JP5079203B2 - Impact relaxation device filled with gel and composition for the device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Related Patents]
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 223,633, filed Aug. 8, 2000.
[0002]
Field of the Invention
The present invention provides an apparatus having a layered structure for reducing trauma to humans and other animals in the event of an impact such as a car collision or a motorboat accident.
[0003]
【background】
When a car collides, the force caused by the collision is transmitted to the rider through members in the car. In general, since a person in the vehicle receives an impact from these members, an accident called a secondary collision occurs. For example, in a car collision accident, when a person in the car has a complicated fracture of the tibia, the force applied at that time is measured as 6 kilonewtons. Also, in the case of racing boats and log skitters, the damaging forces will be transmitted from the boat structure to the occupant's body. The present invention contemplates eliminating or reducing the trauma resulting from such impacts.
[0004]
[Summary]
The present invention provides an apparatus having a function of dispersing impact energy, and the impact energy is not directly transmitted to an object to be protected (for example, a person in a car). Trauma-mitigating effects or impact mitigation effects are provided by the layered (flat layered) structure device of the present invention. In the present specification, an apparatus having a layered structure may be simply referred to as a “layered body (laminate)”. The device of the present invention can be made in various thicknesses, but 9 cm or less is desirable. The components of the device have cumulative effects in protecting the subject when an impact occurs. The layered body is for minimizing the striking force transmitted to the lower limbs and other body parts. Some embodiments included in the present invention may damage limbs and body surfaces of persons riding in the vehicle by "secondary collisions" and / or by the impact force being transmitted through structural members of the vehicle. Designed to protect against. The present invention helps to reduce the impact force and the resulting damage by providing a multilayer body between the source of the impact and the object to be protected, for example, between the car and the person riding it.
[0005]
Cars carry people and move at an almost uniform speed. When a collision occurs, the car decelerates suddenly. The rider continues to move at the same uniform pace as the car's initial speed. When the vehicle decelerates suddenly, a force is generated due to the difference between the deceleration of the human body and the deceleration of the vehicle, and the rider receives the force. The force generated by this deceleration difference causes an impact on the body part of the rider, but the device of the present invention reduces such an impact and reduces the applied force and possible damage. is there.
[0006]
The space or distance between the interior of the car and the person on board is limited. Therefore, the layered body interposed between them must reduce the relative speed within a short distance. The shorter the distance and time, the greater the energy generated. The first function of the layered body is to transform itself and convert the generated energy into heat. The second function of the layered body is to distribute the force over as wide an area as possible to minimize the force transmitted to the protected body. This greatly reduces the impact and associated damage on the body part due to collision.
[0007]
The layered body of the present invention efficiently performs the above function. When a force is applied, some layers in the layered body compress and deform. The other layers react upon contact and distribute the force throughout the device. Within a layer, the elements in the viscous fluid interact to disperse forces.
[0008]
In one embodiment, the layered body is disposed on and integral with the surface of the footwell or toepan where the foot is placed. The layered body can also be used in a knee bolster that protects the driver's and front seat passenger's knees.
[0009]
In its most common form, the layered body of the present invention comprises a crushable sealing structure that can be deformed and crushed in a predetermined manner when subjected to a sudden impact. The sealed structure includes a fluid-impervious flexible enclosure in which a crushable matrix is placed in a high viscosity fluid composition. It is out.
[0010]
The crushable substrate preferably includes a plurality of substrate elements, and each substrate element is arranged side by side so as to be substantially orthogonal to the main plane of the layered body. These substrate elements can be, for example, cylindrical, hemispherical, pyramidal, or combinations thereof. Some or all of the substrate elements can also be formed from a pair of hemispheres or pyramids joined at the top or apex. Further, if desired, a plurality of crushable arms can be provided on a part or all of the base material element. Also, if desired, hemispherical or pyramidal elements can be used in combination with cylindrical elements.
