its socket. The wire or filament means may comprise continuous strand means wound upon and between the mounting brackets 20r and 20i as shown in Figu.Xes 6 and 7.The filament means may be made of elastic, plastic, metal, fiberglass, composite fibers depending upon the holding forces, etc. to be achieved.

The representative left knee joint 20 depicted in Figures 6 and 7 is thus designed to simulate the possibility of hip dislocations as might occur during a motorcycle accident while providing the unique anti-dislocation resisting restraint as would be afforded by body ligament structures, etc.

To this end, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the hip joint 20 includes the plate-like base member 20a which is secured to the lower body portion of the dummy 1 as shown in Figure 1. The dislocatable or separable ball and socket assembly 20b and an angular limb simulating means 20c provides a connection between the ball portion 20e of the connection 20b and the femur limb portion 14a.

Data Collectin and Storaae Elements Figures 1 and 3 depict an arrangement which affords unique protection for the data acquisition portion of the test dummy 1.

The data receiving module 25 is mounted by way of its rugged external housing means 26, within the thorax portion 10 of the dummy 1 so as to totally encase and house and provide shock protection for the data acquisition units themselves. Such mounting may entail securing of the casing 26 to segments of the dummy spine.

As is shown in Figure 3, it is contemplated that the assembly 25 would include upright arrays of data storing assemblies 25a and 25b disposed on opposite lateral sides of a central, upright cavity 25c.

A signal transmitting terminus assembly 417 includes a plurality of signal processing boards 27a which are connected to sensor leads 28 extending from the various sensor input gauges in the dummy. As is schematically shown in Figure 3, output from the processing boards 27a may be connected by conventional electrical pin connection means 27b to appropriate module connecting locations in the data receiving and storing module areas 25a and 25b.

With this arrangement, the terminus portion 27c of the signal transmitting means 27 would be slid upwardly into the cavity 25c and a base plate 27d secured to the base area 25d at the lower end of the housing 26. In this manner, the signal transmitting terminus is effectively protected by the rugged and desireably cushioned housing 26 of the lateral shielding afforded by the data receiving and storing modules 25a and 25b i.e., the circuit boards and the terminus 27a are laterally shielded by the rugged outer housing 26.

Thus, the housing and shock protecting means 25 includes a first, generally upright, data receiving module assembly 25a wholly contained. within the thorax means 10 and a second, generally upright, data receiving module assembly 25b, also wholly contained within the thorax means 20 and protected by housing 26.

The signal transmitting means 27 includes a connecting means 27a bundled in an assembly and positioned between the first and second upright data receiving modules 25a and 25b within the thorax means 10. These first and second, upright data receiving module assemblies 25a and 25b are thus operable to laterally shield the signal transmitting means 27a contained therebetween.

As will be understood, those skilled in the art may avail themselves of a variety of commercially available data receiving and storing modules, circuit processing boards, circuit connecting means etc., the selection of which, apart from the teachings of this invention, would be deemed to be within the skill of those practicing in the instrumentation art.

Further detail of the structure and operation of data collection and storage assembly 25 is provided in FIGS. 12-14, as discussed hereinafter.

Summary of Test Mg3,,thod

With the overall structure of the test dummy 1 having been described in detail, and with structural aspects of individual components having been further described, it is now appropriate to overview the invention by summarizing the method of simulating a motorcycle'accident utilizing the test dummy of the invention.

In performing this method of simulating a motorcycle accident with the test dummy, it will first be recalled that dummy 1 includes:

head means 7; neck means 8; body means 9 including thorax means 10; limb means 11 including at least one of arm means 12, 13 and leg means 14, 15; hand means 16, 17; and joint means providing articulated connecting means 18 between at least a portion of the limb means 11 and at least one of another portion of the limb means 11 or the body means 10.

