Deflectable Ramp Structure for Safe Vehicle Collision Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of Advanced Crash Avoidance Technologies (ACATs) necessitates full-scale test methodologies that minimize hazards to test personnel and equipment damage, requiring effective simulation of collision scenarios without causing harm or damage.

Innovation Solution

A guided test platform with a ramp structure that deflects or deforms upon contact with a subject vehicle wheel, allowing the vehicle to drive over it without causing damage to either the platform or the vehicle, using deflectable or deformable ramp members that form a ramp to guide the vehicle wheel from the ground surface to the platform's top surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid platform structure is used to simulate vehicle collision, then the structural integrity and simulation accuracy are improved, but the risk of damage to test equipment and injury to personnel increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoidequipment damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp members are designed with changeable mechanical properties - rigid during approach to provide accurate collision simulation, then deflectable upon wheel contact to prevent damage. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a rigid state (for simulation accuracy) to a flexible state (for safety)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The deflectable ramp members serve as a pre-positioned cushioning mechanism that activates upon wheel contact. This beforehand cushioning prevents the harmful transmission of collision forces to the platform structure and personnel, while maintaining simulation accuracy during the approach phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a rigid platform structure is used to simulate vehicle collision, then the simulation effectiveness is improved, but the safety of test personnel and equipment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest scenario simulationVSAvoidinjury risk to personnel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp members transition from a rigid configuration (providing effective collision simulation) to a deflectable configuration (ensuring personnel safety) upon contact with the vehicle wheel. This parameter change enables the system to simultaneously achieve simulation effectiveness and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the ramp members are made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the platform stability is improved, but the ability to guide vehicle wheels safely onto the platform is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform stabilityVSAvoidvehicle wheel guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp members are designed with dynamic characteristics - maintaining a stable, elevated position during the approach phase to guide wheels, then deflecting downward upon contact to safely guide the wheel onto the platform surface. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the ramp members are made deflectable to prevent damage, then the safety and damage prevention are improved, but the structural strength appears reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment damage reductionVSAvoidramp member strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The deflectable ramp members are designed with localized flexibility at specific contact points while maintaining overall structural integrity. This local quality allows the ramp to deflect for safety upon wheel contact while retaining sufficient strength to support the vehicle weight and provide effective collision simulation during the approach phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables safe and damage-free testing of vehicle technologies by allowing vehicles to collide and drive over the platform, reducing the risk of injury and equipment damage while effectively simulating various test scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one ramp member is structured to be deflectable toward a ground surface so as to form a ramp responsive to contact with a subject vehicle wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11673501B2Mobile platform incorporating a ramp structure

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes at least one ramp member structured to be operably coupled to the mobile platform. The at least one ramp member is structured to be deflectable toward a ground surface so as to form a ramp responsive to contact with a subject vehicle wheel when the ramp member is operably coupled to the mobile platform and the mobile platform resides on the ground surface. The ramp extends in a direction from the ground surface toward a top surface of the mobile platform.