Vehicle Collision Detection via Pressure Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collision detection devices for vehicles often struggle to determine promptly whether an occupant protection device should be activated during collisions, particularly in side collisions, due to reliance on fixed threshold values for pressure sensor outputs, which can lead to delayed activation of safety measures.
Innovation Solution
A collision detection device that integrates pressure sensor output values over time to calculate an integration value, using variable threshold values based on this integration, allowing for more rapid determination of collision events and activation of occupant protection systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed threshold value is used for pressure sensor output comparison, then the device complexity is reduced, but the response time for collision detection is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed threshold into a dynamic variable threshold that changes based on the integration value. The threshold determination portion calculates a threshold that varies with the integrated pressure sensor output, allowing the system to adapt to different collision scenarios and significantly reducing detection response time while maintaining manageable device complexity through algorithmic rather than hardware complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the threshold value is lowered to detect weaker collisions, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but false detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the integration value of the pressure sensor output continuously updates the threshold determination. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from the cumulative pressure signal and adjust the threshold dynamically, improving detection sensitivity for weak collisions while using the integrated historical data to distinguish true collisions from noise, thereby reducing false detections.
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 approach significantly shortens the response time for activating occupant protection devices, enhancing the reliability of collision protection by enabling prompt and accurate detection of various types of collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure change in the air chamber space
Data Source
AI summary
A collision detection device for a vehicle includes an air chamber space, a pressure sensor and a collision determination portion. The air chamber space is arranged in the vehicle, and a pressure therein is changed in accordance with a collision with the vehicle. The pressure sensor detects a pressure change in the air chamber space. The collision determination portion determines the collision with the vehicle. An output value of the pressure sensor is integrated by time to calculate an integration value, and the collision with the vehicle is determined based on a threshold value set with respect to the integration value, and the output value of the pressure sensor. Therefore, when the collision with the vehicle occurs, whether an occupant protection device should be activated can be determined promptly.