The method entailed in conducting motorcycle accident simulations comprises:

providing, in the test dummy, motorcycle handle bar gripping means 17a included in said hand means 17b, and operable to releasably connect the dummy 1 and motorcycle handle bar means; disposing the motorcycle handle bar gripping means 17a so as to be operable to grip the handle bars yet release the dummy 1 from the motorcycle handle bar means after gripping force, imposed by the motorcycle handle bar gripping means 17a on the handle bar means is overcome by the inertial forces imposed on said dummy 1 during accident simulation; providing first sensor means 23 in the dummy 1 operable to sense at least one of stress and/or strain imposed on said limb means 11, the first sensor means 23 being operable to generate first data signal means in response to the sensing by the first sensor means 23; providing second sensor means 24 in the dummy 1 operable to sense at least one of stress and/or strain imposed on the joint means 11, the second sensor means being operable to generate second data signal means in response to the sensing by the second sensor means 24; providing data receiving and storage-means 25 in the dummy 1 operable to receive the data signal means from at least one of the first and second sensor means 23, 24 and store such data within the thorax means 10; housing and shock protecting the data receiving means 25 with housing 26 wholly within the thorax means and shielding the data receiving means 25 with the thorax means 10, 26 from forces imposed on the dummy during accident simulation; providing signal transmitting means 27 operable to transmit at least one of the firstand second data signal means from the first and second sensor means 23, 24 to the data receiving and storage means 25, the signal transmitting means being contained entirely within the dummy 1 and being free of externally extending transmitting means physically attached to any means apart from the dummy; and providing in the limb means of the dummy frangible fracture simulating means 14a, 14b, etc. operable to fracture in response to inertial stress or external forces imposed on the dummy during accident simulation, such frangible, fracture simulating means including visual indicating means 14a, 14b operable to break so as to provide a visual simulation of limb fracturing, and means 14a, 14b operable to break and thus permit relative movement between fractured limb means segments simulating relative freedom of movement of fractured limbs during simulated accidents.

Pr9ferably, in the practice of this method, the dislocatable hip joint means 20 and frangible knee joint means 21 of the invention are employed.

As depicted in FIG. 12, the data collection and storage assembly (DCS assembly) 25 can include a plurality of discrete data collection and storage (DCS) units 25.1-25.8. These DCS units 25.1-25.8 are preferably small, high speed, battery powered data recorders.

In the illustrated embodiment, units 25.1-25.8 are grouped into substantially vertical arrays disposed on opposite lateral sides of a mounting box 26 located proximate the spinal region of the thorax. Each unit is housed in an enclosure that can include tabs and slots for engaging corresponding slots or tabs in mounting box 26, so that when installed, units 25.1-25.8 are locked together in registry with the mounting box 26, forming a substantially rigid unit. Battery units are situated in the lower region of the mounting box 26. Each battery provides electrical power to a plurality of DCS units.

An example of a data collection and storage device adaptable to the invention is the "Durable Electronic Logging Violent Event Recorder" (DELVER), a multi-channel data recorder manufactured by Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio.

The structure of a DELVER is presented in the block diagram of FIG. 13.

As indicated in FIG. 13, a DELVER DCS unit contains eight channels of analog signal conditioning, an eight-channel analog-to-digital converter, storage capacity for 1048576 samples, a variable threshold generator, an event channel signal generator, a rechargeable integrated battery, and a sequential-state-machine controller.

Sensors attached to the DCS will typically require bipolar excitation about ground in the range of + or - 5 volts DC.

During a data capture operation, a START signal occurrence is latched into the DCS. This signal is used to control the WRITE operation into memory. Any further applications of a START signal serve as initiation signals for the READ of DCS unit data, causing one complete dump of memory per.valid input.

The DCS unit includes an address controller that keeps track of the current loop pointer for both WRITE and READ operations. The memory controller also provides write protection logic for the memory when the DCS unit is in a %SAVE DATA" mode, and generates appropriate WRITE pulses when the DCS unit is in a "take dataw mode. The DCS unit also includes a Read Data Counter that provides the proper number of address controller increments when data are being retrieved from the DCS unit, and a Write Data Midpoint Trigger Counter that performs the same function when data are being stored within the DCS unit, based upon three trigger selector inputs. Further description of the structure of a DELVER DCS unit is contained in the Delver User Manual, published by Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

One embodiment of the invention employing this type of DCS is shown in FIG. 14, which depicts a system configuration for a fully instrumented test manikin designed to evaluate simulated injuries incurred by a human involved in simulated collisions at various speeds and angles, with and without different types of experimental safety equipment.