[0011]
The crushable sealing structure can also include a thin support layer above and / or below a plurality of substrate elements, if desired. As such a support layer, for example, a ductile metal such as aluminum or copper having a corrugated shape or other shapes that can be crushed can be cited. Alternatively, the polymer material can be shaped to have a rubber or solid viscosity in the form of corrugations, honeycombs, and the like. It can also be formed in whole or in part from ceramics or ceramic alloys.
Further, a thin support layer can be sandwiched outside the sealed crushable structure.
[0012]
A fluid impermeable flexible seal surrounds the sealed crushable structure. The seal can be made from a polymer film of suitable strength, or a rubberized or elastomeric woven or non-woven fabric, so that it can withstand the expected force and does not rupture. The seal is preferably rubberized and impermeable to the fluid, and is formed from a parallel barrier having a thickness of 20 mils. These barriers can also be formed by folding a single sheet. The barrier can also be joined along part or all of the perimeter using a somewhat thinner film (e.g., 10-15 mils). In order to adapt the impact to spread along the plane of the layered body, it is desirable to provide one or more accordion pleats (gussets) at one or more edges of the sealed body.
[0013]
The high viscosity fluid composition is contained within a fluid impermeable flexible enclosure. The composition includes a viscous fluid having a viscosity of about 300,000 CPS to about 6 million CPS (ie, a semi-solid such as a gel or block polymer). When an impact is applied to the device of the present invention, the crushable substrate interacts with the viscous fluid to transfer energy to the substrate, and the elements in the viscous fluid and along the plane of the layered body. And dissipate energy in the form of heat.
[0014]
Desirably, the high viscosity fluid comprises low density microspherical particles having a diameter of about 100 to 400 microns. Such microspherical particles may be ceramic or plastic but may also be a mixture thereof.
It is more desirable that the high-viscosity fluid contains macro particles having a diameter of about 0.5 mm to 5 mm, for example, a foamed polymer such as polystyrene, or a combination of the foamed polymer and microspherical particles. Desirably, the particles include various sizes of about 20-40% by volume in a high viscosity fluid. When an impact is applied to the device of the present invention, the crushable substrate interacts with the viscous fluid particulate compound to transfer energy to the substrate.
[0015]
The fluid impervious flexible enclosure includes a polymer film having an appropriate thickness and strength so that its integrity can be maintained upon a given impact. Alternatively, it can be made from two or more layers of fabric or elastomer. To provide flexibility and additional elasticity, one of the layers may be polynorbornene or butyl rubber. The main part of the sealing body can also be made, for example, by coextrusion of a polymer film and a metal film.
Use metal adhesive film such as XU661126.02 (Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich.) To bond to thin layers of metal or crushable ductile metal such as car floors as previously described Can do.
[0016]
In another embodiment of the invention, the sealed crushable structure is entirely covered with a layer of reticulated foam. When a source of compressed air is deployed and an impact (abrupt deceleration or acceleration) is sensed, the foam layer is pressurized.
[0017]
In one embodiment shown in this specification, the layered body of the present invention is composed of the following layers. The top layer is a carpet that is deployed as a car floor covering. The next layer is a reticulated foam. Next is a crushable sealing structure, the surface of which is a film forming the surface of a fluid-impermeable flexible sealing body. There is a thin support layer inside the flexible enclosure, which is a honeycomb or corrugated structure designed to break upon impact. The multi-element substrate is just outside the thin support layer. The substrate is encased in a high viscosity fluid composition comprising microspheres and macrospheres. Next on the outside is a thin support layer of corrugated aluminum. Next is the bottom surface of the flexible sealing body, and if necessary, an adhesive film to be attached to the vehicle structure is provided.
[0018]
[Detailed description]
The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a layered impact relaxation device (100) of the present invention. This can be used for an automobile footwell or tupan (110). In order to make the structure easy to understand, some layers that are actually in contact are separated slightly and are shown as exploded views.
[0019]
The carpet layer (101) is a floor covering commonly used in automobiles, and is a woven or pile carpet. The carpet layer is not only functional, but also decorative to be color coordinated with the rest of the car. This layer is in direct contact with the person to be protected in the car.
