Patent Description:
Automotive, aviation, and other vehicle manufacturers conduct a wide variety of collision testing to measure the effects of a collision on a vehicle and its occupants. Through collision testing, sometimes otherwise referred to as crash testing, a vehicle manufacturer gains valuable information that can be used to improve the vehicle.

Collision testing often involves the use of anthropomorphic test device, sometimes alternatively referred to as anthropomorphic mannequins, and better known as "crash test dummies", to estimate a human's injury risk. The crash test dummy typically includes a head assembly, spine assembly, rib cage assembly, pelvis assembly, right and left arm assemblies, and right and left leg assemblies. Joints are provided to couple various assemblies together and to allow articulation that simulates the human range of motion. In addition, these assemblies are typically covered with a simulated flesh that includes an inner foam material covered with a skin. The anthropomorphic test device must possess the general mechanical properties, masses, joints, and joint stiffness of the humans of interest. In addition, the anthropomorphic test device must possess sufficient mechanical impact response to cause them to interact with the vehicle's interior in a human-like manner during the collision testing.

Such devices are, for example, known from <CIT> or <CIT>. Often in these devices, the flesh is split at the joint, or at a convenient location, to facilitate the assembly/disassembly and handling. However, while the split of the flesh facilitates assembly and handling, it created an unhuman-like response during collision testing. For example, in certain designs of leg assemblies, the upper thigh member and the lower thigh member of the leg assembly of the device are connected through a joint and include the thigh flesh that is segmented at a position corresponding to this joint. During a collision test, a large offset, or separation, may be created in the thigh flesh corresponding to the joint, resulting in improper flesh/mass coupling between the upper and lower thigh members and resulting in a discontinuous surface along the skin of the thigh flesh. This improper coupling and discontinuous surface may influence the dynamics of the leg and pelvis and contribute to the unhuman like responses of the crash test dummy during this collision test.

The present invention addresses and overcomes the separation issues associated with the prior art designs and provides therefore a crash test dummy having a more human-like response during collision testing.

The present invention relates to a coupling design for flesh members of an anthropomorphic test device, and more in particular to a flesh coupling design for an anthropomorphic test device formed by coupling a base member to an anatomical component. as defined in independent claim <NUM> and in the independent method claim <NUM>.

The base member has a base inner surface and an opposing base outer surface and a base peripheral edge connecting the base inner surface to the base outer surface, with the base inner surface defining a first cavity. At least one base connector is coupled to the base inner surface and is at least partially disposed within the first cavity. The anatomical component has a component inner surface and an opposing component outer surface and a component peripheral edge connecting the component inner surface to the component outer surface, with the component inner surface defining a second cavity. At least one component connector is coupled to the anatomical component, wherein the component connector engages the base connector.

When the base member is mounted to the anatomical component, the component connector engages the base connector and the component peripheral edge abuts the base peripheral edge with the base and component outer surfaces aligning to define a smooth transition between the base outer surface and the component outer surface. In certain embodiments, at least one fastener is used to secure the base member to the component connector.

Structural components are included in the anthropomorphic test device and contained within each of the first and second cavities, and these structural components are coupled together when the base member is mounted to the anatomical component as described above.

In further aspects, the at least one base connector is a locating key that is coupled to the base inner surface, and the component connector includes corresponding slots that are coupled with the respective locating keys when the base member is mounted to the anatomical component.

