Vehicle Occupancy Load Detection for Reduced-Function Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing use of two-wheeled vehicles like e-scooters in city traffic has led to a rise in single vehicle crashes, often due to exceeding the maximum structural or legal occupancy, posing risks to occupants and violating legal limits.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a passenger occupancy element featuring load determining elements to assess the weight or weight distribution of occupants, allowing the vehicle to operate in either a normal or reduced functionality mode based on occupancy thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle allows multiple occupants to exceed the maximum occupancy limit, then the vehicle's transport capacity and versatility are improved, but the structural safety and legal compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The load determining element performs preliminary detection of occupant weight before the vehicle operation commences. The processing element evaluates whether the detected weight exceeds the maximum occupancy threshold and prevents vehicle operation in excess, or activates warning signals to alert occupants before structural damage or legal violations occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the weight on the passenger occupancy element and provides feedback through warning signals when the maximum occupancy is approached or exceeded. This feedback mechanism allows occupants to adjust their behavior (e.g., reduce load) before structural safety is compromised.
2Device complexity
If the vehicle operates without occupancy detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety and legal compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical occupancy detection systems with a simpler electronic weighing mechanism. The load determining element uses a weighing mechanism to directly measure the total weight on the passenger occupancy element, which is then processed electronically to determine occupancy status, replacing more complex mechanical sensors or manual counting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing mechanism serves multiple functions: it detects total weight, determines occupancy number, monitors weight distribution, and triggers warning signals. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate detection systems while comprehensively addressing occupancy-related safety risks.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle provides full functionality regardless of occupancy, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety and liability risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's operational characteristics dynamically change based on occupancy status. When the load determining element detects that the maximum occupancy is exceeded, the processing element automatically adjusts vehicle parameters such as reducing maximum speed, limiting power output, or disabling certain functions. This dynamic adaptation maintains ease of operation within safe limits while preventing dangerous high-occupancy scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system autonomously monitors its own occupancy status and self-regulates its operation without requiring external intervention. The processing element continuously evaluates weight data and automatically implements safety measures, reducing the need for manual occupancy checking by operators while maintaining legal compliance and safety.
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 solution enhances safety by preventing operation beyond legal occupancy limits, reducing the risk of accidents and legal liabilities, while also ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
the load determining element is arranged to determine a weight or a weight distribution imposed by at least one occupant of the vehicle arranged on the passenger occupancy element
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and a method for determining a vehicle's occupancy. A vehicle, comprising a passenger occupancy element for accommodating an occupant of the vehicle, the passenger occupancy element comprises at least one load determining element, wherein the load determining element is arranged to determine a weight or a weight distribution imposed by at least one occupant of the vehicle arranged on the passenger occupancy element, wherein the vehicle is adapted to determine a current occupancy situation of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle, dependent on the determined the weight or weight distribution, operate in one of at least two different modes, a first mode of operation when determined occupancy is equal to or below an occupancy threshold, and a second mode of operation when determined occupancy is exceeding the occupancy threshold, wherein an exceptional mode of operation, i.e. the second mode, is a mode of operation with reduced functionality.