Predictive Sensor Plausibility Check via Acceleration Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle sensor systems face challenges in accurately detecting crashes due to errors in environmental sensor data, leading to 'false positives' and deviations, which can result in inappropriate activation of airbag systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines data from forward-looking sensors with pedestrian protection sensors for a plausibility check, using acceleration sensors to validate collision parameters and improve the reliability of anticipatory sensor data, thereby enhancing the triggering logic of occupant protection systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If environmental sensors are used for crash detection, then early crash prediction is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false positives and data errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrash detection timeVSAvoidcrash detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines environmental sensor data with pedestrian protection sensor data to perform plausibility checks. By merging these two independent sensing systems, the patent achieves both early crash prediction (from environmental sensors) and high measurement precision (validated by impact sensors), resolving the contradiction between early detection and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where pedestrian protection sensor data is used to validate and verify crash predictions from environmental sensors. This feedback loop allows the system to correct false positives and improve measurement precision while maintaining early detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If pedestrian protection sensors are used for plausibility checks, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrash detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the dual functionality of pedestrian protection sensors, which serve both pedestrian safety functions and crash detection plausibility checks. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same sensors are utilized for multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If environmental sensor data is used for airbag triggering, then productivity is improved, but reliability worsens due to false positives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidtriggering accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary plausibility checks using pedestrian protection sensor data before final airbag triggering decisions are made. This preliminary validation step ensures that environmental sensor data is verified for accuracy, maintaining both fast response times and high triggering reliability by filtering out false positives before activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach increases the safety and reliability of occupant protection systems by utilizing the strengths of different sensing principles, reducing errors in crash detection and enabling more informed triggering decisions.

Implementation Method 1

impact sensor signal, which represents a signal of an impact sensor of the vehicle... acceleration sensors can be used to trigger a pedestrian protection system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP2631125B1Method and device for checking the plausibility of a predictive sensor system
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2631125B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2631125B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2631125B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The method involves verifying collision parameter e.g. contact time point, displacement, strain rate or crash mass, by an evaluation-electronic system (140) under usage of crash sensor signal that represents signal of crash sensors (120) of a vehicle (100), where the collision parameter is determined from sensor signal of a predictive sensor system (110). Collision value is determined from the crash sensor signal based on acceleration signal of the crash sensors, and reliability of the collision parameter is determined by comparing the collision parameter and the collision value. The crash sensors are designed as acceleration sensors or optical waveguides. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for checking plausibility of a predictive sensor system (2) a computer-program product with a program code for executing a method for checking plausibility of a predictive sensor system.