DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR TESTING CRASH AVOIDANCE TECHNOLOGIES

• US 20130018528A1
• Filed: 06/25/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynamics Research Corporation (Science Applications International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dynamics Research Corporation (Science Applications International Corporation)
• Inventors: Kelly, Joseph, Broen, Peter, Silberling, Jordan, Bozin, Nenad, Zellner, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,583,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

A Guided Soft Target (GST) system and method provides a versatile test system and methodology for the evaluation of various crash avoidance technologies. This system and method can be used to replicate the pre-crash motions of the CP in a wide variety of crash scenarios while minimizing physical risk, all while consistently providing radar and other sensor signatures substantially identical to that of the item being simulated. The GST system in various example embodiments may comprise a soft target vehicle or pedestrian form removably attached to a programmable, autonomously guided, self-propelled Dynamic Motion Element (DME), which may be operated in connection with a wireless computer network operating on a plurality of complimentary communication networks. Specific DME geometries are provided to minimize ride disturbance and observability by radar and other sensors. Computer controlled DME braking systems are disclosed as well as break-away and retractable antenna systems.

Claims

1. A Dynamic Motion Element of a Guided Soft Target, comprising:

a body supported by a plurality of wheels, including at least one driven wheel rotationally coupled with an electronically-controlled power source, and at least one steerable wheel coupled with an electronically-controlled steering system; and

an electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system attached with and capable of applying braking force to each of the plurality of wheels.

2. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system is capable of applying braking force to each of the plurality of wheels independently.

3. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels include at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, and wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system is capable of applying braking force to the one or more front wheels independently from the one or more rear wheels.

4. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises:

a plurality of electronically-controlled servos each mechanically coupled to separate master cylinders that are each hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, each braking mechanism mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels.

5. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises:

a first electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a first master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a second electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a second master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, wherein each braking mechanism is mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels.

6. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises:

a first electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a first master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a second electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a second master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a third electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a third master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, wherein each braking mechanism is mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels.

7. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises:

a first electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a first master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a second electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a second master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a third electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a third master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a fourth electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a fourth master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, wherein each braking mechanism is mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels.

8. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 2, wherein the plurality of electronically-controlled servos are independently-controllable by a computer on-board the Dynamic Motion Element.

9. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 2, wherein the plurality of electronically-controlled servos are independently-controllable by wireless signals.

10. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 2, wherein the plurality of electronically-controlled servos are independently-controllable by a computer on-board the Dynamic Motion Element, and at least one of the electronically-controlled servos are also independently-controllable by wireless signals.

11. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 2, wherein the braking system comprises anti-lock brakes.

12. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 2, wherein the braking system comprises stability control.

13. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 2, wherein the braking system comprises separate hydraulic fluid reservoirs for separate master cylinders.

14. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the Dynamic Motion Element is adapted to receive wireless communication signals from a remote communication source, the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system adapted to apply braking force to at least one of the wheels when wireless communication signals are not received from the remote communication source.

15. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 2, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises:

at least one wheel being mechanically coupled to a plurality of separately-actuated braking mechanisms.

16. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 15, wherein the separately-actuated braking mechanisms are each actuated hydraulically by separate master cylinders.

17. A method of electronically changing the braking bias among the wheels of a Dynamic Motion Element, comprising the steps of:

providing a Dynamic Motion Element of a Guided Soft Target, comprising;

a body supported by a plurality of wheels, including at least one driven wheel rotationally coupled with an electronically-controlled power source, and at least one steerable wheel coupled with an electronically-controlled steering system; and

an electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system attached with and capable of applying braking force to a plurality of the wheels independently; and

electronically controlling the braking system to change the amount of braking force applied to one or more of the wheels relative to the amount of braking force applied to one or more of the other wheels.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of electronically controlling the braking system to change the relative amounts of braking force among the wheels is accomplished by wireless communication with the Dynamic Motion Element.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of electronically controlling the braking system to change the relative amounts of braking force among the wheels is accomplished automatically by a computer based on feedback from one or more sensors on the Dynamic Motion Element.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more sensors include any of:

sensors that output signals corresponding to the rotational speed of one or more of the wheels; and

sensors that output signals corresponding to forces on one or more of the wheels.