Vehicle Collision Test Object Decoupling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for simulating collisions between vehicles and test objects lack realism, particularly in decoupling the test object from the mounting plate during impact to prevent damage and ensure accurate measurement of collision forces.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a mounting plate with a coupling mechanism and a drive belt, where the test object is detachably coupled and decoupled from the mounting plate using a load-dependent coupling mechanism, allowing for realistic simulation of collisions by decoupling before impact, and utilizing a magnetic or toothed belt mechanism for precise control and minimal damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the test object is firmly coupled to the mounting plate during collision simulation, then the mounting plate can be moved along the floor by the drive belt, but the test object and mounting plate will be damaged during impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism transitions from a static firmly-coupled state to a dynamic decoupled state during collision. The load-dependent design allows the coupling to maintain connection during normal operation but automatically release when collision forces exceed a threshold, enabling the test object to be decoupled from the mounting plate during impact to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is pre-configured with a predetermined release point that activates before the actual collision occurs. This preliminary decoupling action ensures that when the collision happens, the test object is already separated from the mounting plate, preventing damage while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the test object remains coupled to the mounting plate during collision, then the coupling mechanism is simple, but the test results will be inaccurate due to mechanical interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision force measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the coupling state based on collision conditions. During the collision event, the coupling mechanism automatically decouples the test object from the mounting plate, eliminating mechanical interference that would otherwise contaminate measurement data. This dynamic behavior ensures accurate collision force measurements without requiring complex operational procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a traditional mechanical coupling system is used, then the structure is simple, but damage occurs to the test object and mounting plate during collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidcoupling mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is designed with a predetermined release point that activates before the collision impact. This preliminary action separates the test object from the mounting plate in advance, preventing damage to both components during the collision event while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The load-dependent coupling mechanism dynamically responds to collision forces by transitioning from a coupled to a decoupled state. This dynamic behavior protects components from damage during impact while keeping the structural design relatively simple through the use of a threshold-based release mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 realistic collision simulations by ensuring the test object is mechanically decoupled during impact, reducing the risk of damage and providing accurate test results for driver assistance systems.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling mechanism can be controlled in such a way that the test object is coupled to the mounting plate in order to be decoupled from a predetermined operating point before a collision between the collision body and the test object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLoad-dependent coupling mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a magnetic or toothed belt mechanism for precise control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic mechanism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a magnetic or toothed belt mechanism for precise control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectToothed belt mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP2976616B1System for creating collisions between a vehicle and a test object
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 4ACTIVESYST
  • EP2976616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2976616B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2976616B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (100) for producing collisions or near-collision situations between a collision body (102), in particular a vehicle, and a test object (101). The system (100) comprises a fastening plate (106) having a coupling mechanism, by means of which coupling mechanism the test object (101) can be detachably coupled to the fastening plate (106), a drive belt (107), which is fastened to the fastening plate (106), and a drive unit (108) having a drive body (109) for driving the drive belt (107). The drive unit (108), the drive belt (107), and the fastening plate (106) can be placed directly on a floor (103) in such a way that the drive body (109) moves the drive belt (107) and the fastening plate (106) along the floor (103). The coupling mechanism can be controlled in such a way that the test object (101) is coupled to the fastening plate (106) and can be actively decoupled from the fastening plate (106) from a predetermined operating point before a collision between the collision body (102) and the test object (101) such that the test object (101) is decoupled from the fastening plate (106) during the collision between the collision body (102) and the test object (101).