Force-Conducting Element for Vehicle Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collision detection systems in motor vehicles are limited in detecting collisions with narrow objects that occur away from the installation location of acceleration sensors, leading to underestimation of collision severity.
Innovation Solution
A force-conducting element is introduced that redirects collision forces to acceleration sensors, allowing detection in multiple directions and enhancing the detection of collisions that would otherwise go undetected, by being mechanically connected to the vehicle body but not providing structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If acceleration sensors are installed at specific locations on the vehicle body, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the detection coverage is limited and collisions with narrow objects away from sensor locations cannot be reliably detected
Solution Approach 1:
A force-conducting element is introduced as an intermediary component between the collision area and the acceleration sensor. This element transmits collision forces from areas remote from the sensor to the sensor location, enabling detection of collisions that would otherwise not directly impact the sensor. The force-conducting element acts as a mechanical mediator that extends the effective detection coverage without requiring additional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The force-conducting element redirects collision forces from the longitudinal direction (vehicle front-back axis) into the transverse direction (vehicle width axis) where the acceleration sensor is most sensitive. This dimensional transformation allows the sensor to detect collisions occurring away from its installation location by converting the collision force vector into a direction the sensor can effectively measure.
2Reliability
If multiple acceleration sensors are installed to cover larger areas, then collision detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force-conducting element serves as a mechanical intermediary that allows a single acceleration sensor to effectively monitor multiple collision zones. By transmitting forces from remote collision areas to the sensor location, the system achieves multi-point detection coverage with a single sensor, maintaining reliability while avoiding the complexity of installing multiple sensors throughout the vehicle.
3Measurement precision
If acceleration sensors measure only at their installation location, then the measurement system is simple and cost-effective, but collisions with narrow objects in remote areas lead to underestimation of collision severity
Solution Approach 1:
The force-conducting element acts as a mechanical intermediary that bridges the gap between the remote collision area and the sensor measurement point. It transmits the collision force generated by narrow objects impacting remote areas directly to the acceleration sensor, ensuring that the sensor records the full magnitude of the collision force even though the impact occurred away from the sensor location.
Solution Approach 2:
The force-conducting element transforms the collision force vector from the longitudinal direction (where narrow object impacts occur) into the transverse direction (where the sensor measures most accurately). This directional transformation ensures that collision severity is measured with high precision by redirecting the force into the sensor's optimal measurement axis.
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
This solution expands the local detection capability of collisions, enabling the activation of restraint systems even in cases where conventional systems would fail to meet the collision criterion, particularly for narrow objects not directly impacting the sensors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one acceleration sensor (5, 6) which are each movably mounted in a bearing means (8, 9) and which measure accelerations in at least one detection direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Motor vehicle (1, 1') comprising a body (2, 2') and a collision detection device (3, 3') with at least one acceleration sensor (5, 5a, 6, 6a, 5') measuring in at least one detection direction and installed at a location of the body (2, 2') and an evaluation unit (10, 10') for detecting a collision when the acceleration sensor (5, 5a, 6, 6a, 5') provides sensor data fulfilling a collision criterion, wherein the collision detection device (3, 3') comprises an additional force-guiding element (11, 11a, 11') motion-coupled with the acceleration sensor (5, 5a, 6, 6a, 5'), which is used to redirect a collision force acting locally in a collision area not encompassing the installation location to the acceleration sensor (5, 5a, 6, 6a, 5'). 6a, 5') is designed in at least one of the at least one detection direction.