Vehicle Occupant Protection Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current occupant protection devices, such as airbag systems, face challenges in accurately determining collisions, particularly in distinguishing between low-speed and high-speed impacts, which affects the promptness and reliability of protection measures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-sensor system comprising a yaw rate sensor, X-direction and Y-direction acceleration sensors, and a collision determination section that uses threshold values to differentiate between low-speed and high-speed collisions based on rotation behavior and acceleration data, thereby enhancing collision detection accuracy and promptness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor is used for collision determination, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and reliability of collision detection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (yaw rate sensor, acceleration sensors in X and Y directions) into a unified collision determination system. The control unit integrates data from all sensors to perform comprehensive collision detection, merging their functions to achieve higher measurement precision while managing system complexity through unified processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the collision detection function into multiple specialized sensors: a yaw rate sensor for rotation detection and acceleration sensors for linear motion detection in different directions. Each sensor is optimized for specific measurement tasks, and their results are combined to achieve comprehensive collision determination with high precision.
2Speed
If only yaw rate sensor data is used for collision determination, then the stability is high, but the promptness for high-speed collision detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects the optimal sensor data source based on collision characteristics. For high-speed collisions, the system prioritizes acceleration sensor data which provides prompt detection. For low-speed collisions, it relies more on yaw rate sensor data which provides stable determination. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both promptness and reliability according to the specific collision scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors data from both sensor types and uses feedback mechanisms to determine which sensor data to prioritize. By comparing the characteristics of detected events with expected collision patterns, the system adjusts its reliance on different sensors in real-time, ensuring both promptness for severe collisions and stability for minor events.
3Measurement precision
If threshold values are set to detect all collision speeds, then the measurement precision across all speeds improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple threshold settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters (threshold values) of the collision determination system based on the detected collision characteristics. Different threshold sets are configured for different collision speed ranges, allowing the system to maintain high measurement precision across all speeds. The control unit automatically selects appropriate thresholds based on the sensor data patterns, managing the complexity through automated parameter selection.
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
This approach improves the accuracy and reliability of collision detection, enabling more effective deployment of occupant protection measures and emergency responses by balancing promptness and stability across varying collision speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor (e.g., a yaw rate sensor 28c of the present embodiment) for detecting a value concerning a rotation angle of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor (e.g., a first side sensor 21 of the present embodiment or an X-direction acceleration sensor 21b of the first side sensor 21) provided on a side of the vehicle (e.g., a side S1 of the present embodiment) to detect an acceleration in the vehicle longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant protection device capable of protecting occupants at a higher level is provided. An occupant protection device comprises a first sensor for detecting a value concerning a rotation angle of a vehicle, a second sensor for detecting an acceleration in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a collision determination section adapted to determinate whether or not a collision has occurred to the vehicle based on the detection result of the first sensor and to determinate whether or not the collision has occurred to the vehicle also based on the detection result of the second sensor.