Vehicle collision active and passive protection system and method

Abstract

A vehicle rear-end collision protection system includes a gyroscope, a rear bumper collision sensor, and a curtain airbag controller. The gyroscope is used to detect the vehicle's center of gravity shift, the rear bumper collision sensor is used to detect whether the vehicle is being rear-ended, and the curtain airbag controller is used to activate the curtain airbags to protect passengers when the vehicle is being rear-ended and the center of gravity shift meets a certain condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an active and passive protection system for vehicles, and more particularly to an active and passive protection system for rear-end collisions. Prior Technology

[0002] Car curtain airbags, also known as head airbags, are devices that deploy to cover the windows during a collision, protecting passengers' heads. In side collisions, curtain airbags effectively separate passengers from dangerous objects such as windows, B-pillars, and seat belts, preventing direct head impact and reducing injury.

[0003] Side curtain airbags are typically installed within curved steel beams on the roof, running from front to back, and are controlled by lateral acceleration sensors inside the vehicle. When lateral acceleration reaches a dangerous level, the sensors trigger detonation, providing excellent occupant protection in serious accidents such as side impacts and rollovers.

[0004] A side curtain airbag consists of an airbag cover and support ring, the airbag itself, and the airbag module. It is an important safety device that effectively protects passengers' heads and reduces injuries during side collisions. During use, it is necessary to pay attention to the airbag's components and troubleshooting methods to ensure its proper operation. Generally, side curtain airbags activate upon a side impact. However, in rear-end collisions, the vehicle may rotate laterally or even roll over. Therefore, a rear-end collision active / passive safety system is needed to activate the side curtain airbags to protect passengers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system. The system includes a rearview camera or radar, a processor, and a seatbelt controller. The rearview camera or radar is used to capture dynamic images or radar echoes of vehicles approaching from behind. The processor is used to determine whether a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind based on the dynamic images or radar echoes. The seatbelt controller is used to tighten the seatbelts when the processor determines that a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind or a collision is imminent.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system. This system includes a gyroscope, a rear bumper collision sensor, and a curtain airbag controller. The gyroscope is used to detect the vehicle's center of gravity shift and uncontrolled rotation; the rear bumper collision sensor is used to detect whether a rear-end collision has occurred; and the curtain airbag controller is used to activate the curtain airbags to protect passengers when a rear-end collision occurs and the center of gravity shift meets the conditions.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for active and passive protection against vehicle rear-end collisions. This method includes using a rear-view camera or radar to capture dynamic images or radar echoes of vehicles approaching from behind, determining whether a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind based on the dynamic images or radar echoes, and tightening the seat belts using a seat belt controller when it is determined that a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind or a collision is imminent.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for active and passive protection against vehicle rear-end collisions. This method includes using a gyroscope to detect the vehicle's center of gravity shift and uncontrolled rotation, using a rear bumper collision sensor to detect whether a rear-end collision has occurred, and activating curtain airbags to protect passengers when a rear-end collision occurs and the center of gravity shift meets the conditions. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating whiplash injuries sustained by a passenger during a vehicle collision. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle collision active and passive protection system in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a flowchart of a vehicle collision active and passive protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle collision active and passive protection system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a flowchart of a vehicle collision active and passive protection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the gyroscope detecting the shift of the vehicle's center of gravity in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a rear vehicle colliding with a front vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a rear vehicle colliding with a front vehicle in another embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates whiplash injuries to passengers during a vehicle collision. The vehicle is traveling to the left. In scenario 102, when the vehicle accelerates suddenly or is rear-ended, the passenger will experience a force due to inertia acting backward (to the right of Figure 1), causing them to press against the seat back. If the passenger is wearing a seatbelt, no injury will occur. In scenario 104, if the passenger experiences an upward and backward force, their neck is prone to extend beyond the seat and bend backward, causing whiplash injuries. Wearing a seatbelt in this situation prevents upward movement and reduces the chance of whiplash injury. In scenario 106, when the vehicle brakes suddenly or rear-ends another vehicle, the passenger will experience a forward force due to inertia (to the left of Figure 1), causing their body to lean forward and impact. Wearing a seatbelt in this situation, securing the passenger to the seat back, reduces the chance of injury. In the event of the first scenario 102, the second scenario 104, and the third scenario 106, if the vehicle collision involves a force that veers to the left or right, it will cause the vehicle to rotate, which in turn will cause the passengers to sway from side to side. In this case, the side curtain airbags need to be activated to achieve the effect of side impact protection.

