Vehicle Impact Detection System for Multi-Vehicle Collision Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle collision avoidance systems do not effectively alert other vehicles or mitigate the effects of potential collisions caused by distracted driving, failing to prevent or reduce the impact between vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An impact detection system for vehicles that includes sensors to determine distance and velocity of approaching vehicles, activating alert systems to notify occupants and potentially avoid collisions, and engaging vehicle systems to mitigate impact effects through braking, seating adjustments, suspension modifications, and steering assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional distracted driving reduction systems are used, then driver distraction is addressed, but collision prevention for other vehicles is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The impact detection system is integrated into the existing vehicle and serves multiple functions: detecting collisions, alerting occupants of both vehicles, and mitigating collision effects. This multi-functional approach extends the system's utility beyond traditional single-vehicle safety systems to include inter-vehicle collision prevention capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an impact detection system controller as an intermediary that receives sensor data, calculates collision parameters, and coordinates activation of various vehicle systems. This intermediary component enables complex collision detection and response coordination without requiring direct integration of all sensor and actuator systems.
2Loss of information
If alert systems are activated to notify occupants, then collision awareness is improved, but response time for impact mitigation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates alert systems in advance of the actual collision by detecting the approaching vehicle and calculating time-to-impact. This preliminary warning allows occupants to begin preparing for collision mitigation measures before the impact occurs, optimizing both information delivery and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the distance between vehicles and updates collision predictions in real-time. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust alert timing and mitigation activation based on changing conditions, ensuring optimal response timing despite variations in vehicle speed and distance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple vehicle systems are activated to mitigate impact, then collision effects are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collision mitigation function is divided into separate vehicle systems (braking system, seating system, suspension system, steering system), each activated independently based on collision predictions. This segmentation allows complex collision protection to be achieved through coordinated simple systems rather than a single complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts operational parameters of existing vehicle systems (e.g., brake force, seatbelt tension, suspension stiffness, steering angle) based on calculated collision severity and timing. This parameter-based control enables collision mitigation through modulation of existing system characteristics rather than requiring additional complex hardware.
4Measurement precision
If real-time velocity and distance calculation is performed, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex real-time computational collision prediction with a simpler sensor-based distance measurement approach. By directly measuring distance and using pre-stored velocity data from the approaching vehicle, the system achieves accurate collision detection with reduced computational requirements compared to full real-time trajectory calculation.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including an impact detection system that includes an impact detection system controller, at least one sensor configured to generate and transmit a signal indicative of a distance between the vehicle and an approaching vehicle to the impact detection system controller, at least one first vehicle system in communication with the impact detection system controller that, when activated by the impact detection system controller, is configured to either alert at least one of an occupant of the vehicle and an occupant of the approaching vehicle that an impact between the vehicle and the approaching vehicle is imminent, and at least one second vehicle system in communication with the impact detection system controller that, when activated by the impact detection system controller, is configured to mitigate effects of an impact between the vehicle and the approaching vehicle.