Guided Soft Target for Crash Avoidance Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crash avoidance technology testing methodologies face challenges in replicating realistic crash scenarios while minimizing hazards to test personnel and equipment, and in providing a Soft Collision Partner that accurately simulates vehicles or pedestrians without causing damage or aerodynamic flutter, and that can handle high-speed impacts.
Innovation Solution
A Guided Soft Target system comprising a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form removably attached to a programmable, autonomously guided Dynamic Motion Element, which can replicate pre-crash motions in various crash scenarios, providing a realistic representation to both the driver and the system under evaluation, and can handle high-speed impacts without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a balloon car is used as Soft CP, then it can be lightweight and inexpensive, but it bursts when impacted at higher speeds and exhibits aerodynamic flutter
Solution Approach 1:
The Soft CP is divided into multiple modular components including a collapsible frame structure with segmented panels that can deform and collapse in a controlled manner during impact, allowing the structure to absorb energy progressively rather than failing catastrophically at a single point
Solution Approach 2:
The Soft CP employs composite construction combining lightweight aluminum extrusions for the frame with high-strength collapse panels made of engineered materials that can withstand aerodynamic forces during motion but controlled collapse during impact, eliminating flutter while maintaining light weight
2Strength
If a rigid target like NHTSA car-rear is used, then it can withstand high-speed impacts, but it causes damage to the subject vehicle and cannot be driven through
Solution Approach 1:
The Soft CP incorporates pre-engineered energy absorption mechanisms including collapsible frame sections and deformable panels designed to collapse in a controlled sequence during impact, cushioning the blow before it reaches the subject vehicle and preventing damage while maintaining structural integrity during the test
3Strength
If a heavy target like ABD car is used, then it can handle high-speed impacts, but it creates large forces on the subject vehicle and cannot be driven over
Solution Approach 1:
The Soft CP utilizes a dynamic collapsible structure that transitions from a rigid appearance during normal operation to a progressively collapsing configuration during impact, allowing the target to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation rather than rigid resistance, thereby reducing forces transmitted to the subject vehicle while maintaining the ability to handle high-speed impacts
4Reliability
If a Soft CP with steering and braking performance is used, then it can generate real-world data, but it increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The Soft CP employs sensor arrays and electronic systems that replicate the radar, lidar, and other sensor signatures of actual vehicles and pedestrians, creating a realistic virtual target that can be detected and tracked by the subject vehicle's crash avoidance systems without requiring a physical vehicle with full steering and braking mechanisms
Data Source
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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 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 comprises 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. A break-away antenna assembly (1000') with an antenna (1010) mounted to a soft body of the GST has a first wiring (1026) connected via a reattachable electrical connector(1032, 1034) to a second wiring of the DME (1050). Upon impact the connector disconnects the wirings.