Vehicle Collision Determination Using Acceleration and Distance Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision detection systems in vehicles fail to accurately detect slight collisions due to bumper distortion, leading to axial misalignment of sensors, increased manufacturing costs, and inability to warn drivers of potential system abnormalities, and are prone to erroneous detection.
Innovation Solution
A collision determination device using a processor to acquire acceleration, speed change, and proximity distance, determining a light collision when specific threshold conditions are met, and generating a notification to the driver while temporarily disabling proximity sensors to prevent erroneous readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collision detection sensor is mounted on the bumper to detect slight collisions, then collision detection capability is improved, but the sensor becomes susceptible to axial misalignment due to bumper distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acceleration sensor as an intermediary device to detect bumper distortion indirectly. Instead of relying on the proximity sensor mounted on the bumper which becomes misaligned, the acceleration sensor detects the distortion of the bumper itself, and this distortion information is used to correct or compensate for the proximity sensor's detection results, thereby maintaining detection accuracy despite axial misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring bumper distortion through the acceleration sensor and using this information to adjust or correct the proximity sensor's detection outputs. When bumper distortion is detected, the system compensates for the resulting axial misalignment of the proximity sensor, ensuring accurate obstacle detection even after slight collisions.
2Reliability
If additional collision detection sensors are added to detect slight collisions, then detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration sensor serves multiple functions: it detects slight collisions, monitors bumper distortion, and provides data for correcting proximity sensor measurements. By making the acceleration sensor multi-functional, the system avoids needing separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby reducing overall component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of collision detection and bumper distortion monitoring into a single acceleration sensor system. Instead of using separate sensors for detecting slight collisions and monitoring sensor alignment, the acceleration sensor performs both functions, and its data is used to correct proximity sensor readings, reducing the total number of components needed.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor operates after bumper distortion, then the system remains functional, but erroneous detection results occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the acceleration sensor to detect bumper distortion and automatically compensates for the resulting axial misalignment of the proximity sensor. This feedback mechanism allows the system to remain functional after slight collisions while maintaining detection reliability through real-time correction of sensor readings based on measured distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the proximity sensor's detection characteristics based on the measured bumper distortion. When distortion is detected, the system modifies detection thresholds and parameters to account for the axial misalignment, allowing continued operation with maintained reliability despite the physical distortion of the mounting structure.
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
Accurately detects slight collisions without sensor failure, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents drivers from trusting erroneous proximity sensor readings by temporarily disabling the sensors after a collision.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor including an ultrasonic transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves and an ultrasonic receiver that receives the ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic receiver that receives the ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 3
a G sensor that detects an acceleration G applied to the vehicle in a front-rear direction
Data Source
AI summary
The processor 152 of ECU150 is configured to acquire an acceleration in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, acquire a speed change of the vehicle, acquire a distance between an object existing in a periphery of the vehicle and the vehicle, and determine that the vehicle has a light collision when at least one of the acceleration being equal to or greater than a first predetermined value and the speed change being equal to or greater than a second predetermined value is satisfied and the distance is equal to or less than a third predetermined value.