Patent ID: 6206703
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus adapted to sit on and be supported by a vehicle seat to simulate human loading of the vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:a substantially geometrically-correct, relatively hard and relatively stiff skeletal frame structure having a substantially correct density, the skeletal frame structure including:a thoracic cage; a pair of scapulae connected at opposite sides of the thoracic cage; a set of lumbar vertebrae connected to the thoracic cage; a pelvic girdle connected to the lumbar vertebrae; a coccyx connected to the pelvic girdle; a pair of femurs; and a first pair of ball-and-socket joints for connecting their respective femurs to the pelvic girdle; andelastomeric plastic formed over the skeletal frame structure, the elastomeric plastic having a substantially anatomically-correct, surface geometry and a substantially correct density wherein at least the elastomeric plastic formed over the pelvic girdle, the coccyx and the pair of femurs has mechanical properties of bulk muscular tissue in a state of moderate contraction,wherein the plastic formed over the pelvic girdle, the coccyx and the pair of femurs has an effective stiffness in a range of 6 to 140 kPa.