Vehicle Collision Mitigation Using Reverse Drive Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collision mitigation mechanisms in vehicles are complex and do not effectively address the need for improved fuel efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and effective damage mitigation in the event of a collision.
Innovation Solution
A collision mitigation mechanism that utilizes an idle running mechanism with a configuration of outer and inner rotors with magnets, allowing for rapid deceleration and idle running to reduce further accident expansion and damage, while also improving fuel efficiency and reducing environmental load through effective energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collision mitigation mechanism is implemented, then damage from collision is mitigated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the collision mitigation function with the existing idle running mechanism by integrating a collision detection means and control means into the idle running control system. The same idle running mechanism that normally reduces fuel consumption during idle periods is repurposed to rapidly rotate the output shaft in reverse upon collision detection, thereby merging two functions into a single mechanism to avoid increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The idle running mechanism is designed to serve dual purposes: during normal operation, it reduces fuel consumption by maintaining idle rotation of the output shaft, and during collision events, it rapidly rotates the output shaft in reverse to mitigate damage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate collision mitigation components, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and complexity.
2Reliability
If rapid deceleration is performed upon collision detection, then damage is mitigated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of rapid deceleration (high energy consumption) into a beneficial outcome by utilizing the existing kinetic energy of the rotating output shaft. Upon collision detection, the control means simply maintains or adjusts the rotation of the output shaft in reverse using the already-stored kinetic energy, rather than actively applying additional energy. This approach mitigates collision damage while avoiding excessive energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If idle running mechanism is used, then fuel efficiency is improved, but collision mitigation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that adjusts the operation of the idle running mechanism based on real-time collision detection. During normal idle conditions, the mechanism operates at low power to improve fuel efficiency. Upon collision detection, the control means dynamically increases the rotation speed and reverses the rotation direction of the output shaft to provide effective collision mitigation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing performance for each operational state.
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
The mechanism enables rapid deceleration and backing up after a collision, minimizing accident expansion and damage, while achieving improved fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact by optimizing energy use during safe idle running.
Implementation Method 1
a configuration of outer and inner rotors with magnets, allowing for rapid deceleration and idle running
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
[Object] The present invention mitigates damage from a collision, and realizes an improvement in fuel efficiency and reduction in environmental load. [Solution Means] When a collision occurs, a driving force of a drive shaft 12 is transmitted to a reversing high-load multiple disk clutch 850 via an inertia absorbing gear mechanism 840. Then, the driving force is transmitted to a gear 862 via a gear 866, and inertia is absorbed and the driving force acts to rotate an output shaft 14 at a low speed. On the other hand, when the gear 862 rotates, a regenerative/backing up motor 864 also rotates, and so-called regenerative driving is also performed. Due to these operations, the output shaft 14 rapidly decreases in rotation speed, and goes into a rotation stopping state from a forward rotating state. Then, when a vehicle speed sensor 304 detects that the vehicle speed has reached "0," the regenerative/backing up motor 864 is driven, the output shaft 14 is driven to rotate reversely for several seconds, and thereafter, driving of the regenerative/backing up motor 864 is stopped.