Browse Topic: Protective systems
ABSTRACT As part of DARPA’s Adaptive Vehicle Make (AVM) portfolio of programs, blast and ballistic survivability analysis tools were developed. The intent of these tools was to facilitate design and design optimization by making it possible for designers to perform survivability analysis from CAD and to automate the survivability analysis pipeline to allow optimization codes to invoke the survivability tools and obtain results. This paper describes some of the tools and their capabilities through highlighting five innovations utilized in the program: multi-fidelity modeling; automated meshing and welding; uncertainty quantification and 95% bounds; a large material property database and more accurate blast loads; and automating the entire computational pipeline
ABSTRACT Computational models are widely used in the prediction of occupant injury responses and vehicle structural performance of ground vehicles subjected to underbody blasts. Although these physics based computational models incorporate all the material and environment data, the classic models are typically deterministic and do not capture the potential variations in the design, testing and operating parameters. This paper investigates the effect of one such variation in physical tests, namely, variations in the position of occupant setup on the occupant injury responses. To study the effects of occupant position, a series of vertical drop tower tests were performed in a controlled setup. A vertical drop tower test involves an Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) dummy positioned on a seat and the setup is dropped on an energy attenuating surface, thus producing a desired shock pulse on the seat structure. The experimental data was analyzed for sensitivity of occupant position and ATD
ABSTRACT The Blast Event Simulations sysTem (BEST) is a synthesis tool that provides a seamless and easy-to-use coupling between existing and commercially available LS-DYNA solvers and Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) models for a complete sequence of explosive simulations. BEST driven simulations capture the soil/explosive/vehicle/occupant interaction. In this paper a blast simulation analysis conducted by BEST for a generic but representative vehicle is presented. The vehicle is subjected to the blast load created by an explosive buried underneath the vehicle. An ATD model is placed inside the vehicle in order to capture the loads created on the lower legs of an occupant due to the explosion. Technical details with respect to the various models engaged in the simulation are presented first. The results and the physical insight which can be gained by the analysis are discussed. A series of design modifications which add minimal weight are introduced in the vehicle structure, such as
ABSTRACT A functionally-graded NPR (Negative Poisson’s Ratio) material concept has been developed for a critical Army application – blast protection. The objective is to develop a combined computational design methodology and innovative structural-material concept for a blast-protective deflector, which can concentrate material into areas most needed and adapt its shape utilizing the blast energy to improve blast mitigation and crew protection. Included in the computational design methodology is optimal deflector shape design and optimal NPR material distribution to further improve the protection while minimizing the C.G. height of the vehicle and the weight of the deflector. Structures fabricated using this new concept react to the explosion and reconfigure themselves under the blast force to provide maximum blast protection. The presented research work consists of two basic approaches to deflector design: optimal deflector shape design and optimal NPR material configuration and
Road safety remains a critical concern globally, with millions of lives lost annually due to road accidents. In India alone, the year 2021 witnessed over 4,12,432 road accidents resulting in 1,53,972 fatalities and 3,84,448 injuries. The age group most affected by these accidents is 18-45 years, constituting approximately 67% of total deaths. Factors such as speeding, distracted driving, and neglect to use safety gear increases the severity of these incidents. This paper presents a novel approach to address these challenges by introducing a driver safety system aimed at promoting good driving etiquette and mitigating distractions and fatigue. Leveraging Raspberry Pi and computer vision techniques, the system monitors driver behavior in real-time, including head position, eye blinks, mouth opening and closing, hand position, and internal audio levels to detect signs of distraction and drowsiness. The system operates in both passive and active modes, providing alerts and alarms to the
Energy efficiency in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EV) is a strategic advantage of automotive companies. It provides a better user experience that emanates amongst others from the reduction in operation expenses, particularly critical for fleets, and the increase in range. This is especially important in EVs where customers may experience range anxiety. The energetical impact of using the air conditioning system in vehicles is not negligible with power consumptions in the range of kilowatts, even with a stopped vehicle. This becomes particularly important in areas with high temperature and humidity levels where the usage of the air conditioning systems becomes safety factor. In such areas, drivers are effectively forced to use the air conditioning system continuously. Hence, the air conditioning system becomes an ideal choice to deploy control strategies for optimized energy usage. In this paper, we propose and implement a control strategy that allows a
Effective thermal management is crucial for vehicles, impacting both passenger comfort and safety, as well as overall energy efficiency. Electric vehicles (EVs) are particularly sensitive to thermal considerations, as customers often experience range anxiety. Improving efficiency not only benefits customers by extending vehicle range and reducing operational costs but also provides manufacturers with a competitive edge and potential revenue growth. Additionally, efficient thermal management contributes to minimizing the environmental impact of the vehicle throughout its lifespan. Digital twins have gained prominence across various industries due to their ability to accelerate development while minimizing testing costs. Some applications have transitioned to comprehensive three-dimensional models, while others employ model reduction techniques or hybrid approaches that combine different modeling methods. The discovery of unknown working mechanisms, more efficient and effective control
A new method leverages AI and computer simulations to train robotic exoskeletons that can help users save energy while walking, running, and climbing stairs. The novel method rapidly develops exoskeleton controllers to assist locomotion without relying on lengthy human-involved experiments
This SAE Standard is intended to provide personnel protection guidelines for skid steer loaders. This document is intended as a guide towards standard practice, but may be subject to frequent change to keep pace with experience and technical advances. This should be kept in mind when considering its use. This document provides performance criteria for newly manufactured loaders and it is not intended for in-service machines
New research pushes forward the bounds of stroke recovery with a unique robotic hip exoskeleton, designed as a training tool to improve walking function. This invites the possibility of new therapies that are more accessible and easier to translate from practice to daily life compared to current rehabilitation methods
A durable, copper-based coating developed by a team at Dartmouth University can be integrated into fabric to create responsive, reusable materials such as protective equipment, environmental sensors, and smart filters
In the automotive industry, the electric vehicle is the new era, and companies are committed to reducing carbon emissions by electrification of their vehicles. In the development of electric vehicles, the battery is the central power source for all the parts of the vehicle. Usually, it is placed under the body because of its size and mass. So, it is important to protect battery cells from leakage and damage from obstacles. For on-road electric vehicles, speed bumps are one of the crucial obstacles. This paper investigates and analyses the protection of battery pack systems in electric vehicles while encountering speed bump profiles at different speeds. During the physical test on a speed bump, there is a possibility of bump hit on the battery pack system and it is necessary to ensure the structural safety of the battery pack systems. In this study, CAE method has been developed to validate the battery pack system in the event of a speed bump crossing. Virtual simulation analysis was
Background: The Indian automobile industry, including the auto component industry, is a significant part of the country’s economy and has experienced growth over the years. India is now the world’s 3rd largest passenger car market and the world’s second-largest two-wheeler market. Along with the boon, the bane of road accident fatalities is also a reality that needs urgent attention, as per a study titled ‘Estimation of Socio-Economic Loss due to Road Traffic Accidents in India’, the socio-economic loss due to road accidents is estimated to be around 0.55% to 1.35% of India’s GDP [27] Ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) accident data shows that the total number of fatalities on the road are the highest (in number terms) in the world. Though passenger car occupant fatalities have decreased over the years, the fatalities of vulnerable road users are showing an increasing trend. India has committed to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030. In this context, the automotive
In this study, an optimized structure for opening the headlining considering the deployment of the face-to-face roof airbag was studied. It was confirmed that the deployment performance differs depending on the skin of the headlining, and a standardized structure with mass production was proposed. Non-woven fabric and Tricot skin, which are economical and high-end specifications, satisfy the performance of PVC fusion application specifications after cutting 80% of the skin. The structure that satisfies the entire body including the knit specifications is a type that separates the roof airbag area piece, the corresponding soft piece is separated, and the deployment performance is satisfied with safety. Therefore, the structure is proposed as a standardized structure. This structure is expected to be applicable to roof DAB (Driver Airbag), PAB (Passenger Airbag), and Sunroof Airbag, which will be necessary technologies to secure indoor space. Regardless of which area the airbag will be
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed a programmable steering wheel called the Tri-Rotor, which allows an astronaut the ability to easily operate a vehicle on the surface of a planet or Moon despite the limited dexterity of their spacesuit. This technology was originally conceived for the operation of a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) to improve upon previous Apolloera hand controllers. In re-evaluating the kinematics of the spacesuit, such as the rotatable wrist joint and the constant volume shoulder joint, engineers developed an enhanced and programmable hand controller that became the Tri-Rotor
This SAE Standard applies to all forestry machines exposed to the hazard of objects penetrating the front of the operator station (other than the roof). This would include
To harmonize and define terminology associated with occupant protection for children for vehicle manufacturers and child restraint manufacturers in the United States and Canada
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