Pneumatic Impact Bumper Control for Mobility Scooter Injury Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic conveyance vehicles (ECVs) or mobility scooters often cause damage to structures or injuries to pedestrians due to their design, which lacks effective mechanisms to mitigate impact upon contact.
Innovation Solution
An impact resolution system is integrated into ECVs, comprising a pressure vessel that generates a change in pressure upon compression, a pressure sensor to detect this change, and an operational controller that governs the vehicle's motion by ceasing power to the drive motor upon pressure increase, thereby stopping the vehicle's directional movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid bumper is used on the ECV, then the structural strength is improved, but the harm to pedestrians and structures upon impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible bumper made of compliant material that can deform during impact. The flexible bumper absorbs impact energy through deformation rather than rigid contact, reducing harm to pedestrians and structures while maintaining adequate structural protection for the ECV.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the bumper from rigid to compliant/flexible. This parameter change allows the bumper to exhibit different mechanical properties during operation - providing structural strength when needed while reducing impact severity through controlled deformation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a compliant bumper material is used, then the harm to pedestrians is reduced, but the structural protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing an active control system that can adjust the bumper's response characteristics based on operating conditions. The system dynamically controls the drive motor to cease operation upon detecting impact, and can actively manage the braking system to stop the ECV before further contact occurs, thereby maintaining structural protection while reducing pedestrian harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from impact sensors to trigger control actions. When the sensor detects compression or impact force, it sends a signal to the controller which then ceases motor power and activates braking, creating a closed-loop system that adapts the ECV's behavior based on real-time conditions to balance structural protection and pedestrian safety.
3Reliability
If an impact mitigation system is added to the ECV, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the impact mitigation function with the existing drive control system. The same controller that manages motor operation also handles impact detection and braking control, consolidating multiple functions into a single control unit rather than adding separate independent systems, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: normal drive operation, impact detection, motor power cessation, and braking system activation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each function, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive safety capabilities.
4Reliability
If a complex impact mitigation system is implemented, then the safety is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining impact sensing, control logic, and braking actuation into an integrated system, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining comprehensive safety functionality.
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 reduces or eliminates damage to structures and injuries to pedestrians by ensuring the ECV stops moving before further contact can occur, while also being easy to install and minimally impacting the vehicle's weight or operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure vessel that generates a change in pressure when an exterior surface of the pressure vessel is compressed
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor arranged to be affected by a change in pressure within the pressure vessel
Data Source
AI summary
An injury and damage mitigation system installed upon an electronic conveyance vehicle (ECV) (mobility scooter) that includes at least one pressure vessel. A sensor identifies an increase in pressure within the pressure vessel that occurs upon contact with a person/object. Once identified, the system reduces or interrupts power to the drive motor and/or applies a braking. The pressure vessel is integral with an impact element. Upon contact, the ECV decelerates to a stop. During deceleration, pressure vessel assembly compresses. The pressure vessel assembly is sized to compress to a dimension that is less than complete compression by the time the ECV stops. This ensures that minimal force is applied to the contacted person/object. The pressure vessel can be provided as a sealed vessel, an unsealed vessel, or a combination of a sealed and an unsealed vessel. The system can include an override feature and a reverse feature.