The upper cushion layer (102) is preferably provided under the carpet layer (101) and is made of a soft elastic material such as butyl rubber, polynorbornene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyurethane.
[0020]
The foam layer (103) is desirably provided under the upper cushion layer. In addition to polyurethane, this foam layer is made of foam foam that is entirely reticulated and expandable, and is provided with an air injection tube (130). When external pressurized air is supplied through this tube to the foam layer, the foam layer expands and provides additional elasticity. When an impact is sensed and the vehicle airbag is opened, compressed air is preferably supplied directly to the foam layer (103) through the air injection tube (130). In one embodiment of the present invention, the foam layer (103) can be omitted.
If necessary, the lower cushion layer (122) may be provided directly below the foam layer (103).
[0021]
The upper layer (104) of the sealed body is provided below the foam layer (103) (or below the lower cushion layer when the lower cushion layer (122) is provided). The upper cushion layer (102) and the upper layer (104) of the sealed body are preferably sealed so that the upper and lower surfaces of the foam layer (103) are almost airtight and can be expanded through the air injection tube (130). Alternatively, the surface of the foam layer (103) can be sealed with a thin polymer film or other means.
[0022]
A fluid impermeable flexible enclosure (120) surrounds the crushable seal structure (150) and is made from a polymer film or without breaking when subjected to a predetermined force. Made from rubberized or elastomeric woven or non-woven fabrics that are durable. The seal is preferably formed from a pair of rubberized, fluid impermeable barriers (104), (108) having a thickness of 20 mils. The barriers (104) and (108) are joined by a relatively thin film (116) and have accordion-type pleats that form gussets so that the impact can spread along the plane of the layered body. .
[0023]
The thin support layer (105) of the honeycomb structure metal constitutes the upper part of the crushable structure (150). It breaks when receiving pressure and absorbs energy. As another example, a corrugated sheet of aluminum or other metal layer can be substituted.
[0024]
A fluid (160) having a high viscosity is accommodated as the contents inside the flexible sealing body (120). The fluid includes a viscous fluid having a viscosity of about 300,000 CPS to about 6 million CPS (ie, a semi-solid such as a gel or block polymer). When an impact is applied to the apparatus (100) of the present invention, the crushable substrate (106) interacts with the viscous fluid (160) to transfer energy into the substrate or into the viscous fluid. As the element moves along the plane of the inside and the layered body, energy is dissipated in the form of heat.
[0025]
The high viscosity fluid desirably includes low density microspherical particles (161) having a diameter of about 100 to 400 microns. As such microspherical particles (161), ceramic or plastic or mixtures thereof can be used.
It is more desirable that the high-viscosity fluid contains macro particles (162) having a diameter of about 0.5 mm to 5 mm, for example, a foamed polymer such as polystyrene. Desirably, the particles comprise various sizes of about 20-40% by volume in the high viscosity fluid (160).
[0026]
The central part of the crushable structure (150) is a crushable substrate (106) made of a plurality of cylindrical elements (166) extending in the vertical direction. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a crushable substrate (106) in which cylindrical elements (166) are arranged in a grid. In the present invention, the arrangement of the components of the crushable structure can take various forms, and the important point is that it is encased in the high viscosity fluid (160). If necessary, some or all of the components can be aired (see FIGS. 1 and 2), or can include a high viscosity fluid (160).
[0027]
The lower part of the crashable structure (150) is formed by a thin support layer (107) of honeycomb structure metal. As another embodiment, it can be formed as a corrugated aluminum or other metal layer.
Below the honeycomb metal layer (107) is the fluid impermeable barrier (108) described above. This constitutes the bottom of the flexible enclosure (120).
[0028]
A metal adhesive film (109) such as XU661126.02 (Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich.) Is used to join the flexible enclosure (120) to the car's toepan (110) or other metal. be able to. This film is a high-quality adhesive tape capable of attaching a layered structure to a metal surface in an automobile in an environment where there is a large temperature fluctuation and there is a lubricating oil that hinders adhesion. If desired, the lower fluid impermeable barrier (108) can be made of such a film.
