Ramp Collision Objects for Vehicle Speed Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-storey car parks, vehicles on inclined ramps risk uncontrolled movement due to braking system failures, posing collision risks with objects, people, or infrastructure when the driver leaves without applying the handbrake or if the vehicle is unattended.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that deploy collision objects, such as barriers or safety nets, along the ramp's route to intercept and slow down vehicles by converting kinetic energy into potential or thermal energy, triggered by error messages from the vehicle via a communication network, ensuring controlled deceleration and preventing further collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If collision objects are deployed to intercept and slow down vehicles, then vehicle speed is reduced and safety is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of braking system failures through error messages from vehicles, and pre-deploys collision objects (barriers, safety nets) into the ramp path before the vehicle reaches them. This preliminary action ensures that when a failure is detected, the safety mechanism is already in place, reducing response time and improving reliability without requiring complex real-time intervention systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces communication interfaces and control units as intermediaries between the vehicle's braking system and the physical collision objects. These intermediaries receive error messages from vehicles, process the information, and trigger the deployment of safety objects, creating a structured mediation layer that manages the complexity of coordinating detection and response mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If collision objects are moved into the path to reduce vehicle speed, then kinetic energy is converted to potential or thermal energy, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy conversionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system intentionally converts the harmful kinetic energy of a failing vehicle into beneficial forms through controlled collisions with pre-deployed objects. The collision transforms kinetic energy into potential energy (when vehicles are stopped on inclined ramps) and thermal energy (through friction and deformation), thereby dissipating dangerous energy in a controlled manner that protects other vehicles and infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The collision objects are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be deployed dynamically only when braking failures are detected. This dynamic deployment reduces energy consumption by keeping objects in a retracted or neutral state during normal operation, and only activating them when needed, thereby minimizing continuous energy requirements while maintaining safety capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If barriers or safety nets are deployed along the ramp, then vehicle speed reduction is achieved, but the ramp's usability and access are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidramp usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collision objects (barriers, safety nets) are designed as dynamic elements that can be moved into and out of the ramp path as needed. During normal operation, they remain retracted or positioned to minimize obstruction, allowing free vehicle access. When braking failures are detected, they are quickly deployed into the path to intercept vehicles, thereby maintaining ramp usability while providing safety when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of braking system failures through communication interfaces that receive error messages from vehicles. This early detection allows the system to prepare and deploy collision objects before the vehicle reaches the deployment zone, minimizing disruption to normal ramp operations while ensuring safety measures are in place when needed

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

Effectively reduces vehicle speed on inclined ramps, preventing severe accidents by ensuring controlled deceleration or stopping, even in cases of brake system failures, thereby enhancing safety and preventing uncontrolled movements.

Implementation Method 1

The collision converts at least some, and in particular all, of the kinetic energy of the motor vehicle into other forms of energy, for example, potential energy and/or thermal energy, thereby reducing its speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion:

Implementation Method 2

the collision object(s) are moved into the path by a motion device in response to the received error message

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical movement:

Data Source

PatentEP3377701B1Method and device for securing motion of a motor vehicle on an inclined ramp
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3377701B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3377701B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for securing motion of a motor vehicle on an inclined ramp, wherein, downward from the motor vehicle, one or more collision objects are moved into a driving path defined by the ramp in order to reduce a speed of the motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is still on the ramp by means of a collision of the one or more collision objects with the motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a corresponding device, to a parking lot, and to a computer program.