Movable Shock-Absorbing Padding for Vehicle Side Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side windows in vehicles pose a risk to occupants during collisions due to the proximity of the head to the window, and existing safety systems are inadequate in protecting against head injuries in such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous on-road vehicle equipped with a nontransparent Shock-Absorbing Energy Dissipation Padding (SAEDP) that can cover the side window, moved by a motor over a sliding mechanism between two states, with a processor commanding the movement based on an imminent collision threshold, allowing the occupant to see the outside environment in the first state and blocking the view in the second state for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a side window is provided to enable occupants to see the outside environment, then the occupant's view to the outside is improved, but the risk of head injury during side collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a movable SAEDP that can dynamically change its position between a first state (not blocking the window) and a second state (blocking the window). The motorized sliding mechanism enables the padding to move in response to collision detection, transitioning from a non-obstructive state during normal operation to a protective state during collision, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining view and preventing injury
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by positioning the SAEDP in the first state during normal driving to maintain visibility, and automatically transitioning it to the second state when a collision is detected. The processor monitors collision conditions and commands the motor to move the padding before significant injury can occur, preparing the protective barrier in advance of the actual impact event
2Reliability
If a nontransparent SAEDP is used to protect the occupant's head during collision, then the safety during collision is improved, but the occupant's view to the outside environment is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a motorized sliding mechanism to dynamically position the nontransparent SAEDP. During normal operation, the padding is in the first state (not blocking the window), allowing full visibility. Upon collision detection by the processor, the motor moves the padding to the second state (blocking the window) to provide protection, thus dynamically adjusting between safety and visibility requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by having the SAEDP block the window only when collision is detected by the autonomous-driving control system. The processor monitors for collision conditions and commands the motor to position the padding in the protective second state specifically to counteract the harmful effect of collision, rather than continuously blocking the view
3Adaptability or versatility
If a motorized sliding mechanism is implemented to move the SAEDP between states, then the adaptability to collision conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective function from a fixed structure and implements it through a separate, movable SAEDP component that can be independently positioned. The sliding mechanism and motor are separate from the vehicle body structure, allowing the padding to be moved to specific positions (first state for visibility, second state for protection) without modifying the overall vehicle architecture significantly
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is utilization of nontransparent Shock-Absorbing Energy Dissipation Padding (SAEDP) in an autonomous on-road vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a side window located at eye level of an occupant who sits in the vehicle. The side window enables the occupant to see the outside environment. A motor is configured to move the SAEDP over a sliding mechanism between first and second states. A processor is configured to command the motor to move the SAEDP from the first state to the second state responsive to an indication that a probability of an imminent collision reaches a threshold. In the first state, the SAEDP does not block the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment, and in the second state, the SAEDP blocks the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment in order to protect the occupant's head against hitting the side window during collision.