[0011] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system 200 in an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system 200 includes a rearview camera 202, a processor 204, and a seat belt controller 206. The rearview camera 202 is used to capture dynamic images of vehicles approaching from behind, the processor 204 is used to determine whether the vehicles approaching from behind are rapidly approaching based on the dynamic images of the vehicles approaching from behind, and the seat belt controller 206 is used to tighten the seat belts when the processor determines that the vehicles approaching from behind are rapidly approaching. Since seat belts are a preventative protective measure, tightening them after a collision may cause whiplash injuries in the three scenarios 102, 104, and 106 shown in Figure 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the seat belts are tightened before and just before a collision to prevent whiplash injuries during a collision. This is achieved by using a rearview camera 202 to capture dynamic images of vehicles approaching from behind. The processor 204 then determines whether the vehicle is rapidly approaching based on the dynamic images. If so, the seat belt controller 206 tightens the seat belt; otherwise, the seat belt remains loose. The dynamic images consist of multiple consecutive frames. When a vehicle is visible in the image, the processor 204 can use image recognition to select the vehicle's position within the image. As the selected area expands, it indicates the vehicle is approaching, allowing the processor to determine its relative speed. If the relative speed is too high, a collision is likely imminent, and the seat belt controller 206 tightens the seat belt. In one embodiment, the processor 204 can wirelessly receive the dynamic image from the rearview camera 202 and wirelessly control the seatbelt controller 206. In another embodiment, the processor 204 can be wired to the rearview camera 202 and the seatbelt controller 206 to achieve the purpose of receiving and controlling. In one embodiment, the rearview camera 202 can be replaced by radar or LiDAR. The radar or LiDAR can determine whether a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind by using radar (or LiDAR) echoes. If the relative speed of the approaching vehicle is too high, it indicates that a collision may be imminent, and the seatbelt controller 206 will then tighten the seatbelt.

[0012] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection method 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection method 300 includes the following steps:

[0013] Step S302: Use a rearview camera or radar to capture dynamic images or radar echoes of vehicles approaching from behind;

[0014] Step S304: Determine whether the vehicle approaching from behind is rapidly approaching based on the dynamic image or radar echo of the vehicle behind; and

[0015] Step S306: When it is determined that a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind, use the seat belt controller to tighten the seat belt.

[0016] In step S302, the rearview camera 202 or radar captures dynamic images or radar echoes of vehicles approaching from behind and transmits them to the processor 204. In step S304, the processor 204 determines whether the vehicle is rapidly approaching based on the dynamic image of the vehicle. In step S306, if the processor 204 determines that the vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind, the seatbelt controller 206 tightens the seatbelt to improve passenger safety. If the processor 204 determines that the vehicle is not rapidly approaching from behind, the seatbelt controller 206 can loosen the seatbelt to improve passenger comfort.

[0017] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system 400 includes a gyroscope 402, a rear bumper collision sensor 404, a curtain airbag controller 406, and a computer host 408. The computer host 408 is coupled to the gyroscope 402, the rear bumper collision sensor 404, and the curtain airbag controller 406. The gyroscope 402 is used to detect the vehicle's center of gravity shift and uncontrolled rotation. The rear bumper collision sensor 404 is used to detect whether a rear-end collision has occurred. The curtain airbag controller 406 is used to activate the curtain airbags to protect passengers when a rear-end collision occurs and the center of gravity shift meets certain conditions. The gyroscope 402 can detect the amount and angle of the center of gravity shift. In one embodiment, the gyroscope 402 can also be replaced by a G-sensor or an accelerometer; the present invention is not limited thereto. The condition is that the amount of center of gravity shift exceeds a threshold and the angle of the center of gravity shift is within a specific range. In one embodiment, the threshold can be 1G. The condition is met when the G-force detected by the gyroscope is greater than 1G and the angle of the center of gravity shift is within a specific range. In one embodiment, the condition includes the amount of the center of gravity shift exceeding the threshold and the time within the specific range exceeding another threshold (e.g., one second). If the amount of the center of gravity shift does not reach the threshold, it means that the vehicle may not be out of control, but is accelerating, cornering, or braking on its own, and the curtain airbags do not need to be activated. If the angle of the center of gravity shift simply falls in front of or behind the vehicle, it means that there is no lateral force, side impact, or rear-side impact, so the curtain airbags do not need to be activated. In other words, the condition for the vehicle to activate the curtain airbags must be that the amount of the center of gravity shift exceeds the threshold and the angle of the shift falls to the left or right of the vehicle.

