Pedestrian Collision Protection Using Selective Airbag Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact absorption units in vehicles do not provide adequate protection for objects, particularly pedestrians, as they lack the ability to selectively operate based on real-time environmental monitoring and impact detection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system comprising a monitoring unit, detection unit, and operation control unit that selectively operates a plurality of impact absorption units based on monitoring and detection results to protect objects by deploying impact absorption units strategically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If impact absorption units are operated based on TTC (time to collision) alone, then the operation timing can be determined, but the protection accuracy and appropriateness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protection system into multiple independent impact absorption units (front airbag, side airbags, curtain airbags) that can be selectively operated. Each unit is controlled by specific impact detection units positioned at different locations, allowing differentiated response based on impact position and severity rather than relying solely on TTC-based timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where impact detection units continuously monitor impact forces on the vehicle body and provide real-time information to the control unit. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of airbag operation decisions based on actual impact conditions, improving both timing accuracy and protection appropriateness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple impact absorption units are deployed to protect objects, then the protection coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is divided into multiple independent impact absorption units (front airbag 22C, side airbags 22L/22R, curtain airbags 24L/24R) positioned at different locations. Each unit can be independently controlled by corresponding impact detection units, providing comprehensive coverage while maintaining modular simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Impact absorption units are pre-positioned and pre-charged throughout the vehicle structure, ready for immediate deployment. The system establishes protection coverage in advance through strategic placement of multiple units rather than requiring complex real-time coordination during impact events.
3Measurement precision
If impact absorption units are operated based on both monitoring results and detection results, then the operation accuracy is improved, but the information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing system is segmented into dedicated monitoring units (camera 23, radar 21) for environmental assessment and separate impact detection units for impact measurement. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different data streams without requiring complex integration, improving operational accuracy while maintaining processing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit continuously captures environmental information and calculates TTC in advance, preparing data for potential impact scenarios. Impact detection units continuously monitor impact forces and prepare detection results. Both data streams are pre-processed and ready for rapid comparison and decision-making, reducing real-time processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle, comprising a monitoring unit configured to monitor a surrounding environment of a vehicle body, a detection unit configured to detect an impact applied onto the vehicle body, a plurality of impact absorption units, and an operation control unit configured to selectively operate the plurality of impact absorption units, based on at least one of a monitoring result from the monitoring unit and a detection result from the detection unit.