Vehicle Panel Deformation Sensing for Low-Energy Impact Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety systems, such as airbag deployment, are triggered only by impacts of sufficient force, missing low-energy collisions like those with pedestrians or vandalism, which may not require activation but still need to be detected for safety and reporting purposes.
Innovation Solution
A secondary impact detection system using deformation sensors on vehicle panels, which generate signals upon bending, and processors to analyze these signals, distinguishing between low-energy impacts and false alarms by calculating short-term to long-term averages and combining data from multiple sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a primary impact detection system using accelerometers is used to detect impacts, then high-energy impacts can be detected to trigger safety systems, but low-energy impacts cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into two separate systems: a primary impact detection system using accelerometers for high-energy impacts, and a secondary impact detection system using deformation sensors for low-energy impacts. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized for its specific detection range without requiring a single complex system to handle all impact levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary deformation sensor system is designed to detect even minor panel deformations that exceed normal operational variations. By being overly sensitive to panel changes and then filtering results through multiple criteria (spatial distribution, temporal patterns, magnitude thresholds), the system detects low-energy impacts without triggering false alarms from normal vehicle operations.
2Measurement precision
If deformation sensors are used to detect low-energy impacts, then detection sensitivity improves, but false alarms from normal vehicle operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors deformation sensor outputs and compares current readings against historical data and threshold criteria. The processor evaluates whether detected deformations meet multiple criteria including spatial distribution across neighboring sensors, temporal persistence, and magnitude thresholds. This feedback mechanism distinguishes genuine low-energy impacts from normal operational variations like door closing or road vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines data from multiple deformation sensors located at different positions on the vehicle panel. By analyzing the spatial distribution and correlation of signals across neighboring sensors, the system can distinguish between localized impact events and distributed normal operations. The combination of multiple sensor inputs with different detection criteria creates a robust filtering mechanism that reduces false alarms while maintaining sensitivity to genuine impacts.
3Measurement precision
If multiple deformation sensors are deployed across vehicle panels, then detection coverage and accuracy improve, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is divided into multiple panels, each equipped with a distributed array of deformation sensors. This segmentation allows the system to localize impacts to specific panel regions and determines impact severity based on the number and intensity of activated sensors. The modular panel-based approach enables scalable deployment without requiring a single complex sensor system across the entire vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation sensors serve multiple functions: detecting low-energy impacts, localizing impact position, determining impact severity, and distinguishing genuine impacts from normal operations. By making each sensor part of a multi-functional network that processes spatial and temporal patterns, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring capabilities without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same sensor infrastructure supports multiple detection objectives.
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
Enables the detection of low-energy impacts without triggering safety systems, allowing for improved vehicle safety, automatic reporting of incidents, and reduced false alarms, enhancing the operational safety and maintenance of vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of deformation sensors associated with a panel of the vehicle, a deformation sensor of the plurality of deformation sensors configured to generate a signal in response to a deformation of the panel
Data Source
AI summary
An impact is detected with a vehicle having a body comprising parts which are deformable in an impact, by a secondary impact detection system configured to detect an impact that may not trigger a primary impact detection system. The secondary impact detection system comprises a plurality of deformation sensors attached to the deformable parts and configured to detect bending of the deformable parts. One or more processors are configured to receive a plurality of respective outputs from the plurality of deformation sensors, process the respective outputs to increase sensitivity to short-term changes relative to long-term changes and generate an indication of an impact dependent on detecting a processed output meeting a predetermined criterion. Outputs associated with a group of neighboring flex sensors may be used to localize the impact, characterize the source of impact, and/or reduce a likelihood of a false positive associated with the detection.