Adaptive Occupant Protection via Seating Position Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupant protection systems in vehicles are inefficient due to the changing posture of occupants during travel, which can lead to injuries rather than protection in the event of a crash, as existing systems do not adequately adapt to varying seating positions and postures.
Innovation Solution
A method and safety system that utilize sensor data from multiple sensors, such as LIDAR and RGB cameras, to construct a software-based model of the occupant's seating position, allowing for adaptive adjustment of protection features like airbag deployment and seat positioning to enhance safety based on the occupant's posture and the vehicle's safety state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If airbags are deployed based on traditional sensor systems, then collision protection is provided, but occupants in unsuitable seating positions may suffer injuries rather than protection
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts airbag deployment decisions based on real-time detection of occupant seating position and posture using multiple sensors (LIDAR, RGB cameras). The protection system transitions from a static, one-size-fits-all approach to a dynamic, adaptive approach that responds to changing occupant configurations, thereby preventing injuries to occupants in unsuitable positions while maintaining protection for those in correct positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback loops where sensor data continuously monitors occupant position and posture, feeds this information to the control unit, which then adjusts airbag deployment status accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to learn from and respond to occupant behavior patterns, improving protection effectiveness while avoiding harmful deployments.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect occupant position, then seating position accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data from multiple different sensor types (LIDAR for 3D spatial mapping, RGB cameras for visual recognition) into a unified occupant model. By combining these complementary sensing modalities, the system achieves high measurement precision for occupant position and posture detection while managing complexity through integrated data processing and fusion algorithms.
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 adapts occupant protection features to improve safety by accurately determining seating positions and postures, preventing injuries by deactivating airbags in unsuitable positions and alerting occupants to hazardous seating or objects, thereby enhancing overall vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
sensor data from multiple sensors, such as LIDAR and RGB cameras
Implementation Method 2
sensor data from multiple sensors, such as LIDAR and RGB cameras
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1g
Figure 2~3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for adapting an occupant protection feature (302, 304, 306) of a vehicle. Receiving (S102) sensor data from at least two sensors (402, 204, 206), the sensor data is indicative of a detected occupant (102,108,110) in the vehicle. Constructing (S104) a model of a seating position of the detected occupant in the vehicle based on the sensor data. Adapting (S106) the occupant protection feature based on the modelled occupant's seating position.