Guided Soft Target for Crash Avoidance Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crash avoidance technology testing methods face challenges in replicating realistic crash scenarios safely and efficiently, as existing soft collision partners are prone to damage, aerodynamic flutter, and limited in their ability to simulate various collision types, and often pose risks to test personnel and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A Guided Soft Target system comprising a programmable, autonomously guided Dynamic Motion Element with a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form, capable of replicating pre-crash motions in various scenarios, minimizing physical risk, and providing a consistent radar and sensor signature, allowing for detailed analysis of collision avoidance and severity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a balloon car is used as a soft collision partner, then it can provide a soft target for testing, but it is subject to damage including bursting when impacted at higher speeds and exhibits aerodynamic flutter that can confuse sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a fabric-covered frame structure where the fabric skin acts as a flexible shell that can deform under impact forces without rupturing. The fabric is tensioned across the frame to create a aerodynamically stable surface that resists flutter while remaining compliant to absorb impact energy, resolving the contradiction between softness and aerodynamic stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an unyielding design like the NHTSA car-rear is used, then it can provide structural stability, but it can cause minor damage to the subject vehicle at higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The soft collision partner is divided into a rigid frame structure and a separate fabric skin covering. The frame provides structural stability and positioning, while the fabric skin provides compliance to reduce damage to the subject vehicle. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
3Weight of moving object
If a heavy soft collision partner like the ABD car is used, then it can provide mass for realistic simulation, but it creates large forces on the subject vehicle at high speeds and cannot be used for impact speeds over about 50 kilometers per hour
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric-covered flexible structure allows the soft collision partner to deform and absorb impact energy through material deformation rather than rigid force transfer. This flexibility enables the use of lighter frame structures while still providing realistic simulation characteristics, reducing impact forces on the subject vehicle at high speeds.
4Power
If a soft collision partner with large drive system is used, then it can provide propulsion capability, but it cannot be driven through or over due to the drive system in the middle
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric skin covering is designed to be flexible and tearable, allowing vehicles to drive through or over the soft collision partner during impact. The fabric can rupture and separate, enabling post-impact vehicle movement while the frame structure maintains positioning accuracy during the pre-impact phase for realistic sensor signature simulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A Guided Soft Target (GST) system and method provides a versatile test system and methodology for the evaluation of various crash avoidance technologies. This system and method can be used to replicate the pre-crash motions of the CP in a wide variety of crash scenarios while minimizing physical risk, all while consistently providing radar and other sensor signatures substantially identical to that of the item being simulated. The GST system in various example embodiments may comprise a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form removably attached to a programmable, autonomously guided, self-propelled Dynamic Motion Element (DME), which may be operated in connection with a wireless computer network operating on a plurality of complimentary communication networks. Specific DME geometries are provided to minimize ride disturbance and observability by radar and other sensors. Computer controlled DME braking systems are disclosed as well as break-away and retractable antenna systems.