Vehicle Occupant Protection Control via Yaw Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional occupant protection systems in vehicles primarily focus on front seat passengers, neglecting the unique kinematic challenges faced by rear-seat occupants, particularly during vehicle rotations, which can lead to inadequate restraint forces and increased injury risks for rear-seat passengers, especially children and adolescents.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling an occupant protection system with at least two levels of protection, selecting the appropriate level based on the vehicle's yaw direction, available movement space, and occupant-specific information, using sensors to detect impact and rotation, and adjusting restraint forces accordingly, such as through adjustable seat belts or airbags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional restraint devices use uniform restraining forces for all occupants, then the system is simple to control, but rear-seat occupants during vehicle rotation receive inadequate protection leading to increased injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device transitions from static uniform restraining force to dynamic adjustable restraining force based on real-time detection of vehicle rotation (yaw direction) and impact conditions. The control unit dynamically selects between first and second restraining forces, adapting the protection level to the specific crash scenario involving rear-seat occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The occupant protection system is segmented into different protection levels (first restraining force and second restraining force) tailored to different crash scenarios. The system separately addresses front-seat and rear-seat occupant needs, with specific focus on rear-seat protection during vehicle rotation through multi-level restraint strategies.
2Reliability
If the restraint device applies higher restraining forces to all occupants, then protection level increases, but the restraining force may be excessive for occupants with sufficient movement space leading to unnecessary discomfort or injury
Solution Approach 1:
Different restraining forces are applied to different occupants based on their specific needs and crash conditions. Rear-seat occupants during vehicle rotation receive higher restraining forces (second restraining force) while other occupants may receive lower forces (first restraining force), creating localized protection quality matched to each occupant's risk profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraining force parameter is changed dynamically based on detected crash conditions, specifically vehicle rotation and impact direction. The control unit adjusts the force parameter between two distinct levels, ensuring optimal protection without excessive force application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses multiple levels of protection with different restraining forces, then tailored protection is achieved, but the device complexity and control algorithms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts protection levels by detecting vehicle yaw direction and impact conditions, switching between first and second restraining forces based on real-time crash scenario classification. This dynamic adaptation provides versatility without requiring overly complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by focusing enhanced protection specifically on rear-seat occupants during vehicle rotation, rather than applying complex control to all occupants uniformly. The multi-level protection targets specific high-risk scenarios with simplified binary force selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for controlling an occupant protection arrangement which has at least two levels of protection for an occupant of a vehicle. The method has a step of selecting one of the at least two levels of protection of the occupant protection means as the level of protection to be used in the event of an impact of the vehicle using a yaw direction of the vehicle.