Vehicle Rollover Detection Using Lateral Acceleration Difference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased cost of vehicle safety systems due to the necessity of a roll rate sensor for rollover detection, which is not required for front or side collisions, necessitates a cost-effective alternative for rollover detection without relying on this sensor.
Innovation Solution
A rollover detection apparatus utilizing a pair of vertical acceleration sensors spaced laterally apart, with a central processing unit calculating rollover angular velocity and angle from the difference in their signals to determine if a rollover has occurred, thereby eliminating the need for a roll rate sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a roll rate sensor is used to detect rollover, then detection accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vertical acceleration sensors (designed for front/side collision detection) to perform rollover detection functionality, merging collision detection and rollover detection into a unified sensor system that eliminates the need for a dedicated roll rate sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical acceleration sensors are designed to serve multiple functions: detecting front collisions, side collisions, and rollovers. By processing signals from these sensors in different ways, the system achieves universal detection capability across multiple collision types without requiring specialized sensors for each function
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are mounted on the vehicle, then detection capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vertical acceleration sensors universal by enabling them to detect multiple types of collisions and rollovers through different signal processing methods, allowing one sensor type to replace multiple specialized sensors and thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining comprehensive detection capability
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
Enables accurate detection of vehicle rollovers and activation of occupant protection devices without the roll rate sensor, reducing system costs while maintaining high measurement resolution and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first vertical acceleration sensor mounted on the vehicle and outputting a first vertical acceleration signal indicative of vertical acceleration of the vehicle; a second vertical acceleration sensor mounted on the vehicle and outputting a second vertical acceleration signal indicative of the vertical acceleration of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A rollover detection apparatus for a vehicle includes a first vertical acceleration sensor, a second vertical acceleration sensor, and a rollover determining section. The first vertical acceleration sensor is mounted on the vehicle and outputs a first vertical acceleration signal indicative of vertical acceleration of the vehicle. The second vertical acceleration sensor is mounted on the vehicle and outputs a second vertical acceleration signal indicative of the vertical acceleration of the vehicle. The second vertical acceleration sensor is spaced away from the first vertical acceleration sensor in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The rollover determining section determines whether a rollover of the vehicle occurs based on a difference between the first and second vertical acceleration signals.