A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
<p>In the automotive industry, sensors and sensor systems are one of the most important components in upcoming challenges like highly automated and autonomous driving. Forward-looking sensors (radar, lidar and cameras) have the technical capability to already provide important (pre-)crash info...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems |
| Online Access: | https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/8/19/2019/jsss-8-19-2019.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>In the automotive industry, sensors and sensor systems are one of
the most important components in upcoming challenges like highly automated
and autonomous driving. Forward-looking sensors (radar, lidar and cameras)
have the technical capability to already provide important (pre-)crash
information, such as the position of contact, relative crash velocity and overlap (width of
contact) before the crash occurs. Future safety systems can improve
crash mitigation with sophisticated vehicle safety strategies based on this
information. One such strategy is an early activation of restraint systems
compared with conventional passive safety systems. These integrated safety
systems consist of a combination of predictive forward-looking sensors and
occupant restraint systems (airbags, belt tensioners, etc.) to provide the
best occupant safety in inevitable crash situations. The activation of the
restraint systems is the most critical decision process and requires a very
robust validation system to avoid false activation. Hence, the information
provided by the forward-looking sensor needs to be highly reliable. A
validation sensor is required to check the plausibility of crucial information
from forward-looking sensors used in integrated safety systems for safe
automated and autonomous driving.</p>
<p>This work presents a CFRP-based (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic) validation
sensor working on the principle of change in electrical resistance when a
contact occurs. This sensor detects the first contact, gives information on
impact position (where the contact occurs) and provides information on the
overlap. The aim is to activate the vehicle restraint systems at near T0
(time of first contact). Prototypes of the sensor were manufactured in house
and manually and were evaluated. At first, the sensor and its working principle
were tested with a pendulum apparatus. In the next stage, the sensor was tested in
a real crash test. The comparison of the signals from the CFRP-based sensor
with presently used crash sensors in the vehicle highlights its advantages.
The crash event can be identified at 0.1 ms after the initial contact. The
sensor also provides information on impact position at 1.2 ms and enables a
validation of the overlap development. Finally, a possible algorithm
for the vehicle safety system using forward-looking sensors with a validation
sensor is described.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 2194-8771 2194-878X |