Occupant Protection Device Triggering via Parking Brake Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle occupant protection systems do not effectively trigger protection devices when the parking brake is activated while the vehicle is traveling, failing to provide adequate protection in emergency situations and lacking automatic activation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically triggers an occupant protection device, such as a belt tightening system, when the parking brake is actuated while the vehicle is moving, using a regulating or control unit to integrate with both the parking brake and occupant protection systems, ensuring activation even without explicit driver action, and optionally includes other protective measures like window closure or dynamic system adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the parking brake is actuated while the vehicle is traveling, then emergency braking force is applied, but the occupant protection device is not automatically triggered in conventional systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is pre-programmed to automatically trigger the occupant protection device when it detects parking brake activation during vehicle travel. This preliminary action ensures that protection is activated in advance of potential collision consequences, eliminating the need for manual intervention or additional sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves as an intermediary between the parking brake system and the occupant protection device. It receives signals from the parking brake actuation and automatically activates the protective device, creating a reliable connection between these two systems without requiring direct mechanical linkage or complex sensor arrays.
2Reliability
If the occupant protection device is automatically triggered upon parking brake activation, then occupant safety is enhanced, but false activation during normal parking maneuvers may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies different activation criteria based on the local context of vehicle operation. It distinguishes between travel conditions (where automatic activation is appropriate) and parking conditions (where activation should be suppressed), thereby applying protection only where and when it is genuinely needed without causing false alarms or unnecessary device activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its activation parameters based on vehicle speed and operational state. When the vehicle is traveling above a threshold speed, the system is sensitive to parking brake activation and will trigger protection. When the vehicle is stationary or moving at very low speeds during normal parking maneuvers, the activation threshold is adjusted to prevent false triggering.
3Reliability
If additional protective measures like window closure are activated, then comprehensive protection is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed as a universal controller that can manage multiple protective functions through a single integrated system. It coordinates the occupant protection device, window closure, and other safety measures, allowing one control unit to perform multiple protective roles rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for triggering an occupant protection device in a vehicle with a parking brake, wherein for the case in which a deceleration of the vehicle is demanded by operating the parking brake while travelling, the occupant protection device is triggered automatically and displaced from an initial position into a protective position.