In more specific aspects of the disclosure, the base member and anatomical component are the components that couple together the thigh flesh in the anthropomorphic test device, and thus the base member is either an upper thigh member or a lower thigh member, while the anatomical component is the other one of the upper thigh member or the lower thigh member.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an anthropomorphic test device, or crash test dummy <NUM>, and more particularly to a portion of a crash test dummy, that is used primarily to test the performance of automotive interiors and restraint systems for adult front and rear seat occupants. The size and weight of the crash test dummy <NUM> of the embodiments described herein are based on anthropometric studies, which are typically done separately by the following organizations, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), U. Military Anthropometry Survey (ANSUR), and Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometry Resource (CESAR). It should be appreciated that ranges of motions, centers of gravity, and segment masses simulate those of human subjects defined by the anthropometric data. The crash test dummy <NUM> is of a fiftieth percentile (<NUM>%) male type and is illustrated in <FIG> in a sitting position positioned on a car seat <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the crash test dummy <NUM> includes a head assembly, generally indicated at <NUM>. The crash test dummy <NUM> also includes a neck assembly <NUM> mounted to and extending from the head assembly <NUM>. The crash test dummy <NUM> also includes a spine assembly, generally indicated at <NUM>, having an upper end mounted to the neck assembly <NUM> and a lower end extending into a torso area of the crash test dummy <NUM>. The crash test dummy <NUM> further includes a pelvis assembly <NUM> coupled to the lower end of the spine assembly <NUM>. The torso area of the crash test dummy <NUM> also includes a rib cage assembly, generally indicated at <NUM>, connected to the spine assembly <NUM>. The crash test dummy <NUM> also has a pair of arm assemblies including a left arm assembly, generally indicated at <NUM>, and a right arm assembly (not shown), which are attached to the crash test dummy <NUM>. The crash test dummy <NUM> further includes a pair of leg assemblies, generally indicated at <NUM> including a left leg assembly and a right leg assembly, which are attached to the pelvis assembly <NUM>. It should be appreciated that various components of the crash test dummy <NUM> are covered in a flesh and skin assembly, shown in the embodiments below as an inner core foam <NUM> covered with a skin <NUM>, for improved coupling with the skeleton of the crash test dummy <NUM>.

The present disclosure is directed to a coupling design for coupling together flesh members used to form a portion of the crash test dummy <NUM> as described above. The flesh members can be further defined as a base member <NUM> and an anatomical component <NUM>. While the base member <NUM> and anatomical component <NUM> can refer to any two flesh members used for forming a portion of a crash test dummy <NUM>, the embodiments of the coupling design, as described and illustrated herein, including the base member <NUM> and anatomical component <NUM> as described herein are flesh members used to form the thigh member of the crash test dummy <NUM>, which defines a portion of the leg assembly <NUM>, which generally corresponds the thigh portion of a human.

In the embodiments described below and illustrated in <FIG>, the base member <NUM> refers to an upper thigh member <NUM>, and the anatomical component <NUM> refers one or both of a pair of lower thigh members <NUM>, with one of the pair of lower thigh members corresponding to lower thigh portion of the right leg of the leg assembly <NUM> of crash test dummy <NUM> and the other one of the pair of lower thigh members corresponding to the left leg of the leg assembly of the crash test dummy <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper thigh member <NUM> is shown as a continuous structure with the flesh portion of the pelvis assembly <NUM> and is considered therefore as a part of the pelvis assembly <NUM>, while in other embodiments the flesh portions could be separated but coupled structures.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the base member <NUM> includes an inner core foam <NUM> covered with a skin <NUM>. The base member <NUM> includes a base inner surface <NUM> and an opposing base outer surface <NUM> and a base peripheral edge <NUM> connecting the base inner surface <NUM> to the opposing outer base surface <NUM>.

The base inner surface <NUM>, extending inwardly from the respective edge portions <NUM>, also defines a cavity <NUM> that accommodates one or more structural members <NUM> of the crash test dummy <NUM>. These structural members <NUM> (a series of interconnected structural members <NUM>, which include the specific support structures 110a that extend into the thigh member of the leg assembly <NUM> are best shown in <FIG>), in conjunction with the base member <NUM>, aids in providing structural integrity to the crash test dummy <NUM>. In certain embodiments, any one of these structural members <NUM> may move, or articulate, relative to the base member <NUM> or relative to an adjacent other one of the structural members <NUM>. Still further, the structural members <NUM> may be capable of articulating or moving relative to, or in coordination with, other structural members. Even still further, a series of one or more sensors (one exemplary sensor <NUM> is shown in <FIG>) may be coupled to the structural members <NUM>, the base member <NUM>, or the anatomical components <NUM> that sense movement during a crash test simulation. These sensors <NUM> may also be coupled to a controller (shown as <NUM> in <FIG> and coupled to the sensor <NUM>) that can process the movement of the crash test dummy <NUM> during a crash simulation. Exemplary sensors may also include load cells or the like.