The typical sensors employed on this anthropomorphic test manikin include single, double, and four-arm piezo-resistive force sensors. These force sensors include strain gauges, force and moment load cells, accelerometers, and rate gyros. Most of the strain and load cell measurements are configured for detailed analysis of leg, knee, and hip injuries, with physical information also being collected in the head, neck, and chest regions. The illustrated embodiment utilizes 64 channels of sensor bridge completion circuitry, offset (null) adjustment capabilities for less-than-full bridge sensors, excitation for 64 sensors, and sensor and DCS unit interface cabling. The manikin also contains four rechargeable battery packs that contain sufficient power to run all sensors and eight DCS units for about 10 minutes in an unconstrained test configuration. Each of the memory batteries depicted in FIG. 14 supplies power to several DCS-units. In addition, separate power channels are provided for (i) memory power and (ii) other DCS functions and sensors. A closed loop power controller, responsive to a DATA COLLECTED signal from the DCS units, disconnects the power source to elements other than memory, while maintaining memory power to preserve data in memory. This measure conserves power and reduces battery volume requirements.

As depicted in FIG. 14, the system may include a calibration/diagnostic unit (CDU). The CDU may be used prior to DCS unit installation to set and verify gain and offset settings for the DCS units. Additionally, external batteries and an AC power supply can be used as a source of power for the manikin in all constrained modes of operations, including pretest setup and checkout procedures. These power sources can be used up to a point just prior to the unconstrained accident event or test impact. This power scheme permits a continual trickle charge to be applied to all of the manikin's batteries iri all modes except for the unconstrained test impact itself.

A special harness can be used to provide access to all of the analog outputs from the DCS units during constrained, pre-test operations. This analog output harness is connected to an analog monitor which permits test personnel to verify the static and dynamic status of every manikin channel during laboratory preparations, and in the field, just prior to a test. This monitor unit provides the required system status information to make test-abort decisions if necessary. In one embodiment, initialization inputs for the DCS units are tied together and made accessible to a rearm circuit housed within the monitor box to facilitate rearming of all systems during pretest checkout operations. This technique enables transportation of the manikin in a fully powered-down condition, by implementing a START sequence prior to transportation, and rearming the manikin for further checkout procedures or for a test impact.

In the illustrated configuration, the manikin receives a START signal when a looped wire is disconnected by a tether during the launch sequence of the manikin, upon separation of the manikin from a selected reference point. All eight START inputs are tied together for the DCS units, and are resistor pulled-up to the approximately +8 volt battery in the manikin's chest. This START input line is made accessible to the START loop, along with ground. When the START loop is pulled, either by the separation of motorcycle afid trolley, or in the preparation laboratory, the START line loses its ground and is pulled HIGH to generate a simultaneous START signal for all eight DCS units.

Referring again to FIG. 14, within the DCS module are 64 channels of bridge completion and sensor excitation (BCE) circuitry located on four circuit boards, each enough for 16 sensors feeding signals to two DCS units, all contained within the mounting box. (FIG. 12.) Each of the 16 BCE channels per board includes a generic bridge completion cirduit that can be configured for completing sensor bridges. Each channel's excitation can be individually configured for 5 volts or +2 volts excitation. The lower excitation is typically used for strain gauges located on poor heat sink materials, to minimize self-heating effects.

As described above, each BCE board can contain DCS unit monitor and power switching circuitry to turn off all power to the attached sensors after both DCS units attached to that BCE have finished collecting data and have entered SAVE DATA modes. These status monitor and power switch functions can alternatively be combined on a separate circuit board. This conserves main battery power, enabling the main battery to supplement the DCS unit memory batteries in their data retention activities.