[0018] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection method 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection method 500 includes the following steps:

[0019] Step S502: Use the rear bumper collision sensor to detect whether a rear-end collision has occurred;

[0020] Step S504: Use a gyroscope to detect the vehicle's center of gravity shift; and

[0021] Step S506: When a rear-end collision occurs and the center of gravity shifts to the required condition, the curtain airbags are activated to protect the passengers.

[0022] In step S502, the rear bumper collision sensor 404 is used to detect whether a rear-end collision has occurred. In step S504, the gyroscope 402 is used to detect the vehicle's center of gravity shift. In step S506, when a rear-end collision occurs and the center of gravity shift meets a certain condition, the curtain airbag controller 406 activates the curtain airbags to protect the passengers. This condition is that the amount of center of gravity shift exceeds a threshold and the shift is located on the left (e.g., 135 degrees to 225 degrees) or right (e.g., 315 degrees to 45 degrees). In one embodiment, in step S506, when the rear bumper collision sensor 404 is triggered and the center of gravity shift meets the condition, the curtain airbag controller 406 activates the curtain airbags while the seatbelt controller 206 tightens the seatbelts to protect the passengers. In some embodiments, the curtain air controller 406 can activate some of the curtain airbags based on the angle of the center of gravity shift. For example, if the angle of the center of gravity shift is on the left (e.g., 135 degrees to 225 degrees), the curtain airbags on the left side of the vehicle are activated; if the angle of the center of gravity shift is on the right (e.g., 315 degrees to 45 degrees), the curtain airbags on the right side of the vehicle are activated. In some embodiments, when the center of gravity shift condition is met, the curtain air controller 406 can directly activate all the curtain airbags. In one embodiment, methods 300 and 500 can be activated simultaneously or used individually; the invention is not limited thereto. If methods 300 and 500 are activated simultaneously, when a following vehicle approaches rapidly, the seat belt controller 206 will tighten the seat belt. Then, when a rear-end collision occurs and the center of gravity shift condition is met, the curtain air controller 406 will activate the curtain airbags to protect the passengers. Methods 300 and 500 can be applied simultaneously to the same vehicle.

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the gyroscope 402 detecting vehicle center of gravity shift in an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the range in front of the vehicle can be defined as between 45 degrees and 135 degrees, the range behind the vehicle can be defined as between 225 degrees and 315 degrees, the range to the left of the vehicle can be defined as between 135 degrees and 225 degrees, and the range to the right of the vehicle can be defined as between 315 degrees and 45 degrees. When the center of gravity shift is at position 602, the amount of the shift does not reach the threshold 604, and the angle of the shift falls in the rear (225 degrees to 315 degrees) range. Therefore, it is judged that the vehicle is accelerating and turning, and no collision has occurred, so there is no need to activate the curtain airbags. When the center of gravity shift is at position 606, the amount of the shift exceeds the threshold 604, and the angle of the shift falls to the left (135 degrees to 225 degrees). This indicates that the vehicle may be colliding and rapidly rotating to the left, causing passengers to sway left and right. Therefore, it is necessary to activate the curtain airbags for emergency protection of passengers. When the center of gravity shifts to position 608, the amount of shift exceeds the threshold 604, and the angle of shift is to the right (315 degrees to 45 degrees). This indicates that the vehicle may collide and rotate rapidly to the right, causing passengers to sway from side to side. Therefore, the curtain airbags need to be activated to protect the passengers in an emergency. When the amount of shift exceeds the threshold 604 and the angle of shift is to the left (135 degrees to 225 degrees) or the right (315 degrees to 45 degrees), the conditions are met, and the curtain airbag controller 406 needs to activate the curtain airbags to protect passengers (e.g., rear seat passengers).

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a rear-end collision scenario 700 in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 includes vehicles 702 and 704. When vehicle 704 impacts the left rear of vehicle 702 from behind, vehicle 702 will experience a rightward rotation in addition to a forward force. At this time, the rear bumper collision sensor 404 will be triggered, and the gyroscope 402 will detect a center of gravity shift exceeding a threshold 604, with the angle of the shift falling to the right (315 degrees to 45 degrees). Therefore, the curtain airbags need to be activated through the curtain airbag controller 406 to achieve side impact protection. If vehicle 704 impacts vehicle 702 at a position close to the center of the vehicle, it will not cause a rightward rotation. Although the rear bumper collision sensor 404 will be triggered, the angle of the center of gravity shift detected by the gyroscope 402 will fall forward (45 degrees to 135 degrees). Therefore, the curtain airbag controller 406 does not need to activate the curtain airbags due to a rear-end collision.