As best shown in <FIG>, the base member <NUM> also includes one or more insertion openings <NUM>, with at least one of the insertion openings <NUM> designed to receive a respective one anatomical component <NUM> within the cavity <NUM>. The insertion openings <NUM> can therefore also be considered as the outer terminus of the cavity <NUM> of the base member <NUM>.

When the base member <NUM> is the upper thigh member <NUM> and wherein the anatomical component <NUM> is a pair of lower thigh members <NUM>, the upper thigh member <NUM> includes a pair of insertion openings 27a, 27b (shown in <FIG> as first insertion opening 27a and second insertion opening 27b), with each one of the respective insertion openings 27a, 27b that are each respectively configured to receive a respective one of the lower thigh members <NUM>.

The base inner surface <NUM> may be further subdivided and includes an inner recess surface <NUM> extending from the base peripheral edge <NUM> and an inner stepped surface <NUM> extending from the inner recessed surface <NUM> in a direction opposite the base peripheral edge <NUM>. A step edge surface <NUM> extending transverse to each of the inner recessed surface <NUM> and inner stepped surface <NUM> connects the inner recess surface <NUM> to the inner stepped surface <NUM>.

The base member <NUM> also includes one or more openings <NUM> extending through the base inner surface <NUM> and base outer surface <NUM> that are each respectively configured to receive a fastening member <NUM> (see <FIG>) used to secure the base member <NUM> to a respective one of the lower thigh members <NUM>, as will be explained further below. In particular, the one or more openings <NUM> are equally spaced around a portion of the base member <NUM> and extend from the base outer surface <NUM> to the inner recessed surface <NUM>.

At least one base connector <NUM>, shown in the representative embodiment as best shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> as three base connectors <NUM>, may be coupled to, or integrally formed with, the base inner surface <NUM> of the base member <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the base connectors <NUM> are locating keys <NUM>, and the locating keys <NUM> are coupled to, or integrally formed with, the inner recess surface <NUM> of the base inner surface <NUM> of the base member <NUM>.

The locating keys <NUM> preferably are the same size and shape and project inwardly from the inner recess portion <NUM> within the cavity <NUM>, although in further embodiments not shown the locating keys <NUM> may have a different size or shape. As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the locating keys <NUM> are block shaped, and include a first pair of opposing spaced apart side surfaces <NUM> and a second pair of opposing spaced apart side surfaces <NUM>, with each one of the second pair of spaced apart side surfaces <NUM> extending transverse to and connecting the respective first pair of side surfaces <NUM>. A top surface <NUM> connects to and extends transverse to each of the first and second pair of side surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, with the plane defining the top surface <NUM> extending generally parallel to a plane defining the surface of the inner recess surface <NUM>.

Each of the locating keys <NUM> can include an opening <NUM> extending transverse and inward from the top surface <NUM> towards the inner recess portion. Preferably, the opening <NUM> in a respective one of the locating keys <NUM> is aligned with and sized to correspond to a corresponding one of the openings <NUM> extending from the base outer surface <NUM> to the inner recessed surface <NUM> of the base inner surface <NUM>.

As also shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the top surface <NUM> of the locating keys <NUM>, an interior surface <NUM> of the inner recess surface <NUM> not including the locating keys <NUM>, and an interior surface <NUM> of the step edge surface <NUM> may collectively define an interior mating surface <NUM>.