Sensor interface to the BCE boards is accomplished via high density connectors providing up to five lines per channel ( signal, excitation, and a shield), although the number of lines actually used is a function of the type of sensors attached.

The offset adjustments on all nonfull bridge sensor channels can be accomplished via a fixed resistor and potentiometer across one of the bridge completion resistors.

The internal 8 volt batteries can be wired to be connected (in parallel) across the external batteries when they are attached. The two memory batteries in the manikin are attached to the internal +8 volt battery, to maintain the proper float charge for maximum performance during data retention activities. Epch DCS unit's external power lines are also directly connected to the internal +8 volt battery.

The onboard batteries can be operated substantially at a maximum current limit attainable by the batteries, consistent with maintaining a selected voltage over a selected time interval. Operating the batteries near their maximum current limit reduces battery volume requirements.

During pre-test diagnostics, a calibration verification is performed on all eight DCS units to test whether all channels have proper gain and offset values. At this point, the AC power supply is on line, charging a set of external batteries that are also linked into the manikin's internal batteries, thereby providing a full charge to all internal batteries. The eight DCS units are reinserted into their boxes, numbers 1, 3, 4 and 6 on the right side and numbers 2, 5, 7 and 8 on the left side. Because the DCS units are OFF, the BCE boards have removed all power to all sensors.

The analog monitor box is hooked into connectors to the DCS module. A voltmeter is inserted into ground and a-test point for each DCS unit. Successful initialization is confirmed'by an increase in power in each sensor channel being monitored by the voltmeter on the analog monitor. The manikin is then assembled and positioned for the test. The analog monitor box connectors, the START tether, the external battery connector, and a ground connector xemain connected to the manikin. When the manikin is properly positioned, the START tether is attached to the manikin. The power monitor is checked, and all channels are again tested for proper null states. The analog monitor is then disconnected.

The simulated accident event now commences. Approximately one second before impact, forward movement of the manikin causes electrical separation of the external batteries from the manikin, placing the manikin on internal batteries only. Separation also pulls the START loop, indicating to the DCS units that an important event needs to be captured.

Following the test, the status switch system turns off all power to all sensors, and the internal batteries continue to supply power to memory to maintain the test data. In data retrieval operations, the DCS unit connectors are removed and electrically coupled to a host computer, or to an intermediate data retrieval and play back system (DRAPS) for data retrieval. The analog sensor data is then downloaded to the host computer for further processing, as described below, to magnetic t.apes as a backup source of data, and to strip chart recorders.

In a preferrecf embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16, methods and apparatus are provided for assessing and evaluating the injury consequences of various simulated accident events, by correlating sensor data and physical indicator data ---such as fractures of frangible elements or damage to joint elements---to projected human injury. The invention further provides methods and apparatus for correlating projected human injury with economic cost.

In particular, the likelihood of injury to a human, as deduced from a test manikin, can be evaluated using transducers, high-speed cinematography and frangible components. As discussed above, transducers typically provide an electrical output related to certain physical parameters. These parameters include acceleration (translational and rotational), deflection (linear) and force. From these, a variety of functions (e.g., bending moments, strain, etc.) that are related to injury may be determined. Specific transducers of interest in an accident simulating manikin include accelerometers in the head, a displacement transducer in the thorax, strain gauges on the leg bones and load cells in the leg. Moreover, as stated above, the invention can be practiced in connection with a manikin in which the leg assemblies are designed with elements that fail at levels commensurate with failure level for humans. These include frangible upper and lower legs, knees that can fail if normal joint stops are exceeded, and hips that can dslocate.

In processing sdnsor data and physical indicators to calculate projected injury levels, a significant parameter is the Injury Threshold Level, which is the level of human mechanical response below which a specified injury does not occur, and above which a specified injury will occur. Additionally, an Injury Assessment Value is a human response level below which a specified significant injury is unlikely to occur. Injury assessment values may be related to head acceleration; facial laceration; neck bending; neck tensile, compressive and shear forces; chest/spine acceleration; fore/aft chest compression; axial compressive femur load; relative translation of femur and tibia at knee joint; combined bending and axial compressive loading of leg; medial and lateral tibial plateau compressive forces; medial and lateral ankle compressive forces; and knee laceration.