[0029]
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the shock absorbing device (300) of the present invention. The carpet (301) rests on the upper cushion layer (302). Generally, the air injection pipe (330) described above is provided in the foam layer (303).
Under the foam layer (303), an upper layer (304) of the sealing body is provided to form a top surface of the fluid-impermeable flexible sealing body (320). The flexible sealing body (320) is configured to surround the crushable structure (350). The structure (350) includes an upper corrugated layer (305), a lower corrugated layer (307), and a crushable substrate (306).
[0030]
In the crushable base material (306), the hemispherical members (366) are in contact with each other at the top surfaces. The hemispherical member (366) is contained in the viscous fluid (360). As shown in this embodiment, the viscous fluid (360) exists not only outside the hemispherical member (366) but also inside the member (366). High viscosity fluid (360) includes a viscous fluid of soybean oil, linseed oil, sunflower oil or pine oil (along with antioxidants and other preservatives), an oil / water emulsion, or in the fluid In addition to the microparticles (361) and the macroparticles (362) dispersed in the oil, it contains petroleum, silicone, block polymer or other mild viscous substances.
[0031]
The corrugated metal layer (307) forms the lower part of the crushable structure (350) and includes a crushable substrate (306) and a corrugated metal layer (305).
The fluid impermeable barrier (308) forms the bottom surface of the flexible enclosure (320) and includes a barrier (304) and a gusset edge (316).
The adhesive layer (309) joins the sealing body (320) to the tupan (310).
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the impact mitigation device (400) of the present invention. The crashable structure (450) includes a pair of honeycomb structures (405) and (407) in addition to a large number of pyramidal elements (466) constituting the substrate (406). As shown, the pyramidal elements are connected at their apexes (470) and their bases (472) are in contact with the honeycomb structures (405) (407).
The interior of the pyramidal element of this example is filled with air and the exterior is immersed in a high viscosity fluid (460).
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows a substrate of another embodiment. In this embodiment, the crushable structure (550) is composed of a plurality of pyramidal base elements (566). This embodiment does not include a honeycomb or corrugated layer in the crushable structure (550). In use, all of the honeycomb or corrugated layers can be omitted or placed outside the flexible enclosure (520).
[0034]
FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in which the crushable structure (650) is a pyramidal substrate element (666) that is smaller than the substrate element (466) shown in FIG. Is included. The substrate element (666) is attached to the corrugated layers (605) (607) by an arm (667) extending from the base of the pyramidal element. Each of these elements is immersed in the high viscosity fluid (660) as part of the crushable structure (650).
[0035]
Similarly, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the crushable structure (750) includes a number of pyramidal substrate elements (766), The material element (766) is attached to the corrugated layers (705) (707) by an arm (767) extending from the base of the pyramidal element. Each of these elements is immersed in a high viscosity fluid (760) as part of the crushable structure (750).
[0036]
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the above embodiments are examples of the invention described in general terms in the Summary of the Invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention using a cylindrical body as a base material element.
FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along line 2-2 of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of the present invention using a base element combined with hemispherical elements.
FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of the present invention using a base material element to which a pyramid type element is bonded.
FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of the present invention composed of only a substrate.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing still another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view schematically showing still another embodiment.

