Vehicle Rollover Detection Using ESC and Roll-Rate Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rollover detection systems do not effectively integrate electronic stability control sensors and vehicle rollover sensors to provide a comprehensive rollover event detection architecture, leading to inadequate robustness in detecting various rollover scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced sensor input and processing architecture that monitors vehicle roll rate, lateral acceleration, and electronic stability control system inputs to determine rollover conditions, using a combination of roll-rate sensors, acceleration sensors, and electronic stability control data to control actuatable restraining devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rollover detection systems use only dedicated rollover sensors, then the system complexity is lower, but the detection robustness and accuracy for various rollover scenarios is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electronic stability control sensors and dedicated vehicle rollover sensors into a unified detection architecture. The controller receives and processes signals from both sensor systems, integrating their data to determine rollover conditions. This merging of sensor inputs enhances detection robustness by providing multiple data sources for cross-validation and comprehensive coverage of different rollover scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic stability control sensors, originally designed for stability control functions, are utilized for dual purposes: stability control and rollover detection. This multi-functionality allows the system to leverage existing sensor infrastructure while enhancing rollover detection capabilities, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the system integrates multiple sensor systems for comprehensive rollover detection, then the detection accuracy improves, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing architecture is segmented into distinct functional modules within the controller: one module processes electronic stability control sensor signals, another processes dedicated rollover sensor signals, and a third module integrates these signals to determine rollover conditions. This segmentation allows complex multi-sensor processing to be broken down into manageable, organized functions, improving measurement precision while keeping processing complexity organized and controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors signals from multiple sensor systems and uses feedback loops to compare and validate data. By processing signals from both electronic stability control sensors and dedicated rollover sensors, the system cross-validates measurements and adjusts its determination of rollover conditions based on consistent feedback from multiple sources, thereby enhancing detection accuracy.
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 enhances the robustness of rollover detection by accurately identifying rollover events, including lateral force and yaw instability-induced events, leading to improved occupant protection through timely activation of restraining devices.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle rollover discrimination sensor 52 is a roll-rate sensor operative to sense angular rotation of the vehicle 32 about a front-to-rear axis
Implementation Method 2
The sensor assembly 50 includes a Y-axis acceleration sensor 54 that senses acceleration of the vehicle in the vehicle's sideways direction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an occupant protection system and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for detecting a vehicle rollover event using and enhanced sensor input architecture that uses both a roll over sensor and an electron stability control system.