Autonomous Protective Vehicle Nesting for Lightweight Crash Survival
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lightweight vehicles are more prone to occupant injuries in collisions due to their lack of structural integrity to absorb crash energy, and there is a need for a system that combines these vehicles with larger, stiffer unmanned protective vehicles to enhance survivability.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned protective vehicle (UPV) with a chassis, wheels, engine, and barrier, equipped with an autonomous driving system, allows a maimed vehicle to enter a protected space, improving occupant survivability by coordinating with the manned vehicle inside the UPV during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If lightweight vehicles are used, then manufacturing cost and energy consumption are reduced, but occupant survivability in collisions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested vehicle configuration where a lightweight manned vehicle is positioned inside the cargo area of a larger unmanned protective vehicle. The manned vehicle remains intact and functional, while the outer protective vehicle provides structural protection during collisions. This nesting approach allows the lightweight vehicle to benefit from the protective structure without requiring the manned vehicle itself to be heavily reinforced.
Solution Approach 2:
The unmanned protective vehicle serves as an intermediary between the lightweight manned vehicle and the external environment during collisions. It absorbs and dissipates crash forces through its larger structure and barrier systems, protecting the occupants in the inner vehicle. The autonomous driving system also acts as an intermediary by coordinating between the two vehicles to optimize protective positioning and response.
2Reliability
If larger and stiffer protective vehicles are used, then occupant survivability is improved, but manufacturing cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into two distinct functional components: a lightweight manned vehicle for daily operation and an unmanned protective vehicle for collision protection. This segmentation allows the protective structure to be optimized for safety without requiring the manned vehicle itself to be large and expensive. The barrier system is also segmented into modular components including front and rear barriers with energy-absorbing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The unmanned protective vehicle serves multiple functions: it provides structural protection during collisions, acts as a mobile safety cage, and can independently navigate to protect the manned vehicle. The barrier structures serve both protective and energy-absorbing functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized safety equipment in the manned vehicle.
3Reliability
If the manned vehicle is positioned inside the protective space, then occupant survivability during collisions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates autonomous driving capabilities that enable the vehicles to self-coordinate for optimal protective positioning. The autonomous driving system automatically manages the complex interactions between the two vehicles, including navigation, positioning, and collision response, without requiring manual intervention from occupants. This self-service approach manages the complexity automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the driving control systems of both vehicles through the autonomous driving system, which coordinates the unprotected and protected vehicles as a unified system. This integration simplifies the overall control architecture by combining functions rather than requiring separate independent control systems for each vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of an unmanned protective vehicle (UPV) includes a chassis, wheels, an engine, a barrier fixed to the chassis, and an autonomous driving system. The UPV has an opening which enables a manned vehicle to enter a space that is protected by the barrier. And the autonomous driving system is configured to drive the UPV in cooperation with the manned vehicle, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space. Having the manned vehicle inside the space of the UPV improves the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space, compared to the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is not located inside the space.