Fuel Cutoff Algorithm Using Elliptical Crash Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle fuel delivery systems rely on separate electromechanical fuel flow cutoff switches, which increase costs and provide only a single threshold for disabling the fuel system, making it difficult to determine suitable mounting locations and lacking in precision for different collision scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An algorithm within the restraint control module uses crash sensor data to deploy a fuel cutoff signal when a crash condition meets or exceeds an elliptical fuel cutoff threshold, eliminating the need for a separate electromechanical switch and allowing for varied thresholds based on collision type and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate electromechanical fuel flow cutoff switch is used, then the fuel pump can be disabled in a collision, but the system cost increases and only a single threshold is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel cutoff function with the existing restraint control module, eliminating the need for a separate electromechanical fuel flow cutoff switch. The restraint control module now handles both restraint control and fuel cutoff decisions, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining reliability through integrated crash data processing and threshold comparison capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint control module is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it processes crash sensor data, determines collision severity, controls restraint deployment, and now also manages fuel cutoff decisions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated single-purpose components and reduces overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If a separate electromechanical fuel flow cutoff switch is used, then the fuel system can be disabled, but suitable mounting locations are difficult to find
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the fuel cutoff function into the restraint control module, the patent eliminates the need for a separate physical switch that requires mounting. The fuel cutoff capability is implemented through software algorithms within the existing control module, removing mounting location constraints entirely.
3Device complexity
If a single threshold is used for fuel cutoff, then the system is simple, but precision for different collision scenarios is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements direction-specific threshold values for fuel cutoff, where different acceleration thresholds apply to different collision directions (front, rear, side impacts). This allows precise control tailored to each collision scenario, improving safety by accounting for the different risks associated with impacts from different directions while maintaining algorithmic efficiency through structured threshold comparisons.
Data Source
AI summary
An algorithm for use with a restraint control module that controls a signal output to a vehicle fuel pump. The algorithm deploys a fuel cutoff signal when crash sensors sense a vehicle crash condition that meets or exceeds a fuel cutoff threshold employed by the algorithm. The fuel cutoff threshold is generally elliptical.