Vehicle Crash Recognition via Linear Rotational Power Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems primarily focus on linear movements during crashes, neglecting the combination of rotational and linear movements, which complicates the recognition of side crashes and effective deployment of occupant protection systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the ratio of linear power to rotational power from sensor data to differentiate between 'in zone' and 'out of zone' crashes, enabling improved control of airbag deployment and occupant protection by considering both rotational and linear movements during vehicle crashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only linear movement parameters are considered for crash recognition, then the sensor system remains simple, but side crash scenarios cannot be accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines linear acceleration sensor data with rotational acceleration sensor data into a unified crash recognition system. By merging these two types of sensor information and analyzing them together through power ratio calculations, the system achieves accurate side crash detection without requiring completely separate detection systems for linear and rotational movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The crash recognition system is designed to handle multiple crash scenarios (frontal crashes, side crashes, rear crashes) using a single unified approach. The system universally processes both linear and rotational movement data through the same power ratio analysis methodology, enabling one system to perform multiple crash detection functions.
2Measurement precision
If rotational movement parameters are added to improve side crash detection, then crash recognition accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms complex rotational and linear movement signals into a simplified parameter - the power ratio. By changing the representation form from raw acceleration signals to power ratios, the system reduces the complexity of analyzing rotational versus linear movements while maintaining high precision in crash type classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The power ratio serves as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the complex rotational and linear acceleration signals and the final crash type classification. Instead of directly comparing multiple complex signals, the system uses the power ratio as an intermediate step to simplify the decision-making process for crash recognition.
3Reliability
If the thorax airbag is deployed in all crash scenarios, then occupant protection is maximized, but unnecessary deployment in out-of-zone crashes wastes protective resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating airbag deployment strategies based on crash location. Instead of a uniform deployment approach, the system determines whether the crash occurred in the intrusion zone (requiring thorax airbag deployment) or out-of-zone (where the thorax airbag should remain inactive). This localized decision-making optimizes protection where needed while conserving resources where unnecessary.
4Reliability
If the window bag is activated in all crashes, then head protection is improved, but activation in inappropriate scenarios reduces system effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by activating the window bag only in specific crash locations where head injury risk from side windows or pillars exists. The crash location determination based on power ratio analysis enables the window bag to be activated locally in out-of-zone crashes while remaining inactive in other scenarios, optimizing head protection adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of crash detection in a vehicle is described. The method comprises a step of receiving a linear signal (12) and a rotation signal (22, 23) via an interface, the signals comprising information on a linear movement and/or a rotational movement of the vehicle. In a step of determining (30, 40), a linear power value (31), based on the linear signal (12), and a rotational power value (31), based on the rotation signal (22, 23) are determined. In a step of ascertaining (80), a ratio value (81), based on a ratio of the linear power value (31) and the rotational power value (41) is ascertained. The ratio value is suitable for determining information on a crash type (92) and/or a crash location (93).