Energy dissipative cushioning elements

摘要

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a cushioning element, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members configured to deform in response to a collision or impact, including the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to substantially inelastically deform after reaching an elastic limit during a deformation, the cushioning element including one or more heat absorbing materials contained within one or more capsules positioned with respect to the one or more tension-bearing members to allow upon release of the one or more heat absorbing materials from the one or more capsules for heat to be absorbed from the one or more tension-bearing members via a temperature difference between the one or more heat absorbing materials and the one or more tension-bearing members.