Claims (28)

A flexible enclosure having a fluid impermeable barrier;
A crushable substrate placed in a flexible enclosure that crashes when pressure is applied ;
Shock and includes a viscous flow body which is arranged in the flexible sealing body, a relaxation device.   The impact mitigation device of claim 1, wherein the viscous fluid comprises macrospherical particles having a diameter of about 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm. The impact mitigation device of claim 2, wherein the viscosity of the viscous fluid is between about 300,000 CPS and 6,000,000 CPS. The impact mitigation device of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the viscous fluid is between about 300,000 CPS and 6,000,000 CPS.   The impact mitigating device of claim 1, wherein the crashable substrate comprises a plurality of substrate elements selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, a hemisphere, or a pyramid. 6. The impact mitigation device of claim 5, wherein the crashable substrate includes a support layer disposed adjacent to the flexible enclosure.   7. The impact mitigating device according to claim 6, wherein the support layer is a metal made in a crushable shape.   8. The impact mitigating device according to claim 7, wherein the crushable shape is a corrugated sheet.   The impact mitigating device according to claim 7, wherein the crushable shape is a plurality of honeycomb shapes.   7. The impact mitigation device of claim 6, wherein the support layer is made from a material selected from the group consisting of ductile metals, polymeric materials, ceramics or ceramic alloys. The flexible sealing member is a polymer film, expanded foam of the total net, rubber引織cloth, rubberized nonwoven, impact relaxation Claim 1 made from selected Ru wood fees from the group consisting of elastomeric woven or elastomeric nonwoven apparatus. 12. The impact mitigation device of claim 11, wherein the material is formed to have at least one accordion pleat along the edge of the flexible enclosure. 12. The impact mitigation device of claim 11, wherein the material is formed from a pair of parallel barriers each about 20 mils thick. 6. The impact mitigation device of claim 5 , wherein the flexible seal includes a foam layer connected to a compressed air supply.   2. The impact mitigating device according to claim 1, wherein the crushable base material includes a plurality of pairs of hemispheres connected to each other at the tops to form a pair.   The impact mitigation device of claim 15, wherein the viscous fluid is disposed inside and outside the hemisphere.   2. The impact mitigating device according to claim 1, wherein the crushable base material includes a plurality of pairs of pyramids that are connected at the apexes to form a pair.   18. The impact mitigation device of claim 17, wherein the viscous fluid is disposed outside each pyramid body.   19. The impact mitigation device of claim 18, wherein the crashable substrate includes a support layer, each pyramid has a base, and each base is adjacent to the support layer.   18. The impact mitigation device of claim 17, wherein the crushable substrate includes a support layer, each pyramid has an arm extending from the base, and the arm is in contact with the support layer. The flexible sealing member is a polymer film, expanded foam of the total net, rubber引織cloth, rubberized nonwoven, impact relaxation Claim 1 made from selected Ru wood fees from the group consisting of elastomeric woven or elastomeric nonwoven apparatus. The impact mitigation device of claim 21, wherein the material is formed to have at least one accordion pleat along an edge of the flexible enclosure. The impact mitigation device of claim 21, wherein the material is formed from a pair of parallel barriers, each about 20 mils thick. The impact mitigation device of claim 1, wherein the flexible enclosure includes a foam layer coupled to a compressed air supply. A sealed body having a fluid impermeable barrier;
A crushable substrate placed in a sealed body,
An impact mitigation device comprising a viscous fluid disposed within a sealed body,
The crushable substrate includes a plurality of hemispheres, the hemispheres being connected to each other at the tops to form a pair,
An impact mitigation device in which the viscous fluid is deployed inside and outside the hemisphere. A sealed body having a fluid impermeable barrier;
A crushable substrate placed in a sealed body,
An impact mitigation device comprising a viscous fluid disposed within a sealed body,
The crushable substrate includes a plurality of pyramids, and the pyramids are paired by being connected at the vertices.
The viscous fluid is an impact mitigation device arranged outside each pyramid. 27. The impact mitigation device of claim 26, wherein the crashable substrate includes a support layer, each pyramid of the plurality of pyramids has a base, and the base of each pyramid is adjacent to the support layer. A sealed body having a fluid impermeable barrier;
A crushable substrate placed in a sealed body,
An impact mitigation device comprising a viscous fluid disposed within a sealed body,
The crushable base material includes a plurality of pyramids that are connected at the apexes to form a pair, and a support layer, and each of the pyramids has a base portion, and an arm extends from the base portion. An impact mitigation device that extends and the arm is in contact with the support layer.

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