Side Satellite Accelerometers for Offset Crash Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle occupant restraining systems face challenges in accurately detecting and responding to offset deformable barrier crash events, particularly in discriminating between deployment and non-deployment crash conditions.
Innovation Solution
The use of XY side satellite accelerometers in conjunction with central crash accelerometers to sense and filter crash acceleration signals, enabling a controller to actuate multistage occupant restraining devices based on crash metrics such as acceleration, velocity, and displacement, thereby enhancing the detection of crash events and optimizing airbag deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a central crash accelerometer is used to detect crash conditions, then the system can sense crash acceleration at the vehicle center, but it cannot accurately detect offset deformable barrier crash events where the crash occurs at the side of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into multiple monitoring zones by placing accelerometers at different locations: a central crash accelerometer at the vehicle center and XY side satellite accelerometers at the side structures. This segmentation allows the system to independently detect and distinguish between central crashes and offset side crashes, resolving the contradiction between central detection precision and side crash coverage.
2Reliability
If only central crash acceleration sensing is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot discriminate between deployment and non-deployment crash conditions in offset crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces XY side satellite accelerometers as intermediary sensing elements that bridge the gap between central crash detection and side crash detection. These accelerometers are mounted in side structures and provide crash acceleration signals from offset crash zones, enabling the controller to discriminate between deployment and non-deployment conditions without requiring a complete sensor network throughout the vehicle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If XY side satellite accelerometers are added to detect side crashes, then the system can detect offset deformable barrier crashes, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The XY side satellite accelerometers are designed with multi-functionality: they detect both X-axis (longitudinal) and Y-axis (lateral) crash accelerations, and can serve multiple purposes including offset crash detection, crash severity assessment, and deployment condition discrimination. This universal design reduces the need for additional specialized sensors, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining enhanced adaptability.
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 solution improves the accuracy of crash event detection and airbag deployment, ensuring enhanced occupant safety by effectively discriminating between different crash conditions and optimizing the inflation profile of airbags in response to various crash scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a side-satellite accelerometer senses crash acceleration substantially parallel with a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and provides a signal indicative thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for controlling a vehicle actuatable occupant restraining system. A central crash accelerometer senses crash acceleration at a central vehicle location provides a first crash acceleration signal. A side-satellite accelerometer senses crash acceleration substantially parallel with a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and provides a signal indicative thereof. A controller actuates the actuatable occupant restraining system in response to the central crash acceleration signal and the side-satellite signal.