Airbag Deployment Control Using Pre-Impact Sensor Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag deployment systems in vehicles, even with advanced safety systems, face delays due to the requirement of two consecutive deceleration measurements exceeding a threshold, which can result in airbags not being fully deployed in time for maximum passenger safety during crashes, as they rely on traditional crash sensing parameters and frequency-dependent safing criteria.
Innovation Solution
An airbag deployment control apparatus and method that utilizes a pre-impact sensor, such as radar, camera, or Lidar, to detect an imminent collision as the first safing signal, combined with an impact sensor measuring vehicle deceleration as the second signal, allowing for earlier airbag deployment by eliminating the need for two consecutive data points from the safing sensor, thereby reducing the deployment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two consecutive deceleration measurements exceeding a threshold are required for airbag deployment, then false deployment is prevented, but deployment time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of crash conditions using the first deceleration signal, prepares the airbag system in advance, and then quickly deploys upon receiving the second confirming signal. This preliminary preparation reduces the effective deployment time while maintaining the safety of requiring two signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its response based on the sequence and magnitude of deceleration signals. When two consecutive signals exceed the threshold, the system transitions from a prepared state to rapid deployment, optimizing the balance between safety verification and response speed.
2Measurement precision
If safing sensor runs at 100 Hz frequency, then measurement reliability is improved, but minimum deployment delay of 10 msec occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the first deceleration signal exceeding the threshold to trigger preliminary actions including checking occupant status, preparing the airbag inflation system, and pre-charging electrical circuits. This allows the majority of deployment preparation to occur before the second signal confirms deployment, reducing the effective delay caused by sensor frequency limitations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the minimum airbag deployment time by using an imminent pre-collision signal as the first safing trigger, ensuring the airbag is fully deployed when needed, enhancing passenger safety by optimizing deployment timing relative to occupant position during a crash.
Implementation Method 1
The pre-impact sensor may be at least one of a radar, camera and Lidar sensor
Implementation Method 2
The pre-impact sensor may be at least one of a radar, camera and Lidar sensor
Implementation Method 3
The pre-impact sensor may be at least one of a radar, camera and Lidar sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag deployment control apparatus and method utilizes an output of a pre-collision sensor mounted on the vehicle as a first airbag safing signal, and an output of a vehicle mounted impact sensor, when the impact sensor output exceeds a predetermined level corresponding to an actual vehicle collision, as a second airbag safing signal. A control, after determining the occurrence of the two consecutive safing signals, checks airbag arming and deployment criteria for deployment of the airbag. The pre-impact sensor can be a camera, radar, or Lidar sensor mounted on the vehicle.