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...

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Main Authors: G. J. Sequeira, R. Lugner, U. Jumar, T. Brandmeier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2019-01-01
Series:Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems
Online Access:https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/8/19/2019/jsss-8-19-2019.pdf
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author G. J. Sequeira
R. Lugner
U. Jumar
T. Brandmeier
author_facet G. J. Sequeira
R. Lugner
U. Jumar
T. Brandmeier
author_sort G. J. Sequeira
collection DOAJ
description <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&thinsp;ms after the initial contact. The sensor also provides information on impact position at 1.2&thinsp;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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spelling doaj.art-8c5fa5ab004443209ae1e742d870244f2022-12-22T00:08:37ZengCopernicus PublicationsJournal of Sensors and Sensor Systems2194-87712194-878X2019-01-018193510.5194/jsss-8-19-2019A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systemsG. J. Sequeira0R. Lugner1U. Jumar2T. Brandmeier3Research and Test Center CARISSMA, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, GermanyResearch and Test Center CARISSMA, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, GermanyFaculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, GermanyResearch and Test Center CARISSMA, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany<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&thinsp;ms after the initial contact. The sensor also provides information on impact position at 1.2&thinsp;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>https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/8/19/2019/jsss-8-19-2019.pdf
spellingShingle G. J. Sequeira
R. Lugner
U. Jumar
T. Brandmeier
A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems
title A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
title_full A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
title_fullStr A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
title_full_unstemmed A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
title_short A validation sensor based on carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
title_sort validation sensor based on carbon fiber reinforced plastic for early activation of automotive occupant restraint systems
url https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/8/19/2019/jsss-8-19-2019.pdf
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