Apparatus and method for testing cushioning components

摘要

An apparatus for testing a cushioning component for a body part includes a jig that has a three-dimensional anatomical shape. A base is configured to support the cushioning component. An actuator is operatively connected to at least one of the jig and the base and is activatable to move said one of the jig and the base toward and away from the other of the jig and the base to repeatedly contact the cushioning component and the jig with one another. An electronic controller has a processor that executes a stored algorithm. The algorithm has a test condition substantially equivalent to an expected in-use condition of the cushioning component. The electronic controller activates the actuator to move the jig and/or the base according to the algorithm. A method of testing a cushioning component is implemented.

主权项

1. An apparatus for testing a cushioning component, the apparatus comprising:
a jig with a three-dimensional anatomical shape; a base configured to support the cushioning component; an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the jig and the base, and activatable to move said at least one of the jig and the base toward and away from the other of the jig and the base to repeatedly contact the cushioning component and the jig with one another when the cushioning component is supported on the base; an electronic controller operatively connected to the actuator; wherein the electronic controller has a processor that executes a stored algorithm; wherein the stored algorithm is a first reliability test having at least one test condition substantially equivalent to an expected in-use condition of the cushioning component; wherein the electronic controller activates the actuator to move said at least one of the jig and the base according to the stored algorithm; wherein the base includes a pivotable base plate; wherein the pivotable base plate has a support surface on which the cushioning component is supported; wherein the pivotable base plate pivots from a first position to a second position upon compression of the cushioning component by the jig; and wherein an angle of application of the jig relative to the support surface of the base plate on which the cushioning component is supported is different when the base plate is in the first position than when the base plate is in the second position.