Shear Pin Failure System for Vehicle Collision Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in minimizing impact force during collisions, as existing technologies do not effectively adjust shear pins to reduce the severity of injuries or damage to objects and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize computing devices to determine the necessary shear force for shear pins to break during collisions, adjusting their position and design, such as through tapered or telescoping pins, and actuator-controlled placement within pinholes with varying shear areas, to minimize impact force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shear pins are designed to break during collision to minimize impact force, then the safety of objects (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) is improved, but the structural strength and reliability of the vehicle panel attachment is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific weak zone in the shear pin at a defined distance from its end. This localized weakness allows the pin to break at a controlled location during collision, minimizing impact force on objects while maintaining sufficient strength in other regions for normal operation. The shear pin has different structural properties at different locations, with the weakened section specifically designed to fail first.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the shear pin by modifying its geometry at a specific location. The shear pin includes a weakened section with reduced cross-sectional area or altered material properties at a defined distance from the end, changing its mechanical parameters to create a predictable failure point that breaks at lower forces than the main body, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and impact force reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shear pin is made weaker to break easier during impact, then the impact force on objects is reduced, but the reliability of the attachment under normal conditions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shear pin into distinct functional zones: a strong main body for normal load-bearing and attachment reliability, and a weakened section at a specific distance from the end for controlled failure during impact. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function - the majority of the pin maintains high strength for reliability, while the localized weakened section provides the safety function during collisions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If computing devices and actuators are added to adjust shear pin positioning dynamically, then the ability to minimize impact force is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using computing devices to detect potential collision scenarios in advance and activating actuators to adjust shear pin positioning before impact occurs. The system proactively repositions the shear pin to an optimal location that will minimize impact force on objects during the anticipated collision, rather than reacting after the fact. This advance preparation allows the system to optimize safety performance dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the shear pin positioning adjustable rather than fixed. The actuator system enables the shear pin to be repositioned dynamically based on real-time detection of collision risks, allowing the attachment system to adapt its mechanical properties to different operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between attachment strength and impact force reduction.
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
The system effectively reduces the impact force on objects by determining and adjusting the shear force necessary to break shear pins, thereby minimizing injuries and damage during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
determine a first shear force for a first shear pin, wherein the first shear force is a desired amount of shear force necessary to break the first shear pin
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to adjusting a shear pin to minimize an impact force felt by an object in a collision with a vehicle. For example, one or more second computing devices may receive, from one or more first computing devices, information indicating that an impact with an object is imminent. In response to the received information, the second computing devices may determine a first shear force for a first shear pin, wherein the first shear force is a desired amount of shear force necessary to break the first shear pin. The second computing devices may send a triggering signal to activate an actuator prior to an impact with the identified impact target. The actuator, in response to receiving the triggering signal, may adjust the first shear pin in a first pinhole, so the first shear pin will break at the first shear force.