Vehicle Impact Sensor Using Open Channel Air Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle impact sensor systems are complex, costly, and prone to failure in detecting pedestrian collisions, leading to inadequate protection due to limited deformation paths under the hood, which can result in injuries from underlying structures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle impact sensor arrangement featuring a bumper beam and absorbing material with a channel and air pressure sensors that detect air pressure changes due to compressive impacts, utilizing air passages to ensure reliable detection without leakage monitoring, enabling rapid activation of protective measures like hood lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional enclosed air-tight chamber spaces are used for impact detection, then detection capability is provided, but the system becomes complex, costly, and prone to failure due to leakage monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air-tight enclosure requirement from the detection system by using an open channel instead of an enclosed chamber. The channel is intentionally left open to ambient air, eliminating the need for sealing and leakage monitoring while maintaining detection capability through pressure changes caused by impact compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The open channel design allows the system to self-regulate pressure through ambient air connection. The channel automatically equalizes pressure with the environment, eliminating the need for external monitoring and diagnosis arrangements to detect leakage, as the open design inherently prevents leakage issues.
2Ease of manufacture
If enclosed air-tight chambers are used for impact detection, then detection function is achieved, but additional monitoring and diagnosis arrangements are required, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the air-tight enclosure and associated monitoring systems, replacing them with a simple open channel that naturally vents to ambient air. This extraction of the enclosure requirement simplifies manufacturing while maintaining reliable detection through the pressure dynamics of the open channel during impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The open channel design uses simple, inexpensive materials without requiring durable seals or complex monitoring components. The system accepts that the channel is open and designs around this reality, using cheap construction methods that eliminate the need for expensive leakage detection and monitoring infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If the channel is completely sealed during impact, then maximum pressure detection is achieved, but the pressure cannot return to initial levels, preventing reliable impact detection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces ambient air as an intermediary that mediates pressure changes in the channel. During impact, ambient air is compressed into the channel increasing pressure; after impact, ambient air allows pressure to equalize and return to initial levels. This intermediary enables both precise impact detection and pressure stability for reliable continuous operation.
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
The system provides high reliability, cost-effectiveness, and robustness in detecting pedestrian collisions, activating protective devices such as hood lifting and airbags, while eliminating the need for additional monitoring and diagnosis arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air pressure sensor that is arranged to detect air pressure in the channel. When struck by an object that at least partly compresses the channel, the channel is arranged to confer an air pressure detected by said air pressure sensor that first increases from an initial air pressure to a maximum air pressure
Implementation Method 2
This is due to at least one air passage formed between the channel and ambient air
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle impact sensor arrangement (25), the vehicle (1) having a forward direction of movement (D). The sensor arrangement (25) comprises a vehicle bumper beam (8) and a vehicle bumper absorbing material (7) with a channel (11), which all have a respective longitudinal extension (L) that mainly extends across the forward direction of movement (D). The sensor arrangement (25) further comprises at least one channel air pressure sensor (12a, 12b). When struck by an object that at least partly compresses the channel (11), it is arranged to confer an air pressure detected by said air pressure sensor (12a, 12b) that first increases from an initial air pressure (P0) to a maximum air pressure (P1), then decreases, falling below the initial air pressure (P0) to a minimum air pressure (P2) before increasing again. This is due to at least one air passage (14, 15, 16, 17) formed between the channel (11) and ambient air. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method.