Strut with adaptive energy attenuation

摘要

Designs and methods are provided for a hydraulic strut and control system suitable for energy attenuation applications such as vehicle seating system. In one exemplary embodiment the hydraulic strut includes a main cylinder having a first closed end, a second end with an opening. A main piston slidably disposed in the main cylinder divides it into a first fluid chamber between the main piston and the first end of the main cylinder, and a second fluid chamber between the main piston and the second end of the main cylinder. At least one fixed orifice through the piston provides fluid communication between the first and second fluid chambers. An integral flow control valve is adapted to vary the flow area of the at least one orifice through the piston. The flow control valve is operatively connected to a high speed actuator responsive to an electrical control signal.

主权项

1. An energy attenuating vehicle seat system, comprising:
a seat mounted for guided motion relative to a seat supporting structure along a substantially vertical axis; a hydraulic strut disposed between the seat and the seat supporting structure, the hydraulic strut incorporating a high speed actuator adapted to modulate a strut damping valve; a compression spring configured to support the weight of a seated occupant during normal vehicle operation, wherein the spring is securely disposed between a fixed end member underneath the spring that is connected to the seat supporting structure, and a moveable end member atop the spring that moves toward the fixed end member when the seat moves downward relative to the seat supporting structure, whereupon the spring is compressed between the fixed and moveable end members; and a break-away feature between the fixed end member and the seat supporting structure that is configured to fail when a compressive force applied to the spring exceeds a threshold value, whereupon further downward motion of the seat is no longer resisted by the spring.