Hardware and software mechanisms on autonomous vehicle for pedestrian safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for reliable and efficient means to avoid or mitigate collisions with pedestrians for fully-autonomous and semi-autonomous robot vehicles, particularly in unstructured outdoor and closed environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an energy absorbing system on autonomous robot vehicles, which includes a front bumper with a crash beam, an energy absorbing member, and an inflatable airbag that deploys externally to reduce impact on objects, coupled with detection sensors and a computer system to detect obstacles and control the conveyance system to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an energy absorbing system with airbag is added to the autonomous robot vehicle, then pedestrian safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating an energy absorbing member in the front side of the autonomous robot vehicle that compresses during collision to reduce impact forces. Additionally, an airbag system is deployed in response to detected collisions to provide cushioning protection to pedestrians, thereby mitigating harmful effects before they can cause severe injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an airbag as an intermediary element between the autonomous robot vehicle and the pedestrian. The airbag deploys externally from the vehicle front side to create a protective barrier that absorbs and distributes impact forces, mediating the interaction between the vehicle and pedestrian during collision events.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an inflatable airbag is mounted externally on the front side, then pedestrian protection is improved, but vehicle size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the inflatable airbag within a recess formed in the front side of the autonomous robot vehicle. The recess is defined by the frame structure, allowing the airbag to be nested within the vehicle's front assembly rather than adding external protrusions. This minimizes the increase in vehicle volume while still enabling effective pedestrian protection when the airbag deploys.
3Reliability
If detection sensors and computer system are added to control the conveyance system, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using detection sensors to monitor the environment and detect obstacles or collisions in real-time. The computer system receives input signals from these sensors and processes the information to determine appropriate responses, such as controlling the conveyance system to avoid obstacles or triggering the airbag deployment when a collision is detected, thereby creating a closed-loop control system that continuously monitors and responds to environmental conditions.
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
The energy absorbing system effectively reduces the impact on pedestrians and objects in case of collisions, enhancing safety by deploying an airbag externally and controlling the vehicle's movement to avoid obstacles, thereby protecting both pedestrians and vehicle contents.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable airbag mounted on a front side of the autonomous robot vehicle such that when the inflatable airbag is deployed, the inflatable airbag is external to the autonomous robot vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The energy absorbing member is configured to reduce impact on an object struck by the autonomous robot vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous robot vehicle includes a front side and an energy absorbing system. The front side includes a front bumper and a front face including a frame defining a cavity. The energy absorbing system includes an energy absorbing member mounted in the cavity of the frame, and an inflatable airbag. The energy absorbing member is configured to reduce impact on an object struck by the autonomous robot vehicle. The inflatable airbag is mounted on the front side of the autonomous robot vehicle such that when the inflatable airbag is deployed, the inflatable airbag is external to the autonomous robot vehicle.