Vehicle Spin and Roll Detection Using IMU Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced crash sensing and warning systems in vehicles increase cost and complexity, as they are typically added to conventional systems, and fail to effectively detect and prevent spin, roll, and spin-to-roll conditions leading to frontal, side, or roll-over crashes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using crash sensors and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to determine vehicle spin, roll, or spin-to-roll conditions, activating safety systems and providing warnings to the driver, with equations to calculate side-slip angles and roll rates, and utilizing flow charts to manage safety system activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If advanced crash sensing and warning systems are added to vehicles, then crash detection capability is improved, but vehicle cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines advanced crash sensing capabilities with the conventional crash system by integrating an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and spin/roll detection algorithms into the existing crash sensing architecture. This merging approach allows the system to detect spin, roll, and spin-to-roll conditions without requiring entirely separate hardware systems, thereby improving crash detection capability while controlling system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The crash sensing system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting conventional frontal crashes, spin conditions, roll conditions, and spin-to-roll conditions. By making the system universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for separate dedicated systems for each crash type, thus improving overall detection capability while minimizing the increase in system complexity and cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional crash systems are used, then basic crash protection is provided, but spin, roll, and spin-to-roll conditions cannot be effectively detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of spin and roll conditions by continuously monitoring vehicle dynamics parameters through the IMU before these conditions develop into full crashes. The spin/roll detection algorithms analyze vehicle orientation and motion patterns in advance, allowing the system to identify developing spin or roll conditions and trigger appropriate safety responses before impact occurs, thereby improving detection reliability while building upon the conventional crash system framework.
3Reliability
If advanced crash systems are implemented, then crash warning capability is improved, but the cost of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing inertial measurement unit (IMU), which is already present for other vehicle control functions, to provide spin and roll detection capabilities. By having the IMU serve multiple purposes including crash detection, the patent avoids the need for entirely separate sensing hardware, thereby improving crash warning capability while minimizing the additional cost burden on the vehicle.
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
Effectively detects and mitigates spin, roll, and spin-to-roll conditions by activating appropriate safety systems and providing timely warnings, reducing the risk of frontal, side, or roll-over crashes through integrated sensor data analysis and safety system management.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method using crash sensors and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to determine vehicle spin, roll, or spin-to-roll conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for activating a safety system when a vehicle may be involved in a spin, roll, and/or a spin-to-roll condition. The system and method include determining a side slip angle of the vehicle using the arctangent of the ratio of a lateral and longitudinal velocity. The system and method also include receiving a roll rate signal and determining a roll angle using the roll rate signal. The system and method also include determining a roll warning threshold that is a function of a relationship between the roll rate signal and the roll angle. Lastly, the system and method include activating the safety system when a side slip angle threshold and/or the roll warning threshold are exceeded.