In order to provide useful correlations of sensor data to injury and cost, a manikin must have good biofidelity. so that its responses (trajectories, velocities, accelerations, deformations and forces) are representative of the responses of a human exposed to the same test environment. Biofidelity refers to the simulation of human characteristics (e.g.: size, shape, mass, mass distribution, stiffness, articulation, energy absorption, and energy dissipation) in the dummy design.The manikin must be instrumented to measure responses that can be associated with various types of injuries. Manikins constructed in accord wth the invention, as described above, meet these requirements.

Additionally, Injury Assessment Values must be specified for various injuries in terms of measured manikin responses. (If a manikin response measurement is below its corresponding Injury Assessment Value, then the occurrence of the associated injury for a similarly size occupant is considered unlikely for the accident environment being simulated.) Projected injury levels can then be deduced by monitoring the various injury assessment parameters and the frangible elements, based on the assumption of proportionality between these observations and the severity of injuries that would have been sustained by a human the equivalent accident event.

In one embodiment of the invention, transducers are provided for evaluating injuries related to the head and to the chest; and injuries to the extremities are monitored by observing the response of breakable bone elements, including frangible knees and dislocatable hips, and by monitoring the output of sensors coupled to the extremities. The assessment of head injury via head-mounted accelerometers can include evaluation of peak resultant head center of gravity translational acceleration; average center of gravity translational acceleration; and maximum head-rotational acceleration. Another head injury assessment parameter is the normal impact velocity of the head, with higher velocity indicating more serious injury. To determine the severity of chest injuries, ope useful sensor is the sternum displacement transducer. Two injury assessment functions can be considered: maximum thorax compression and maximum value of the product of compression and rate of compression. The first criterion addresses rib fractures associated with distributed frontal chest impact. The second recognizes the rate sensitivity of the chest and interthoracic organs to injury.

Injuries to the lower leg can be assessed by observing the physical damage to the tibia/fibula bone element. Injuries to the femur can be determined from observation of the physical damage to the frangible bone element; and injury to the knee can be assessed by observing the damage to shear pins incorporated in the design, and by observation of the degree of deformation of the elastomeric element in the knee, which relates to the degree of rotation experienced by the knee. Failure of either or both pins corresponds to ligament rupture. Failure of the pivot bolt in the knee conservatively corresponds to total knee dislocation. As noted above, the extremities, including arms and legs, can be instrumented to provide correlatable sensor data and physical indicators.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the invention utilizes injury calculation module 401 and cost calculation module 402 contained within a conventional host computer or external processor 300 to calculate injury values and cost estimates, based on sensor data and physical indicators. FIG. 15 depicts these processing modules contained witpin the host computer 300. An additional processing module, referred to as a motion calculation module 403, can be employed to calculate head, body, or limb motion based on motion data generated by a manikin constructed in accord with the invention.

As indicated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the injury/cost processing modules 401, 402 correlate physical indicators and kinetic data generated by sensors during a test collision event with projected human injury associated with the event, and correlate projected human injury with projected economic costs associated with the event. These comparisons, correlations and projected costs can be stored within the host computer in accordance with known data processing practice.

In particular, referring to FIG. 16, following execution of the simulated accident event, storage of sensor data, and transfer of the sensor data to the external processor (steps 501 and 502), the motion calculation module can generate force/time, acceleration/time plots, and identify maximum/minimum force and acceleration versus time over the course of the simulated accident event, to identify joint or bone failure points, including fractures and joint rupture (step 503). The injury calculation module then compares sensor data with stored correlations of force and acceleration to injury level, to calculate an injury level (steps 504 and 506). The injury calculation module also utilizes physical indicators of injury level, such as ruptured joint elements and fracture of frangble limbs, to calculate a projected human injury level (steps 505 and 506).

