Bumper Pressure Tube Support for Accurate Pedestrian Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedestrian contact detection apparatuses in vehicles suffer from reduced deformation of detection tubes due to shifting of foam members upon impact, leading to inadequate detection of pedestrian contact.
Innovation Solution
A pedestrian contact detection apparatus with a bumper beam, absorber, upper and lower ribs, and a pressure tube, where the pressure tube is sandwiched between the ribs and supported by a cover, allowing for increased deformation and pressure change detection upon impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the foam member is disposed adjacent to the bumper support without additional support structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection precision deteriorates due to foam member shifting upon impact reducing detection tube deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary element between the foam member and the detection tube. It prevents the foam member from shifting upon impact while allowing the detection tube to deform properly, thus maintaining detection precision without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is pre-installed to hold the foam member in its initial position before impact occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when impact happens, the foam member cannot shift and the detection tube can deform as intended, solving the precision problem before the actual detection event
2Device complexity
If the pressure tube is not supported from the rear side, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection precision deteriorates due to insufficient deformation of the pressure tube upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as a mediator that provides rear-side support to the pressure tube. This support ensures proper deformation of the pressure tube during impact without requiring complex additional mechanisms, thus improving detection precision with minimal increase in device complexity
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
Enhances the detection of pedestrian contact by increasing the deformation amount of the pressure tube and pressure change, improving the accuracy of contact determination.
Implementation Method 1
the detection tube is compressed and deformed (pressed and deformed) in a front-rear direction by the bumper cover and the foam member. This changes pressure inside the detection tube. The pedestrian contact detection apparatus detects the contact between the vehicle and the pedestrian based on such a change in pressure inside the detection tube
Data Source
AI summary
A pedestrian contact detection apparatus, for a vehicle, includes a bumper beam, an absorber, an upper rib, a lower rib, a contact detection sensor, and a cover. The upper rib and the lower rib each protrude from a front face of the absorber toward a vehicle front side and each extend discontinuously in a vehicle width direction. The lower rib is disposed on a vehicle lower side of the upper rib. A pressure tube extends in the vehicle width direction and is disposed between the upper rib and the lower rib. The cover covers a front face of the absorber from the vehicle front side, includes a support having insertion holes through which the upper and lower ribs are disposed, and is disposed on the vehicle front side of and adjacent to the bumper beam. The support supports the pressure tube from a vehicle rear side.