Dynamic Research Inc.

John W Zellner

Joseph Kelly

Jordan Silberling

Peter Broen

Nenad Bozin

Nicholas Shewchenko

James A Newman

Andre St Laurent

Thomas J Szabo

Kenneth D Wiley

A Dynamic Motion Element for use in testing crash avoidance technologies in a subject vehicle is disclosed. The Dynamic Motion Element includes a body comprising an upper surface wherein the upper surface is adapted to support a soft-body having the size and shape of a vehicle. The body has at least one tapered side so as to allow the subject vehicle to drive up to and on the upper surface with minimal to no damage to the subject vehicle or the Dynamic Motion Element. The body is supported by at least two rotational structures, including at least one driven rotational structure coupled with an electronically-controlled power source. The electronically-controlled braking system applies braking force to at least one of the rotational structures.

System and method for testing crash avoidance technologies

A Guided Soft Target System is disclosed that includes a subject vehicle and a dynamic motion element (DME). The subject vehicle may be accelerated at an arbitrary rate to a speed corresponding to the speed in its own predetermined trajectory. Each of the DME vehicles computes its target speed as a ratio of the subject vehicle's speed at each waypoint location, and modulates its speed control to achieve this target speed. To further compensate for timing differences along the target path, each DME computes its longitudinal error along the path relative to its target position, as dictated by the position of the subject vehicle within its own trajectory, and each DME's target speed is modulated in order to minimize the longitudinal error along the predetermined trajectory.

A cam actuated hydraulic brake system and an in plane tensioner pulley belt drive system may be used on autonomous vehicles, such as dynamic motion elements for the evaluation of various crash avoidance technologies. The brake system utilizes a cam driven by a servo to push the piston push rod of a hydraulic master brake cylinder, thus distributing pressurized brake fluid throughout the brake system. The pulley drive system uses an articulating arm for the driven pulley, and that arm may also have connected to it one or two tension pulleys, each of which is in contact with the belt. Because the drive pulley and the tensioner pulleys pivot about the same pivot axis, the needed belt length remains nearly constant across the entire range of the articulating arm.

A Guided Soft Target (GST) system and method provides a versatile test system and methodology for the evaluation of various crash avoidance technologies. This system and method can be used to replicate the pre-crash motions of the CP in a wide variety of crash scenarios while minimizing physical risk, all while consistently providing radar and other sensor signatures substantially identical to that of the item being simulated. The GST system in various example embodiments may comprise a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form removably attached to a programmable, autonomously guided, self-propelled Dynamic Motion Element (DME), which may be operated in connection with a wireless computer network operating on a plurality of complimentary communication networks. Specific DME geometries are provided to minimize ride disturbance and observability by radar and other sensors. Computer controlled DME braking systems are disclosed as well as break-away and retractable antenna systems.

Devices, systems, and methods for testing crash avoidance technologies

A Guided Soft Target (GST) system and method provides a versatile test system and methodology for the evaluation of various crash avoidance technologies. This system and method can be used to replicate the pre-crash motions of the CP in a wide variety of crash scenarios while minimizing physical risk, all while consistently providing a sensor signature substantially identical to that of the item being simulated. The GST system in various example embodiments may comprise a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form removably attached to a programmable, autonomously guided, self-propelled Dynamic Motion Element (DME), which may be operated in connection with a wireless computer network. Specific geometries for the DME have been discovered that minimize the risk of the DME flipping up and hitting or otherwise damaging or disrupting the ride of typical test vehicles during impact of the test vehicles with the GST, all while minimizing the effect of the DME on the sensor signature of the GST.

A motorcycle accident simulating test dummy and method utilizing the test dummy wherein the test dummy includes motorcycle handle bar grips operable to releasably connect the dummy and motorcycle handle bar, frangible limb/joint structure, and a wholly self contained and test dummy protected, accident condition data acquisition unit.

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Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, United States of America

John W Zellner