Light impact detection for vehicle using low computation overhead
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a light impact against a vehicle, comprising:
- (a) comparing a measured acceleration and a measured yaw rate to respective baseline thresholds in a baseline state;
(b) when the acceleration is above the respective baseline threshold, then determining a center-of-gravity to impact distance according to a mass of the vehicle, a moment of inertia of the vehicle, the measured acceleration of the vehicle, and the measured yaw rate of the vehicle;
(c) when the determined distance is less than a vehicle edge distance, then entering an impact-suspected state when at least one of the acceleration and yaw rate is above the respective baseline threshold for a first predetermined duration;
(d) in the impact-suspected state, monitoring a plurality of vehicle dynamic behaviors for confirming occurrence of the light impact, wherein the method returns to the baseline state if the acceleration and yaw rate fail to remain above the respective baseline threshold or if the determined distance fails to remain less than the vehicle edge distance; and
(e) detecting the light impact when at least one of the behaviors confirms the occurrence.
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Abstract
Light or moderate impacts against a vehicle are detected. Measured acceleration and yaw rate are compared to baseline thresholds in a baseline state. When the acceleration is above the threshold, a distance from an estimated impact location to a vehicle center-of-gravity is determined. When the determined distance is less than a vehicle edge distance, an impact-suspected state will be entered if at least one of the acceleration and yaw rate is above the respective threshold for a predetermined duration. In the impact-suspected state, a plurality of vehicle dynamic behaviors are monitored for confirming occurrence of the light impact. A return is made to the baseline state if the acceleration and yaw rate fail to remain above the respective threshold or if the calculated distance fails to remain less than the edge distance. The impact is detected when at least one of the behaviors confirms the occurrence.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a light impact against a vehicle, comprising:
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(a) comparing a measured acceleration and a measured yaw rate to respective baseline thresholds in a baseline state; (b) when the acceleration is above the respective baseline threshold, then determining a center-of-gravity to impact distance according to a mass of the vehicle, a moment of inertia of the vehicle, the measured acceleration of the vehicle, and the measured yaw rate of the vehicle; (c) when the determined distance is less than a vehicle edge distance, then entering an impact-suspected state when at least one of the acceleration and yaw rate is above the respective baseline threshold for a first predetermined duration; (d) in the impact-suspected state, monitoring a plurality of vehicle dynamic behaviors for confirming occurrence of the light impact, wherein the method returns to the baseline state if the acceleration and yaw rate fail to remain above the respective baseline threshold or if the determined distance fails to remain less than the vehicle edge distance; and (e) detecting the light impact when at least one of the behaviors confirms the occurrence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle apparatus comprising:
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vehicle dynamics sensors measuring vehicle acceleration and yaw; a controller network with at least one controller module communicatively coupled to the dynamics sensors, wherein the controller network; a) compares a measured acceleration and a measured yaw rate to respective baseline thresholds in a baseline state; (b) if the acceleration is above the respective baseline threshold, determines a center-of-gravity to impact distance according to a mass of the vehicle, a moment of inertia of the vehicle, the measured acceleration of the vehicle, and the measured yaw rate of the vehicle; (c) if the determined distance is less than a vehicle edge distance, then enters an impact-suspected state when at least one of the acceleration and yaw rate is above the respective baseline threshold for a first predetermined duration; (d) in the impact-suspected state, monitors a plurality of vehicle dynamic behaviors for confirming occurrence of the light impact, wherein the controller network returns to the baseline state if the measured acceleration and yaw rate fail to remain above the respective baseline threshold or if the determined distance fails to remain less than the vehicle edge distance; and (e) detects the light impact when at least one of the behaviors confirms the occurrence. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification