String pot system for crash test dummy
View Patent ↗A string pot system for a crash test dummy includes a pulley adapted to be disposed inside a body of the crash test dummy and a string wound around the pulley. The string pot system also includes a motor and/or flywheel connected to the pulley and an active control system in communication with the motor and/or flywheel that maintains a constant tension on the string.
1. A string pot system for a crash test dummy comprising:
a pulley adapted to be disposed inside a body of the crash test dummy;
a string wound around said pulley;
a motor connected to said pulley; and
an active control system in communication with said motor to monitor at least one of velocity, torque, and acceleration of the pulley to maintain a constant tension on said string.
2. A string pot system as set forth in claim 1 including a rotational sensor operatively connected to said pulley and in communication with said active control system.
3. A string pot system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rotational sensor comprises a potentiometer connected to said pulley.
4. A string pot system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rotational sensor comprises an encoder connected to said pulley.
5. A string pot system as set forth in claim 1 including a flywheel cooperating with said pulley.
6. A string pot system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said flywheel is magnetically coupled to said pulley.
7. A string pot system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said motor is connected to said flywheel.
8. A string pot system for a crash test dummy comprising:
a pulley adapted to be disposed inside a body of the crash test dummy;
a string wound around said pulley; a motor connected to said pulley;
an active control system in communication with said motor that maintains a constant tension on said string; and
wherein said active control system comprises an electronic controller to allow torque, velocity and acceleration of said pulley to be monitored.
9. A string pot system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said active control system includes a load cell in communication with said electronic controller.
10. A crash test dummy comprising:
a body; and
a string pot system coupled to said body, said string pot system including a pulley disposed inside said body, a string wound around said pulley, and an active control system to monitor at least one of velocity, torque, and acceleration of the pulley to maintain a constant tension on said string.
11. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 10 wherein said string pot system includes a motor connected to said pulley.
12. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 11 wherein said active control system is in communication with said motor.
13. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 10 wherein said active control system includes a rotational sensor operatively connected to said pulley and in communication with said active control system.
14. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 13 wherein said rotational sensor comprises a potentiometer connected to said pulley.
15. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 13 wherein said rotational sensor comprises an encoder connected to said pulley.
16. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 10 wherein said string pot system includes a flywheel cooperating with said pulley.
17. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 16 wherein said flywheel is magnetically coupled to said pulley.
18. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 16 wherein said motor is connected to said flywheel.
19. A crash test dummy comprising:
a body;
a string pot system coupled to said body, said string pot system including a pulley disposed inside said body, a string wound around said pulley, and an active control system that maintains a constant tension on said string; and
wherein said active control system comprises an electronic controller to allow torque, velocity and acceleration of said pulley to be monitored.
20. A crash test dummy as set forth in claim 19 wherein said active control system includes a load cell in communication with said electronic controller.