Vehicle Collision Detection via Electrode Bus Bar Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision detection systems for vehicles with electrical apparatuses like inverters require additional processes and components to detect impacts from any direction, and may fail to detect collisions where the inner surface of the inverter case is not damaged or when short circuits occur.
Innovation Solution
A collision detection device that uses electrode bus bars connected to the capacitor's plates, protruding from the periphery to face the case's inner surface, which detects voltage changes upon deformation, allowing for reliable collision detection from any direction without increasing the number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive film is extended throughout the inner surface of the lid as a dedicated component for detecting deformation, then collision detection capability is improved, but the number of parts and manufacturing processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the collision detection function with the existing electrode bus bars that are already present in the capacitor assembly. The bus bars serve dual purposes: electrical connection and collision detection. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated detection components while maintaining reliable collision detection capability through voltage change monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode bus bars are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical connection between capacitor plates and the external circuit, and they serve as collision detection sensors. When the case deforms due to collision, the bus bars contact the inner surface, causing detectable voltage changes. This multi-functionality reduces part count while improving system reliability.
2Reliability
If the conductive film is extended in all directions of the inverter case to detect impacts from any direction, then collision detection coverage is improved, but costs and manufacturing processes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode bus bars are designed with flexibility to protrude from the capacitor periphery and make dynamic contact with the case inner surface during collision. This dynamic contact capability allows detection of impacts from multiple directions without requiring fixed conductive films in all directions, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
3Reliability
If adjacent conductor patterns are short-circuited or contact the inverter case causing earth fault, then the current through the conductive film does not become zero, but collision detection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors voltage changes in the electrode bus bars and uses this feedback to determine collision occurrence. By detecting voltage changes rather than relying on current becoming zero, the system can distinguish between normal operational states (including short circuits or earth faults) and actual collision events, preventing false negative detections and improving detection accuracy.
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 accurate detection of collisions from any direction, distinguishing between collision-induced voltage changes and other faults, thereby ensuring immediate power cutoff and preventing electrical power leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a control unit which detects a voltage change in the electrode bus bars, thereby detecting a collision
Data Source
AI summary
A collision detection device for a vehicle detects a collision to the vehicle from any direction. Smoothing capacitors (510, 520) and an inverter are housed within a case (10). Electrode bus bars (12, 14) are connected to the positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates of the smoothing capacitors (510, 520). The smoothing capacitors (510, 520) are caused to protrude toward the inner surface of the case (10) from the periphery of the smoothing capacitors (510, 520), and the ends of the electrode bus bars (12, 14) are caused to face the inner surface of the case (10). The occurrence of a collision is detected by detecting the short-circuiting or grounding of the electrode bus bars (12, 14).