In alternative configurations, the base inner surface <NUM> includes a stop (not shown), which is similar to and a different form of the step edge surface <NUM>, and the distal end of the component connector <NUM> abuts the stop when the anatomical component <NUM> is mounted to the base member <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> the anatomical components <NUM>, like the base member <NUM>, includes an inner core foam <NUM> covered with a skin <NUM>. Also like the base component <NUM>, each of the anatomical components <NUM> are hollow to allow for the inclusion of an additional structural member <NUM>, or structural members, that function in the same manner as the structural member <NUM> described above. As will be described further below, the structural member <NUM> included within the anatomical component <NUM> has a first end <NUM> that may be coupled to the structural member <NUM> in conjunction with the reversible mounting of the anatomical component <NUM> to the base member <NUM>. The structural component <NUM> may include an articulating joint <NUM>, shown as part of the knee joint <NUM> articulating from the second end <NUM> of the structural member <NUM> as in <FIG> and <FIG>. Alternatively, the structural component <NUM> may be coupled to another structural member via an articulating joint in the same or substantially the same manner. Still further, like the structural component <NUM>, a series of one or more sensors may be coupled to the structural members <NUM>, or the anatomical component <NUM>, that sense movement during a crash test simulation. These sensors may also be coupled to a controller <NUM> that can process the movement of the crash test dummy <NUM> during a crash simulation.

As best shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the anatomical component <NUM> includes a component inner surface <NUM> and an opposing component outer surface <NUM> and a pair of component peripheral edges <NUM> connecting the component inner surface <NUM> to the opposing component outer surface <NUM>. The component inner surface <NUM> defines a cavity <NUM> that accommodates the afore-mentioned additional structural member <NUM>.

The crash test dummy <NUM> also includes a component connector <NUM> that is coupled to, or otherwise integrally formed with, the anatomical component <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the component connector <NUM> includes a connector outer surface <NUM> and an opposing connector inner surface <NUM> each extending transverse to, and away from one of the component peripheral edges <NUM>. The component connector <NUM> includes an inner core foam 62a covered with a skin 64a which may define a portion of the inner foam core <NUM> and skin <NUM> in embodiments wherein the component connector <NUM> is integrally formed with the anatomical component <NUM>. The intersection of the connector outer surface <NUM> and the component peripheral edge <NUM> is spaced inwardly from the intersection of the component peripheral edge <NUM> and the component outer surface <NUM>. A connector step edge surface <NUM> extends transverse to each of the connector outer surface <NUM> and connector inner surface <NUM> and connects the connector outer surface <NUM> to the connector inner surface <NUM>. The connector inner surface <NUM> also defines a third cavity <NUM>, which is open with (i.e., is in communication with) the second cavity <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the connector inner surface <NUM> smoothly transitions into the component inner surface <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, such as shown best in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector outer surface <NUM> includes at least one slot <NUM>, with each one of the slots <NUM> configured to be coupled with a corresponding respective one locating key <NUM> when the base member <NUM> is coupled to the anatomical member <NUM>. The size and shape of the slots <NUM> preferably corresponding to the size and the shape of the corresponding respective locating keys <NUM>. The number of the at least one slots <NUM>, and the location of the at least one slots <NUM> along the connector outer surface <NUM>, also preferably corresponds to the number and location of the at least one locating key <NUM>. Further, the exterior surface <NUM> of the slots <NUM>, an exterior surface <NUM> of the outer connector surface <NUM> not including the slots <NUM> collectively define an exterior mating surface <NUM> of the component connector <NUM>.

Still further, as best shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, each one of the slots <NUM> also includes an opening <NUM> extending transverse and inward of the exterior surface <NUM> of the slots <NUM>. A threaded insert <NUM> is preferably coupled within each one of the respective openings <NUM>. The location of the openings <NUM> on the respective slots <NUM> corresponds to, and is aligned with, the corresponding openings <NUM>, <NUM> when the base member <NUM> is removably coupled to the anatomical component <NUM>.

