Adaptive Actuator Triggering for Motor Vehicle Safety Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety systems for motor vehicles face challenges in triggering multiple actuators simultaneously without overloading the energy source, as the energy required for simultaneous activation exceeds the available energy, necessitating group triggering which can lead to suboptimal timing and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive method that adjusts the maximum group size of actuators to be triggered within a time window based on the number of actuators already triggered in preceding windows, using an index-controlled table to determine the maximum group size dynamically, and considers different priorities and triggering time periods, allowing for flexible and efficient energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If actuators are triggered simultaneously in large groups, then the triggering speed and response time are improved, but the energy source becomes overloaded and cannot provide sufficient energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the actuator triggering process into multiple time windows, with each window handling a manageable group of actuators. The control unit processes triggering requests in sequential time windows (e.g., first time window, second time window, etc.), ensuring that the number of actuators triggered simultaneously in each window does not exceed the energy source's capacity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast response through structured parallel processing while preventing energy overload through controlled grouping.
2Reliability
If a rigid maximum group size is predefined for triggering, then the energy source is protected from overload, but the triggering timing becomes suboptimal and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the maximum group size for actuator triggering within each time window. Instead of using a fixed predetermined limit, the control unit adaptively determines the maximum number of actuators that can be triggered simultaneously based on the current energy source state and triggering requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to maximize triggering efficiency when energy is abundant while maintaining reliable protection when energy is limited, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
3Loss of time
If all actuators are triggered in the earliest possible time window, then the response time is minimized, but the energy source becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary assessment of energy availability and actuator priorities before triggering. The control unit evaluates the energy source state and actuator requirements in advance, then distributes actuator triggering across multiple time windows optimally. High-priority actuators are triggered in earlier windows when possible, while lower-priority actuators are scheduled for subsequent windows, minimizing overall time loss without exceeding energy capacity in any single window.
4Reliability
If the maximum group size is reduced to protect the energy source, then energy overload is prevented, but the triggering speed and system response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic time windows for actuator triggering, where each time window represents a discrete period for processing triggering requests. Within each periodic window, the control unit triggers a controlled group of actuators without exceeding energy limits. The periodic structure allows the system to maintain reliable energy protection while achieving acceptable triggering speeds through efficient utilization of each time window's capacity and rapid transition to subsequent windows.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for triggering a plurality of actuators of a safety system of a motor vehicle from an energy source, wherein, by using sensor signals, the requirement for triggering and the desired triggering time period are determined and a maximum group size of actuators to be triggered within a time window is predefined. For successive time windows, individual, at least partly different, maximum group sizes are respectively predefined and the maximum group size for the respective time window is determined adaptively by using the actuators already actually triggered in preceding time windows. Here, it is preferably also possible to take account of the situation in which different triggering time periods are predefined for actuators.