Vehicle Impact Absorption Control via Dynamic Energy Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle crash protection systems are typically designed for specific impact conditions and do not dynamically respond to changing aircraft and environmental conditions during flight, leading to inefficiencies in energy absorption and potential damage to occupants and aircraft structures.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that predicts impact events using sensor data, allocates energy absorption between various crash protection systems, and dynamically adjusts activation parameters based on terrain type and aircraft conditions to optimize energy distribution and system effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crash protection systems are designed for specific impact conditions, then they can provide reliable protection for those conditions, but they cannot adapt to varying terrain, altitude, velocity, and aircraft parameter changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of crash protection systems by continuously monitoring aircraft parameters (weight, velocity, altitude) and terrain conditions, then adjusting the activation and energy absorption characteristics of crash protection systems in real-time. This transforms static, condition-specific designs into dynamic systems that adapt to varying flight and impact conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of crash protection systems based on predicted impact conditions. By calculating optimal energy absorption requirements based on aircraft state and terrain type, the system adjusts activation thresholds and energy distribution parameters to match actual crash scenarios, resolving the contradiction between fixed design and variable conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple crash protection systems are activated independently, then each system can respond to its specific sensors, but the overall energy absorption is not optimized and may cause unnecessary activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent crash protection systems into a coordinated, centrally-controlled system. By integrating sensor data from various sources and consolidating control logic, the system evaluates overall energy absorption requirements and activates appropriate systems in an optimized sequence, preventing redundant activation and improving energy utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring aircraft state, predicting impact parameters, evaluating energy absorption requirements, and adjusting activation decisions based on this feedback loop. This coordinated control optimizes the activation of multiple crash protection systems, ensuring energy is absorbed efficiently without unnecessary system activation.
3Reliability
If crash protection systems are activated early to ensure protection, then occupancy safety is improved, but energy is wasted and systems may activate unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of crash risk by analyzing aircraft parameters and terrain data before impact occurs. It calculates predicted impact velocity, energy requirements, and optimal activation timing in advance, enabling proactive preparation without premature activation. This resolves the contradiction by activating systems at the optimal moment rather than too early or too late.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for controlling vehicle impact absorption systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a predictor to generate a prediction of an impact event for a vehicle based on data received from sensors of the vehicle. The example apparatus includes an energy absorption allocator to determine an amount of vehicle energy to be absorbed by a crash protection system of the vehicle upon the impact event. The example apparatus includes a communicator to generate an instruction to activate the crash protection system based on the prediction and the amount of vehicle energy to be absorbed by the crash protection system and transmit the instruction to a controller of the crash protection system.