As noted above, the crash test dummy <NUM> also includes at least one fastening member <NUM> that is used to secure the base member <NUM> to the respective anatomical component <NUM> through the aligned openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The number of fastening members <NUM> corresponds to the number of aligned openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, a respective one of the fastening members <NUM>, preferably a bolt <NUM> having a threaded end portion <NUM>, is inserted within the aligned openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the base member <NUM> and key member <NUM> and is threadingly engaged with the threaded insert <NUM> of the aligned opening <NUM> of the connector component <NUM>, thereby securing the base member <NUM> to the connector component <NUM>.

The present disclosure is also directed to the associated method for coupling together the base member <NUM> with one, or both, of the anatomical components <NUM> that include the component connector <NUM>. As noted above, the base member <NUM> may be formed by covering the inner core foam <NUM> with a skin <NUM> in a desired shape and size and to include the various features as described above. Similarly, the anatomical component <NUM> and the coupled component connector <NUM> may be formed by covering the inner core foam <NUM> with a skin <NUM> in a desired size and shape and to include the various features as described above. As part of the covering step, the respective foam core portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be sealingly enclosed with the respective skin <NUM>, <NUM>, or otherwise be retained or secured within the respective skin <NUM>, <NUM>. The methods for forming the respective base member <NUM> and anatomical portion <NUM> with the coupled component connector <NUM> are not limited, and may include any method for forming skin covered foam parts.

The method continues by coupling the at least one base connector <NUM> to the base inner surface <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the coupling of the at least one base connector <NUM> includes securing the at least one base connector <NUM> to the base inner surface <NUM> using an adhesive, a mechanical fastener such as a staple or thread, or any other known fastening method or technique such that the base connector <NUM> is secured to the base inner surface <NUM>. Alternatively, the at least one base connector <NUM> can be integrally formed with the base member <NUM>, and thus the outer surface of the base connector is the skin <NUM> described above.

In certain embodiments, the method continues by introducing the structural component <NUM> within the base member <NUM>, and by introducing the structural component <NUM> within the anatomical component <NUM> and the coupled component connector <NUM>. In particular, the structural component <NUM> is introduced within the first cavity <NUM>, while the structural component <NUM> is introduced within the second cavity <NUM> of the anatomical member and the third cavity <NUM> of the component connector <NUM>. The step of introducing the structural components <NUM>, <NUM> within the base member <NUM> or anatomical component <NUM> also specifically includes wherein the base member <NUM> or anatomical component <NUM> is wrapped around the structural component <NUM> after the structural component is assembled, with the base member and anatomical component including respective slits <NUM>, <NUM> extending through the skin <NUM>, <NUM> and within the inner foam core <NUM>, <NUM>.

The method continues by mounting the anatomical component <NUM> with the coupled component connector <NUM> to the base member <NUM> such that the base peripheral edge <NUM> abuts the component peripheral edge surface <NUM> with the base and component outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> aligning to define a smooth transition between the base outer surface <NUM> and the component outer surface <NUM> and such that the component connector <NUM> is at least partially disposed within the first cavity <NUM> and engages the base connector <NUM>. The coupling is illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>.

In particular, this step may include inserting the component connector <NUM> within the insertion opening <NUM>, 27a, 27b of the base member <NUM> such that the component connector <NUM> is at least partially contained within the first cavity <NUM> and such that the peripheral edge surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the base member <NUM> and connector component <NUM> abut. In this position, the outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the base and anatomical components <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned to provide a smooth transition between the outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Still further, in this position in certain embodiments, each one of the base connectors <NUM> are aligned with, and coupled to, or otherwise engaged with the component connector <NUM>. In certain embodiments, this engagement prevents rotation of the base member <NUM> relative to the mounted anatomical component <NUM>.

In alternative configurations, wherein the base inner surface <NUM> includes a stop (not shown), and the method of this step includes the step wherein said component connector <NUM> extends outwardly from said component peripheral edge <NUM> to a distal end with the distal end abutting the stop when the anatomical component <NUM> is mounted to the base member <NUM>.