k The cost calculaion module then compares the calculated human injury level with stored correlations of injury to economic costs (step 507) to calculate the projected cost of the simulated accident event (step 508). This projected cost can be displayed or printed (step 509) to enable comparison of the simulated accident event with other simulated accident events involving other kinetic values or different safety equipment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the injury calculation module utilizes a stored table that summariz es a range of injury assessment values and corresponding injury severity levels. The table is used to assign severity ratings to injuries to each of the manikin regions discussed above. In accord with this embodiment, the cost calculation module executes conventional mathematical operations, utilizing the values selected from this table in conjunction with injury cost data, to estimate total injury accident costs. Various known cost models can be utilized in processing information generated by the manikin, including the Harm model, the Injury Priority Rating (IPR), and Impairment Years. In view of the coarseness and other deficiencies of existing models, however, the injury/cost modules in one embodiment of the invention evaluate test variances by executing cost calculations in accord with a new equation, wherein the approximate accident cost to an individual is as follows:

CT = Mi + U(Mi + M0 + (Rl,m X F) + (P1 + Al + El+ Ll) where CT m i j k U F R 1 m p A E L D n 0 + (1 - R1.m)(Dn+ DO) crash test/injury costs medical costs the highest medical costs the second highest medical cost the third highest medical cost unknown percentage of the secondary and tertiary medical costs (presently set at 1/3) cost of a fatality risk of fatality most severe AIS injury (AIS ratings are based on the Abbreviated Injury Scale published by the American Association for Automotive Medicine) second most severe AIS level injury public damage costs administrative costs emergency service costs legal costs disability costs based on n,0 highest disability cost second highest disability cost.

This equation seeks to assign cost values to all aspects of a given accident event, quantifying the actual costs by body region and severity, and including some costing for disability. It utilizes portions of the current models as well as the latest medical costs (by body region)presently available.

Because head injury is a significant aspect of accident-related trauma, the manikin element depicted in FIG. 1 preferably includes a head-mounted accelerometer for generating head acceleration.

signals representative of the acceleration of the head element. The injury calculation module 401 depicted in FIG. 15 subsequently processes these signals, and correlates the values represented by these signals with projected human injury. Cost calculation module 402 receives the calculated injury data from injury calculation module 401 and calculates projected economic costs resulting from the sensed collision event. In this embodiment of the invention, motion calculation module 403 can execute known arithmetic operations to generate a plot of head movement over time during the accident event and calculate minimum and maximum head acceleration values during the event. The motion calculation module 403 can also generate plots of acceleration versus time and velocity versus time. Further, the manikin can include an accelerometer element in the thoracic region of the body element, for generating signals representative of thoracic acceleration. This acceleration data can be transferred to the host computer for processing by the injury calculation and cost cor relation modules.

It will thus be seen that the invention efficiently attains the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description. It will be understood that changes may be made in the above construction and in the foregoing sequences of operation without departing from the scope of the invention. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawngs be interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention as described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims (41)

1. Apparatus for simulating and evaluating effects of an accident event on a human, the apparatus comprising:- anthropomorphic manikin means for simulating effects of the accident event on a human, said manikin means including an anthropomorphic manikin, said manikin including sensor means having distributed sensors for sensing any of forces, accelerations, velocities, or displacements experienced by elements of said manikin means during the simulated accident event, and data collection and storage means contained in said manikin, said data collection and storage means including are circulating memory means for storing a selected quantity of data generated by said sensors.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data collection and storage means includes bridge completion and sensor excitation means for completing electrical sensor bridges and applying a selected excitation voltage to ones of said sensors.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means includes any of strain gauges, accelerometers, load cells, or potentiometers.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said manikin element includes frangible limb elements.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sensing means includes any of said strain gauges or load cells coupled to said frangible limb elements, said sensing means and said frangible limb elements enabling detecting of multiple injuries.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said manikin elements include a rupturable joint means for simulating a human joint, and said joint means includes electronic fracture detection means for detecting fracture of said joint means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said electronic fracture detection means includes a rupturable conductive element in electrical series connection with a signal generating element, said conductive element being operable to break upon fracture of said joint means, so that the signal generated by said signal generating element changes to indicate said fracture.

