Optical Fiber Grid Sheet for Impact Location Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant safety systems, such as seatbelts and air bags, face malfunctions due to incomplete impact sensing, as impact sensors are not installed in all areas of a moving body, posing a threat to occupant safety and complicating the development of algorithms to prevent these malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
An occupant safety system utilizing an optical fiber grid sheet attached to a moving body, which senses impacts by arranging optical fibers in a grid pattern, allowing for precise location and degree of impact detection through light transmission signals, and controls safety devices accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If impact sensors are installed in all areas of the moving body, then impact sensing coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber sensor is divided into multiple sensing segments arranged in a grid pattern across the moving body. Each segment independently detects impact in its local area, collectively providing comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex sensor system
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber grid sheet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a structural component and a distributed sensor array. The same optical fiber infrastructure detects impacts across all areas, eliminating the need for separate sensor installations in different locations
2Reliability
If complex algorithms are used to prevent safety device malfunction, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity and development difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber grid sheet autonomously provides accurate impact location information through its distributed sensing capability. The system self-identifies impact areas without requiring complex external algorithms to interpret sensor data, as the grid pattern inherently provides spatial resolution
Solution Approach 2:
Complex computational algorithms are replaced with a physically distributed optical sensing system. The mechanical/optical arrangement of the fiber grid itself provides the intelligence needed for accurate impact detection, substituting computational complexity with physical system design
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 ensures comprehensive impact sensing across all areas, enabling timely and appropriate activation of safety devices, enhancing occupant safety by eliminating the need for complex algorithms and reducing errors, while being easy to develop and implement.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter configured to apply light to the optical fibers of the optical fiber grid; a light receiver configured to receive light applied by the light emitter through the optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant safety system using an optical fiber grid sheet and a method thereof are provided. The occupant safety system applies light to optical fibers constituting an optical fiber grid which is attached to a moving body and in which the optical fibers are arranged in a grid pattern; receives the applied light through the optical fibers; grasps a location of impact on the moving body based on the received light receiving signals; and controls operations of safety devices provided in the moving body based on the grasped location of the impact. Accordingly, the occupant safety system can sense impacts on the moving body everywhere through the optical fiber grid, and can exactly grasp the location of the impact and can drive an appropriate safety device timely. Therefore, the occupant can be protected safely.