Project Title: Single Point Release For A Dual Buckle Restraint System
Sponsor: ARCCA, Inc.
Faculty Coach: Gary Neal
Course: ME 415W, Fall
2002
Team
Members: Andrew Nuss Brad Sunderland
Executive
Summary:
ARCCA Inc. has worked closely with government agencies, and is currently designing a Common Crashworthy Occupant Protection System (CCOPS) for Army vehicles. CCOPS utilizes a taller than standard seatback along with a 3+2 point driver restraint system which uses two separate buttons to release the buckles. While the system is operational at this time, it does not comply with certain Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) with regards to the buckle release.
With the advisement of ARCCA Inc., Five Point Industries (FPI) has designed a system that will allow the occupant to release both buckles while depressing just one of the release buttons. Doing so will enable the system to meet the criteria set by the FMVSS along with enhancing the safety and convenience aspects of CCOPS. Project considerations include a system design that is un-releasable due to inertial effects and reverts to a fail-safe mode if there is a failure of any of the components.
A design using two hydraulic cylinders has
been chosen after an extensive decision process including the use of a design
matrix and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA). Design selection took several criteria into
account; among them are fail-safe, reliability, size, maintenance and
cost. The design to be implemented uses
two double acting cylinders connected with 1/8 inch tubing. Each of the cylinders is mounted to the
button assembly via a new mounting bracket.
The tubing is connected to the positive end of one cylinder and runs to
the negative side of the other cylinder, and vice versa.
Additional Information: