Vehicle Rollover Detection Using Rotational and Adhesion States

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting rollover events in vehicles, such as those involving the static stability factor, are limited in reliability and require analysis of typical vehicle dynamics sensor data, making them inefficient for early detection, especially in the lower roll angle range.

Innovation Solution

A control unit that links the rotational state from roll rate and roll angle with the state of adhesion from vehicle lateral and vertical acceleration, allowing for indirect evaluation of driving dynamics and simplifying rollover detection by avoiding the need for a driving dynamics observer, and activating passenger protection devices like airbags based on these classifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing methods using static stability factor are used for rollover detection, then the detection can be implemented with simple geometric parameters, but the reliability and detection accuracy are insufficient especially in lower roll angle range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverollover detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges rotational state parameters (roll rate, roll angle) with adhesion state parameters (lateral acceleration, vertical acceleration) into a unified detection framework. This combination allows the system to achieve high reliability in rollover detection by considering both the vehicle's rotational motion and its adhesion conditions, particularly effective in lower roll angle ranges where traditional methods fail

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the adhesion state as an intermediary parameter that bridges the gap between simple geometric stability factors and complex driving dynamics observers. By using adhesion state (derived from lateral and vertical accelerations) as a mediator, the system achieves accurate rollover detection without requiring full vehicle dynamics analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If typical vehicle dynamics sensor data and driving dynamics observer are used, then comprehensive vehicle dynamics analysis can be performed, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving dynamics measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential parameters needed for rollover detection (rotational state and adhesion state) from the full vehicle dynamics system. By taking out specifically the roll rate, roll angle, lateral acceleration, and vertical acceleration, the system achieves precise measurement without requiring the complete suite of vehicle dynamics sensors and complex observers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex vehicle dynamics sensors to infer adhesion and rotation states, the patent inverts the approach by directly measuring accelerations and deriving adhesion state from them. This inversion simplifies the sensor requirements while maintaining measurement precision for rollover detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of time

If early detection in lower roll angle range is achieved, then passenger protection can be activated sooner, but the detection threshold and sensitivity requirements become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection response timeVSAvoidroll angle detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of adhesion state and rotational state into discrete classes before final rollover determination. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare and respond more quickly by pre-evaluating the state parameters, enabling early detection in lower roll angle ranges while maintaining appropriate sensitivity thresholds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2247470B1Method and controller for controlling safety means for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2247470B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2247470B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2247470B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a controller for controlling safety means for a vehicle, wherein a rollover incident leads to actuating the safety means. Said rollover incident is detected as a function of kinematic, rotatory values, a road grip, and a static stability factor. Using a roll rate and a roll angle, a rotation state is determined. A road grip state is determined from a vehicle acceleration and a vehicle vertical acceleration. The rollover incident is detected using the road grip state and the rotation state, wherein the road grip is much greater than the static stability factor.