As a part of the mounting step, the method may also include the step of coupling the structural member <NUM> contained within the cavity <NUM> of the base member <NUM> to the structural member <NUM> contained within the cavities <NUM>, <NUM> of the anatomical member <NUM> and coupled component connector <NUM>, wherein the cavities <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are all aligned and in communication (i.e., open) with one another. The coupling could be further defined as securing or otherwise fastening the structural member <NUM> to the structural member <NUM>.

The method continues and includes the further step of securing the base member <NUM> to the anatomical component <NUM> using at least one fastener members <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, as shown for example in <FIG>, a fastening member <NUM> is inserted through the aligned openings <NUM>, <NUM> and is threadingly engaged to the threaded inserts <NUM> coupled within the further aligned opening <NUM>. The process is repeated such that additional fastening members <NUM> are inserted through additional respective aligned openings <NUM>, <NUM> and are respectively threadingly engaged to the threaded inserts <NUM> coupled within the further aligned respective opening <NUM>. As such, the base member <NUM> is secured to the respective component connector <NUM>.

The same method, as described above, can be used to secure the base member <NUM> to the respective second one of the anatomical components <NUM> and coupled component connector <NUM> inserted within the second insertion opening 27b.

In an alternative equivalent embodiment, the structure of the base member <NUM> and the corresponding structure the anatomical component <NUM> could be reversed. In particular, the base member <NUM> could include the afore-mentioned inwardly stepped portion and connector coupling members, and the anatomical component <NUM> could include the afore-mentioned inner recessed portion and connector members, and the base member <NUM> could be inserted within the insertion openings and be partially contained with the cavity of the connected portion, with the fastening members inserted through the aligned openings and threaded inserts, in the manner similar to the manner described above with respect to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

The present disclosure also describes a system <NUM> for creating a virtual anthropomorphic test device and evaluating the created virtual anthropomorphic test device in a virtual crash test using a software application included on a computer. The anthropomorphic test device is a virtual representation of the anthropomorphic test device described above, including all of the features and components as described above.

Referring now to <FIG>, the computer <NUM> may include at least one processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a mass storage memory device <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) interface <NUM>, and a Human Machine Interface (HMI) <NUM>. The computer <NUM> may also be operatively coupled to one or more external resources <NUM> via the network <NUM> and/or I/O interface <NUM>. External resources may include, but are not limited to, servers, databases, mass storage devices, peripheral devices, cloud-based network services, or any other suitable computing resource that may be used by the computer <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may include one or more devices selected from microprocessors, micro-controllers, digital signal processors, microcomputers, central processing units, field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic devices, state machines, logic circuits, analog circuits, digital circuits, or any other devices that manipulate signals (analog or digital) based on operational instructions that are stored in the memory <NUM>. Memory <NUM> may include a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, or any other device capable of storing information. The mass storage memory device <NUM> may include data storage devices such as a hard drive, optical drive, tape drive, non-volatile solid state device, or any other device capable of storing information. A database <NUM> may reside on the mass storage memory device <NUM>, and may be used to collect and organize data used by the various systems and modules described herein.

Processor <NUM> may operate under the control of an operating system <NUM> that resides in memory <NUM>. The operating system <NUM> may manage computing resources so that computer program code embodied as one or more computer software applications, such as an application <NUM> residing in memory <NUM>, may have instructions executed by the processor <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the processor <NUM> may execute the application <NUM> directly, in which case the operating system <NUM> may be omitted. One or more data structures <NUM> may also reside in memory <NUM>, and may be used by the processor <NUM>, operating system <NUM>, and/or application <NUM> to store or manipulate data. The software application <NUM>, as provided herein, includes software applications that create the virtual anthropomorphic test device <NUM>' and software applications that evaluate the created virtual anthropomorphic test device <NUM>' in a virtual crash test setting.