8. Sensing apparatus for sensing physical events influencing a test object during a simulated accident event, comprising distributed sensing means, including a plurality of sensors coupled to and distributed about the test object, for generating signals representative of any of forces, accelerations, or velocities experienced by the test object during the simulated accident event, and data collection and storage means, said data collection and storage means including a recirculating memory means for storing a selected quantity of data generated by said sensors.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sensing means includes any of strain gauges, accelerometers, load cells or potentiometers.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising power source means for supplying electrical power to any of said sensing means or said data collection and storage means.

11. Apparatus ac7cording to claim 10, wherei said power source means includes at least one electrical storage battery.

12. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said recirculating memory means includes means for establishing a selected quantity of data to be saved for subsequent retrieval from said data collection and storage means, said selected quantity of data to be saved being delimited by a selected temporal start point and a selected temporal end point, and further comprising trigger means, in electrical coffimunication with said recirculating memory means, for transmitting to said recirculating memory means a start signal defining said temporal start point, said trigger means being operable to transmit said start signal at a selected time proximate to initiation of the simulated accident event.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said trigger means includes pull cord switch means, in electrical communication with said recirculating memory means, for enabling transmission of said start signal upon selected displacement of said test object from a selected reference point.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said power source means comprises at least one internal storage battery element adapted for mounting in or on the test object, external power connection means for providing electrical connection between said data collection and storage means and a source of electrical power external to the test object, to reduce internal battery volume requirements, and means for selectively disconnecting the external source of electrical power prior to the simulated accident event.

15. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said power source means comprises first storage battery means for providing electrical power to said recirculating memory means, second storage battery means for providing electrical power to any of said sensor means or elements of said data collection and storage means, and closed loop power control means, responsive to operational status of said data collection and storage means, for selectively disconnecting said second storage battery means from any of said sensor means or elements of said data collection and storage means, for conserving electrical power and reducing storage battery volume requirements.

16. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said data collection and storage means comprises a plurality of data channels, each data channel corresponding to a selected sensor in said distributed sensing means.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said data collection and storage means comprises any of sensor excitation means for applying excitation voltage for each data channel, or bridge completion means for completing electrical sensor bridges.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said sensor excitation means includes means for applying a selected excitation voltage for,each data channel, and said bridge co.mpletion means includes means for providing selected bridge configurations, including any of full bridge, three-quarter bridge, half bridge, or quarter bridge configurations.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said data collection and storage means includes reconfiguration means for enabling any of adding or subtracting data channels, modifying excitation voltage, modifying sensors, or modifying bridge configuration.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said reconfiguration means includes switch means for enabling any of adding or subtracting data channels, or modifying excitation voltage, sensors, or bridge configuration.

21. Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising external monitoring means, external to the test object and operable to be electrically coupled to said data collection and storage means, for interrogating any of said data channels, said power storage means, or said memory means, to determine operating status of said data collection and storage means.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said external monitoring means comprises means for generating any of (i) status signals representative of said operating status, or (ii) data channel signals representative of signal level on said data channels, and data transmission means for transmittng said status signals or said data channel signals to an external monitoring device.

1 1

23. Apparatus adcording to claim 22, wherein said data transmission means includes a removable electrical monitoring cable.

24. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising external processing means, external.to the test object and adapted to be electrically connected to said data collection and storage means, for calculating projected human injury associated with said simulated accident event, in response to any of (i) sensor data generated by said sensors during said accident event or (ii) physical indicators resulting from said accident event, said physical indicators including brebkable element failures.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said external processing means includes means for storing predetermined correlations of human injuries with any of force, displacements, velocities, acceleration, or breakable element failures, and means for comparing said sensor data or said physical indicators with said stored correlations.

26. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said external processing means includes means for correlating said estimated projected human injury with projected economic costs associated with the simulated accident event, to facilitate comparison of multiple simulated accident events.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said means for correlating projected human injury with projected economic costs includes means for stori - ng predetermined corre,ations of human injuries with projected economic costs, and comparison mean's for comparing said estimated projected human injury with said stored predetermined correlations.

28. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said manikin includes a head element, said sensor means includes at least one accelerometer for sensing acceleration of said head element in at least one direction and generating head-acceleration signals representative of said acceleration of said head element, said d ata collection and storage means includes means for collecting and storing said head-accelerdtion signals, and said external processing means includes means for obtaining said head- acceleration signals from said data collection and storage means, and means for processing said head-acceleration signals to calculate estimated projected human injury resulting from said simulated accident event.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said sensor means includes a plurality of accelerometer means for sensing acceleration of said head element in multiple axes and for generating head-acceleration signals representative of said acceleration of said head element in said multiple axes.

30. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherei said manikin includes a body element having a.: thoracic region, said thoracic region including at least one of accelerometer means for generating signals representative of thoracic acceleration or 1 1 potentiometer means for generating signals representative of thoracic deflection.

31. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said recirculating memory means includes a plurality of physically discrete memory elements, each memory element being housed in a corresponding memory enclosure, and further comprising mounting means for' mounting each of said plurality of memory enclosures so that said memory enclosures are substantially rigidly interconnected.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said.manikin includes a body element tiaving a thoracic region, and said mounting means is situated in said thoracic region, said mounting means being adapted for receiving each of said plurality of memory', enclosures.

33. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said mounting means further comprises cooperating connector means, formed in said mounting means and said plural memory enclosures, for retaining said plural memory enclosures in registration with said mounting means.

34. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said excitation voltage includes positive and negative excitation voltages, said positive and negative excitation voltages are selected from a range of values between 5 and +5 volts DC, and an average of the positive and negative excitation voltage values is between -2.5 and +2.5 volts PC, measured from an electrical ground point in said data collection and storage means.

35. Apparatus acpording to claim 11 wherein said battery elements are rechargeable batteries, and said power source means includes means for operating said rechargeable batteries substantially at a maximum current attainable by said rechargeable batteries consistent with maintaining a substantially constant battery output voltage over a selected time interval, such that overall battery size requirements are reduced.

36. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said recirculating memory means includes a plurality of physically discrete memory elements, and said power source means includes at least one electrical storage battery, each said battery being operable to provide power to a plurality of memory elements in said data collection and storage means.

37. Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said power source means includes means for providing redundant sources of electrical power to said memory elements in said data collection and storage means.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said means for providing redundant sources of power comprises at least one electrically conductive power cable extending from at least one of said memory enclosure means, said at least one power cable being operable to receive electrical power from an external source of electrical power.

39. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said manikin means comprises limb means having first and second portions, said limb means including joint means providing articulated connecting means between said first and second portions of said limb means, said articulated connecting means being operable to simulate a human joint, said articulated connecting means including a first movable member, a second movable member, slot means and pin means interconnecting said first and second movable members and providing limited movement therebetween as determined by traversing movement of said pin means through said:lot means, and elastomeric means interposed in said slot means between one of said members and said pin means and operable to elastically and progressively increase resistance of movement of the other of said members relative to said one member in response to movement of said pin means through said slot means, said elastomeric means further being operable to deform during said accident event, said deformation being indicative of rotational deflection experienced by at least one of said members during said accident event.

40. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said manikin means comprises bone simulating means for simulating the structural behavior of human bones, said bone simulating means including reinforcing means for providing separately oriented reinforcing patterns to simulate, in multiple axes, multi-directional diverse strength and stiffness characteristics substantially similar to human bone strength and stiffness characteristics.

41. A method for simulating and evaluating effects of a simulated accident event on a human, the method comprising the steps of providing an anthropomorphic manikin with sensors to sense any of forces, accelerations, velocities, displacements, joint failures or fractures experienced by elements of said manikin during the simulated accident event, and configuring a recirculating memory element to store a selected quantity of data generated by the sensors.

Published 199 1 at The Patent Office. Concept House. Cardiff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 I RH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch, Unit 6. Nine Mile Point, Owrafelinfach. Cross Keys. Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray, Kent.