Helmet Collision Avoidance Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collision avoidance systems are limited in sports and motorcycling applications, particularly for helmets and legacy motorcycles, where riders or participants may not be aware of impending impacts, leading to injuries such as concussions and fatalities due to lack of effective warning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with a sensor array, accelerometer array, alert system, central processing unit, memory storage, and data transmitter, which tracks object trajectories and calculates collision probabilities, providing visual and audible alerts to users through LED lights and speakers to indicate impending impacts, and optionally linking with external displays for enhanced visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collision avoidance system is implemented in helmets or legacy motorcycles, then the ability to detect and warn of impending impacts is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection function into multiple independent sensor modules (ultrasonic, infrared, radar sensors) that can be distributed around the helmet or motorcycle. Each sensor handles a specific detection task, and their results are processed separately before being integrated by the control unit, reducing the complexity of any single component while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes data from various sensor types, calculates collision trajectories, determines impact probability, and controls both visual and audible alert systems. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, reducing overall device complexity while improving collision detection reliability
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and alert systems are added to provide comprehensive collision warnings, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alert systems are positioned to provide localized warnings: visual indicators are placed on the helmet surface where they can be seen by the rider, and audible speakers are positioned to direct sound toward the rider's ears. This localized placement ensures effective warning delivery while using minimal material and keeping weight low
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ultrasonic, infrared, and radar waves at different frequencies and wavelengths to detect collisions from various distances and angles. By changing the detection parameters (frequency, wavelength, pulse duration) rather than adding more physical mass, the system achieves comprehensive safety coverage with minimal weight increase
3Measurement precision
If real-time trajectory calculation and collision probability assessment are performed, then the accuracy of collision warning is improved, but the energy consumption and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors operate in periodic cycles, scanning for objects and recalculating trajectories at specific intervals rather than continuously. The control unit updates collision probability assessments periodically based on new sensor data, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining sufficient accuracy for collision avoidance warnings
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical computation with electronic and optical methods. Ultrasonic and radar sensors use electromagnetic wave propagation to measure distance and velocity, while the control unit uses algorithms to calculate trajectories and collision probability. This substitution of mechanical systems with field-based methods reduces energy consumption while improving measurement precision
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 system effectively reduces the risk of injuries by providing timely and directional alerts to users, enabling them to prepare for or avoid collisions, thereby enhancing their safety during sports and motorcycling activities.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor array (a plurality of sensors)
Implementation Method 2
a sensor array (a plurality of sensors)
Implementation Method 3
an accelerometer array
Implementation Method 4
providing visual and audible alerts to users through LED lights
Implementation Method 5
providing visual and audible alerts to users through LED lights and speakers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods that relate to a modular protective system designed to be worn or incorporated into a helmet that prevent collisions with other stationary or moving objects by providing a visual and/or audible signal to the user. The system is composed of sensors that provide both directional and velocity information related to objects within the device/wearers surroundings. A computer device receives this information and translates it into a collision path and notifies the wearer of a possible collision and its trajectory.