CMG Collision Avoidance and Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems are limited in their ability to proactively prevent or mitigate collisions, and existing vehicle component cooling systems are inefficient in managing heat generation while minimizing vehicle size and weight.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vehicle control system that utilizes spatial data from sensors to adjust the vehicle's state via a Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG) for collision avoidance and mitigation, combined with an efficient cooling system that routes cooling liquid to heat-generating components to manage temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current vehicle safety systems use sensors to detect objects, then object detection capability is provided, but the systems cannot proactively prevent or mitigate collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting potential collision scenarios in advance and activating the CMG to alter vehicle state proactively before collision occurs. The gyroscope system is engaged based on predictive algorithms that analyze sensor data to determine future collision risk, allowing the vehicle to adjust its trajectory or orientation preemptively.
Solution Approach 2:
The Control Moment Gyroscope acts as an intermediary device between the sensor detection system and the vehicle's motion control. It translates detected collision risks into physical state changes by generating torques that alter the vehicle's orientation or trajectory, serving as a mediator that converts information into actionable physical responses.
2Temperature
If traditional cooling systems are added to vehicles, then component cooling is provided, but vehicle size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The CMG system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides collision avoidance and mitigation capabilities while simultaneously functioning as a thermal management system. The flywheel structure incorporates thermal pathways that conduct heat from electronic components to the surrounding environment, allowing the same mechanical structure to perform both rotational inertia functions and heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged with the CMG structure itself rather than being a separate system. The flywheel housing and mounting structure are designed with thermal conduction pathways that transfer heat from high-power electronics to the flywheel mass and surrounding air, combining structural and thermal management functions into a single integrated component.
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 vehicle safety by proactively altering its state to avoid collisions and prioritizes driver safety, while reducing component operating temperatures without increasing vehicle size or weight.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting an orientation or rotational speed of a flywheel of the gyroscope
Implementation Method 2
altering the vehicle state via control moment gyroscope (CMG) active controls to change the projection of the vehicle frame
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments describe modules/logic/circuitry to receive image data identifying terrain, environment, and/or one or more objects near a vehicle, determine a projection of the one or more objects with respect to the vehicle, determine whether the one or more objects will collide with the vehicle, and in response to determining the one or more objects will collide, altering the vehicle state. In some embodiments, altering the vehicle state is based, at least in part, on a driver position with respect to the one or more objects determined to collide with the vehicle (e.g., moving the vehicle to protect the drive). In some embodiments, altering the vehicle state comprises at least one of adjusting brakes of the vehicle to alter its trajectory, adjusting a steering wheel of the vehicle to alter its trajectory and adjusting an orientation or rotational speed of a flywheel (for CMG assisted vehicles).