Large animal vehicle collision safety apparatus and method

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to a large animal collision vehicle safety apparatus and method. At least one sensor (10) detects a first acceleration (A X ) in a longitudinal direction of a host vehicle (1). A first determination signal (D 1 ) is generated from the detected acceleration (A X ). At least one further sensor (11) detects a second acceleration (D Z ) in a vertical direction, and / or at least one still further sensor (12) detects an angular velocity about an axis extending in a lateral direction of the host vehicle (1). A second determination signal (D 2 ) is generated from the detected acceleration (A Z ) in a vertical direction. A third determination signal (D 3 ) is generated from the detected angular velocity. Judging means (16) judge whether the vehicle (1) has suffered a large animal collision through at least comparing the first, second and / or third determination signals (D 1 , D 2 , D 3 ) with preset reference signals (D REF ). Braking intervention of the host vehicle (1) is triggered when the vehicle (1) is judged to have suffered a large animal collision.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments herein relate to large animal vehicle crash safety apparatus and methods. Background technique [0002] In some motorized countries there is a risk of encountering considerable large animals such as moose, elk and other animals of similar size while driving in a motor vehicle. If there is a collision between your car and a large animal, there are of course serious consequences. Collisions with such large animals often occur at significant velocities as animals typically move fairly quickly onto the road from the shelter of surrounding vegetation. [0003] The nature of a collision with a large animal usually reduces the speed of the vehicle slightly at best. However, the driver's ability to control the vehicle is often significantly impaired. Therefore, the risk of secondary accidents increases. Such secondary accidents may spill over to other users of the road and may place the occupants of the vehicle hit by the large animal in a wors...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, if a large animal suddenly jumped onto the road in front of the vehicle, it would be difficult for such systems to respond to the sudden event

Also, even if such systems have vehicle brake response and trigger programs, they may abort braking once the vehicle has been struck by a large animal and there is no longer any visible threat

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