Vehicle Thruster Rollover Prevention via Dynamic Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rollover prevention techniques are inadequate as they are preemptive and do not respond effectively to an ongoing vehicle rollover, particularly in vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as the up-armored HMMWV, which increases the risk of rollover during cornering.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic rollover prevention system that uses sensors to monitor vehicle parameters, determines when a rollover is imminent, and activates vehicle thrusters to discharge a counteracting force to prevent or slow the rollover, while also warning the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional preemptive rollover prevention techniques are used (such as modifying vehicle suspension or driver training), then vehicle safety is improved in terms of preventing rollovers before they occur, but the system cannot respond effectively to an ongoing rollover event
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static preemptive measures to dynamic real-time response by continuously monitoring vehicle parameters (roll angle, roll rate, vehicle speed, steering angle) and actively controlling thruster discharge to counteract ongoing rollover forces, enabling the system to adapt to changing vehicle states during a rollover event
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control by sensing vehicle parameters, comparing them against threshold values to determine imminent rollover conditions, and adjusting thruster discharge accordingly to counteract the rollover force, creating a responsive control system that adapts to real-time vehicle dynamics
2Reliability
If vehicle thrusters are activated to counteract an imminent rollover, then the vehicle safety is improved by preventing or slowing the rollover, but the system complexity increases due to the need for sensors, control logic, and thruster mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle thrusters serve multiple functions: they provide normal vehicle propulsion and can simultaneously function as rollover counteraction devices when needed, eliminating the need for dedicated rollover prevention hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing propulsion system components (thrusters) to provide rollover prevention, allowing the vehicle to counteract its own rollover using its own propulsion capability, thereby avoiding the need for separate counterweight mechanisms or external support systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle center of gravity is raised (as in up-armored HMMWV), then the vehicle's operational capability and payload capacity are improved, but the vehicle's susceptibility to rollover during cornering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thruster discharge generates a counteracting force that opposes the rollover moment created by the high center of gravity, effectively creating a dynamic counterweight effect that stabilizes the vehicle during cornering without requiring structural modifications to lower the center of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a method includes accessing data associated with one or more vehicle parameters and determining, based on the data associated with the one or more vehicle parameters, if a vehicle rollover is imminent. The method includes determining, in response to a determination that a vehicle rollover is imminent, a roll countering solution. The method includes determining, based on the roll countering solution, one or more vehicle thrusters to execute the determined roll countering solution. The method includes signaling the one or more vehicle thrusters to discharge to execute the determined roll countering solution.