Vehicle Impact Monitoring with Tiered Severity Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack differentiation between severity levels and types of events, failing to provide tailored responses to impact events, which can affect vehicle functionality.
Innovation Solution
An impact monitoring system that utilizes data processing hardware to analyze sensor data from various vehicle sensors, categorize impact events using a tiered impact score hierarchy, and provide notifications and actions based on the severity of the impact, including recommending inspections, pull-over locations, and communicating with communication servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a blanket impact monitoring system is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to differentiate between severity levels and event types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the impact monitoring system into multiple independent sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, impact sensors) positioned at different locations throughout the vehicle. Each sensor monitors specific parameters, and the system divides impact analysis into different severity tiers (minor, moderate, severe) with distinct response protocols. This segmentation enables precise impact characterization without requiring a single overly complex monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multiple dimensions of impact analysis by considering both the magnitude of impact forces and the location where impacts occur. By adding spatial dimension (front, rear, left, right sides) and temporal dimension (continuous monitoring over time), the system achieves sophisticated impact differentiation without increasing single-point complexity. This multi-dimensional approach transforms simple sensor readings into comprehensive impact profiles.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed throughout the vehicle, then impact detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a centralized impact monitoring system that serves multiple functions: detecting impacts, characterizing their severity, determining their location, triggering appropriate notifications, and initiating response protocols. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities across all vehicle zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges data from multiple sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, impact sensors) and multiple sensor locations into a unified impact analysis framework. By combining these diverse data streams and processing them through a single centralized system, the patent achieves comprehensive impact detection without the complexity of multiple independent monitoring systems. The merged data provides both precision and contextual understanding of impact events.
3Loss of information
If impact events are categorized into multiple severity tiers, then operator notification accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms complex multi-dimensional impact data into simplified severity tier classifications (minor, moderate, severe) by applying threshold-based parameter changes. The system monitors multiple parameters simultaneously (impact force magnitude, acceleration thresholds, rotational thresholds) and transitions impact events between severity tiers as these parameters change. This parameter-based approach maintains comprehensive information accuracy while presenting simplified categorical results to operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where impact monitoring data feeds into severity assessment, which then triggers appropriate notifications and response protocols. The system continuously monitors updated sensor data and adjusts impact scores and severity classifications in real-time based on new information. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate impact information delivery to operators while using automated decision rules to minimize processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An impact monitoring system for a vehicle includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations performed by the data processing hardware include receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed along the vehicle and identifying an impact event based on the sensor data. The sensor data and the identified impact event are compared with a series of impact thresholds, and an impact score is determined based on the comparison of the sensor data and the identified impact event with the series of impact thresholds. The impact score is compared with an impact score hierarchy, the impact score hierarchy corresponding to the series of impact thresholds, and the impact event is monitored using updated sensor data.