The I/O interface <NUM> may provide a machine interface that operatively couples the processor <NUM> to other devices and systems, such as the network <NUM> and/or external resource <NUM>. The application <NUM> may thereby work cooperatively with the network <NUM> and/or external resource <NUM> by communicating via the I/O interface <NUM> to provide the various features, functions, applications, processes, and/or modules comprising embodiments of the invention. The application <NUM> may also have program code that is executed by one or more external resources <NUM>, or otherwise rely on functions and/or signals provided by other system or network components external to the computer <NUM>. Indeed, given the nearly endless hardware and software configurations possible, persons having ordinary skill in the art will understand that embodiments of the invention may include applications that are located externally to the computer <NUM>, distributed among multiple computers or other external resources <NUM>, or provided by computing resources (hardware and software) that are provided as a service over the network <NUM>, such as a cloud computing service.

The HMI <NUM> may be operatively coupled to the processor <NUM> of computer <NUM> in a known manner to allow a user of the computer <NUM> to interact directly with the computer <NUM>. The HMI <NUM> may include video and/or alphanumeric displays, a touch screen, a speaker, and any other suitable audio and visual indicators capable of providing information to the user. The HMI <NUM> may also include input devices and controls such as an alphanumeric keyboard, a pointing device, keypads, pushbuttons, control knobs, microphones, etc., capable of accepting commands or input from the user and transmitting the entered input to the processor <NUM>.

The present disclosure addresses and overcomes the separation issues associated with the prior art coupling designs and provides therefore a crash test dummy having a more human-like response, during collision testing. By virtue of the coupling together the base member and anatomical component, the coupled base member and anatomical component do not separate by being offset to one another, or rotated with respect to one another, during crash testing as has occurred in prior art designs. In embodiments wherein the base and anatomical components are upper thigh and lower thigh members, the coupled upper and lower thigh member do not separate by being offset to one another, or rotated with respect to one another, during crash testing as has occurred in prior art designs in which the upper thigh member and the lower thigh member of the leg assembly of the device are connected together through a joint and include the thigh flesh that is segmented at a position corresponding to this joint. The associated system allows virtual crash test simulations to be run to confirm that the crash test dummies <NUM> disclosed herein addresses and overcomes the separation issues.

The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Claim 1:
An anthropomorphic test device (<NUM>) comprising:
a base member (<NUM>) having a base inner surface (<NUM>) and an opposing base outer surface (<NUM>) and a base peripheral edge (<NUM>) connecting said base inner surface (<NUM>) to said base outer surface (<NUM>) with said base inner surface (<NUM>) defining a first cavity (<NUM>); and
an anatomical component (<NUM>) mounted to said base member (<NUM>), said anatomical component (<NUM>) having a component inner surface (<NUM>) and an opposing component outer surface (<NUM>) and a component peripheral edge (<NUM>) connecting said component inner surface (<NUM>) to said component outer surface (<NUM>), with said component inner surface (<NUM>) defining a second cavity (<NUM>);
characterized by
at least one base connector (<NUM>) coupled to said base inner surface (<NUM>) and at least partially disposed within said first cavity (<NUM>);
at least one component connector (<NUM>) coupled to said anatomical component (<NUM>), wherein said component connector (<NUM>) engages said base connector (<NUM>) such that said base and component outer surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) are aligned and wherein the engagement of said component connector (<NUM>) to said base connector (<NUM>) prevents rotation of said base member (<NUM>) relative to said anatomical component (<NUM>) when said anatomical component (<NUM>) is mounted to said base member (<NUM>);
a first structural member (<NUM>) disposed within said first cavity (<NUM>) of said base member (<NUM>); and
a second structural member (<NUM>) disposed within said second cavity (<NUM>) of said anatomical component (<NUM>) with said second structural member (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and an opposing second end (<NUM>), wherein said first end (<NUM>) of said second structural member (<NUM>) is coupled to said first structural member (<NUM>) when said anatomical component (<NUM>) is mounted to said base member (<NUM>).