Thin Dummy Platform Structure for Vehicle Overrun Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing platforms for simulating traffic situations with driver assistance systems or autonomous vehicles are prone to damage when vehicles collide during testing, necessitating a design that allows vehicles to drive over the platform without causing harm.

Innovation Solution

A platform with a thin base body and roller elements, featuring a mounting area for dummies and functional elements, designed to be driven over without damage, incorporating features like controllable fastening devices, radar-absorbing surfaces, and a drive train that pivots under load to absorb impact forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the platform is designed with sufficient thickness and strength to support testing operations, then structural strength is improved, but the platform becomes vulnerable to damage when vehicles drive over it during collision testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform structural strengthVSAvoiddamage from vehicle collision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is divided into distinct functional zones: a mounting area with reduced thickness for vehicle passage and an installation area with sufficient thickness for housing functional elements. This segmentation allows the platform to accommodate both structural requirements and collision testing requirements without compromising either.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the platform are assigned different thickness characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The mounting area features reduced thickness to enable undamaged vehicle passage, while the installation area maintains sufficient thickness for structural support and component housing, optimizing overall platform performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the base body is made thin to allow vehicle passage, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle passage capabilityVSAvoidbase body strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base body is segmented into a thin mounting area for vehicle passage and a thicker installation area for structural support. This segmentation enables the platform to provide both ease of operation for vehicle passage and sufficient structural strength where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base body exhibits local quality variations in thickness: thin in the mounting area to facilitate vehicle passage and thick in the installation area to provide structural strength. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If functional elements are installed in the platform, then device functionality is improved, but the platform thickness increases, preventing undamaged vehicle passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform functionalityVSAvoidplatform thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is segmented into a mounting area without functional elements for vehicle passage and an installation area containing functional elements. This segmentation allows the platform to provide full functionality while maintaining a thin profile in the critical vehicle passage zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Functional elements are localized to the installation area, allowing the mounting area to remain thin for vehicle passage. This spatial differentiation of functionality resolves the contradiction between device versatility and platform thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If the platform structure is reinforced to prevent damage, then structural strength is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to increased thickness affecting sensor readings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform robustnessVSAvoidsensor measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is segmented into a thin mounting area for accurate sensor measurements and a reinforced installation area for structural strength. This segmentation allows the mounting area to provide measurement precision while the installation area provides structural robustness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The platform exhibits local quality differentiation: the mounting area maintains thinness for measurement precision while the installation area provides reinforcement for structural strength. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between robustness and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 platform effectively prevents damage from vehicle collisions while minimizing measurement errors by reducing the thickness of the mounting area and absorbing radar signals, ensuring accurate sensor readings and robustness against impacts.

Implementation Method 1

at least one roller element, which is arranged on the base surface, wherein the roller element (104) is configured such that the base body (101) can be moved along a base (130) by means of the roller element (104)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

absorbing radar signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar signal absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4330646B1Self-propelled platform for simulating traffic situations
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 4ACTIVESYST
  • EP4330646B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4330646B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4330646B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a platform (100) for a dummy for simulating traffic situations. The platform (100) has a main part (101), which has a base surface (102) and an upper surface (103) formed opposite the base surface (102), and at least one roller element (104), which is arranged on the base surface (102), wherein the roller element (104) is designed such that the main part (101) can be moved along an underlying surface by means of the roller element (104), and the main part (101) has a securing region (106) and an installation region (105). A securing device for securing the dummy is formed on the securing surface (103) of the securing region (106), and functional elements can be installed in the installation region (105). The main part (101) is designed to be thin such that a collision vehicle can drive over the main part (101) without causing damage.