[0025] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a rear-end collision scenario 800 in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 includes vehicles 802 and 804. When vehicle 804 impacts the right rear of vehicle 802 from behind, vehicle 802 will experience a leftward rotation in addition to a forward force. At this time, the rear bumper collision sensor 404 will be triggered, and the gyroscope 402 will detect a center of gravity shift exceeding a threshold 604, with the angle of the shift falling to the left (135 degrees to 225 degrees). Therefore, the curtain airbags need to be activated through the curtain airbag controller 406 to achieve side impact protection. If vehicle 804 impacts vehicle 802 near the center of the vehicle, there will be no leftward rotation. Although the rear bumper collision sensor 404 will be triggered, the angle of the center of gravity shift detected by the gyroscope 402 will fall forward (45 degrees to 135 degrees). Therefore, the curtain airbag controller 406 does not need to activate the curtain airbags due to a rear-end collision.

[0026] In one embodiment, when the rear bumper collision sensor 404 is triggered, and the gyroscope 402 detects a center of gravity shift exceeding a threshold 604, and the shift is located to the left (135 degrees to 225 degrees) or the right (315 degrees to 45 degrees), the curtain air controller 406 activates the curtain airbags. At this time, the processor 204 can control the seat belt controller 206 to tighten the seat belts. Although seat belts are a preventative measure, when a collision occurs, tightening the seat belts via the seat belt controller 206 can enhance the protective effect, simultaneously deploying the curtain airbags and tightening the seat belts to ensure passenger safety.

[0027] In summary, this invention provides a vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system. When a vehicle approaches rapidly from behind, the system tightens the seat belts to prevent injury, and when a rear-end collision occurs and the center of gravity shifts to the required conditions, it activates the curtain airbags to protect passengers, thereby increasing the vehicle's driving safety and reliability. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention shall be covered by the present invention.

[0028] 102, 104, 106: Situation 200: Vehicle Collision Protection System (Active and Passive) 202: Rearview camera 204: Processor 206: Seatbelt Controller 300: Method S302, S304, S306: Steps 400: Vehicle Collision Protection System (Active and Passive) 402: Gyroscope 404: Rear bumper collision sensor 406: Air curtain controller 500: Methods S502, S504, S506: Steps 602, 606, 608: Location 604: Threshold 700: Situation of a rear-end collision with a vehicle in front. 702, 704: Vehicles 800: Situation of a rear-end collision with a vehicle in front. 802, 804: Vehicles

Claims

1. A vehicle rear-end collision active and passive protection system, comprising: A rearview camera or radar for capturing a dynamic image of a vehicle approaching from behind or a radar echo; a processor for determining whether a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind based on the dynamic image of the vehicle approaching from behind and its size or the radar echo; a seatbelt controller for tightening the seatbelt when the processor determines that the vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind or a collision is imminent; a rear bumper collision sensor for detecting whether the vehicle has been rear-ended by the vehicle approaching from behind; a gyroscope for detecting the shift in the vehicle's center of gravity and whether it has lost control and rotated uncontrollably after being rear-ended by the vehicle approaching from behind; and a curtain airbag controller for activating a curtain airbag to protect passengers when the vehicle has been rear-ended by the vehicle approaching from behind and the shift in the center of gravity meets a certain condition.

2. The vehicle rear-end collision protection system as described in claim 1, wherein the processor is coupled to the rearview camera and the seat belt controller.

3. The vehicle rear-end collision protection system as described in claim 1, wherein the condition is that the center of gravity shift exceeds a threshold and the angle of the center of gravity shift is within a specific range.

4. The vehicle rear-end collision protection system as described in claim 3, wherein the specific range is 135 degrees to 225 degrees and 315 degrees to 45 degrees.

5. A method for active and passive protection of a vehicle in a rear-end collision, comprising: Use a rearview camera or radar to capture a dynamic image of a vehicle approaching from behind, or a radar echo; determine whether a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind based on the dynamic image and its size, or the radar echo; when it is determined that the vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind or a collision is imminent, use a seatbelt controller to tighten the seatbelts; use a rear bumper collision sensor to detect whether the vehicle is being rear-ended by the vehicle; use a gyroscope to detect the shift in the vehicle's center of gravity and whether it is spinning out of control after the vehicle is rear-ended; and when a rear-end collision occurs and the shift in the center of gravity meets a certain condition, activate a side curtain airbag to protect the passengers.

6. The method as described in claim 5, wherein the condition is that the center of gravity offset exceeds a threshold and the angle of the center of gravity offset is within a specific range.

7. The method as described in claim 6, wherein the specific range is 135 degrees to 225 degrees and 315 degrees to 45 degrees.

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